BRADLEY SMOKER | "Taste the Great Outdoors"

Bradley Smokers => The Black Bradley Smoker (BTIS1) => Topic started by: dwray01 on November 13, 2011, 10:33:46 AM

Title: Pucks Won't Auto Feed
Post by: dwray01 on November 13, 2011, 10:33:46 AM
Just bought new original smoker.  Hooked up system, and when I started using it the pucks would not automatically advance.  Just wondering if anyone has some info.  I have no experience with these.  As I said it's just my first time using it.  Thanks for any info.
Title: Re: Pucks Won't Auto Feed
Post by: beefmann on November 13, 2011, 11:33:27 AM
open up the  smoke generator,  removing only the outer screws , attach any  loose connections,  that go only to the smoke generator motor  or control motor, some times they  get  moves about and come  loose
Title: Pucks Won't Auto Feed
Post by: mikecorn.1 on November 13, 2011, 02:05:02 PM
Ditto on beefmans post. Usually the problem is that the pucks keep advancing indicating a bad micro switch. I would venture to say that it's a loose connection.


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Title: Re: Pucks Won't Auto Feed
Post by: Habanero Smoker on November 14, 2011, 02:45:27 AM
If the above help doesn't work, can you provide more information.

Do you hear a motor running, trying to advance the bisquettes?

Does it manually feed when you push the advance button?

Is the feeder tube inserted properly so that its position is straight up?

Here is a link to some trouble shooting tips. It will also help you narrow done what the problem could be:
Bradley FAQ's (http://www.susanminor.org/forums/showthread.php?481-Bradley-Smoker-FAQ-s&p=748#post748)

Title: Re: Pucks Won't Auto Feed
Post by: tsquared on November 14, 2011, 08:35:06 PM
If, as Habs has asked, your motor is trying to advance the puck but failing, try this low tech solution: Get a piece of wood trim long enough to reach from front to back of your smoker box. Put the trim under the 2 legs on the generator side of the box which will give a slight downhill slant to the pucks as they get moved along to the burner. I used to have trouble with intermittent puck feed and ripped apart my generator to clean and grease everything a couple of times to no avail. My wife suggested giving the pucks a downhill run by using the trim and I've never had a problem since.
T2
Title: Re: Pucks Won't Auto Feed
Post by: manxman on November 15, 2011, 03:00:51 AM
I had a mechanical problem with the puck advance mechanism in that the drive rods were either
misaligned or damaged.

When the puck advance mechanism tried to drive the puck forward there was a tension that build up in these drive arms that was released with quite a noticeable cracking / snapping noise which was repeated each time the arms went round. The block that actually moved the puck forward sort of vibrated but never went anywhere!  >:(

This happened on both automatic and manual cycle and the only answer was a replacement generator. (under warranty)
Title: Re: Pucks Won't Auto Feed
Post by: JZ on November 15, 2011, 08:45:48 AM
I see you live in Manitoba and I am guessing it is pretty cold there right now. I had a problem with my SG not advancing pucks once. The motor was working and I could hear clicking noises but the pucks would not advance. It was well below freezing outside and I took it into the house until it warmed up and tried again. Problem solved. The SG worked fine after that and the problem has not reocurred.
Title: Re: Pucks Won't Auto Feed
Post by: anderson5420 on December 17, 2011, 12:45:20 PM
Been a long time since I posted here...had a bit of a probleml ast February and joined the stent club, so was off fatty meat for a while. I figure all things in moderation, a life without beef and pork is not worth living!

Anyway, same problem as title of this thread...decided to do some beef snack sausage, smoke generator heats up, I hear the motor clicking, but the pucks simply don't advance. I am sure I am way out of warranty (what is the warranty period, anyway?).  Have tried elevating the SG side to see if giving them a downhill run would make any difference, it doesn't.  Taking the sucker apart does not seem like something ol' Pat should even attempt...read why here (http://pnpsplace.blogspot.com/2009/06/life-without.html).  Anyway, I need to make this functional again.  Is there a US factory authorized Bradley service center ?
Title: Re: Pucks Won't Auto Feed
Post by: Habanero Smoker on December 17, 2011, 01:47:16 PM
Hi anderson5420,
Good to see you posting again.

It could be so many things. Have you looked at the FAQ section on the recipe site.

As for non-mechanical fixes, since you hear the motor running, I would remove the bisquettes to see if the shuttle (drive arm) is moving all the way back enough for the bisquette to drop down. Next check the feeder tube and make sure that is seated straight. When you refill the tube, make sure all the bisquettes straight. Also since you haven't used your smoker in a while, check the bisquettes to see if they were exposed to too much moisture during storage which could have caused them to swell and not feed correctly.

If it is mechanical, maybe you can get one of your friends who is pretty handy fixing stuff to take a look at it. Most of the trouble shooting can be found on the FAQ section. In return offer him some of your smoked goods.
Title: Re: Pucks Won't Auto Feed
Post by: anderson5420 on December 19, 2011, 06:36:05 AM
Whoo-hoo!  I think I got 'er going again!  At least brief test worked. 

