Let's Talk BBQ

Outdoor Cooking Equipment => Grills & Smokers => Pellet Grills and Smokers => Topic started by: mikecorn.1 on June 06, 2012, 07:51:57 PM

Title: Traeger P settings question for ya'll
Post by: mikecorn.1 on June 06, 2012, 07:51:57 PM
I read this somewhere online a little while ago.

"The lower the P#, the shorter the cycle time on the auger when on the smoke setting.  So the the controller will take into consideration the temperature from the probe and as long as the temp is hot enough, it will not run the auger.  The exception to this is if there has been enough time pass that the P# setting which is time based and not temp based, says you have to run the auger so the fire doesn't go out"


Now I know all about how the P settings work, the auger runs for 15 seconds and depending on the P settings you have it set on, thats how long the Traeger will wait between cycles to start pushing pellets in again to try and maintain the temp you want. I never knew that the Traeger would override the P setting if it was still hot enough depending on what you have the temp set on. I have never seen the above anywhere, maybe I missed it in the manual  ???. My salesman back when I purchased it, didnt even mention the P settings. I found out by another member of the Bradley Forum I belong to.
How true is that statement above. I have never really sat there and monitored it so see if thats really the case. Thanks for any input.  :)
Title: Re: Traeger P settings question for ya'll
Post by: teesquare on June 06, 2012, 09:54:12 PM
Mike - PM muebe and Hub ont he forum here - and ask them if they can look at your post and offer input. They both have or had Treagers...There may be others - but I know the 2 of them have experience w/Treager.
T
Title: Re: Traeger P settings question for ya'll
Post by: muebe on June 06, 2012, 10:14:35 PM
Smoke Setting Auger Timing

P-0  15 sec on     45 sec off
P-1  15 sec on     55 sec off
P-2  15 sec on     65 sec off
P-3  15 sec on     75 sec off
P-4  15 sec on     85 sec off
P-5  15 sec on     95 sec off
P-6  15 sec on   105 sec off
P-7  15 sec on   115 sec off
P-8  15 sec on   125 sec off
P-9  15 sec on   135 sec off

When you set the controller to a specific temp the auger runs continuously until that temp is reached.  Then the controller goes into smoke mode based on the above table. When the grill's temperature drops 3 degrees below  target temperture, the auger will run until the setpoint is again reached.

When the 225 controller reaches the set temp it starts the smoke mode with 15 sec on.  That's why it has such large temp swings.  Example P-2 on 15 sec - off 65 sec.

When the new 180 controller reaches the set temp it starts the smoke mode with the off setting.  Example P-2 Off 65 sec - on 15 sec.

So it depends if you have the older 225 F controller or the newer 180F controller. The 180F has a " delay" because it automatically starts with the 65 second off timing when setpoint temp is reached.

I think that is what they are talking about Mike
Title: Traeger P settings question for ya'll
Post by: mikecorn.1 on June 06, 2012, 10:56:07 PM
Got it. ;)


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Title: Traeger P settings question for ya'll
Post by: mikecorn.1 on June 07, 2012, 01:06:36 AM
Smoke Setting Auger Timing

P-0  15 sec on     45 sec off
P-1  15 sec on     55 sec off
P-2  15 sec on     65 sec off
P-3  15 sec on     75 sec off
P-4  15 sec on     85 sec off
P-5  15 sec on     95 sec off
P-6  15 sec on   105 sec off
P-7  15 sec on   115 sec off
P-8  15 sec on   125 sec off
P-9  15 sec on   135 sec off

When you set the controller to a specific temp the auger runs continuously until that temp is reached.  Then the controller goes into smoke mode based on the above table. When the grill's temperature drops 3 degrees below  target temperture, the auger will run until the setpoint is again reached.

When the 225 controller reaches the set temp it starts the smoke mode with 15 sec on.  That's why it has such large temp swings.  Example P-2 on 15 sec - off 65 sec.

When the new 180 controller reaches the set temp it starts the smoke mode with the off setting.  Example P-2 Off 65 sec - on 15 sec.

So it depends if you have the older 225 F controller or the newer 180F controller. The 180F has a " delay" because it automatically starts with the 65 second off timing when setpoint temp is reached.

