Smoke generator short circuit

DocRick · April 17, 2011, 08:01:20 PM

I have one of the basic Bradley smoker units purchased about 4 years ago. Planned to use it this weekend and when I turn on the smoke generator it trips the GFCI. I have taken it apart and cleaned inside. No burned or broken wires. Everythind looks good but it continues to trip the GFCI each time. Any ideas on where to go next?

muebe · April 17, 2011, 08:03:40 PM

Now it could be that the GFCI is actually bad and not the generator. Have your tried plugging it into a different GFCI protected outlet like near the kitchen or bathroom sink just to verify that it is in fact the generator that is the problem...

DocRick · April 17, 2011, 08:23:07 PM

Good Idea.. Yes I did. I tried it on another circuit that is GFCI equiped. I am a little afraid to try on non GFCI circuit. I probably should also mention that for the last year this unit has been outside in an enclosure as part of an outdoor kitchen. Might it just be I need to replace the hot plate unit?

muebe · April 17, 2011, 08:29:17 PM

Well if it is tripping two different GFCIs then I would not try it on a non-protected circuit. But GFCIs are very sensitive to a sudden surge of energy. I have a pressure washer that will trip every GFCI I have but works fine on a regular outlet. Electrical can be strange sometimes ::)

Habanero Smoker · April 18, 2011, 02:13:21 AM

The following links are past discussions on this topic:

GFCI
GFCI Again

DocRick · April 18, 2011, 08:31:49 PM

Thanks for the reply. Checked those out and sorry it didn't help much. I think I must have a short. It there an insulator associated with the hot plate that may have cracked causing a short?

Mr Walleye · April 18, 2011, 08:46:35 PM

I'm assuming you have disconnected the cabinet wiring from the generator to narrow it down to the generator causing the problem.

If I remember correctly someone did have a similar issue sometime ago. It seems to me it was the puck burner. To test the theory they opened up the generator and unplugged the wire going to the puck burner, then plugged the generator back into the GFI plug to see if it still tripped it. I'll have to see if I can find the thread.

Mike

beefmann · April 19, 2011, 07:15:27 AM

might have some water build up some where in the smoke generator or a release of electrical energy leaking to ground from some where possibility from the puck burner check it with a ohm meter across its contacts and ground it see if you get a reading

DocRick · April 19, 2011, 08:18:10 PM

Thanks for the ideas. I will try after work tomorrow if i don't get home too later. Was planning on smoking a ham for Easter that has been curing in the frige for over a week. May have to break out the old school wood fired monster. Argh!!!

DocRick · April 20, 2011, 06:47:47 PM

Thanks Beefman. You were spot on. I disconnected the burner and it no longer trips the GFCI. Guess I will be ordering a new burner tonight. I think this will solve the problem.

DocRick · April 20, 2011, 06:51:14 PM

Sorry Mr. Walleye.. You had the right answer. Beefmann had a good idea but there wasn't any water in the unit.

Mr Walleye · April 20, 2011, 08:23:09 PM

Glad you got it looked after DocRick!

Mike

Smoke generator short circuit

beefmann