Hi atmeyer;
Sorry to welcome you to the forum in this manner.
For trouble shooting there is a lot of information at the
Bradley FAQ'sThe element not working is common, but the cause can vary. First plug the cabinet directly into an outlet, to do this you will need to use a computer power cord, instead of the power cord that came with the smoker. If it works fine, then there may be a loose wire in your generator.
If you have a multimeter, you can test the element to see if that is the problem. You would need to disconnect the element prior to testing. When testing you should get an OHM reading between 27 - 32; if not the element is no good and needs to be replaced. But before disconnecting the element, there is another way to tell if the element may be a burnt out, the pilot light on the face plate will still be on. If it is a power problem, or a circuit board (gauge) problem the light will not work.
If the power light is not working, besides the fuse in the generator, there is an in-line fuse located in the back of the cabinet that connects to the sensor. You can't tell if the in-line fuse is burnt out, so most members replace both at the same time. The circuit board may also be the cause, but it is less likely to be the problem. Unless you have a cracked just about the temperature controller. Take the face plate off and make sure that it is not corroded.