Since i bought my smoker i've been lurking these forums on a daily basis while we have down time at work.
Today is the first time i've seen the GFI acronym, and i've seen it twice. What does it mean?
Sorry - In California anyway, it's a Ground Fault Interrupter that is a requirement in any bath, kitchen or outdoor electrical outlet circut. They generally aren't a problem, but I had one that tripped during a smoke session and thankfully I caught it. My first overnight smoke is this weekend, and even though my electrician checked and said everything was A-Okay, I still will be nervous about it. When it tripped on me, I tried to reset it and plugged in an electric sander to make sure it wasn't my OBS and it tripped again. ELectrican calls it a "Phantom Fault" ??? Just in time for Halloween :D
Quote from: SoCalBuilder on October 29, 2010, 11:35:35 AM
Sorry - In California anyway, it's a Ground Fault Interrupter that is a requirement in any bath, kitchen or outdoor electrical outlet circut. They generally aren't a problem, but I had one that tripped during a smoke session and thankfully I caught it. My first overnight smoke is this weekend, and even though my electrician checked and said everything was A-Okay, I still will be nervous about it. When it tripped on me, I tried to reset it and plugged in an electric sander to make sure it wasn't my OBS and it tripped again. ELectrican calls it a "Phantom Fault" ??? Just in time for Halloween :D
oh, gotcha. i didn't even consider that! i saw GFI and PID, and was wondering what the heck i was missing out on!
Good luck with your brisket.
It's also known as a GFCI - Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter.
Quote from: SoCalBuilder on October 29, 2010, 11:35:35 AM
Sorry - In California anyway, it's a Ground Fault Interrupter that is a requirement in any bath, kitchen or outdoor electrical outlet circut. They generally aren't a problem, but I had one that tripped during a smoke session and thankfully I caught it. My first overnight smoke is this weekend, and even though my electrician checked and said everything was A-Okay, I still will be nervous about it. When it tripped on me, I tried to reset it and plugged in an electric sander to make sure it wasn't my OBS and it tripped again. ELectrican calls it a "Phantom Fault" ??? Just in time for Halloween :D
SoCal is right about the GFI explanation. They work great for the most part but with some appliances or motors they can give you fits. I know they don't like my heating elements in the larger smokers I built so I had to bypass them and run off a straight circut. I definatly disconnect the power before cleaning the smokers just in case. ;D
Quote from: SoCalBuilder on October 29, 2010, 11:35:35 AM
Sorry - In California anyway, it's a Ground Fault Interrupter that is a requirement in any bath, kitchen or outdoor electrical outlet circuit. They generally aren't a problem, but I had one that tripped during a smoke session and thankfully I caught it. My first overnight smoke is this weekend, and even though my electrician checked and said everything was A-Okay, I still will be nervous about it. When it tripped on me, I tried to reset it and plugged in an electric sander to make sure it wasn't my OBS and it tripped again. Electrician calls it a "Phantom Fault" ??? Just in time for Halloween :D
SoCal, You might have a faulty, no pun intended, GFI. Have you tried to plug in the electric sander in another GFI circuit to see if it trips it? Or for that matter the Bradley? If the sander does not trip another GFI but still trips the GFI that you are using for your smoker I would look into having your electrician friend install a new GFI. They're not that expensive at Lowes or Home Depot.
If the sander and Bradley trip the other GFI too then you might have a bad sander and Bradley ... what would be the chances of that? My 2ยข ...
Smoker Pete - I did indeed try the sander on a different GFI circut and ended up finishing the smoke on a cord on that circut. No Prob. Since my electrician looked at it and gave it his blessing, we've been using the suspect outlet with beat up old power tools that by all rights probably should trip it. So who knows, maybe there is such a thing as Phantom Fault. Or maybe he tightened down a loose lug on the outlet and is too embarrassed to admit it ??? One of life's mysteries I guess. My storage shed (or smoke house) as my guys are calling it is almost done, so I'll be on the circuit I know is good and the one I am trusting to get me through the smoke tomorrow night.
Thanks and have a great weekend :D
Quote from: SoCalBuilder on October 29, 2010, 06:41:08 PM
My storage shed (or smoke house) as my guys are calling it is almost done
Glad to hear you're forging ahead. Smoke ON ...
I'm curious to see what your 'smoke house' looks like cause after seeing some of the Bradley smoke houses posted on the forum I too am looking to build me one to house everything and keep it out of the wind, etc. Hope you post some pictures and details when you're done. Maybe a couple of quick shots to see what you're up to ;D
Pete - Raining this a.m, but due to clear later on so the smoke is still on. The 'smoke house' has no doors yet or a finished roof, but for the most part it's high and dry. I'll try to remember to take a pic or two of the abode. Have to do the weekly shopping this morn and figure I might as well pic up a couple chickens to throw on tomorrow after pulling the brisket.
This smoking thing is contagious ;D
Quote from: SoCalBuilder on October 30, 2010, 08:39:45 AM
This smoking thing is contagious ;D
Tell me about it!!! ... Haven't smoked anything for a few days and I'm starting to have withdrawal symptoms ;D ;D So many things to smoke and so little time :'(
GFI trips on the Bradleys are a typical thing. They just don't seem to like the smokers.