I am considering getting a PID for my DBS. I am handy enough I could probably build one, but is there an easier way? Can you just buy a "plug and play" PID? I would just as soon pay a little more and have something that works out of the box. I have been trying to research, but I am getting information overload. I am tired of the wide temperature swings I am getting now with my DBS. Thanks for the help!
Terry
Hey Red...I don't consider myself as handy as you sound like you are, and I built mine with no issues other than a fuse blew the first time I plugged it in (wasn't paying attention when I put the fuses in).
If you would need a hand, you could bring the parts up here and I'll help ya put it together (I don't want the liability of building it for you).
you could always just spend a lil extra and get a DigiQ/Raptor setup. Im happy with mine
http://www.thebbqguru.com/index.cfm
The PID is really not dificult to build. I do agree with Kane though, if your lookin' for plug & play I would go with the DIGIQ and Raptor by BBQ Guru.
Mike
Big Red,
I'm with you except I'm not handy enough to even consider building a PID and not sure I'm even smart enough to hook up a bbqguru/raptor but I know I'm tired of the temp swings on the DBS.
KyNola
You guys can do it. Mr. Walleye will provide top cover, and a bunch of others will guard your flank. As long as you don't use your tongue to sense voltage (9V batteries anyone?), you will get across the finish line.
Mr. Heathkit
;) Go for it Bigred, I know it looks a bit daunting when you first look at it but there is so much help on this board that you can't go wrong. Just remember to use a computer power cord and not the regular household extension cord. (bin there...done that..) ;D
I'm a wee bit confused when you speak of the DigiQ/Raptor combo. Can anyone tell me if this is the item you are referring to, or is there two items to purchase and combine?
http://secure.thebbqguru.com/ProductCart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=49&idproduct=166#details (http://secure.thebbqguru.com/ProductCart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=49&idproduct=166#details)
Quote from: fatluke on March 06, 2008, 11:54:39 AM
I'm a wee bit confused when you speak of the DigiQ/Raptor combo. Can anyone tell me if this is the item you are referring to, or is there two items to purchase and combine?
http://secure.thebbqguru.com/ProductCart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=49&idproduct=166#details (http://secure.thebbqguru.com/ProductCart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=49&idproduct=166#details)
They changed their site, and I can not find the Raptor/DigiQ II package. The link you provided show most of the options for the Raptor. It shows the Raptor, the Pit Minder, ProComm4; but it's an old photo that displays the Competitor which is no longer made. The DigiQII has replaced the Competitor.
This is a picture of the DigiQ II
http://secure.thebbqguru.com/ProductCart/pc_test/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=49&idproduct=235
This is a picture of the Raptor.
http://secure.thebbqguru.com/ProductCart/pc_test/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=48&idproduct=167
You need both for the DigiQ II to operate your smoker. When buying a package you get a small discount, so if you are planning of purchasing I would call and ask for the package price.
Thanks for all the info. guys. Does anyone have a simple price comparison of what it cost to build and then what a digiQII/raptor would cost? Just some ballpark figures would be nice. Thanks
BigRed
The DigiQ and Raptor combo is around $269. To build a PID... It depends on the TC you use and where you live. For me here in Canada I think I spent around $150 rounding up the parts. I know some of the members in the USA have built them for under $100.
Mike
I think I spent right at $80 with my nice score on the thermocouple on ebay. Can get you NAPA part numbers for the terminal strip and fuse holders if you want them too.
Why does the DBS have this big swing in temps. Is it cheap components in it that cause this? I am just amazed that a $500.00 smoker that is all digital can have an $80=$100 PID put on it so easily and fix this problem. ???
Big Dawgg
That's the million dollar question!
In all fairness though for most situation the DBS temp swings really have no effect on the finished product. Even your home oven has temp swings, you just don't see them unless you put a temp probe in there. For me... I just have to tinker! If something can perform better... I have to play! ::) It's almost mandatory! :D
Mike
Quote from: Mr Walleye on March 08, 2008, 01:49:58 PM
For me... I just have to tinker! If something can perform better... I have to play! ::) It's almost mandatory! :D
Mike
Sounds like me. As long as the wife don't know about it I will be OK. She may not think to much of me putting another $100 or so bucks into the smoker I had to have. I will probably put a PID on in the near future.
Don't tell her Mack ;)
Dig Dawwg, I had the same question when I first got mine. Didn't understand why they couldn't put better control on it. There weren't many digital owners on the forum when I first joined so there wasn't much advertisement on the swings other than the originals and PID controls. I don't mind it so much any more.
