Hobbychef, sounds like you fixed your problem?
Wendellpool, always keep your exhaust vent full open. Control your temperature by the FB (fire box) aka "intake" vent. More closed is lower temp, more open is higher temp. I always full open mine to get started, brings the temp up in the CC faster this way too (I think). Once my CC hits 300 or better I close up the intake vent to about 1/2 way. This slowly brings temp down in the 200ish range. Sometimes higher, sometimes lower. I check the temp every 20 minutes after that until it's stabilized where I want it.
There are a couple great modifications you can make to/for this smoker that are pretty cheap.
-Turn the grate in the bottom of your FB 90* so it sits HIGHER off the bottom of the barrel. More air flow below makes a better burn, also more room for ash to build up.
-Build a charcoal box out of expanded steel.
There are several others, but these 2 are SUPER easy.