Modding my BDS

Northern_Smoke · January 12, 2010, 07:20:25 PM

So i am taking the plunge to do 2 mods to the digital smoker. The first will be a PID but the second one has me left with a few questions. I want to put a secondary heating element in because i am having a hard time hitting the temps i need in this cold climate. Now i have read all the info but was wondering if the second heating element is hooked up to the Bradley's power source or do you run a secondary power line to it. Maybe i just missed that part in the details. And i guess since i am here and asking, does the PID control the power to the heating elements? I didn't read up enough on it other than to know it would sure be handy to have that kind of control over what i am cooking.

NePaSmoKer · January 12, 2010, 07:25:54 PM

I have the programmable PID to my dbs. it does a great job of temp comtrol. I dont have the second element and have no problem hitting 225* in my 27* temps.

Mr Walleye can fill you in on the 2nd heater

classicrockgriller · January 12, 2010, 07:37:25 PM

NS am doing the heater update this week. I bought two new ones and gonna save the old one as a back up.

One of the members showed me a shortcut to not take off the back panel.

I will take some pics as I do it and pm them to ya if you want.

Quarlow · January 12, 2010, 11:21:22 PM

Hey we want to see it too! >:( ;) ;D

Habanero Smoker · January 13, 2010, 02:13:20 AM

Hi NS;

Both elements run off one power source, and your PID will be controlling both elements. I'm not sure if you are looking at the mod on this forum, but the recipe site also has a right up.
Additional Heating Element Modification

Your can get your high temperature wire from Allied Kenco

They also have the O connectors, and I would purchase a couple of extra female spade connectors (push connectors) as backup. The also have them on that site.

The second element not only helps you hit your desired temperature, but increases the temperature rapidly. You will find your smoke/cook times are more consistant and shorter.

Northern_Smoke · January 13, 2010, 05:33:43 AM

Thanks for all the information. And i would love to see the pics of how you are doing it without taking the back off. And what habs is saying is exactly why i want to do this mod...to hit my temp faster. There have been days where it is -30C and 225 seems to be almost unachievable especialy if i have to open the door and put cold food in haha. And it makes me happy that both elements run off of one power source because i will be running out of room soon in the new house my smoker is in with the next upgrade i am planning ;)

I would think that the fan upgrade would be a good addition to the extra heating element as well.

MPTubbs · January 13, 2010, 06:10:00 AM

Quote from: Northern_Smoke on January 13, 2010, 05:33:43 AM
Thanks for all the information. And i would love to see the pics of how you are doing it without taking the back off. And what habs is saying is exactly why i want to do this mod...to hit my temp faster. There have been days where it is -30C and 225 seems to be almost unachievable especialy if i have to open the door and put cold food in haha. And it makes me happy that both elements run off of one power source because i will be running out of room soon in the new house my smoker is in with the next upgrade i am planning ;)

I would think that the fan upgrade would be a good addition to the extra heating element as well.

Same problem here!

Just ordered from Yard and Pool 2 elements and heat shield. Going to give it a try!

NePaSmoKer · January 13, 2010, 06:26:10 AM

Quote from: classicrockgriller on January 12, 2010, 07:37:25 PM
NS am doing the heater update this week. I bought two new ones and gonna save the old one as a back up.

One of the members showed me a shortcut to not take off the back panel.

I will take some pics as I do it and pm them to ya if you want.

Yes try to post pics of this. PLEASE ;D

lumpy · January 13, 2010, 06:53:30 AM

I have the BDS with PID and have nto had a problem with the unit heating up.
Installing an extra heating element would only make things go quicker IMHO.

Have to admit, I have thought about doing the upgrade after reading how easy it is.

Lumpy
Oh ya.............it gets very cold here too!

Habanero Smoker · January 13, 2010, 01:30:42 PM

Quote from: classicrockgriller on January 12, 2010, 07:37:25 PM
NS am doing the heater update this week. I bought two new ones and gonna save the old one as a back up.

One of the members showed me a shortcut to not take off the back panel.

I will take some pics as I do it and pm them to ya if you want.

I missed this thread earlier.

I don't see how, but I too would be interested in how that can be done. If that is possible, and if you take pictures I would like to post them on the recipe site, as an addendum to the current instructions.

anderson5420 · January 14, 2010, 05:22:21 AM

Can somebody please explain why you would need a PID with a BDS? Isn't the "D" on a BDS supposed to do what I use the Ranco for with my OBS?

MPTubbs · January 14, 2010, 05:31:51 AM

Quote from: anderson5420 on January 14, 2010, 05:22:21 AM
Can somebody please explain why you would need a PID with a BDS? Isn't the "D" on a BDS supposed to do what I use the Ranco for with my OBS?

The PID keeps the temp swing to a minimum. Around -2 to a +2 of your set temp.

The "D" has a swing of -15 to a +15 on my Bradley.

And the PID is a neat toy.

Northern_Smoke · January 14, 2010, 07:02:18 AM

Mine has alsways been 20 degrees hotter than what the BDS actually reads.

Mr Walleye · January 14, 2010, 07:15:08 AM

Quote from: Habanero Smoker on January 13, 2010, 01:30:42 PM
Quote from: classicrockgriller on January 12, 2010, 07:37:25 PM
NS am doing the heater update this week. I bought two new ones and gonna save the old one as a back up.

One of the members showed me a shortcut to not take off the back panel.

I will take some pics as I do it and pm them to ya if you want.

I missed this thread earlier.

I don't see how, but I too would be interested in how that can be done. If that is possible, and if you take pictures I would like to post them on the recipe site, as an addendum to the current instructions.

I know there have been a couple of people who have done this. Basically what they are doing is just jumping power off the existing element to the second element, therefore, they don't need to remove the back off the smoker. I have spoke to one of the members and they have not had any problems with it.

When I first did this mode I spoke with Brian (Bradley) to comfirm the gauge of wiring used for the elements and he indicated it was 18. 18 gauge wire is rated for up to 10 amps depending on type of wire and type of installation. 1000 watts (which is 2 500 watt elements) draws approximately 8.4 amps. So in theory, this should work but when dealing with electricity and the associated potential problems my thought is to rule on the side of safety and allow a margin of error. As I understand it most electricians will allow approximately a 20% margin.

Having said all that it is close but my choice was to rule on the side of safety and run the additional wires for the mod.

Mike

lumpy · January 14, 2010, 08:37:15 AM

Which way is correct for the extra heater.
1. To wire it separately to a power source
or
2. To hard wire it in to the Bradley power.

I've read somewhere that by wiring it into the Bradley it will overload the electronics.

Thanks for all the help.
Lumpy

Modding my BDS

NePaSmoKer

NePaSmoKer

lumpy

lumpy