Once and for all; PID or no PID

[Hopefull Romantic]

Dear all,

as you guys and gals were the catalysts in expediting my decision to purchase my BDS, I seek your help in deciding whether to go ahead and purchase the PID. I have communicated with Auber Labs (electrical talk is like legal mambo jumbo to me) so I just want to make sure I understand its functionality and please correct me if I am wrong:

You disconnect the tower from the SG and connect it to the PID directly. The PID sensor goes into the tower through the vent while the sensor between the SG and the tower stays connected. Now the PID would control the temp on the tower according what is programmed on the PID. I that correct? My other question would be what happens to the smoker's digital display on the SG? Would there be any readout at all and what are really the benefits of programmed gradual temperature increases and are those used with any other meats than salmon since it is what Auber advertises on their website.

PID users and experts please help.

HR 

[JF7FSU]

I don't have a DBS, I have an OBS and the Auber PID.   I will add that I opted for the wall mounted sensor instead of the drop through the top vent sensor and believe it to be the better solution.   It sounds like you have the set up right, although I can't say what happens to the DBS readout.

I have to admit that if I had a DBS, I would likely not have gotten the PID. 

[mikecorn.1]

I have a bds4 with no pid. Have not a reason to buy a PID. Its mostly for precise temp control. I have done most everything but fish and sausage. All has come out perfect, I use a maverick et-73 dual probe to watch the cabin and food temp. Sure someone else will be by with different input on situation. Thats what this forum is all about.  :)

[OU812]

HR

I have the BDS 6 with the standard PID with the sensor running through the vent and mounted to the back in the middle below the third rack. The PID will give you much more control of your temp.

Your set up is correct with the PID running the cabnet only

The display on your generator will show the cabnet temp under the smoke time as you dont turn on the heat side of the generator

The programmed temp increase is for doing sausage and fish, what it does is turns up the heat as you program it to, IE 130 F for one hr then 140 F for one hr and so on, that way you dont fat out your fish (little white buggers on the meat) or cook your sausage to fast and turn the outside of the sausage hard and dry but the inside will be under cooked. Thats the reason for ramping the temp up slowly. You can also set it to cook at one set temp and cook like you would with out it.

Hope this makes sense

[Hopefull Romantic]

I don't have a DBS, I have an OBS and the Auber PID.   I will add that I opted for the wall mounted sensor instead of the drop through the top vent sensor and believe it to be the better solution.   It sounds like you have the set up right, although I can't say what happens to the DBS readout.

I have to admit that if I had a DBS, I would likely not have gotten the PID.  

Thanks JF&FSU for your input but can you provide more on the differences between the wall mount and the other PID. On Auber's site they just mention it and to check a box at the bottom of the page if you want that. The difference in connection would also be appreciated.

HR

I have a bds4 with no pid. Have not a reason to buy a PID. Its mostly for precise temp control. I have done most everything but fish and sausage. All has come out perfect, I use a maverick ET-73 dual probe to watch the cabin and food temp. Sure someone else will be by with different input on situation. Thats what this forum is all about.  :)

My wife is crazy about Salmon and all sea food for that matter.and that is what getting me to think about PID. And the last time I smoked salmon I noticed a brig variation between the SG readout of oven temp and the ET 73 readout

HR

[mikeradio]

Hello HR

I have OBS with PID and I use the wall mounted sensor.  You have to drill a hole through the back of the smoker into the inside to mount the sensor.  You install the sensor from the back side and tighten a nut inside the smoker to hold it.  The sensor has a 3.5mil plug on the end of the sensor wire that plugs into the back of the PID.  I have to set my smoker up outside and pack it up when I am done, so it nice the sensor unplugs from the PID.  The PID comes with the remote sensor which you can feed through the vent on top of the smoker, I ordered the wall mounted sensor was well.  I am just keeping the remote sensor as a spare if the wall mounted sensor ever fails.

Mike

[car54]

I run my sensor through the door. I just close the door over it. This way I can position the sensor tip where ever I want to.

Brad

[muzzletim]

What I find so useful with the PID is that it gives me some freedom. I do not feel I have to watch the smoking process every 10 minutes like I used to do not that is a bad thing. I just don't have the time. This gives me more opportunity to smoke things that I might have put off before. I just have a standard Bradley so I can't answer the question on digital part.

[smokeitall]

Once you go PID you never go back  ;D ;D

[kaz]

I was all set to order the DBS/4 until several folks, here, directed me to the Auber PID.
I then ordered the OBS/4, PID, and the Maverick ET73 ...... G R E A T decision!!!
the PID not only allows for stepped smokes but I've NEVER had the smoker not reach my desired temp of 220 consistently.
I ordered the through-the-wall sensor ......... decided to install it just below the rack I use most often and run the 2 Maverick probes through the top vent. That installation is clean, I "velcroed" the PID on it's side right next to the puck tower so I can still use my Bradley cover. The connection cords are not long enough to "remote" the PID too far so it works freat where it is. The Maverick transmitter is "velcroed" to the top of the left side so there's plenty of sensor wire length and is easy to turn on / off......... and still use the cover.
Whatever you decide you can ALWAYS add more STUFF later!!!!
Cheers!!!

[NePaSmoKer]

I have the programmable PID. Just cant beat it.


nepas

[OU812]

I use magnets to hold all my gadgets in place

[FLBentRider]

I use gravity.

[mikecorn.1]

How much for the gravity?  ;D  ;D

[Mr Walleye]

I use magnets to hold all my gadgets in place

Me too!

Here are the brackets I made...

http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=6893.0

Mike