Is anyone currently using this temp controller?
http://www.rancoetc.com/ranco-etc111000000-prewired-digital-temperature-controller-p-87.html?osCsid=13b1da6de163d77fb54df0e55ae80abb
If so, how is it working out? I just ordered an OBS and have been feverishly reading through these great forums for tips, tricks and recipes while I wait for its arrival. One thing I keep seeing is the need for additional temp control. Apparently the temp swings from a un-modified unit can be pretty big. I'm pretty anal about keeping my smoker at a set temperature when smoking. That is one of the reasons I'm making the switch to electric after years of babysiting my propane smoker.
Anyway, I'm looking for something accurate and relatively inexpensive that can be installed without a degree in electrical engineering.
I've even considered a temp control device used for water heaters. Has anyone tried one of those?
Please be kind....I'm new here ;)
Thanks in advance,
Brian
Hi and welcome on this forum i dont curently use this unit (just bought it on ebay but didnt received yet) according to other post that i red its seems very good. Just replace your short cord by the one from the ranco and plug it behind the obs slide your temp bar all over on and adjust your desired internal pit temp and there you go....Just keep in mind that your smoke generator ALONE can heat at 180F on a summer temp so you might want to build your self a cold smoke setup to go with it for cold temp like 110F up to 170F. Still not sure about the diferencial thing but someone suggested me to set it at 5 to start. hpe it helped dont forget to put the ranco probe inside the smoker for reading internal temp.
Quote from: BDCNE on May 30, 2008, 07:15:26 AMPlease be kind....I'm new here ;)
Brian,
That's one thing you don't have to worry about here. Everyone is real nice to newbies here. When you get a little time under your belt and start revealing more of yourself, that's when they'll attack like a pack of ravenous wolves on a newborn fawn ;D. Only kidding, this is a great group of folks and they'll do just about anything for ya and help in any way that they can.
I've not used the Ranco type PID but do use a PID with my OBS. It is by far the best investment I've made for my smoking soirees. It makes it as set it and forget it as you can get.
There are some great electrical minds in this group that should come along and help.....unfortunately, I'm not one of them.
Welcome to the forum,
SD
Hi Brian, welcome to the forum. I'm not familiar with this controller, but it might be a temperature switch instead of a PID. As i understand it a PID is like a rheostat that gradually adds or subtracts power to your heater to maintain a set temp. A temp switch is either full on or full off to bracket the set temp. Looks like a neat unit and if it is a PID, the price definitely seems good.
Happy smoking!
Thanks guys. I was hoping to hear from someone who is using this unit, but I DO appreciate ALL of your input and advice. This really is a great group! Nice, knowledgable people. Some of whom seem to be almost as obsessive as me ;) I look forward to learning as much as I can about using this smoker to it's full capability. If you can think of any other tips, please, let me have it.
I guess, as long as I don't see anything negative about the Ranco in the next few days, I'll order one up and give it a try. If it doesn't work out, I can always us it for something else. Unless anyone can suggest a better system that is affordable and not too difficult to set up. Again, I'm no electricain, but I think I sort of understand the basics. I can also follow diagrams. I've also been looking at the TET612 by ColdfusionX. It looks like it would probaly be more accurate, but I'm not sure how to wire it or if I'll need a relay or anything. Anyone using one that can help me?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Dual-Digital-F-C-PID-Temperature-Control-Controller_W0QQitemZ250223164271QQihZ015QQcategoryZ50926QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1713.m153.l1262
Thanks again,
Brian
I've not used the Ranco type PID but do use a PID with my OBS. It is by far the best investment I've made for my smoking soirees. It makes it as set it and forget it as you can get.
There are some great electrical minds in this group that should come along and help.....unfortunately, I'm not one of them.
Welcome to the forum,
SD[/quote]
Thanks SD. Which PID do you use? Was it easy to set up? How accurate is it? What's the investment?
Brian
Hey Brian,
I have an Auber PID. I was fortunate enough to have a very good friend make one for me. I believe the cost to make it was about $90. It is extremely simple to set up and use.
There are others here who could help with the Auber. Unfortunately, I'm about as useless as a milk bucket under a bull when it comes to electronics. But, that should tell you how easy it is to use if a simpleton like me can run it flawlessly.
SD
Thanks SD,
Unfortunately, my friends have NO electrical skills. I am also considering Auber's 'plug-n-play' model. It seems like a true plug-n-play PID. Which is perfect for someone like me; completely obsessive about temperature control, yet too lazy and un-skilled to build my own PID.
I guess I'll first check my OBS, when it arrives, to see how wildly the temperature swings. Then decide which PID to get.
Thanks again,
Brian
P.S.
Love the 'milk bucket under a bull' line ;D
Quote from: BDCNE on June 01, 2008, 07:36:00 PM
I guess I'll first check my OBS, when it arrives, to see how wildly the temperature swings.
BDCNE,
Since the OBS has a rheostat, it really won't swing. It settles in where you set it. The trick is to get it set at what temp you want (in this case,
you are the control element). After some experience, most can dial it in pretty easily.
