Let's Talk BBQ
Outdoor Cooking Equipment => Grills & Smokers => Pellet Grills and Smokers => Topic started by: smoker pete on February 07, 2013, 11:04:09 PM
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Due to the small cooking pit of the Traeger PTG and the findings of my tests I have decided to run the PTG in the Manual Mode when smoking/cooking in order to take the parameters out of the equation.
I know this means I'll have to tend the PTG manually and tweak it to adjust to conditions but while camping I have nothing but time and a few cold ones!! :D I could play with it tweaking parameters left & right, up and down but the PTG pit is so small by pellet grill standards that things will always be changing. This way I can control it better.
Parameters: T=20, OUTL=0, OUTH=100 ... (P=40, I=500, D=150, and SV=250 BUT none of these parameters have any affect in Manual Mode)
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Traeger%20PTG/PIDController/PID13_zpsc69eb38e.jpg)
FYI ... After a series of extensive tests this is what I have found running in the Manual Mode. The ambient temperature was around 50-54ºF and at times there was a slight wind. Tested the Output Value at different Power levels from 15% to 40% power. I now have a baseline to use when wanting to smoke/cook at a specific temperature. Just dial in the initial power level and tweak it as conditions dictate.
15% ... ~ 180-200ºF
20% ... ~ 215-230ºF
23% ... ~ 245-255ºF
25% ... ~ 250-265ºF
27% ... ~ 290-305ºF
30% ... ~ 330-350ºF
32% ... ~ 340-360ºF
35% ... ~ 370-375ºF
40% ... ~ > 400ºF
Used iGrill temperature readings at grill level rather than the K Thermocouple Processed Value (PV) in red in the photo. In the photo I used two Maverick ET-732 probes. Yes, the K Thermocouple is more accurate but since I have it mounted vertically where an RTD for a Traeger Digital controller is normally mounted I preferred to document the measured grill temperatures.
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the control thinging you have in the front? did you put that on SP? you could put one of those on a traeger too? i always liked my traeger before i sold it. :'(
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the control thinging you have in the front? did you put that on SP? you could put one of those on a traeger too? i always liked my traeger before i sold it. :'(
Yes Sparky I installed the PID controller with the help of my youngest Son, the Electrician.
Bought a Traeger PTG for the RV with high hopes of being able to take pellet smoking-grilling on the road. But from day one I experienced flame out issues with temperatures under 300ºF and had massive temperature swings when the unit stays lit.
Before anyone asks ... I ran many tests using the standard Traeger 3 position switch, the Ortech TR-100, and Traeger digital controller. Worked closely with Ortech and Traeger tech support but was unable to rectify my issues.
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Traeger%20PTG/PIDController/PID2_zps9a61cba2.jpg)
Researched PID solutions on this forum and other sources and have decided that I had nothing to lose and everything to gain by installing an Auber SYL-2372 PID in my PTG. Using the standard 3-position switch for the face plate, K type thermocouple, and assorted parts ... Less than $100! Got the information, parts list, etc from "muebe" who modified his PTG.
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Traeger%20PTG/PIDController/PID1_zpsa95e199c.jpg)
Wired as per the wiring diagram provided by SavannahSmoker and inserted an on/off switch to control the Auger as per muebe.
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Traeger%20PTG/PIDController/PID4_zps09abc4a9.jpg)
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Traeger%20PTG/PIDController/PID6_zps9d647fa2.jpg)
Decided to mount the K type thermocouple inside the unit cause while traveling I didn't want to have to deal with clipping the thermocouple on the grill. I'm hoping that since the PTG has such a small cooking chamber it won't do too much harm by being mounted in the same position that the RTD normally gets mounted.
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Traeger%20PTG/PIDController/PID5_zps7ef2f5be.jpg)
A little tight in here but not bad. The bottom of this compartment has slots on the bottom for a bit of cooling.
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Traeger%20PTG/PIDController/PID8_zps3529dfcb.jpg)
Here's the PTG with the PID, K type thermocouple, 5 amp fuse, and manual switch for the Auger.
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Traeger%20PTG/PIDController/PID9_zps533486ee.jpg)
I must give credit where credit is due for the chassis modification, hardware mounting, and wiring to my Son who is a Journeyman Electrician. He did a fantastic job ... ;D ;D
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Traeger%20PTG/PIDController/PID11_zpsb450ddcf.jpg)
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Traeger%20PTG/PIDController/PID12_zps02bf47a2.jpg)