bubbagumps custom PID

bubbagump · February 18, 2006, 02:11:08 PM

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by nodak
Now my next STUPID questions are what gauge wire should I use and should it be solid or stranded wire[?]<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Sorry nodak - I missed this post. Definitely use stranded wire. 14 guage wire is more than sufficient for a 4 amp. load. but since you may use your PID for other things it may be wise to use larger wire. Just make sure your fuse is sized properly and I would use a fast-blow fuse not a slow-blow.

If you are installing the PID in you smoke generator you can match the wire size that it is wired with, which is 18 gauge.

Gary - Thanks for the info on the software. I'm going to check it out.[:)]

Bubbagump

headgames · February 19, 2006, 06:37:48 PM

now that I got my digital cam I can nor resist

This is my TS series from dwyer instruments very happy with it . I personaly designed it as a plug and play for various reasons .

#1 generator motors ... when it burns out during a smoke I just switch out the generator and continue (twice now) and I am able to still use my temp control.

#2 have a larger fridge type smoker ( my first project before bradley) figure I will convert it to a electric, slap on the smoke generator and use my temp controler box.

I used 12ga wire for the input into the box cause of my additional accessoriy outlet on the back

One last thing for newbies, thanks to Iceman's information I go through less generator motors now . KEEP YOUR GENERATOR INDOORS AND WARM till use. Here in Wisconsin ( fridaynight -24 f at my house) the grease inside the motor gets stiff and will strip the gears when started .

If ya go home hungry.........You were at the WRONG HOUSE !

nodak · February 19, 2006, 07:08:48 PM

Headgames good advice on smoke generator, I also store mine inside in winter. Also to help motor last longer I installed (bubbagumps idea) a toggle switch for the motor this weekend. That way I still get the extra heat from the briquette burner but motor doesn't keep cycling after I'm done smoking when I shut the toggle switch off.

"If you're not living on the edge, You're taking up way too much room, so get the he-- out of my way."

owrstrich · February 19, 2006, 07:39:32 PM

looks good head...

i gotts the same unit and have it portable the same way...

looks like theres a minnetonka moccasins there on the ground... still trying to make out the other prints on the ground... im guessing chihuahua or the much revered leinenkugel...

anyway... when the pucks are spent... i unplug the power to smoke gen then plug it back in and the buner will remain hot and the puck motor wont run again until i hit the puck button...

you gotta eat...

owrstrich

gary_CO · February 19, 2006, 10:34:15 PM

Nice setup.

BTW, I've found the following to be very informative about building your own oven:

http://forum.caswellplating.com/forumdisplay.php?s=cb8a20f97364d99d61453884ff738470&f=18

bubbagump · February 20, 2006, 03:53:18 AM

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by owrstrich
 anyway... when the pucks are spent... i unplug the power to smoke gen then plug it back in and the buner will remain hot and the puck motor wont run again until i hit the puck button...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Owrstrich - Unless you have made a mod to yours this is not they way the puck advance works out of the box. Once the smoke gen. is plugged in and the power switch turned on the puck advance operates every 20 min. whether power is cycled or not.

Bubbagump

headgames · February 20, 2006, 04:21:14 AM

Thanks guys . will definatly do the toggle switch thing. especially with the motor problems we seem to expirence.
I think we should create a new topic on the forum of just helpful hints for new people . you know the basics that we all fumbled with before we got expirence by eating dried out extra salty foods and spent monies and wasted time we did not have to.

#1 generaly no reason to smoke more then 4 hours
#2 preheat smoker for 1 hour pucks will advance by then
#3 keep generator out of the cold weather untill needed to save on motors
#4 install toggle switch to shut off puck advance after smoking to save on motor wear
#5 replacment motor available at http://www.partstore.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductSKU=7706476&ProductType=PART
#6 buy bubba pucks to save 2 pucks and $ on every smoke

just a sample what do you think ?

also I will take pics this week and get them posted of my puck making operation. currently enjoy a hicory/apple combo. later

If ya go home hungry.........You were at the WRONG HOUSE !

owrstrich · February 20, 2006, 04:59:17 AM

gump...

i can plug in the smoke gen and the puck pusher will not come on until
the switch is on and i push the puck button...

if i turn the switch off and back on and the pusher keeps running...

if i unplug the smoke gen the puck pusher will not run again until i push the puck button...

i have made no mods to the puck pusher...

thats jose cuervo and mes story...

owrstrich

TomG · February 20, 2006, 06:14:14 AM

Sooo here's another option[}:)] When you're finshed smoking, either manually or with a timer, turn the generator off and use a secondary heater for extra heat.

headgames · February 20, 2006, 01:39:08 PM

I,ll be damned looking at that pic your bowl touches your bisquette burner too !
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">One thing I noticed that causes some problems is the water basin. It touches the bisquette pad on the smoke generator and heats the water in turn heating the whole unit. (Not good for cold smoking)

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

If ya go home hungry.........You were at the WRONG HOUSE !

bubbagump · February 20, 2006, 02:34:58 PM

Owrstrich - I tested two different smoke generators and neither one of them operate like yours......strange, but interesting. Another thing that's odd is the way the two smoke generators are wired that I looked at, using the on/off switch would do the same thing as unplugging it.

TomG - Where did you route the wiring for the additional heating element? Also, are the exposed terminals on the right side of the element where the wires hook up live?

Gary - Your link did not work for me

Bubbagump

gary_CO · February 20, 2006, 03:07:16 PM

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Gary - Your link did not work for me<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Oops, how 'bout:
http://forum.caswellplating.com/forumdisplay.php?f=18

TomG · February 20, 2006, 05:09:50 PM

BubbaG, It's currently in prototype testing config. I'm planing on rewiring through the bottom of the cabinet putting the rheostat in series with the heat strip and the BS tube wired directly to the controller without a rheostat. I'm using high temp 14g wire and have covers for the exposed terminals.(Good eye BTW)[:)]. I'll cut a piece from the pan's lip to get clearance if the pan touching the generator heater becomes a problem. Because more than half of my smoking is cold, I'm currently building a remote box for this salmon season. Any suggestions?

bubbagump · February 20, 2006, 06:02:22 PM

Hi TG,

What's interesting to me is why the need for additional heat. I've never had a problem with my BS getting to temp. or maintaining temp in cold weather.

I have used my BS when outside temps. were in single digits and teens with it loaded pretty full with no heat problems and it has never taken an extended period of time to regain temp. after opening the door to rotate racks or change water.

If others are experiencing this problem I would suspect one of two things. Either there is a problem with the rheostat not providing full output to the heating element, or possibly that the racks are loaded too full, which will affect how the heat migrates through the box.

I almost forgot to mention, ChefBill had a similar problem with his water bowl touching his heating element and was able to tweak the position of his element without cutting his water bowl.
http://www.bradleysmoker.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3057

Bubbagump

TomG · February 20, 2006, 07:17:26 PM

BG, Initially I needed the extra element because I was turning the generator off after smoking and the BS element by itself didn't provide enough heat. FYI see thread, http://www.bradleysmoker.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2610 It's amazing how things can change in two months.

In any case, I will now be doing most of my smoking with the remote box and rather than reconnecting the generator to the cabinet when I'm finished smoking, all I have to do is switch on the heat strip.