Got busy making chick wraps and ABT's next thing I know temps @ 370 on my maverick while doing ribs (my bad).....AAAHHHHHHH, got the temp back down, but now I have now power to the cabinet, smoke gen is working fine, so did I toast it, is there a reset, HELP!!!!!!!
Thanks
C
Not sure WTS. Could it possibly be a fuse? Hopefully one of our esteemed electrical gurus will be around soon to help.
westexasmoker,
Temperature needs to come down enough for the thermal breaker to reset. Not sure what that is....
Arcs_n_Sparks
Quote from: Arcs_n_Sparks on April 26, 2008, 04:08:20 PM
westexasmoker,
Temperature needs to come down enough for the thermal breaker to reset. Not sure what that is....
Arcs_n_Sparks
I knew one of our esteemed electrical geniuses would be around soon. ;D
Ok....been about 1.5 hours, I left the temp on high and smoke gen on and working @ 168 slowing climbing, should I turn the whole thing off, or keep going to see where we land....I'm so p'od at myself for letting it get that high...By that same token, I've never seen it try to get that high so fast...Oh well live and learn ;D
C
OK here's the plan..everything is pulled off into the oven, I'm at 178...just slow to get there. Gonna shutdown, plan on Salmon tommorrw so we'll see....Anybody else have this (my) problem....Thanks guys!
C
Westex
If it is empty now I would let it cool off then fire it back up and make sure the cabinet heater is glowing red. If it is I wouldn't think there is any problem.
Mike
Gut instinct tells me somehow I toast'd the element...but then again before I shut'her down I had a temp raise to 178 ...SLOW,,so not sure.....We'll see tomorrow...My luck I kill it within a month...(hence as my father in law tells me, "you could screw up, an anvil with a ball pen hamer") Not mater what happens I'll be back!!!!!!!!
C
Sounds like the temp cut off tripping. Once tripped i think I have read they may trip again at a lower temp (like 220 to 280 instead of the 340 or so they cut out at when new - all just memory so dont quote the numbers).
If it does not come up to temp during the exercise Mr Walleye suggests, this may be the problem... I saw a picture of one inside the back tower cover. Does not look hard to replace. I am sure Bradley has plenty. Hope you have good luck and it is all reset just fine.
Well the news is its dead, heating element not glowing at all and the power indicator light not glowing....I'm so depressed and to make matters worse I've got my salmon on the drying racks, I guess its time to crank up old faithful. Anybody have any other ideas??? I reckon I'll call Bradley heaven tommorrow!
Thanks
C
That sucks westexas...thanks for sharing though...at least we (I) know...it can happen. Get a new element and you'll be on your way again?
Are you sure there is not a fuse somewhere? I do not own a OBS but I cannot imagine not fusing the circuit to the heating element. Also if there is a high limit cutout, it should open before any damage to the element can occur. Maybe the cutout opened and is not resetting. I would not assume its the element till doing a little troubleshooting. If its just a fuse you should still be able to get your salmon smoked.
Good luck.
I just did'nt think I could kill it...You know the very first night UPS dropped off the smoker, seasoned up and threw a brisket in at 20:00 at 00:00 I refilled the water bowl and the temp dropped so I turned it up to high to bring the temp up before I went to bed...well fell asleep and woke up at 05:00 temp was at 252, so I don't have a clue how it got to 370 in about 2 hrs give or take... ??? And another thing I don't savvy is why the power light is not even coming on, unless its related to the element...Oh well such is life!!
C
The only fuse that I can see is on the smoke gen...I don't know if theres another one maybe dropping the back panel??????
C
I would open up the back panel to see if there is anything like a burned off wire, fuse, loose connection. You would think if there were a fuse it would be where you could check it easily without taking the back off. It doesn't hurt to look....... that is unless you forget to unplug it before messing with the wires. ;) ;)
Good point Pens!!! :)
westexasmoker,
Not sure how electrically inclined you are. If you have a volt meter, you could measure across the element. If you have 120 volts, then the element is cooked. If not, then the circuit is broken elsewhere.
When you say the power light is not on, are you referring to the light on the smoke generator, or the light on the slider panel? Even with the element cooked, the smoke generator light should be on. If not, then either the fuse or the wiring associated with the fuse has a problem.
Arcs_n_Sparks
If you could step me through the measure across the element I'm game, I've got my voltmeter but all I've used it for is mostly automotive and check a circuit in the house. The power light on the smoke gen is on, its the light on the slider panel thats not??
C
To my knowledge there is only one fuse on the OBS. There have been a couple of posts that mentioned the high limiter switch shorted out instead of tripping on some smokers.
