MES wiring upgrade mod

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so If I rewire my MES can I just splice into the existing wireand add the 12 guage, or do i need to replace the entire wire, my issue is i have the access panel by the heat element. not access to the top so I would have to remove the entire panel to replace entrie wire.
 
so If I rewire my MES can I just splice into the existing wireand add the 12 guage, or do i need to replace the entire wire, my issue is i have the access panel by the heat element. not access to the top so I would have to remove the entire panel to replace entrie wire.


I only replaced the wire in my MES due to the fact that i was upgrading the heating element. FYI
 
I"m new and plan to buy an MES in a couple of months...After reading the posts on wiring problems, rust, damage from heat, etc.,  I wonder if there are things I should do to the electrical components before I start smoking to reduce problems down the line ??????   THANX for your input...
 
As stated in several MES threads, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". I've had mine for a little over a year now, smoke in it at least twice a week and have not had any problems with mine yet. If and when it happens is when I will rely on the expertise here to find a "how to" thread to fix whatever the problem may be. Until then, SMOKE ON!!!
 
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As stated in several MES threads, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". I've had mine for a little over a year now, smoke in it at least twice a week and have not had any problems with mine yet. If and when it happens is when I will rely on the expertise here to find a "how to" thread to fix whatever the problem may be. Until then, SMOKE ON!!!
I agree with you 100%. This was done to handle the extra wattage and heat produced from the new element.
 
Hi to all

I have used this supplier when I was working in the plastics industry. They have very good prices. The wire you are looking for is type TGGT. The supplier is Plastic Process Equipment. PPE.com.

The page you need is http://www.ppe.com/11cat/0738.pdf

They also have other nice items in their catalog.

Bill
 
Why wouldn't you just use the MGT? It has a temp. rating of 842º F and only costs $0.03 more per foot. For the lengths needed for upgrading the MES I would prefer using something that is rated at a higher heat temp. After all, I don't know actually how hot the heating element gets but I do know it gets read hot and that may be for than the 482º F that the TGGT is rated at.

That's just MOHO.
 
Why wouldn't you just use the MGT? It has a temp. rating of 842º F and only costs $0.03 more per foot. For the lengths needed for upgrading the MES I would prefer using something that is rated at a higher heat temp. After all, I don't know actually how hot the heating element gets but I do know it gets read hot and that may be for than the 482º F that the TGGT is rated at.

That's just MOHO.
I think both would work. The MGT has a Glass reinforced mica tapes as a insulator. There for this helps with the higher heat. I also think it helps with water resistance. Most ovens or heaters don't get up to those temps there for TGGT wire will suffice. I don't think the heating element terminals get red hot. I will have to do some testing with my back cover off and a laser thermometer to find out. The high temp terminals I used are rated at 900 degrease also. They are not soldered just crimped on.
 
I know this has been addressed on the forum before. I decided to do a wiring upgrade on my MES 40". I am planing on doing a 1200 Watt heating element upgrade so this was a logical step in the process. This was done to handle the extra wattage and heat produced from the new element.
A link to the Masterbuilt heating element upgrade http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/forum/thread/90390/mes-heating-element-mod

Here is some links to on-line suppliers for high temp wire in 3 individual 5 foot cut lenght. The 12 AWG wire can be hard to find locally sometime.
http://www.a-1catalog.com/12guagranwir.html
 
http://www.appliancepartspros.com/Appliance-Parts/M-L-Appliance-wire-item-number-AP3440743.aspx 

 
or by the foot
http://www.electronicplus.com/content/ProductPage.asp?maincat=wr&subcat=whi 



pic of the side by side comparison of the factory 16 gauge high temp wire and the 12 gauge high temp wire.
Notice the strand count on the different gauges.There is a big difference.
Maybe using the 12 gauge is Little overkill but the again i only wanted to do this once.
Here is the specs on the Ma 12 Guage wire 600 Max Volts, Max Temperature 400ºF to 200ºC. 12 gauge UL Style 3074, CSA Type SEW-2.
 



pic of the Female flag push on high temp connectors i used.
High temperature push-on terminals are constructed of steel plated nickel.
Rated for continuous operating temperature of 482° C (900° F), intermittent rating of 649° C (1200° F).
The rings for the ground wire are made up of the same high temp steel plated nickel.
 



Side by side comparison completed wires with the new connectors crimped on and ready to install.
Notice I made the new wire 2 inches longer to allow for more play.
 



This is the factory 16 gauge wire. Their all black except the Green wire is used for the ground.
 


This is the new 12 gauge wire.
I used the white wire for the ground and the red wire for the connection from the heating element to the lower power control board.
 




Pic of the back of the MES with the old wiring installed before I removed it.






pic of the new wire installed on the back of the MES.
I had to take the connection box covers off and remove the grommets in them to get the wire threw.
I was able to do this with the new connectors installed on the 12 gauge wire.

 


Close up of the new wire push on end connectors installed on the heating element before the connection box cover where installed.
I used the white wire for ground wire.




 
Close up of the new wire push on end connectors installed before the connection box cover where installed.
This is the thermostat on the upper Right hand side of the MES (looking from the back of the unit)



The new white ground wire installed on the lower bottom back side of the unit.
The other side of this white ground wire goes to the ground in between the heating element leads.
The green ground wire you see is from the power cord.

 




This is the lower power control board.Located under the MES with all the new connections and wire installed. 





 
Thanks.
 
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