Arcs_n_Sparks
Used mine for two years now
(http://www.butcherblockfoods.com/IMG00125.jpg)
(http://www.butcherblockfoods.com/IMG00129.jpg)
I couldn't make 1/2 the stuff I do without it.
I have mine wired as a meat probe. (shuts everything down when the meat hits the set temp)
A must have for making bacon, hams and sausage
WOW! Now THAT'S a set up! I'll bet you can smoke a whole herd of cattle at once with that bad boy.
So you're using the Ranco unit to shut it down when the meat is done (GREAT IDEA) but, does it turn it back on when the meat cools and the temp drops below it's done point? Also, what are you using to regulate oven temp? What's the Atkins unit doing?
I hope I'm not asking too many questions. I'm just really intrigued
Brian
P.S.
With a smoker that big, I'd love to see the size of the beer cooler that goes with it ;)
BDCNE,
Since the OBS has a rheostat, it really won't swing. It settles in where you set it. The trick is to get it set at what temp you want (in this case, you are the control element). After some experience, most can dial it in pretty easily.
Arcs_n_Sparks
[/quote]
Really? So, your saying if I can manually dial it in to 200F and smoke a pork shoulder for 10-12 hours, will it stay at approximately 200F throughout the smoking process on its own? Because, that's really what I'm looking for. I can deal with a degree or two fluctuation. Just not 10-20 degrees. What can I expect to see with an OBS?
I've read that there are pretty big temp swings on the DBS. Is that not the case with the original? If so, I'm even more glad I ordered the OBS. Maybe I don't need a PID after all.
Thanks Arcs,
Brian
BDCNE,
It will vary over time as the load comes up to temperature. Also, varying the vent setting can have a significant affect (starting more open to drive off moisture, then closing up). For some, an excuse to hang out with an adult beverage to check on it every couple of hours. Others just want to set-and-forget, so they go the thermostat/PID route. Had mine for a year before I built my PID, mostly to hold a tighter temperature for sausages.
Many members have used the OBS as-is with great results.
Arcs_n_Sparks
Thanks again Arcs,
My OBS should be here this week. Can't wait! I'm gonna try smoking some ribs & wings this weekend for her maiden voyage. If I have trouble dialing it in, I can always look into the PID thing. With the help of the forum, of course.
Thanks again to all!
The thermistor cable on the Ranco appears (in the picture) to be some sort of siliconized rubber. Do you think it would be okay to run this inside a LP smoker I'm custom building? I don't plan to run it higher than the 220 degrees spec'd out on the data sheets. I would place it in the upper third of the chamber away from the LP flame, obviously. Or, is there another probe for connection into the digital switch? Something like the type used in the PID you folks have built. I'm thinking this would be a great switch hooked up to the transformer that runs the LP valve to turn the burners on and off.
TBS, what type of probe are you using in the meat to shut down completely? Sounds like a great idea. I'm taking pictures of the construction, by the way, and should have them posted in the next 30-45 days.
sodak
At first i used the ranco silicone probe itself right in the meat, than a while later I had a small stainles tube made up and epoxied the probe inside.
And the ranco wired as a high limit shutoff.
I use the DBS to control the box temp , and the ranco to shut the whole unit down when the meat hit the precise temp.
Depending on the setup the ranco can be used to control the smoker temp or the meat temp.
How accurate his the ranco i mean can you maintain the smoker at a +/-1 degree from desired temp or more like 10 to 15 degrees?
+ / - 1 degree
Really!? So its not a on off switch? One last question pls TBS at what differencial did you set it? I know earlier in this post i said 5 but this advise given to me by some body else i think was more for an conventionnal pid and not the ranco thats why im still asking specially to some one like you TBS who use the ranco. i'll get mine next week by mail and i want to be ready. Thats why all these questions, i'll use the ranco with my obs. Any advise to get it accurate as much as possible? to make it work correctly? thx for taking the time answering my numerus questions.
hello Toker
If your using the OBS
- you plug one end of the ranco into the wall the other into the back of the smoker box.
- Then you hang the ranco sensor inside the smoker (about mid level)
- set the ranco's temp to whatever you want. (make sure the ranco is in heat mode not cool mode)
- then set the differential to 1 deg (for most accuracy)
The ranco (pre wired model) comes with a regular house plug outlet. you may have add an adapter to fit the smoker box (a computer power cord fits nicely)
When you get the unit, you'll figure it out.
differencial 1 degree alright thats the missing tip i was needing thx :D i knew about the rest exepted for the adaptor hope it comes with one and yes the one i ordered is prewired.
To monitor the food i already have a maverick et-73
cant waite to receive my ranco as soon as i try it ill post some feedback
big thx ;)
TBS,
Thanks. I've researched the data sheet and like being able to set the temp swings for the NO and NC on this device. I think I'll get a couple of them, one to control the gas valve transformer primary (to control the cabinet temp) and the other to switch the transformer control off (as a high temp limit switch) when the meat hits the target zone. This second relay will/can also activate a light or other such "DONE" alert device. Probably will also use your meat probe (tube) idea. Thanks, again, for the response.
