Great FB Pellet Drive Function...Auger "Prime"

[akjeff]

This is something I tried persuading MAK to do years ago, but they would not, for liability reasons( ie some moron putting their fingers in the auger while it's turning). When I finish a cook, and it's going to be more than a day or so before the next, I like to dump the pellet hopper, and clear the auger tube. The pellet hopper is easy, as the MAK 2 Star has a handy dump door. The auger tube is another story. You have to either run the grill, and burn them up, or shop vac as many out as possible. The MAK auger is pretty long, so it's a PITA.

Enter the FireBoard Pellet Drive I just installed. Found a menu function that allows you to manually jog the auger alone, to both clear it of pellets, or to prime an empty auger so the first ignition is quick.

Power up the Pellet Drive, and hold down one of the 3 buttons on the left, until you see SETTINGS and PELLET menus on the left of the display.

Press the button next to PELLET, and you will get the menu for PRIME and MORE. Press the button next to PRIME, and the auger alone will run for 60 seconds( default setting ).

I found that it took mine 4 or 5 60 second cycles to clear the auger. To prime and empty auger with fresh pellets, I just cycled it until I saw pellets appear at the fire pot.

I really appreciate that FireBoard is allowing the consumer to think for themselves, and not put their nose pickers in the auger while it's running. It's a really handy feature.

 

[Fueling Around]

Nice add on.
The FB (if it was compatible with my pooper) would cost more than I paid for it
I have a momentary push button to install in my auger drive but never found the need. I don't clear the auger between cooks and have only dumped the hopper once in 8 years.

 

[akjeff]

Nice add on.
The FB (if it was compatible with my pooper) would cost more than I paid for it
I have a momentary push button to install in my auger drive but never found the need. I don't clear the auger between cooks and have only dumped the hopper once in 8 years.

It's almost a must for me, as my grill is outdoors 24/7, and used year round. While the weatherproofness of the MAK is amazing, it can't stop humidity. Our winter is 6 months long, and the pellets in the auger can turn into concrete. So, I try to keep it cleared out. A momentary switch is a great idea!

 

[schlotz]

Learned that lesson the hard way with my 2 Star. Pellets decomposed then turned into concrete. In the end it required using sledge and destroying the motor/auger assembly to finally break loose and free it. MAK worked with me through all the possibilities to try prior to the final solution and even though this was my doing they sent me a complete replacement assembly at no charge. Since then, after smoking I religiously dump the hopper and just let the unit continue to run until the pellets are gone and the until flames out. That amount of time usually allows for dinner to be done and the flame out beep reminds me to go out and pull the plug. BTW: never leave your smoker plugged in. GFI circuits won't protect the controller from getting fried if a bad storm goes through with lighting.

Love hearing the FireBoard has that control granularity Jeff. Almost have the urge to start the project despite the fact my MAK is functioning just fine. By chance, could you put together a parts list of the molex plugs, Temp probe, gaskets, screws etc? Not certain yet on the alum plate. Gonna look for a source to produce it. Will have to take some measurements off the Pellet Boss for the holes and off the FB for its mounting.

 

[chopsaw]

. Found a menu function that allows you to manually jog the auger alone, to both clear it of pellets, or to prime an empty auger so the first ignition is quick.

That's a great feature , and have wondered why they all don't have a manual / no ignition options to drive pellets .
The SmokeFires run in reverse at the end of shut down . That clears the tube , but not the feed chute .
It does have the pellet dump , but the chute has to be vac'd .

I've been looking at the FB since you've posted this . Watched a couple videos . Just went over the wiring diagram on the SmokeFire this morning . Looks straight forward .

Not certain yet on the alum plate. Gonna look for a source to produce it.

Jeff would know more about it , but I saw they sell a mounting kit . Also have one that attaches with magnets .
Maybe your source for a plate started this thread . Lol .

 

[akjeff]

Learned that lesson the hard way with my 2 Star. Pellets decomposed then turned into concrete. In the end it required using sledge and destroying the motor/auger assembly to finally break loose and free it. MAK worked with me through all the possibilities to try prior to the final solution and even though this was my doing they sent me a complete replacement assembly at no charge. Since then, after smoking I religiously dump the hopper and just let the unit continue to run until the pellets are gone and the until flames out. That amount of time usually allows for dinner to be done and the flame out beep reminds me to go out and pull the plug. BTW: never leave your smoker plugged in. GFI circuits won't protect the controller from getting fried if a bad storm goes through with lighting.

Love hearing the FireBoard has that control granularity Jeff. Almost have the urge to start the project despite the fact my MAK is functioning just fine. By chance, could you put together a parts list of the molex plugs, Temp probe, gaskets, screws etc? Not certain yet on the alum plate. Gonna look for a source to produce it. Will have to take some measurements off the Pellet Boss for the holes and off the FB for its mounting.

Will work on a parts list, but it may be a few days. The aluminum plate and gasket were just made with scrap on hand, and used the Pellet Boss as a template. The other option is to do as Jim did in the YouTube video, and order the larger plate that FireBoard offers, and it will completely cover the hole left from removing the Pellet Boss. I just wanted to keep the add on as small as possible, which is why I made the aluminum plate. Still waiting on the permanent pit probe to arrive. It's been in USPS limbo somewhere between Seattle and Alaska for about 4 days now. I'll finish off the install thread once it arrives and is installed.