How old is the model 4? Also, are you tripping both a gfci and non-gfci breaker? Is the interior or your smoker wet with condensation? If so, leave the door open so it dries out. You can also use a multi meter look for a ground fault in the smoker. Here is a lengthy article for testing...
There were two pages of spam and were deleted and poster banned. I am not aware of email unless it was the notification from the person banned , before being banned, that your post had been replied to. There should be no more problems.
Welcome Kevin from SE Arizona. As you say, you seldom fill up your old smoker but like the flexibility (of the extra space). I would get the largest you can afford that will fit beneath your hood and enjoy the 'extra flexibility'.
Run the cables thru the smoke hole. No issues. You can try to use chips without a screen and judge whether or not you like the results. I have never used chips. I have never preheated my smoker and always get good results. That heavy smoke, when it happens, only lasts a few minutes and I have...