To check that, follow Pensrock instructions on taking off the back cover (lots of screws). If it is burnt out Bradley will send you another one.
Okie Dokie, fish is pulled and in the oven....Its time to disect it...I'll let ya know...
C
So you just had the slider all the way over to the right and it got to 370 ? The only time mine got over 300 is when I had a puck stack in the bowl and they were all smoldering...
Yea 370 with the control all the way on high., I still don't understand if I fried it how I did'nt do it the first night and why the temp ramped up so fast..Now dumb question, the smoke gen supplies the power to the cabinet, for testing the element can I just plug the cab in, and about to pull the back off!
C
Ok accross the element 0 volts which I assume is good, if it were shorted 120 right Arcs...so lets pull the back off ;D and look for fried wire, I did notice that the inside of cab is kinda swollen on the back side, for lack of a better term..So I don;t know, back in a bit!!! Oh yea, on the bright side salmon in the oven, so lifes not to bad!!
C
westexasmoker,
Yes, you can plug the cabinet directly into an outlet and bypass the smoke generator. However, it is not fused if you do this.
I'd start at the smoke generator and make sure it is providing 120 volts to the heating element. Just stick your probes in the outlet of the smoke generator that feeds the box and you should see 120 volts AC. Since this is 120 volts and not 12 volts, be careful.
If you have 120 volts there (or decide to plug directly into an outlet). You should be able to see some voltage across the heating element. I would back off the slider a bit from the extreme right, since some have reported a dead spot. If no juice, I would take the back off and look for the thermal breaker. Since I've never done this, not sure what it looks like. To eliminate the thermal breaker as a problem, you can short it. If everything works, then the thermal breaker is the problem.
At the temperatures you reached, I would also be looking at wire connections to be sure nothing fried or came apart.
Arcs_n_Sparks
Maybe I did this wrong, I plugged the cabinet in direct and verified I had 120 at the cord, turned the temp switch on and measured on both sides of the lamp(element) and got nothing...is this good or wiring prob..I guess I'm confused (Shocking ;D) as far as the volts accross the element?
C
That would suggest the problem is not the element, since there is no voltage there. Need to find where the break in the circuit is....
Should I be checking the cab, or the smoke gen first...or I guess probably both
Since you plugged in directly and still had nothing, that means the problem is in the cabinet. I'd remove the back and take a peak....
Ok back's off wires look ok a bit of grease back there, not much maybe 1/2 tsp total and that includes the back plate, should I check for voltage at that plug through the wires??
C
I'd look across the thermal breaker. It should be closed, and that would mean no voltage. If you see 120 volts across it, then it is open. If that is the case, you could short it out and see if everything comes to life.
Ok very challenged, the thermo breaker be where..I'm guessing up to the cab temp gauge. I'm typing this and it just dawned on me...I'll check!!!
C
If you look inside the box, the thermal breaker is about three rack holders down from the top towards the left side. Not sure how it looks from the back side.....
I'm all for bypass'in it, Don't fall asleep...LOL..Are we talking about the sensor into the cab, where I think is the temp sensor......I got a funny feelin my warranty is about to be void.....1 month into it all!! ;D
C
westexasmoker,
In the OBS, the front thermometer is just that; a thermometer sticking into the cabinet. No connections here....
With the door open, you can see the thermal cut-out as I describe (unless they've changed the manufacturing) on the back wall. The only way to get to the wiring is to open the the back of the unit and explore.
Yes, this is probably a warranty-limiting road to take......
Sorry I'm slow, to respond, haven't had a moment to chase ANYTHING, I mean problem....I was told(eww..thats sounds bad) IT's time to eat and go to bed, and I would concur, exactly...So goodnight and I'll chase this tommorrrow... Thanks guys/gals!!!
C
OK let the saga continue, just hung up the phone with bradley heaven. They are sending out a new circuit board, which I don't think is the problem, but you never know??? Also she wants me to check the inline fuse, which I beleive is where we left off last night! So thats the plan, I'll post what I find (in all odds will probably be post for help ;D
C
Ok found the inline fuse (looks more like a resistor) no discloration or burnt marks so I'm thinking its alright...What to do now?? Anybody?? I'm not sure how to do this, put power to the box and voltmeter on each side the breaker??
Last night from Arcs
I'd look across the thermal breaker. It should be closed, and that would mean no voltage. If you see 120 volts across it, then it is open. If that is the case, you could short it out and see if everything comes to life.
Thanks
C
You could measure across the in-line fuse. Should be zero volts. If you see any voltage across it, it means it is open.
Ok did just that and I've got 120 volts, so the breaker has gone bad and needs to be replaced??
