my MES broke

U

uncletykie

Smoke Blower

Original poster

Feb 3, 2009

77

10

Athens, IL

• Nov 19, 2009

• #1

Ok so i had 2 19lb Venison roast in my smoker and timer was set for 18hours but 6 hours into the smoke it quit the element was stone coled so I drilled the rivets off the back and the black wire that goes into the little silver box was fried and I was able to pull it out the back...now my question is how do I get it rewired I can't seem to see how to take the back of the burner shield off to reconnect it and my hands are to big to remove the 6 screws on the inside to pull it through.uuggghhhhhh i feel like crying at the moment..lol

 

kurtsara

Smoking Fanatic

OTBS Member

Jun 11, 2007

411

11

Princeton, Minnesota

• Nov 19, 2009

• #2

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/for...+wiring&page=2

 

pantherfan83

Smoking Fanatic

Jul 29, 2008

350

11

Evansville, IN

• Nov 19, 2009

• #3

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/for...ghlight=Repair Great pictures and step-by-step instructions in post # 12

 

U

uncletykie

Smoke Blower

Original poster

Thread starter

Feb 3, 2009

77

10

Athens, IL

• Nov 19, 2009

• #4

Thanx guys, I went to the hardware store and bought a roll of 10 gauge wire, some dis-connectors and rivet gun and rivets and rewired the whole contraption, only took about 2 hours...she is up and running now and hit 275 degrees in about 20 min, which is about 3 x's faster then before......I appreciate all the help

 

scubadoo97

Smoking Fanatic

Sep 28, 2008

900

14

Florida

• Nov 19, 2009

• #5

If I were you I would not replace the rivets with rivets. Short stainless screws will give you faster access when you need it. I would advise periodic inspection of the terminals.

 

chainsaw

Smoking Fanatic

Aug 5, 2009

538

11

Ponca City OK

• Nov 19, 2009

• #6

Great advice for MES owners hope i never have to go there but...!!

 

illini

Smoking Fanatic

OTBS Member

Jul 11, 2006

576

27

West Central Illinois

• Nov 20, 2009

• #7

she is up and running now and hit 275 degrees in about 20 min, which is about 3 x's faster then before......I appreciate all the help

Please elaborate Uncle Tykie. 275* in 20 minutes? Starting from ambient? WOW

 

U

uncletykie

Smoke Blower

Original poster

Thread starter

Feb 3, 2009

77

10

Athens, IL

• Nov 20, 2009

• #8

Starting temp was 71 degrees, i really think the thicker wire allows for more current to pass through, but alas I am no Electrician

 

newbeestl

Fire Starter

Aug 28, 2007

40

10

• Nov 20, 2009

• #9

Awesome! Not sure how old yours was but when mine bit it, I called CS. They sent me an entire new box. Just had to transfer the water pan, chip pan, grates and digital controller and I was good to go.

 

scubadoo97

Smoking Fanatic

Sep 28, 2008

900

14

Florida

• Nov 20, 2009

• #10

Yes helps when ambient temps are up. The wiring on the MES is 14 awg so 10 awg is a big up up in thickness. There would be less resistance to current flow. I wouldn't think it would make that big of a difference but 275* in 20 min is pretty fast heat up.

 

fourthwind

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

SMF Premier Member

Mar 12, 2009

1,203

12

Thornton, CO

• Nov 20, 2009

• #11

It's likely why the MES has been burning out at the connectors. If the wire is barely the size needed for the current, then there will be more heat generated at the connection point due to resistance between the connecters and the wire. Of course if they didnt use the same metals (wire and connecter) then you have a dissimilar metal issue which creates excess corrsion at the connection point. corrosion will also creat more resistance and heat. An engineer I worked with said it like this. Anyone can build a bridge to hold a 100 cars. It takes an engineer to build a bridge that will BARELY hold a 100 cars. Likely the case with the MES engineer who put the design on paper. I have not had a problem yet with my MES, but I will likely take it apart next spring and just re wire it the way it should be. I also plan on installing rivnuts so that you can just unscrew the back when you need to.

 

gruelurks

Smoking Fanatic

Apr 23, 2009

445

11

Oakland County, MI

• Nov 22, 2009

• #12

Yesterday my MES died again. This time I am certain it's the wiring to the element. I have to pull it apart today and check for sure, but the smell of melting wire sure gave me a good indication of what it was. Damn it!

 

scubadoo97

Smoking Fanatic

Sep 28, 2008

900

14

Florida

• Nov 22, 2009

• #13

At least the terminal wiring is a pretty easy fix and the fix should be your last of that type. You had a controller go out on you before is that right?

 

gruelurks

Smoking Fanatic

Apr 23, 2009

445

11

Oakland County, MI

• Nov 22, 2009

• #14

Correct, my controller failed due to moisture. I took it apart and dried out the inside with a hairdryer. Just got back from the hardware store picking up some heavy gauge wire, terminals and connectors.