I took the pucks out, removed the feeder tube, and took the case off.  Then I plugged 'er in to see what exactly was going on.  The pusher would go about half-way, and something (the motor?) would just start clicking and it would not go any further.  And it would not retract either.  So I did my best to clean all the little bits of wood out, oiled the pivot points on the arm and oiled the track the pusher travels on.  All SEEMS to be working now!  The real test should be coming up some time between Christmas and New Year's Eve!
Title: Re: Pucks Won't Auto Feed
Post by: Habanero Smoker on December 19, 2011, 01:14:52 PM
Glad to see you got it running again. The clicking sound has me concerned. If it was only an obstacle interfering, the motor would reverse. The clicking sounds may be a sign of stripped gears, and you may be on borrowed time.
Title: Re: Pucks Won't Auto Feed
Post by: anderson5420 on December 20, 2011, 09:00:06 PM
Well, we shall see! I don't know about factory service in the US, but at Birch Bay, WA, we are only a short drive away from the factory in Surrey, BC! But keeping fingers crossed!
Title: Re: Pucks Won't Auto Feed
Post by: Bluewedge on January 05, 2012, 07:37:08 AM
I was able to fix a similar issue I had with the puck advance binding around 3/4 back and then reseting direction. What I discovered was the that brass bushing in the puck mover that rides in a sheetmetal slot was binding in several spots, particularly at 3/4 back. Several places in the slot had copious amounts of powered coat causing the slot to be thinner and binding the bushing. Using a small fine file I smoothed out the slot eliminating the binding.

Thinking back, the puck mover always seemed to hesitate around 3/4 back. Now the pucker mover moves smoothly throughout its cycle.

If you are not mechanically inclined, I would recommend sending the SG back under warranty if you are having similar issues.

Title: Re: Pucks Won't Auto Feed
Post by: frepar on January 09, 2012, 03:57:35 PM
Quote from: Habanero Smoker on November 14, 2011, 02:45:27 AM
If the above help doesn't work, can you provide more information.

Do you hear a motor running, trying to advance the bisquettes?

Does it manually feed when you push the advance button?

Is the feeder tube inserted properly so that its position is straight up?

Here is a link to some trouble shooting tips. It will also help you narrow done what the problem could be:
Bradley FAQ's (http://www.susanminor.org/forums/showthread.php?481-Bradley-Smoker-FAQ-s&p=748#post748)



Habs... i did this and it worked wonderfully....

i have a puck advance killer switch to stop the plunger when i'm not smokin (here you can see it in the middle (http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a122/viper24k/quarter.jpg)).... could this be the cause the need to reset?
Title: Re: Pucks Won't Auto Feed
Post by: Habanero Smoker on January 10, 2012, 01:56:23 AM
Hi frepar;

I see the cut off switch, but can't recall your post on this modification; I don't read all posts. I can't recall how you wired the PID and that switch. The first thing I'd do would be to make sure none of the wiring is in the way of the movement of the motor arm.

The killer switch is a good idea, but the rocker switch right next to it is also used to turn off power to the plunger and the bisquette burner. If you didn't disconnect the rocker switch, maybe it has to do with how you wired the killer switch.

If you are using the PID to control your smoke time, I would review your PID settings. I don't have a PID so I am not familiar with programming them. There are many who can help you with the PID programming.
Title: Re: Pucks Won't Auto Feed
Post by: frepar on January 11, 2012, 10:14:41 AM
Habs:

the toggle is a spst that cuts the circuit on one of the two 16-18ga black wires that go to the motor itself...

pretty sure i have enough room for the arm to move....

and i dont have the PID runnin the SG, strictly to the cabinet...

it was just a detour question, the whole reset thing worked... i was just wondering if my putting a toggle to cut power to the motor would hurt the operation of the timer...
Title: Re: Pucks Won't Auto Feed
Post by: TedEbear on January 11, 2012, 11:28:50 AM
I'm also not fully understanding why you have a switch just to turn off the puck advance when you're not using the SG.  The OBS comes with an on/off switch that cuts the power to the puck heating element and the puck advance, all in one. 

If you need to have the 125W SG heating element left on to assist in getting the cooking chamber up to temp it doesn't seem like that big of a deal to have the puck advance motor cycle every 20 minutes.  It certainly won't hurt anything. The energy saved would be miniscule.
Title: Re: Pucks Won't Auto Feed
Post by: Habanero Smoker on January 12, 2012, 02:40:20 AM
Quote from: frepar on January 11, 2012, 10:14:41 AM
Habs:

the toggle is a spst that cuts the circuit on one of the two 16-18ga black wires that go to the motor itself...

pretty sure i have enough room for the arm to move....

and i dont have the PID runnin the SG, strictly to the cabinet...

it was just a detour question, the whole reset thing worked... i was just wondering if my putting a toggle to cut power to the motor would hurt the operation of the timer...

Now I understand, you are cutting off the motor but still maintaining power to the bisquette burner. No that would not interfere with the timer, it would be the same as using the rocker switch that Bradley installed. That's a pretty good idea, it would save wear and tear on the motor. Looks like a very easy modification.
Title: Re: Pucks Won't Auto Feed
Post by: frepar on January 13, 2012, 11:34:48 AM
BINGO!!

i originally did it so i could get an extra 150w of heat in the cabinet by leaving the SG plate on.... and not wear out my motor.... probably dont need it anymore with two elements... but ya, when i looked into puttin the PID in, it seemed as though everyone that put the PID into the SG had a kill switch on the motor itself...

peer pressure i guess  :)

thanks for the input though!
Title: Re: Pucks Won't Auto Feed
Post by: Habanero Smoker on January 13, 2012, 12:53:55 PM
Quote from: frepar on January 13, 2012, 11:34:48 AM
BINGO!!

i originally did it so i could get an extra 150w of heat in the cabinet by leaving the SG plate on.... and not wear out my motor.... probably dont need it anymore with two elements... but ya, when i looked into puttin the PID in, it seemed as though everyone that put the PID into the SG had a kill switch on the motor itself...

peer pressure i guess  :)

thanks for the input though!

I don't read all posts, so I wasn't aware that others had been doing this. I learn something new everyday.  :)