Thanks Arcs
C
I'm guessing to verify this cut the breaker out and hard wire it, if everything comes on we're golden and splice in a new TB.
Thnaks
C
If you have a jumper wire, you could just short it out.
Jumper wire?? alligator clip on both ends and hop over??
C
Well I'm thinking the plan is...cut out the TB and hardwire (short) and if we have power through the box....AH..Hah..replace breaker and good to go?? ya know if I fry it and the warranty won't comply..like when I was when as a mechanic, did you try to fix this....Well thats gonna cost you more!!! Arcs thanks I hate electricty (that and heights sucks when your 6 ft 5 ') but I'm seeing its not as bad as what I think....worse comes to worse these parts are replaceable for a reasonable amout and I've got a store close.....We'll see, my turn , still need help I'm hungry and tired......Tommorrow is another day!! Cheers to all, and Thanks for the Help...
C
I have no idea what I'm doing,......I just need my smoker back!!!!!! i guess worse comes to worse I've got a bada*s cold smoker box
Quote from: westexasmoker on April 28, 2008, 06:09:46 PM
Jumper wire?? alligator clip on both ends and hop over??
That would work and not leave any tool marks if you're wrong... :D :D :D
Well I guess I woke up brain dead...is the thermal breaker the round gizmo that pokes through the back of cabinet and the inline fuse the resitor looking thing spliced in the wiring???
C
Ok update...measuring across the round piece I have 0 volts, across the inline fuse (resistor looking thing) I have 120 which I think is correct??
C
You know I'm starting to think customer support may be right and the circuit board has taken a hiatus. Is there anyway to check it, while I wait for the new one to come in??? That way at least I'd know and it would quit driving me (and probably ya'll) crazy!! :)
C
Well i have heard that some of the Bradley parts have fallen into the being made in china? syndrome
nepas
Quote from: westexasmoker on April 29, 2008, 05:57:48 AM
Ok update...measuring across the round piece I have 0 volts, across the inline fuse (resistor looking thing) I have 120 which I think is correct??
C
Not familiar with the inline fuse, but you should not see voltage across it if it is intact. Also, not sure if it is an electrical fuse or thermal fuse. Is it wrapped up in something?
Arcs_n_Sparks
westexasmoker,
This was posted today by moondawg:
Quote from: moondawg on April 29, 2008, 01:56:25 PM
Hey Habanero. Much thanks for the advice! I did as you explained and found out that I had blown the thermal fuse on the back of the unit. I by-passed the fuse (just to check for continuity, not for use) and it started to heat at once.. I called Bradley and spoke to an incredibly pleasant young lady and told her what I had found. She assured me that the new fuse would be shipped right away and that I should be smoking in a week. I can't be happier with the service and the help on this forum. Again, thanks a ton !
Arcs_n_Sparks
Man I wish I'd have got that lucky..Oh well, got the new circuit board today and put it in, still nothing. Called support, I gotta say they are pretty awesome, they are sending out new thermal fuse, temp sensor, circuit board and element and we've determined if one of those doesn't fix it I've got a wiring problem, So we'll see!!! I'm thinking its time to build myself a PID!!! :) :)
C
Westex did you get your new parts in and get it working?
Its ALIVE....not for sure what the cure was, replaced thermal breaker and temp sensor and element...We have power...I feel like tom hanks in castaway..."I made fire!!!!!!!!", I'm a gonna be smokin this weekend, and must say with the help of ya'll and the awesome support from the bradley heaven its gonna happen! I've still gotta button everything up, but its ALIVE did I mention that ;D Parts on the way for a pid, Once again thanks everyone!!! Oh and I called for parts yesterday and they were here today..Two thumbs up for bradley service!!!!
THANKS
C
This makes 2 happy success stories. :)
That kind of customer service is exactly why I'll stay with a Bradley forever.
Quote from: westexasmoker on May 01, 2008, 06:11:13 PM
Its ALIVE....not for sure what the cure was, replaced thermal breaker and temp sensor and element...We have power...
You'll want to investigate a bit in order to keep the parts that still work....
Arcs_n_Sparks
Thats the plan..I jumped off into and just replaced everything,,except the circuit board, so its the element or the temp sensor, or both....But I did hang on to everything and will check those components out....but I was just ready to smoke again....For a small trial did some hamburger patties tonight, in lieu of fajitas for tommorrow.....So far life looks good...Oh yeah and PS I've got me a digi camera, not sure if I know how to work it....I'm old school and use my SLR for storms(thunderstorm activity) so I'll get there!!!
Hopefully!!!
C
Congrats on getting back up and running westex!!