temp fluctuation and low temps

[michsmoker]

That is the heater it is rated to 1200*F

[LudoTheGreat]

Guess I should read a little bit better: "Watts:   900"

Thanks :)

[LudoTheGreat]

did mod to back of smoker so fan would not interfere with anything and circulate air better .  and kept element from being so close to back of smoke .

Like that idea, do you have any pictures of the process or can you describe how you did it?

[tskeeter]

I did the 2 elements worked great but elements dont last long think its  because since so close together , changing to the tempco 900 element instead since more durable also installing a fan on my bradley and modified the back of my smoker so it heat even from bottom to top . when figure out how to put pics on will post some also if going to pid get the RTD Pt100 Temperature Sensor Thermocouple since is designed for air temp i tried the other coupler and wouldn't read temp fast enough . i am going to leave the stock Bradley element in my smoker and add the tempco one then have a switch to turn the bradley element off or one for a back up element , for the back i took a large heavy made baking pan and cut back open and pop riveted on back and used oven insulation for back since better and holds heated better . probe is http://www.ebay.com/itm/281581039687?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT  and this pid is the best i liked out of the 2 i tried . plus there a like a hour video on utube  on how to set it . http://www.ebay.com/itm/271550985674?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I think Rod's experience with an element failure is unusual.  I've did the dual element mod three years ago and haven't had problems with the elements.  In one case, I did think an element had gone out.  But it turned out to be a fusible link that I believe was activated when a pork shoulder bulged and touched the temperature sensor.  With cold meat against the sensor, the smoker ran at full power until it got hot enough that the link activated.

[Rodsmachineshop]

i used a pan i had laying in my kitchen shelf but wish i got this pan instead since has a perfect lip for pop riveting on back of smoker http://cooksdream.com/store/product/bca/llpob10152.html   . I measured from the inside of smoker with element removed 2 inches up from inside bottom and measured pan width and found center line of inside of smoker then left 1 inch on each side when cutting to have material left to pop rivet pan did same top and bottom left 1 inch . after all pop rivet found with a small hammer aluminum bent real easy to fold over into pan for good seal . when i did all the measurement i used a small drill and drilled each corner of markings to have a way to find out what insulation i back i had to remove , i use this for my back insulation so much better than the foam stuff safer and works better . the back cuts real easy with a good pair of heavy duty scissors , also need to relocated safety temp sensor . http://www.ebay.com/itm/131422619847?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[Rodsmachineshop]

I used carpet spray adhesive to hold insulation were i wanted it . then used heavy aluminum foil glued over the insulation http://www.ebay.com/itm/Permatex-27828-Body-Shop-Heavy-Duty-Headliner-and-Carpet-Adhesive-16-75-oz-New-/311247598587?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4877cd73fb

[Rodsmachineshop]

pic of back still have not installed fan

[Habanero Smoker]

I did my mod back in May, 2009, and both elements are still working great.

[Rodsmachineshop]

not saying i could of got some bad elements since i bought 4 of them from the same place at the same time .