Fireboard Pellet Drive install in a MAK 2 Star

[akjeff]

The controller in my 10 year old MAK started acting erratically after a power hit. When I tried to order a new Pellet Boss, discovered that MAK no longer exists. So, I ordered a Pellet Drive from Fireboard, and started on the physical install today. I'll follow up with additional posts, when I start on the electrical side of things.

Started off by gutting the MAK 2 Star.

Then made a block off plate to take the place of the Pellet Boss, as well as provide a substrate to mount the new Pellet Drive. Used a piece of 3/16" aluminum, and used the old Pellet Boss for a template. Mounting screws are 8-32, and the hole for a wiring harness pass through, is 7/8". Also drilled and tapped two holes to mount the Pellet Drive small mounting plate.

The Pellet Drive small mounting plate was then screwed to the aluminum, and wiring harness passed through.

Finally, the wiring harness was plugged into the back of the Pellet Drive, and it was anchored to the factory nutserts. The gasket is kinda fiddly, but it all went together fine. Fit, finish, and build quality of the Pellet Drive is excellent.

More to follow, after I dig into the electrical.

 

[schlotz]

Definitely following your progress Jeff. Sure wish I had the skills to mfg that fine looking alum plate. Nice job! Will be interested to see what you decide to do to connect the old (smaller) wire plugs to the Fireboard which I think have larger sized plugs.

 

[akjeff]

Definitely following your progress Jeff. Sure wish I had the skills to mfg that fine looking alum plate. Nice job! Will be interested to see what you decide to do to connect the old (smaller) wire plugs to the Fireboard which I think have larger sized plugs.

Thanks @schlotz. My plan is to replace the full size Molex connectors on the Fireboard, to the Molex mini so they direct connect to the factory MAK plugs. Reason being two fold. One, I have( or will have in a day or two ) a spare MAK fan/motor which will have the mini plugs. Secondly, the hole for the power cord is too small for a full size Molex to pass through. The only wildcard will be the igniter. Odds of getting a genuine MAK FlashFire igniter are pretty slim, and any aftermarket replacement will probably have a full size Molex connector. Haven't decided on that one yet.

 

[schlotz]

Assuming the Fireboard can run the flashfire igniter then isn't it just a matter of changing out the flashfire mini molex to match up with the larger connector from the Fireboard? This way any third party potential replacement igniter should most likely just plug right in. When MAK upgraded to the flashfire igniter I believe it was said to be rated to an astronomically high number of starts. At least more than I would expect to experience over 30 years. But... experience over my 70+ years says that's doubtful.