caryfr5 Thanks, It looks easy peasy! I see All I have to do is call RecTeq to get the controller of course it will be a voided warranty. I watched 2 different videos, the second one was even in my series.
Auber Programmable Step PID Controller
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processhead Power User Regular Contributors Smoker Build Expert Bowl Choppers Nebraska Veteran Team Camo last edited by processhead
I recently purchased an Auber SMD-200B panel mounted PID controller to replace the old one in my home-made upright electric smoker. My old controller was just a basic single probe unit and while it got the job done, it was a very basic and dated unit.
The Auber controller had some features I was curious to check out. First it has two temperature probes one for the cabinet and one for the food. The two probes allows the unit to display both the cabinet temp and the IT of the food.
Second, it has programmable step cooking schedules that can set up to control cabinet temperature steps by either food temperature or time.It can also operate as a basic single function set point controller.
The controller also has a relay output that can control an external smoke generator and turn it on or off at different times during the cook.
After a couple of days of dry runs learning to configure the controller, I can report that it does a really good job of basic temperature control and will hold the temperature in the cabinet to +/- 1 degree. The food probe and temperature probes were both came calibrated and agreed with two of my other thermometers.
One thing I found that did not work was the control relay set point menu. A call to Auber confirmed it is a known firmware issue and they said they would send out a replacement unit with the upgraded firmware. This was something I wanted to use to control my smoke generator, but it looks like I will have to wait a while.
The programming menu is kind of hard to learn but once it is set up, you can just recall up to 8 different cook schedules for different products. Each schedule can have up to 6 temperature/time steps.
I feel like once I get in some more stick-time with programming the unit, it will become easier.Wiring was pretty straight forward and just involved disconnecting and reconnecting wires from the old controller to the new one. I also had to install the new temperature probes for the cabinet and the food.
Probably the hardest part of the installation was enlarging the two panel openings where the unit mounts in my smoker. The old controller fit in a 1/16 DIN opening and the new one fits in a 1/8 DIN opening.
Paul
- How hard can it be?
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bocephus Team Orange Power User Canning Masterbuilt Regular Contributors Veteran New Mexico Sous Vide Gardening last edited by
processhead Thanks for the report. Please keep us updated as you use it more.
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processhead The ability to have presets is so amazingly convenient, one less thing to worry about during the processing. Also, while it stinks it didn’t work right away at least they are trying to make it right. Can’t wait to see what you do with it!
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bocephus Team Orange Power User Canning Masterbuilt Regular Contributors Veteran New Mexico Sous Vide Gardening last edited by
processhead Service after the sale is what makes a good company. Stand behind what you sell.
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processhead Power User Regular Contributors Smoker Build Expert Bowl Choppers Nebraska Veteran Team Camo last edited by
bocephus
I wasn’t too concerned about it. Auber is an established company and has a good reputation. A lot like Walton’s in that regard. -
Processhead, I’ve had my Amber WSD-1501GPH since 3/17 and it’s still going strong. The only issue I had was the temp probe failed on me last year which is more than understandable. I made a call to Amber to make sure I was ordering the correct probe and their customer service was very friendly and knowledgeable.
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processhead Power User Regular Contributors Smoker Build Expert Bowl Choppers Nebraska Veteran Team Camo last edited by
John Belvedere said in Auber Programmable Step PID Controller:
Processhead, I’ve had my Amber WSD-1501GPH since 3/17 and it’s still going strong. The only issue I had was the temp probe failed on me last year which is more than understandable. I made a call to Amber to make sure I was ordering the correct probe and their customer service was very friendly and knowledgeable.
John, do you happen to remember if you have the RTD type temperature sensor or a K thermocouple sensor?
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I purchased the Auber WST1510H-W to control my MB 40 after the original control quit. The temp control is amazing and with the wi-fi capability I can monitor my cooks from anywhere. Definitely a game changer for me.
If the women don’t find you handsome they should at least find you handy.
Red Green -
processhead Power User Regular Contributors Smoker Build Expert Bowl Choppers Nebraska Veteran Team Camo last edited by processhead
sjhuntingfool It seems like the OEM temperature controllers are the weak link in a lot of commercial smokers.
Having a quality alternative to just another factory controller is a wonderful thing, and keeps these smokers soldiering on.Paul
- How hard can it be?
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processhead said in Auber Programmable Step PID Controller:
John Belvedere said in Auber Programmable Step PID Controller:
Processhead, I’ve had my Amber WSD-1501GPH since 3/17 and it’s still going strong. The only issue I had was the temp probe failed on me last year which is more than understandable. I made a call to Amber to make sure I was ordering the correct probe and their customer service was very friendly and knowledgeable.
John, do you happen to remember if you have the RTD type temperature sensor or a K thermocouple sensor?
Processhead, the temp sensors I have are the RTD type.
