Maverick ET-73 HELP!

[meateater]

I have a ET-7 and use my Weber Style instead.

 

[Bearcarver]

I have a ET-7 and use my Weber Style instead.

Alright--Alright, I heard you the first time!

Bear

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

 

[dick foster]

That's called a setup. LOL

I have had this theory I came up with several years ago. Basically it is our country's plan for world domination and to overcome all other nations and cultures with junk food.

If you think about it for a moment you can see where this makes a lot of sense.

For starters what's the first thing that we move into a country like China where we have just opened up relations. Yep it's Coke and or Pepsi, followed closely by McDonald's, KFC and the rest. China is absolutely full of them now and it hasn't been that long since we even started talking to them. Just take a look at any recent picture of Nanjing Road in Shanghai and you'll see with I mean. The golden arches and KFC signs are everywhere.

   

Even Budweiser has a big stake in China now. I've been there and seen it for myself. There are at least 6 McDonald's on that street and I lot count of KFCs while Bud is more prevalent than Tsingtao, even out in the sticks.  All the suburbs are chock full of em too. In Hong Kong it's the same thing, Souel, Taipei, Bangkock, Manila, Tokyo etc. etc. etc. It's the same for Europe and everywhere else too. In fact I defy anyone to find a place on this earth, especally in the developed world where the invasion hasn't already taken place. We have even invaded France with the Colonel and Micky D now. Hell the poorest nations in Africa aren't even safe.  Maybe you can get away in North Korea for the moment but I don't think it will be too long before they surcome to first Coke then The Colonel too.  

Next ask yourself where all the heart and cardiac specialist in the world are. Yep you guessed it, they are all right here. We have them all and lead the world in treating obesity, heart disease and related illness while all of those other folks are absolutely defenceless against it. Have you looked at the rapidly rising death rate from heart disease and that sort of thing in those nations lately? It's staggering and they don't have the first clue in knowing how to fight it. There biggest heath threat isn't Malaria, it's McDonald's. It's just like drugs I tell ya and they don't stand a snow's chance in hell. It's simply a matter of time now and any resistance will be too weak, too late and futile. Junk food is indeed the absolute last word in ultimate weapons technology.  It's total world domination in one shot. 

 

[nwdave]

There is some validity in what you say, but add to this, while "we" have made smoking cigarettes and other tobacco products the new evil, it hasn't stopped the big companies from shipping them overseas for very cheap prices.  If we can't overcome them with obesity related problems, they can have cancer and shortness of breath.

 

[dick foster]

Yep. But they are starting to get wise to cigarettes though. The double onslaught is nice and a lot quicker to be sure but they are definitely on to us I think. You even have to find a designated smoking area at Narita, the Tokyo airport now. There are lots of em, but it's not just walk and smoke anywhere now like it once was. As I recall, I even had to go outside in Shanghai and at Chaiang Kai Shek in Taipei. I don't think there is a single smoking airline left now either. While they all still smoke a lot more than we do, they are getting smart to it. I don't think they can ever kick the junk food though. Not before it's too late anyway. 

BTW I've quit smoking since. It got so it was really telling during camping trips up to 10K feet and that sort of thing.  

 

[DanMcG]

Hey Dick Foster, any chance you could design the ideal thermometer? If you could I'm buying a couple of them. Yours would be my dream unit, but it has to have an AC adapter in the receiver and transmitter for when my batteries go weak.,

 

[dick foster]

I'm retired now and I intend to stay retired. The trouble is finding enough volume to make something like this worth pursuing.

Yes, making a rechargeable unit would make a lot of sense.

So far from what I've seen, the Maverick seems to have most of the features one would want for a smoker unit. It has some really annoying things about it and the build quality and quality control are truly lacking as it seems everyone is pointing out.

One of the things that drives me nuts along with most  is the stupid power switch behind the cover. That was truly idiotic. There are other ways to make it weather resistant without being totally stupid about it. For example a simple push on/off push membrane switch would do the job while being more rugged than the crap they use now and probably cheaper at the same time. If I ever crack this one open, I'll do something about that.

The one way roll all the way round again when trying to set alarms etc. is also maddening. That is just software/firmware programming or lack of as a result of being just plain bone lazy,stupid or perhaps both.

I could do without the dumb little pictures of cows, pigs and chickens and do with something a bit more useful like the aforementioned signal strength display.    

 

[nwdave]

I could do without the dumb little pictures of cows, pigs and chickens and do with something a bit more useful like the aforementioned signal strength display.    