I think that is what they are talking about Mike
How do you check to see if I have the 225 or 180.


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Title: Re: Traeger P settings question for ya'll
Post by: muebe on June 07, 2012, 01:08:21 AM
Does your thermostat have a 180F setting?

If not then it is a 225F
Title: Re: Traeger P settings question for ya'll
Post by: Hub on June 07, 2012, 08:01:44 AM
Correctamundo.  P settings have slightly different "meanings" depending on whether your controller is Traeger or Ortech, also. 

Hub
Title: Traeger P settings question for ya'll
Post by: mikecorn.1 on June 07, 2012, 09:05:55 AM
(http://img.tapatalk.com/4c1f4313-a724-8ff9.jpg)
Here is a pic of it.


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Title: Re: Traeger P settings question for ya'll
Post by: squirtthecat on June 07, 2012, 09:09:54 AM

That would be the 180.   
Title: Traeger P settings question for ya'll
Post by: mikecorn.1 on June 07, 2012, 09:31:29 AM
Gonna admit. I just turn it on smoke for about 5 minutes to make sure it's igniting the pellets then I set it to where I want. Never pay much attention to what its doing since I did move the P setting to 3 wen I got it cause it seemed to keep my temps closest to where I set them.
What is the purpose of starting with the off 65 sec or  on 15 sec at the beginning depending on the model. :) just trying to get edumacated. ;) ;D


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Title: Re: Traeger P settings question for ya'll
Post by: squirtthecat on June 07, 2012, 09:33:33 AM

I just changed my to Zero and left it.   It bounces around a bit, but that doesn't concern me.
Title: Re: Traeger P settings question for ya'll
Post by: Hub on June 07, 2012, 11:46:05 AM

I just changed my to Zero and left it.   It bounces around a bit, but that doesn't concern me.

AMEN!  Birds gotta fly, fish gotta swim, Traegers gotta bounce around.  It is the natural order of things  ::)

Hub

Title: Traeger P settings question for ya'll
Post by: mikecorn.1 on June 07, 2012, 12:40:09 PM
The bouncing never concerned me either. Heck. I was used to it with the
Bradley ;D. Just curious about it all :)


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Title: Re: Traeger P settings question for ya'll
Post by: muebe on June 07, 2012, 12:42:31 PM
Mike the purpose is to lessen the swings.

You want help building a PID for your Traeger? I will help you if you want ;)
Title: Traeger P settings question for ya'll
Post by: mikecorn.1 on June 07, 2012, 01:44:05 PM
Mike the purpose is to lessen the swings.

You want help building a PID for your Traeger? I will help you if you want ;)
I know you had one in yours. Would be nice. How much would you say it is for the parts to put together. I would need a list. Got to swing it by the wifey. I can tell her it'll save $$$ on the long run cause the pellet grill will be more efficient.
Did you see any difference in pellet usage on the positive side when you had yours?



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Title: Re: Traeger P settings question for ya'll
Post by: muebe on June 07, 2012, 01:50:42 PM
Mike the purpose is to lessen the swings.

You want help building a PID for your Traeger? I will help you if you want ;)
I know you had one in yours. Would be nice. How much would you say it is for the parts to put together. I would need a list. Got to swing it by the wifey. I can tell her it'll save $$$ on the long run cause the pellet grill will be more efficient.
Did you see any difference in pellet usage on the positive side when you had yours?



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The parts will run around $100 total. It will drop pellet usage a lot. The thing is you can control the swings so that it creates smoke and keeps tighter temps. It can also re-light if the firepot loses flame. It is well worth the money and a awesome upgrade. Let me know and I will help you with it.
Title: Traeger P settings question for ya'll
Post by: mikecorn.1 on June 07, 2012, 02:06:30 PM
Might be a while but I'll let you know. At least now I know I will not be be pestering you when I ask; cause you offered ;D ;) LMAO!! Thanks

Edit: by a while I mean soon ;) ;D

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Title: Re: Traeger P settings question for ya'll
Post by: muebe on June 07, 2012, 02:15:36 PM
Just PM me when your ready Mike.
Title: Traeger P settings question for ya'll
Post by: mikecorn.1 on June 07, 2012, 02:28:37 PM
Just PM me when your ready Mike.
Sure will.


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