MES Rewire Simple Guide - No Back Removal Needed!!!

[normanaj]

I run a MES40 Gen 2 since 2013. I recently added a mailbox mod with pellet tube or maze which solved many serious problems. I recently looked into a PID, but was not sold with advantages of steady temps over the usual +/- 20 degree swings electric smokers are known for. Our kitchen oven works that way, so what? Also, messing with the wiring turned me off. My smokes to-date have turned out fine.

Recently, though, I learned that a PID can avoid wear on my electronics, since it avoids the "100% on - 100% off - 100% on" operation the MES is designed for. Also, I found a method of installing the Auber WSD-1201H without any wiring changes.

The MES electronics are still used, but no longer controls changes to the heating element. Simply plug the MES into the PID (after placing its probe into the smoker), plug the PID in the wall, turn the MES on, set the MES target temp to the max (275 degrees for my unit), then turn the PID to your desired set temp (225 mostly for me).

The PID controls it all. The MES set temp will never be reached, so its circuitry will never be used for the on/off/on of the element. My smoker should last longer, and maybe I'll see some meat advantage to a steady box temp.

I haven't bought the PID yet from Amazon, but I wanted to solicit opinions on this "no mod" approach.

@KonaRich the only thing you'll accomplish using a PID this way is turning your MES off after the temp set on the PID is reached. It would be no different than simply unplugging your smoker and then plugging it back in.

Then you'll need to turn the MES back on at the control panel,reset the temp to 275℉ and wait for the MES to reach the temp set on the PID and then do the above steps all over again. You would literally have to do this several thousand times if doing a brisket which would cause more wear and tear than you could possibly imagine and you'd also be hanging out with your smoker for possibly 10+ hours. Also while power is being fed to the MES via the PID all the electronics and wiring within the smoker will be in play.

In the end if you want to use the Auber you gotta do the rewire.

 

[chopsaw]

The MES electronics are still used, but no longer controls changes to the heating element. Simply plug the MES into the PID (after placing its probe into the smoker), plug the PID in the wall, turn the MES on, set the MES target temp to the max (275 degrees for my unit), then turn the PID to your desired set temp (225 mostly for me).

Works with analog , not with Digital .

 

[normanaj]

Works with analog , not with Digital .

+1

 

[tallbm]

I run a MES40 Gen 2 since 2013. I recently added a mailbox mod with pellet tube or maze which solved many serious problems. I recently looked into a PID, but was not sold with advantages of steady temps over the usual +/- 20 degree swings electric smokers are known for. Our kitchen oven works that way, so what? Also, messing with the wiring turned me off. My smokes to-date have turned out fine.

Recently, though, I learned that a PID can avoid wear on my electronics, since it avoids the "100% on - 100% off - 100% on" operation the MES is designed for. Also, I found a method of installing the Auber WSD-1201H without any wiring changes.

The MES electronics are still used, but no longer controls changes to the heating element. Simply plug the MES into the PID (after placing its probe into the smoker), plug the PID in the wall, turn the MES on, set the MES target temp to the max (275 degrees for my unit), then turn the PID to your desired set temp (225 mostly for me).

The PID controls it all. The MES set temp will never be reached, so its circuitry will never be used for the on/off/on of the element. My smoker should last longer, and maybe I'll see some meat advantage to a steady box temp.

I haven't bought the PID yet from Amazon, but I wanted to solicit opinions on this "no mod" approach.

Hi there and welcome.

Yeah @normanaj is completely correct!

The PID would be cutting power Off to the entire MES. That means no power to the controller and heating element so it is effectively unplugging the MES.

Then when it turns power back on, I believe the MES is no longer set to be "on" for it's settings to kick in.

So that is a big problem :D

When you get your MES run it stock and you will see how it behaves. Maybe you get lucky and it behaves well. Mine could never get over 250F. The temp probes are also HORRIBLE in the MES. I would have 25-40F temp reading differences from it and my other trusted thermometer probes.

This thread and whole topic is as popular as it is because MES owners become so fed up with their MES performance and issues that they want to fix it and this is a surefire fix.

See what yours does and maybe you will be happy with it as is. If not, you know you can come to this thread and use a PID to get performance the stock MES cannot offer and to help you cook what you are looking to cook :D