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cdavis Masterbuilt Canning Kamado Joes Regular Contributors Power User Sous Vide Oklahoma Team Camo last edited by
processhead congrats
. Great looking controller. -
processhead Power User Regular Contributors Smoker Build Expert Bowl Choppers Nebraska Veteran Team Camo last edited by processhead
John Belvedere said in Auber Programmable Step PID Controller:
processhead said in Auber Programmable Step PID Controller:
John Belvedere said in Auber Programmable Step PID Controller:
Processhead, I’ve had my Amber WSD-1501GPH since 3/17 and it’s still going strong. The only issue I had was the temp probe failed on me last year which is more than understandable. I made a call to Amber to make sure I was ordering the correct probe and their customer service was very friendly and knowledgeable.
John, do you happen to remember if you have the RTD type temperature sensor or a K thermocouple sensor?
Processhead, the temp sensors I have are the RTD type.
From what I read on the Auber web site, the RTD probes are more accurate than type K but are also less durable than type K thermocouples
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processhead Power User Regular Contributors Smoker Build Expert Bowl Choppers Nebraska Veteran Team Camo last edited by processhead
An update on the new Auber temp controller. As I reported earlier, the internal relay output that allows you to control a smoke generator was a feature I wanted to use, but was not working the way the instruction sheet said it should.
A phone call to Auber tech support revealed that the instruction sheet they listed for my controller had errors in it and was actually for a different controller version that I did not receive. Aubor is sending the correct controller with the features I need and it is supposed to be arriving Monday.
A visit to their web site shows that they have corrected the downloadable instruction sheets so they accurately reflect the correct configuration data and control features for the different controller models, so this looks like it will have a happy ending very soon.Paul
- How hard can it be?
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Denny O Iowa Team Camo Canning Gardening Cast Iron Regular Contributors Power User Green Mountain Grill last edited by
processhead Hoping that this will be true for you Paul!
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processhead Power User Regular Contributors Smoker Build Expert Bowl Choppers Nebraska Veteran Team Camo last edited by
The replacement controller arrived from Auber yesterday and I got it installed this morning. Very happy with the temperature regulation and the programmed smoke schedule works just as it should.
I did a test smoke with 4 programmed steps to more or less duplicate what I would expect when smoking sausage.
1 hour at 120 degrees cabinet temp and no smoke.
1 hour at 130 degrees cabinet temp with smoke
1 hour at 140 degrees cabinet temp with smoke
Continue at 175 degrees cabinet temp with smoke
Shut off smoke and heat when the product IT reaches 152 degrees.Everything went just like it was supposed to and the programming gets easier the more I play with it. Looking forward to making deer snack sticks in another month or so.
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processhead Power User Regular Contributors Smoker Build Expert Bowl Choppers Nebraska Veteran Team Camo last edited by
Anyone wishing to buy a programmable panel temperature controller (not a standalone unit), be sure to order the SMD-200C version to get the full relay on/off functionality.
Paul
- How hard can it be?
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Denny O Iowa Team Camo Canning Gardening Cast Iron Regular Contributors Power User Green Mountain Grill last edited by
processhead for those that are interested in one, I don’t see it on their website pages, just the “B” , ya might have to call the customer service center to get one.
Denny O's-Smokey Bones
I'd rather be sit'in in a boat fish'in and thinking about God,
Than sit'n in church and thinking about fish'in! -
processhead Power User Regular Contributors Smoker Build Expert Bowl Choppers Nebraska Veteran Team Camo last edited by
Denny O If you go to the web site, they just updated the web site with notes on the 200C in the last couple of days.
https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14_28&products_id=464
I think you are correct though, and may need to contact customer service to make sure you get the most recent version when you place your order.
Paul
- How hard can it be?
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Denny O Iowa Team Camo Canning Gardening Cast Iron Regular Contributors Power User Green Mountain Grill last edited by
processhead Yipper, that was the way I saw it too, same website.
I’ve been wanting to convert my copper face Pit Boss #7 to a pid, just not sure I’m smert enugh ta do it.
Denny O's-Smokey Bones
I'd rather be sit'in in a boat fish'in and thinking about God,
Than sit'n in church and thinking about fish'in! -
processhead Power User Regular Contributors Smoker Build Expert Bowl Choppers Nebraska Veteran Team Camo last edited by
Denny O said in Auber Programmable Step PID Controller:
processhead Yipper, that was the way I saw it too, same website.
I’ve been wanting to convert my copper face Pit Boss #7 to a pid, just not sure I’m smert enugh ta do it.
If the original controls are working ok, I guess you have to ask yourself how bad you want the added features of programmable cooking.
If you were looking to replace a bad or poor performing controller to get a smoker working again, then it would be a no brainer. The installation is not that difficult, and I could walk you through the wiring and programming.As I mentioned earlier, I think I spent more time enlarging the opening in my control panel then I did on any other part of the installation.
Paul
- How hard can it be?
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