I’ve been meaning to try this for awhile now. Already had the PID controller built and was using it to control temps in my Bradley smoker. Don’t laugh at the cardboard box, this is just an experiment.
The idea is to use my PID temperature controller to operate a small 4 CFM fan to feed air into the drum as needed to control the temps. At this point the only thing I had to buy was the $16 4 CFM AC fan.
Parts: 1 cardboard box, 1 4 CFM fan with power supply
Cut a round hole in the box for the fan to blow through. Then mounted it using a couple of screws.
On the other end I cut a small hole so the 1/2 nipple wound fit in and sealed the box.
Here's the controller with the power supply plugged in.
Here we go. I have the sensor attached on the side here but later moved it to a vent hole on the lid so it would read more like the analog temp gage already mounted there, the RWB one is new and is being compared to the other two. The box mounted on an existing 1/2 nipple. Notice the air intake on the left is open, I'm getting it up to temp and will later close this completely.
After coming up to temp I set the PID at 220°. After the drum settled down it was holding between 216° and 226°. I cranked it up to 230° and the range was 226° and 236°. Set it at 225° and put a Butt in, no sense in wasting the fuel. I should have tested at higher temps also but didn't, next time.
Here's the butt at 190°. It took 12 hours and I had to stir the coals one time. FTC it and went to bed.
This morning I pulled it.
All in all the experiment was a complete sucess. I might try a larger CFM fan next time or mabey 2 of the 4 CFM but for sure a new watertight box is in order as well as a 1/8" connector for the thermocouples as the one on the Bradley is permanant.
Thanks for looking
The idea is to use my PID temperature controller to operate a small 4 CFM fan to feed air into the drum as needed to control the temps. At this point the only thing I had to buy was the $16 4 CFM AC fan.
Parts: 1 cardboard box, 1 4 CFM fan with power supply
Cut a round hole in the box for the fan to blow through. Then mounted it using a couple of screws.
On the other end I cut a small hole so the 1/2 nipple wound fit in and sealed the box.
Here's the controller with the power supply plugged in.
Here we go. I have the sensor attached on the side here but later moved it to a vent hole on the lid so it would read more like the analog temp gage already mounted there, the RWB one is new and is being compared to the other two. The box mounted on an existing 1/2 nipple. Notice the air intake on the left is open, I'm getting it up to temp and will later close this completely.
After coming up to temp I set the PID at 220°. After the drum settled down it was holding between 216° and 226°. I cranked it up to 230° and the range was 226° and 236°. Set it at 225° and put a Butt in, no sense in wasting the fuel. I should have tested at higher temps also but didn't, next time.
Here's the butt at 190°. It took 12 hours and I had to stir the coals one time. FTC it and went to bed.
This morning I pulled it.
All in all the experiment was a complete sucess. I might try a larger CFM fan next time or mabey 2 of the 4 CFM but for sure a new watertight box is in order as well as a 1/8" connector for the thermocouples as the one on the Bradley is permanant.
Thanks for looking