Perhaps they intend this for the overseas market as well and pictures might be appropriate.  Oh wait, we are the overseas market.  Sorry, I forgot.

 

[deannc]

      Couldn't agree more!

      I can understand the part this makes the "switch" I guess more weather proof...but really, how weather resistant is the transmitter anyway?  (Not directed towards you Dick, this was told to me back when I first bought mine.

One of the things that drives me nuts along with most  is the stupid power switch behind the cover. That was truly idiotic. There are other ways to make it weather resistant without being totally stupid about it. 

 

[Bearcarver]

Wow--Bone Lazy Stupid.

A little strong to say about people you don't even know.

Maybe they know things about it that we don't?

Let's not forget, even with their flaws, they are one of the best, if not the best (per cost) on the market.

 

[daddyzaring]

I don't know if this can be done, or how, but would it be possible to make some kind of double antenna, where you could mount it through a wall, or run it through a window, and have a receiving antenna on the out side, and a broadcasting antenna on the insinside to pick up the signal from outside, and send it to the receiver on the inside?

 

[dick foster]

Yes you can but it would probably be a lot easier just to do it with wire at least half way. No need to do all that double wireless link gymnastics. I'd say keeping the receiver end wireless is the critical bit and wire the transmitter as it's more of less stationary anyway. That way the receiver goes most everywhere with you.   

 

[Bearcarver]

I've spent a lifetime in electronics engineering and designing electronic products, including consumer grade electronics so I damn well know better. It is what it is and I know it when I see it.  I don't have to know the people who did it personally either. What's your background? Social engineering I suppose. LOL 

The unit has some nice features to be sure but it also has a few warts. That is plain enough to anyone who opens their eyes and takes a look at what's there. The quality contol is also obviously lacking.

Sorry, I'm just not one of those people who won't say shit even if they are standing knee deep in it. It's that kind that got us in the mess we are all in today. Just look at Washington today. I don't need to meet those people personally to know they self interested crooks either. Not when it's so clearly evident from the facts at hand.  

 

Nope, no Social Engineer, no college at all, just raised better than some.

 

[beer-b-q]

Nope, no Social Engineer, no college at all, just raised better than some.

Hey Bear, you left out, that you are also,  "Not as condescending as some..."

 

[smokingohiobutcher]

is there a limit to how long the temp probes can be???? And, can they be lengthened easily?

SOB???

 

[dick foster]

I suppose you are talking about the wire. I'd say yes there is a limit as the electrical signal from the temp sensor is very small. In the case of thermocouple types there are some metallurgical issues involved. You can however lengthen it some if it's a resistance or PN junction type, especially if you increase the gauge of the wire (a numerically smaller gauge wire) for the extension.

As far as the probe itself, most of it is just the metal sleeve while the sensor part is typically very small and located down at the far end. However, don't forget that adding metal creates more of a heat sink which would act to slow the response of the sensor.

 

[daddyzaring]

I Live in a mobile home with metal siding, so that little extra wire ain't gonna do me any good.  You can rarely get cell phone receiption in here. lol

 

Yes you can but it would probably be a lot easier just to do it with wire at least half way. No need to do all that double wireless link gymnastics. I'd say keeping the receiver end wireless is the critical bit and wire the transmitter as it's more of less stationary anyway. That way the receiver goes most everywhere with you.   

 

[tom37]

Wow I didn't think there was this many unhappy customers for the mav.

Before my transmitter mod I had to leave the receiver in the front half of my basement to get signal. That really sucks when the computer is on the back wall.

After the mod I can take it anywhere in the house with not a problem one.

BTW The house has (i would guess 20 or 22 ga) metal 4'x8' sheets of siding.

From where I sit its 30' to the front wall (concrete) 4' high and 2x4 construction on top of that. Between me and the concrete there is 3 wood framed walls and one steel clad door.

Not that I have ever done this on purpose but when I setup the drums I always have the shelf on the far side of the drum from where I sit inside.

I suppose I should be doing back flips  since it works like it is. I understand why it shouldn't work but the fact is, it does.

The mod was very easy and actually looks pretty decent, I would recommend it to anyone having problems.

 

[scarbelly]

I really wish they would delete all the Dick Foster posts. He was an abrasive moron that ended up getting banned from this site and a couple of others I belong to. He was always condecending and abrasive with nothing to add but his sarcasm.  Please just jump over his posts and read what the rest of us had to say

 

[smokezilla]

does every one have problems with the mavirck et 73, i just ordered one 2 hours ago,  now i am worried, gunna have to drink more beer and get happy again