MAK 2 Star oddity

[schlotz]

Went to plug the smoker in this morning for a Dino Bone dinner tonight and the controller trips the GFI. Reset the GFI, trips it again. Not to be deterred I run a line out the bedroom window and plug the smoker in. Ok that works! Hey when ya gotta smoke, ya gotta smoke!

Ok, this would possibly point to a weak GFI but the house is only 5 years old. Garage freezer, the smoker and gas grill are the ones on this circuit. I'm wondering though if something in the smoker controller could actually be the culprit? Sent an email off to MAKGRILLS with that question. In the mean time once the Dino's are done I'm going to plug that extension cord into the bathroom GFI socket to see it it trips. If not, then yup got a weak GFI in the garage that will need to be replaced, otherwise it points back to the smoker controller which will be way more expensive. The MAK is over 10 years old so who knows?

 

[G8trwood]

My pellet does the same thing. I believe it is only when the igniter cycles, possibly…. After a few trips the GFI get more sensitive. I started running a cord from inside the shop.

 

[sandyut]

Hmmm hope and kinda doubt its the smoker. Never had a GFI go bad, but I had a breaker go bad. First time I asked around most people didnt think that was possible, but since then I've had two more go bad on me. They tripped with any load or just wouldnt reset at all. A new GFI would be my first move because its cheap and easy.

I use one of these on my smoker because I am fairly sure the outside outlets are not protected by anything. And I have the freedom to use any outlet necessary.

 

[chopsaw]

this would possibly point to a weak GFI

I bet the igniter could cause that to happen . Just like an electric element when the resistance is to low .
I bet a worn or on it's way out igniter could look like a " leak to ground " .

 

[Charlene G]

don't count out that you have a bad GFI. We did a kitchen remodel and the electrician had to install GFI plugs (law). Went on vacation and GFI tripped where I plugged in the toaster. Thought is was the toaster-or the cats fooling with it when I was gone. Left everything unplugged from that GFI circuit-came home. GFI tripped again. What the HeeHaw? Replaced the GFI 6 years ago-never tripped again. Talked to a buddy that is an electrician and he tells me that they do go bad.

 

[Fueling Around]

Step back and give the whole story. Is this a GFCI receptacle or a combo GFCI breaker?
Yes both can go bad. Don't use a GFCI circuit for a refrigerator feed.
My guess is the igniter as others stated. The element in my Big Chief failed and it tripped the GFCI but not a regular circuit.

 

[schlotz]

Step back and give the whole story. Is this a GFCI receptacle or a combo GFCI breaker?
Yes both can go bad. Don't use a GFCI circuit for a refrigerator feed.
My guess is the igniter as others stated. The element in my Big Chief failed and it tripped the GFCI but not a regular circuit.

 

[schlotz]

Receptacle gfi.

 

[schlotz]

Following up: I plugged the smoker into the bathroom GFI and it worked just fine. If it was the igniter I would have expected the bathroom GIF to pop. Both the bathroom and GIF for the outside (located in the garage) are the same model. Both are on separate 20amp breakers. Thinking this points back to the garage GIF been the weak link?

But WAIT.... it gets better. Just for the heck of it, I plugged the smoker back into the outside receptacle and it stayed on like nothing was ever wrong. WTF.....?

 

[chopsaw]

But WAIT.... it gets better. Just for the heck of it, I plugged the smoker back into the outside receptacle and it stayed on like nothing was ever wrong. WTF.....?

I've only had this with an MES electric when the element was dying .

Classic sign . Some times it trips , at the GFCI itself , and sometimes it doesnt . It takes a few minutes of running as well . Doesn't do it right when it's plugged in , or turned on .

I just changed the igniter in my Weber , and actually searched out the ohm value for the plug . That way I can check next time it acts up .
If you have a meter , maybe find that info for Your Mak , and check the resistance .

Also , make sure the extension cord is good .

 

[Fueling Around]

It could be a fault in the MAK, but with more fact finding it really points to the receptacle.

Resistance of a heating element pin to pin is mostly irrelevant. When the element heats up and the insulation is compromised is when the current path to ground shows up and trips a GFCI.

 

[schlotz]

Only used the extension to test out the bath GFI. It's a 10ga cord. Given the MAK has a lifetime guaranty on their FlashFire igniter I'm thinking now that with all the heavy rain we have had, the moisture inside the MAK might have been a factor. When I tested this morning plugged straight into the porch receptacle the unit worked fine.
We'll see on next run.

