Auber PID

[Quarlow]

No just the sun was heating it beyond the set temp so it shut down.

OK I will take this slowly for you. Have you ever put your hand on a black car in the summer or sat on black vinyl seats in a car. The sun gives off solar r a d i a t i o n which causes the molecules in objects to move at an increased speed smashing into each other and there by creating heat ;D If you do an over night smoke and struggle to keep temp up threw the night when the sun comes up and hits the smoker you will have no trouble getting temp then. You might argue that the tower is insulated but that would be a thin argument, as thin as the insulation is. The sun has a huge effect on the performance of the smoker. In fact I had mine sitting outside in the summer and the temp inside by the door thermo was at 130f. This is also why we smoke cheese at night or when it is cold out.

[Shasta bob]

Thanks all you guys are the best with all your tips and information i am placing the order in the morning for the Auber deul probe. any thing else i should get?.

[Quarlow]

If you don't have any yet I would get at least 2 bubba pucks. With 2 you can put another bisquette on top and get the job done as I did or get 3. I was buying my brother 2 also so I just got us each 2.

[Shasta bob]

thanks i made mine on the lathe at work.

[Quarlow]

Nice. My dad has an old lathe in the shop but it is not working and needs a chuck and tool holder.

[Habanero Smoker]

If you have the generator off and you are using temperatures above 200°F, then more than likely your PID can control the cabinet temperature in full sunlight on a hot day on most days. I'm discussing the specific issue that Shasta bob want to use his smoker. He wants the cabinet temperature to remain below 190°F, while his smoker is in direct sun.

I have the DigiQ II. It uses a different algorithm then a PID. It also keeps the cabinet within ±1 or 2 degrees. If I set it for 190°F with my generator on, and it is in full daylight, once it hits 190°F the DigiQ II will shut off the main element and keep it off, but has no control over the generator. Even with the DigiQ II keeping the element off the cabinet temperature will rise due to the combine heat produced by the sun and generator. Therefore I have to start items like fish, and sausage early morning, so that I can apply the smoke and turn off the generator before the sun hits the cabinet.