MES Control Panel visibility issue

[drewb0y]

I have a recently acquired MES 40 20070407 that I've done a few smokes on so far. The first thing I had to do with it is replace the control panel as the original one's LEDs were defective due to heat and smoke exposure. The main issue I have with it now is that you can't see it in daylight. Looks fine at night or in really good shade. Don't know if it's the green color of the LEDs or something with the polarization of the plastic lens. Has anyone found a solution or mod for this?

Another question is to prevent the failure of the control panel from heat and smoke, has anyone relocated it by extending the wires?

Thanks in advance for any response.
.

 

[GaryHibbert]

Morning Drew. My only suggestion for the visibility problem would be to put a hood of some type over the panel. As for moving the control panel, I rewired my MES and added a PID that sits beside the smoker.
Gary

 

[drewb0y]

Thanks Gary. Yeah I was thinking maybe something like a cut down shoebox or something. I do have a covered back deck, but it's further from the house and totally mosquitoland. I am researching the PID thing on the forums now. I'm a techie, so the more gadgety the better!

 

[Bearcarver]

I haven't had that problem since I got rid of my original MES 30, back about 8 years ago.
All I did then was cup my hand over it to give it some shade,
Since that, my Gen #1 MES40 didn't have that problem, and my Gen #2.5 MES40 has a tinted shield over the digital read-out.

Bear

 

[chopsaw]

You won't be sorry if you go with the PID controller . This is the one a lot of us use .

Multi Purpose Controller [WS-1510ELPM] - $159.95 : Auber Instruments, Inc., Temperature control solutions for home and industry

Auber Instruments, Inc. Multi Purpose Controller [WS-1510ELPM] - The WS-1510ELPM is a versatile temperature controller to have in your home. It can be used for various applications such as Sous Vide cooking, controlling an electric smoker, making yogurt, dough proofing, controlling the...

www.auberins.com

 

[drewb0y]

As much as my wife loves the smoked meats, I'd probably get in trouble spending that much! I did just order the AMNPS 5X8 pellet tray. For now I may just extend the cable on the existing control panel and make a covered box of some kind that I can mount to the side. I will definitely be researching the PID thing though.

 

[dr k]

As much as my wife loves the smoked meats, I'd probably get in trouble spending that much! I did just order the AMNPS 5X8 pellet tray. For now I may just extend the cable on the existing control panel and make a covered box of some kind that I can mount to the side. I will definitely be researching the PID thing though.

Do it! She loves the smoked meats! It's an investment in the electronics you can unplug and bring inside in a nice dry environment where they should be when not in use. Do it!

 

[drewb0y]

Do it! She loves the smoked meats! It's an investment in the electronics you can unplug and bring inside in a nice dry environment where they should be when not in use. Do it!

I'll just say Dr K told me to do it!