 

[Elf@shore]

It could be a fault in the MAK, but with more fact finding it really points to the receptacle.

Resistance of a heating element pin to pin is mostly irrelevant. When the element heats up and the insulation is compromised is when the current path to ground shows up and trips a GFCI.

GFI: Tripping
I had a GFI tripping for my pool pump.
Thinking due to water it would trip? I was Wrong!
Electrician told me that GFI are not meant to be used many times over and will fail over heavy use!
I was backed up about this with from multiple electricians.
GFI need to be replaced.
Mine does trip a few times a year, its due to water, Doing what its suppose to do !

2nd issue I had : Fridge went bad.
It was over 30 yrs old.
We thought it went bad ?
Bought a new fridge, very well needed.
When they installed the new fridge?
GFI TRIPPED! Had no clue we had one ,due to being in the back of it?
I beleive it was a local Code issue?
we were using an extension cord to keep it running ,from another plug
Fridge was barely working, not pumping enough cold, it was shot!

 

[schlotz]

@Elf@shore yeah, I'm still leery about the GFI for the outside plugs. It easy enough to replace and if I run into this issue again I'll most likely replace it.

 

[schlotz]

Follow up: After I sent an email to MAK explaining what I'd experienced, they called me. Had quite a nice conversation and in the end neither of us believe the igniter was the culprit but out of caution they wanted to send me a replacement just in case. No charge.

Some of you might remember my thread where I spent quite a lot of time attempting to free up a stuck auger. While I explained to them this was definitely my fault the solution required destroying the auger & motor assembly. They quickly took care of that sending a replacement, again at no charge. This is the mark of a superb company and the reason I continue to stay with MAK. Well worth the investment and they take care of their customers, period!

 

[sandyut]

Follow up: After I sent an email to MAK explaining what I'd experienced, they called me. Had quite a nice conversation and in the end neither of us believe the igniter was the culprit but out of caution they wanted to send my a replacement just in case. No charge.

Some of you might remember my thread where I spent quite a lot of time attempting to free up a stuck auger. While I explained to them this was definitely my fault the solution required destroying the auger & motor assembly. They quickly took care of that sending a replacement, again at no charge. This is the mark of a superb company and the reason I continue to stay with MAK. Well worth the investment and they take care of their customers, period!

Sadly this level of custom service is not common enough. Ive only had it twice. Rec Teq does the same type of thing. I also had a scuba strobe that flooded do to my mistake. I sent it in, they checked it, sent me an email saying what I had done and that a replacement was in the mail no charge.

 

[SmokyMose]

I'm guessing it's the receptacle, especially since you have 20A. A GFI is mechanical and machines break down. My first smoker was electric and I used it most of a summer when one day it quit because the GFI outlet on the patio quit working. It didn't trip, it just stopped working. I finished with a cord from inside the house. I know a bit about electricity but I figured this was over my head and called an electrician. He wound up replacing the patio outlet and the one in one of the bathrooms. The insulation on the Romex was brown. I asked what could cause this and he turned around and pointed at the smoker. It's Davis Homes built and uses 15A breakers and 14GA wire.
He said the smoker didn't pull enough amps to trip the GFI but enough to slowly cook it.
This is one reason I don't have any smokers that need an outlet....

 

[chopsaw]

Hope that takes care of it . Weber is the same . When I first got the SmokeFire , 2 of the wheels were threaded wrong and didn't fit . Called them up , and they apologized and said they were sending a new set . Then asked " What else you need " I said that's it . I got 4 wheels ( told them I only needed 2 ) 4 igniters , 2 holders for the ignoter with the harness and plug , 2 chamber temp probes of the controller , and 2 of the temp probes for the food .

Keep us posted Matt .

 

[schlotz]

Hope that takes care of it . Weber is the same . When I first got the SmokeFire , 2 of the wheels were threaded wrong and didn't fit . Called them up , and they apologized and said they were sending a new set . Then asked " What else you need " I said that's it . I got 4 wheels ( told them I only needed 2 ) 4 igniters , 2 holders for the ignoter with the harness and plug , 2 chamber temp probes of the controller , and 2 of the temp probes for the food .

Keep us posted Matt .

yup, will do Rich!