I have the original BS in stainless. I got used to the slider but I found the temp swings frustrating on my over night smokes, and I never could trust it enough to leave the house for a few hours. Finally got a PID and all the frustration and worries are over.
QuoteFinally got a PID and all the frustration and worries are over.
Could be a good or bad thing.
If the wife finds out that you no longer have to sit beside the smoker with a cooler full of beverages, that would be bad. 'Yes Sparks.... I said beverages, ice cold just begging to be drank.' LOL.
Good if she doesn't find out how much easier things are now.
Mine is almost done, I need to bring a few feet of thermocouple extention wire home from work, wire that into the controller and jack and it's ready to be tested.
Quote from: pensrock on March 09, 2008, 06:53:18 AM
'Yes Sparks.... I said beverages, ice cold just begging to be drank.' LOL.
Since it is a little too early, I have loaded your message into my auto-prompt repeat message command and control center. It will remind me at the appropriate time... :D
Quote from: pensrock on March 09, 2008, 06:53:18 AM
QuoteFinally got a PID and all the frustration and worries are over.
Could be a good or bad thing.
If the wife finds out that you no longer have to sit beside the smoker with a cooler full of beverages, that would be bad. 'Yes Sparks.... I said beverages, ice cold just begging to be drank.' LOL.
Good if she doesn't find out how much easier things are now.
Mine is almost done, I need to bring a few feet of thermocouple extention wire home from work, wire that into the controller and jack and it's ready to be tested.
;D No problem with my wife. She wants it to be as easy as possible so that I will do more smoking. ;D
:) Hi Mike, I was asked a question from a work mate about the Digital Smoker. He wanted to know why, when you had all bought the digital unit, you were still going to add a PID. I could not give a definite answer. Can you help? ???
Because we want to. :D :D :D :D Best answer would be to get a little tighter temperature control (temp swing of 2 degrees each way instead of about 10 or more each way), and be measuring it where you want to, rather than in a fixed position.
Keep in mind that your household oven will probably swing 10 degrees each way and have a fixed point for measuring that temperature.
By the way, your package is on it's way, although a day later than I wanted to as I didn't get it on Tuesday like I expected.
;) Thanks Tim, we have the OBS on sale here in Canada and my friend was going to buy one but then he saw the digital unit and was thinking of going that route.
:D Looking out for the package, can't wait to get started. We are still snow bound here. ;D
Hi Brian
Tiny has pretty much answered it. I originally bought the DBS thinking it would have tighter control on the temps. The swings really have no effect of most items like butts or ribs or chicken. It does however, in my opinion, when you are trying to maintain lower temps for sausage or jerky, etc. Looking back on it now, the question always is, if you are going to add PID or someother type of control, why would you not by an OBS instead of a DBS? Certianly going with the OBS is a more economic option but here are a few things/advantages of starting with the BDS. Again, this is just my opinion.
The OBS tower has a habit of the front control panel cracking and allowing moisture in. The front feet are integrated into this panel and may be partially responsible for the problem. Although this could be easily modified. The bottom of the DBS has no wiring or controls in it and has 4 rubber feet.
When connecting your PID to the OBS, unless you rewire it, the slide control on the front of the cabinet is still in use. The DBS is wired directly to the heating element from the plug on the back of the cabinet.
With the DBS and a PID you have the ability built in to run your generator for a given period of time, then shut off automatically. Although you could easily do this with a simple timer on the OBS setup as well.
All in all, I don't think there is much difference and it all depends if you are like me and have to tinker with things until they do exactly what you want. If I was starting over.... hmmmm...... I'm not sure what I would start with. Probably the 6 rack DBS and mod the he11 out of it. :D :D :D
Mike
I think Tiny and Mike nailed it. The only thing I could add is consistency when cooking and being able to plan overnight smokes with the timer on the DBS only going for 9:40. Did some timing and averaging before building my PID and it always seemed to be on the high side by about 10-15 degrees over 6 hours using a cabinet probe. Built 3 PID's now and it's so easy even a cave man could do it between Auber, Radioshack and Omega (per Smokin Rob's post). Just make sure you have the right SSR in there before you try to auto-tune. I'd only add that, when auto-tuning, bring it up to temperature with a simulated load (three bricks on the center rack) and locate a good probe (Omega) directly opposite the cabinet sensor. ;D