I installed the 900 watt element that I got from Grainger. I am not using the fan. Was testing it this morning with just the v-tray installed. I set the PID for 225F and it climbed really quick :o I am going to re-calibrate the PID for this one but it seems to be keeping a pretty even 225F ;D
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/IMAG0593.jpg)(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/IMAG0594.jpg)
Looks like the smoker came that way. :o
Every thing I have read says them finned elements are to have air flow
to work the way they were designed.
Just sayin. ;D
Well I just checked it and it has been holding steady at 225F to 224F so I may not need to re-calibrate the PID.
OU812....You might be right about it needing a fan but IMHO I think that would be needed if you are using it without a PID. Once it gets close to the target temp the PID is throttling the power on and off. If it was getting reduced voltage but still constantly heating then I think a fan would be a must or it will burn out. And then again I could be completely wrong and end up burning up my new element :D
Keep us posted this looks interesting. Might be a fix for those that cook in the snow and wind up in the great white north!
I recall one member installed the 900w element without a fan; it ran well for a while but the element eventually burned out. I believe he had a PID controlling it, but I am not sure. He may have wired it through the OBS heat controller.
Got my fingers crossed for ya? ;D
It would be great if it works long term.
Any chance you could keep track of the hours in use on that bad boy?
Quote from: OU812 on April 26, 2011, 01:18:57 PM
Got my fingers crossed for ya? ;D
It would be great if it works long term.
Any chance you could keep track of the hours in use on that bad boy?
Knowing Muebe he has an hour clock running every time he fires that puppy off! Probably found one in an old boat yard somewhere :D
It ran for 2 hours at 225F this morning with no racks and only the v-tray. I will start an hour log and see how far I get. Also my puck burner is located out of the cabinet so maybe not having it in there is better for the new element(less additional heat). And the element is located more than a inch away from the back wall of the cabinet(hard to tell from the picture) so there will ne room for the heat at the back to dissipate.
The highest temp I plan to go with this element is 250F...
Everyone cross your fingers ;D
Did you just change the original for this or did you do some other mod on it?
I am with Habs. I think I remember someone doing this without a fan. Was it Mr Walleye? in one of his trial runs.
Quote from: viper125 on April 26, 2011, 02:42:01 PM
Did you just change the original for this or did you do some other mod on it?
I basically did a swap of elements. Had to extend wires and add mounting brackets but nothing else. I can easily install the old element back in.
great heater, you do need to run a fan or blower or they do burn up
Good Luck partner, have my fingers crossed...but it will be nice just to see how long this element goes.. we'll all be watchin...
I read on here original element wiring was too light of gauage for that many amps. Dont really know. I talked to the selller of the 900 finned and from what it says it has a stealth temp to 1200 degrees. Also said finns are for cooling and didnt need a fan blowing on it. Said that wasnt written in gold either.LOL Be interesting to see but I 'd think it would be ok. Cabinet heat should never cause heater to go to 1200.
A nice install muebe! Good luck!
I'm just curious about the advantage of the 900w from Grainger over the Bradley dual element mod. I was going to do the dual element mod and then all of the probs with defective elements showed up. I guess that's all fixed now. Still deciding which way to go.
I would go with a non fined element, thats just me, buuuut look at all the crap that builds up in your smoker.
Example; I have fans in my smoker and after a few years the fins on the blades are covered with crap.
Had to replace the blades not to long ago, they wernt pushing any more.
Just sayin. ;D
Tested it again tonight when I got home. It took 15 minutes for the cabinet temp to go from 52F to 225F. It would take my original element about 35 to 40 minutes to reach 225F at this ambient temp. I have 3 hours on this thing and it is still working. I guess I am the guinea pig :D I will keep you guys posted...
With all the testing you best be smoking something Muebe......don't let all that good electricity go to waist ;D
Nice looking install muebe. Watching anxiously like everyone else. I think devo is right ... You need to start smokin some goodies, opening the door to see how it recovers, etc. Go for it!! ;D
I am going to smoke a tri-tip in it this weekend. I just wanted to give it some time to fail before I try smoking anything in it ;D I do have a blower motor that I made out of a dead hand mixer(motor is still good) to use for cabinet air circulation. It is really fast and moves a ton of air while testing on the work bench. I will need to regulate the voltage to slow it down to a good RPM. I can use the smoker control part of my Auberins to power/control it since I am not using that function. The problem is installing it so that the motor will not overheat and get gummed up from smoke & humidity. My thought is to mount the motor outside on the left side of the OBS and use a gear box inside the interior wall then mount the fan inside. This is going to take some deep thinking ::) And BTW the new element has been running strong this morning for 4 more hours so far @225F ;D
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/IMAG0595.jpg)
4 hr at 225 F, heck you could of had a bunch of chicken parts done smoked/cooked by now. :D
It really is nice when a plan comes together, there really are no limits to what we can do when we put our minds to work...unfortunately my mind is slowly fading...lol :D
I dont believe you will need the fan as the fins are made to pull heat away. I am curious though did you make a deflector or cover to protect heater for grease and residue? If it would get gummed up the fins wont be able to pull the heat away and may cause a fire. Just a thought.
I am hoping that the v-tray will help keep the element from getting too dirty but may need to install some type of protection if it needs it.
I checked the Tempco website(manufacturer of the element) and it shows that the finned element can be used in the bottom of a cabinet/oven for natural convection heat(no fan) or with a fan for a convection oven....
http://www.tempco.com/Strip%20Heaters/finned_strip_heaters.htm
Specs for "still" air setup and "moving" air...
http://www.tempco.com/Strip%20Heaters/finned_strip_std_specs.htm
curious has any one had trouble with elements over the original 500 watts going out. From what I read it seems to only be the originals.
