Probably not going to jump in and make the modification extremely soon, but studying the process keeps a guy busy and thinking.
Based on the 2 upgrades, it seems to me that adding the 900 watt would be the easier of the 2 jobs.
I see where on the 900 watt element, the connection points are on the same side as opposed to the standard element where the white is on one side and the black on the other.
So the question:
For those who have done it, and assuming we have a side "A" and a side "B", do you just pull the wire from side "B" and slip it through with the wire on side "A", or is there more to it that i'm just not seeing?
Here's a nice link 30daZe showing how beefmann installed a new 900 watt heating element back in 2008. Check out the entire thread and links.
http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=6918.0 (http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=6918.0)
Here's a follow up by beefmann
http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=7203.0 (http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=7203.0)
I myself will be looking into this approach over the installation of a second heating element. Beefmann, is there anything you would like to comment on since you've now had the 900 watt installed since early 2008?
I'm not sure if I am understanding your question, but the following links give fairly good detail on wiring the second element.
Additional Heating Element Modification (http://www.susanminor.org/forums/showthread.php?572-Additional-Heating-Element-Modification)
Additional Heating Element for OBS with On/Off Control (http://www.susanminor.org/forums/showthread.php?578-Additional-Heating-Element-for-OBS-with-On-Off-Control)
thirty,
I have been running my 900 watt mod for 2 years now, and the only problems that i have ran into are:
1) the blower pulls off to much heat off of the smoke generator.
solution: buy a auber timer and pid. the timer allows you to cold smoke first then switches to cooking and the pid to control the temperature the cooking and makes the smoking / cooking process a set it and forget it. also the blower is not running while the smoking process is going on. it runs full time during the cooking process while the heater is regulated by the pid
2) the exposed element from inside the cabinet.
solution a metal canopy wide and deep enough to deflect the fat / grease onto the v tray to prevent fire flair ups
with this set up my box temps are pretty well even through out the box with 20 lbs of meat, if i go higher i do notice a temperature difference so i put thicker cuts of meat towards the bottom and thinner one s towards the top.
here is the link for the timer and pid that controls my smoker
http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=17304.0
also if you run all 4 racks in a 4 rack smoker, rotate the racks . Whats on the bottom will get dried out quicker and wound be as tender.. 3 racks or less works almost perfect with timing
Thanks for the replies everyone.
Quote from: Habanero Smoker on October 27, 2010, 01:11:39 PM
I'm not sure if I am understanding your question, but the following links give fairly good detail on wiring the second element.
Additional Heating Element Modification (http://www.susanminor.org/forums/showthread.php?572-Additional-Heating-Element-Modification)
Additional Heating Element for OBS with On/Off Control (http://www.susanminor.org/forums/showthread.php?578-Additional-Heating-Element-for-OBS-with-On-Off-Control)
in simplest terms, on my DBS when i look into the tower and look at the heating element, there is a wire on the left end of the element, and a wire at the right end of the element.
the 900 watt element has both wire connections on the same side.
so i was asking if beefman just simply pulled the wire that was powering the right hand side of the original element, and just string it over to the other side.
yes i pulled both wires to the same side through the cabinate
Quote from: beefmann on October 27, 2010, 03:46:01 PM
yes i pulled both wires to the same side through the cabinate
ok, thanks a million.
this really does seem to be the way to go, i think, as far as simplicity is concerned.
that is what i think,
there are two heater mods and both have there advantages
Quote from: thirtydaZe on October 27, 2010, 03:23:01 PM
Thanks for the replies everyone.
Quote from: Habanero Smoker on October 27, 2010, 01:11:39 PM
I'm not sure if I am understanding your question, but the following links give fairly good detail on wiring the second element.
Additional Heating Element Modification (http://www.susanminor.org/forums/showthread.php?572-Additional-Heating-Element-Modification)
Additional Heating Element for OBS with On/Off Control (http://www.susanminor.org/forums/showthread.php?578-Additional-Heating-Element-for-OBS-with-On-Off-Control)
in simplest terms, on my DBS when i look into the tower and look at the heating element, there is a wire on the left end of the element, and a wire at the right end of the element.
the 900 watt element has both wire connections on the same side.
so i was asking if beefman just simply pulled the wire that was powering the right hand side of the original element, and just string it over to the other side.
I have a better understanding now. I thought you were inquiring about the second element wiring.
So why did I install a 2nd heater element when there is a 900 watt single element available? ???
What are the opinions from all on which way to go.
Dual
or Single 900 watt
Thanks
Lumpy
Quote from: lumpy on October 28, 2010, 01:11:40 PM
So why did I install a 2nd heater element when there is a 900 watt single element available? ???
What are the opinions from all on which way to go.
Dual
or Single 900 watt
Thanks
Lumpy
Thanks to all those that blazed the unknown and gave us 2 options - 2nd element or 900 watt element. I have the same questions as Lumpy. If you were to modify your Bradley now which way would you go and why?
I think it was beefmann who verified that the installation of a fan with the 900 watt element would be preferred but that according to the manufacturer of the heating element, you can replace the existing heating element with a 900 watt element without installing a fan. It is understood by me that you need a PID, which I have, to control the 900 watt element.
If you put in the 2nd element you should also use a PID of some type
I do have a PID
I did install the 900 watt heater option as well but after burning out 2 of them i switched to the dual element. I found out that I need to move more air across the finned heater in order to make it last a longer
LTS
LTS,
How much air were you moving across the 900 watt element?..
im moving 110 cfm and never burnt out the element
Not exactly sure I had the little fan blades (approximately 1.5 - 2 " Diameter) that stuck through the back of the smoker
evidently not enough
LTS
sounds like it, maybe 15 cfm went through the heater
I would love a larger heat element in another Bradley that i would use for butts, briskits and such. But i do allot of sausage in my 6 rack and need the lower temps.
What u say?
Another Bradley for nepas???????????????????????? Perhaps
Hey i have a 6 rack in the box :D