I also noticed in the data sheet that you can add additional probes to get an "averaged" reading. But, that in my newbie opinion, may be taking this project one step beyond necessity. I'll sleep on that one for a couple more days.
My "simple" cabinet keeps getting increasingly less "simple" each day I spend on this forum!
And that's the beauty of it, Sodak! You can keep adding more and more gizmos which make it easier on us but those less informed would think it's increasingly harder, thus allowing for the adult beverages in both hands as you soak up the sweet smoke of your smoker. Those who smoke are nothing, if not ingenius!
SD
Thus proving once again that "More Is Better" sodak ! :D ;D
I think Ann is even starting to believe me. ::) ;D
Hi again TBS one last question (probably the only one i didnt asked so far) how can you use the ranco to just show the temp without controlling it ( using as a thermometre like you? Id like to use it this way for cold smoking without using my maverick.
Btw my ranco is in the mail with canada post it says will be here on friday 20th. And thx for telling me yes the ebay guy will send me a cord adaptor to fit my obs. thx again
Frank (Toker)
OK forget it, just received it ( a bit in advance :D ) and i found out how. If its pluged on the smoker it will controll it but if its not it will only tell you the temp (acting as a thermometer). Understood thx
Finally made my test for this unit as far as i tried it is wonderfull if you want a kind of pid prewired. Works wery well +/-1 degree with differancial set at 1 wow!! :o Should have bought it before!!! If i need an other ill probably go with a guru but for the time i raise my money to get a guru, this one will make the job for sure!
Thanks for reporting back Toker!!!
I was waiting to hear from someone using it in the same way as I plan to.
+/-1 seems pretty accurate to me. And they sent you the right power cable too? Better send those guys some smoked beast ;)
Can I ask why you say you would go with a 'guru' next. (I guess I'm really not sure what, exactly, that is.) Are you not happy with the results you're getting with the ranco?
Thanks again
Yes they send me the cord adaptor. And a guru (procom 4) has a lot more feature like a timer, a auto shutoff, can set the temp higher than 220F, a back light (for night) and it comes equiped with meat thermometre (instead of only controlling just the smoker it does both at the same time) and its cordless too!! just check www.bbqguru.com .
BUT WARNING several weeks ago their web site had a virus, dont know if they fixed it or not so before going there, have a nice antivirus and antispywares.
The url for the BBQ Guru site is:
http://www.thebbqguru.com/
For the electric smoker you will need the Raptor/Guru combination.
Sorry for the mistake and thx habs long time didnt see ya man.
A question for PID users ???
Do you have to pre tune or program the PID before you use it?
and if so would you not have to reprogram it for different mass or sized objects in the smoker?
Once its been tuned or found its "algorithm" for a pork butt on a rainy cold windy day, would you have to reprogram it for say, 2 lb of ribs on a hot day?
I guess this makes 3 Questions. :-[
Sorry cant help you there only tested empty. :-X
Quote from: T B S on June 18, 2008, 05:18:55 PM
Do you have to pre tune or program the PID before you use it?
You do have to run the Auto Tune with a typical load or simulated load in the smoker. Although this is not a difficult process, it takes about a half hour to run.
Quote from: T B S on June 18, 2008, 05:18:55 PM
and if so would you not have to reprogram it for different mass or sized objects in the smoker?
I suppose technically yes but in reality it makes very limited difference. I have mine Auto Tuned for 210 degrees and I have no problem maintaining temps for sausage at lower temps etc.
Quote from: T B S on June 18, 2008, 05:18:55 PM
Once its been tuned or found its "algorithm" for a pork butt on a rainy cold windy day, would you have to reprogram it for say, 2 lb of ribs on a hot day?
No, or at least not with my experience. Having said that my Bradley is built into my heated garage so outside temps are regulated. I haven't heard of anybody else with any issues like this either.
Mike
Thanks for that Mr walleye.
Did you mount the probe to the box so it reads box temp? or is it hanging insider to read the air temp?
Thanks
I have my TC mounted to a small bracket I built out of stainless steel. It is spaced away from the cabinet, at the rear of the cabinet. It allows the TC to read the air temp. It also allows for all the racks to be removed or rotate racks without having to move the TC.
Mike
Hey TBS
i need your secret please to autoshut down the smoker after the internal temp is reashed if you dont mind. I have the original bradley smoker not the digital.
BTW using it to cotroll the smoker temp really sucks its more like a on/off switch, it over and under heat can not maintain it at 1 degre F accuracity on heat mode. The swing is like 30 degrees (So if you have a trick to make it id like to know it pls.)Thats why im thinking to use it as a meat probe. The only thing i need to know is how to make the smoker shut down when the desired temp is reashed thx.
P.S. on the other hand its seems perfect to controll my fridge so i dont understand why it doesnt work for the smoker.