Quote from: viper125 on April 27, 2011, 06:42:40 PM
curious has any one had trouble with elements over the original 500 watts going out. From what I read it seems to only be the originals.
I haven't!!
i have an OBS that I bought in Dec 2009. Bought second element and both are working fine. I think it was all a bad lot or lots that appear to have been resolved.
Was there a lot number or manufacturing number determined to be the one on the bad elements? My old element was still working good but I am curious if it is one of the "bad" elements...
never had an element go bad in over 5 years of owning a bradley, however i did do a 900 watt finned heater mod with in the first year a till this day never had any trouble, just have to do typical cleaning
Ive heard a lot about Bradleys blowing them. But after reading as much as I can I've only heard of some of the 500 watts. Im figuring a bad batch too.
Quote from: muebe on April 29, 2011, 07:20:04 AM
Was there a lot number or manufacturing number determined to be the one on the bad elements? My old element was still working good but I am curious if it is one of the "bad" elements...
This would be some good information to have, I still have the original element, but I bought several spares and it would be good to know if the spares fall into the marginal or possibiley bad elements...
I bought my DBS back in Jan. and I had the original and the replacement burn out. I got two more after that and did the duel mod. The last two I got must have been from the good batch that they got in as I have more time on these ones than the first two. Its nice when things work the way they are suppose to.
Believe when I get mine I'll do the 900 watt route. Just get away from 5oo altogether.
First smoke today with the new element. Just put a tri-tip in the OBS. It is really windy today but the temp is very steady right a 225F and the recovery time is quick! It is really nice only having a 10 minute pre-heat time with the 60 degree temps outside 8) I have done over 10 hours of testing time on the element with no problems so far....
Quote60 degree temps outside
You should try our weather.....its close to 35* F today. You have it made, almost sun tanning weather.
So the first smoke with the new element is complete. One tri-tip rubbed with white pepper,black pepper, and salt. Smoked with Jim Beam pucks for 2 hours at 225F. It took 3 1/2 hours for it to reach a IT of 140F. Element worked perfectly...so far so good ;D
The element is taking on color
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/IMAG0697.jpg)
Holding good temp with the PID ;D
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/IMAG0603.jpg)
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/IMAG0596.jpg)(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/IMAG0681.jpg)(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/IMAG0689.jpg)
muebe,
any chance of getting pictures or a write up on how you mounted the element?
Quote from: MidKnightRider on May 01, 2011, 01:28:28 PM
muebe,
any chance of getting pictures or a write up on how you mounted the element?
First I removed the old element. Then I extended the existing wiring using electrical connectors with small screws and nuts, wiring, and then using water tight shrinkwrap. Then re-installed everything back except for the old element and metal element guard. I found a couple of leftover metal brackets I had lying around in my tool box that are actually used for hanging mini-blinds :D I then used two self tapping sheet metal screws to secure the brackets to the element heat deflector. The new element was then secured to the brackets using small bolts, lock washers, and nuts.
thanks muebe. I thought I saw mini blind mounts but was not sure.
Definately seems like a upgrade Bradley out to do! With all the mods done successfully on here you'd think they would put them together and sell a new model. The Ultimate Bradley Smoker could be a big seller. LOL
great job muebe
muebe
I like this over the dual element mod.
I'm thinking build a PID and this 900 watt mode for me.
Quote from: MidKnightRider on May 01, 2011, 06:01:49 PM
muebe
I like this over the dual element mod.
I'm thinking build a PID and this 900 watt mode for me.
Yeah so far I really like this mod. It was very easy and the element his high quality stainless steel. The element appears to be very well made. I was going to do the dual element mod but the questionable reliability of the latest elements turned me off to doing it. I can understand if people want to wait before trying this element out and see if mine burns out...I would :D
Good lookin Tri-Tip, just keep rubbin it why dont ya. :D
Glad to here every thing is workin out for ya.
Quote from: muebe on April 30, 2011, 02:09:52 PM
First smoke today with the new element. Just put a tri-tip in the OBS. It is really windy today but the temp is very steady right a 225F and the recovery time is quick! It is really nice only having a 10 minute pre-heat time with the 60 degree temps outside 8) I have done over 10 hours of testing time on the element with no problems so far....
I just did a 10+ hr smoke/cook this weekend and was wondering if you plan to do any long term smoke/cook on that baby just to see how that element handles the long cooks.
Say a pork butt or brisket. ;D
I have a 13lb butt in deep freeze that I plan on smoking in the OBS. I think it is going to be a major test for the element ;) Problem is finding the time to do it between work and kids ::)
Quote from: muebe on May 02, 2011, 09:30:54 AM
I have a 13lb butt in deep freeze that I plan on smoking in the OBS. I think it is going to be a major test for the element ;) Problem is finding the time to do it between work and kids ::)
Sweet.
Right now I'm having a problem finding the time between work and Turkey hunting. ;D
Update: I have 20 hours on the element and still going strong....
18 hours @ 225F
2 hours @ 250F
20 hr,,,,,,,,,man that was one tuff butt. :D
Have not even smoked that butt yet ::)
Quote from: muebe on May 05, 2011, 07:45:18 AM
Have not even smoked that butt yet ::)
I knew that. ;D ::)
Devo...
I'm in the same boat. Bought my DBS in Jan '11, original element died within 3 weeks,
replacement died today (8 hours into a pork shoulder ... I was lucky, the Maverick ET-732's
low-BBQ-temp alarm went off!)