MES135s troubleshooting (controller?)

[Brokenhandle]

I have only used my auber once, just got it before Christmas but it kept my temp swings to within 10 degrees and I know it can get them closer than that. Just need to take time to get it dialed in. But @chopsaw and @tallbm can help out with that, they are very knowledgeable about them. Probably many others can also...they are the first two that come to mind

Ryan

 

[tallbm]

Thank you! It only over heated once. that was when I set it for a 4 hour smoke at 274 degrees. other than that it is random ()shut off). I'm calling MES today to see what run-around thry give me. its a shame both of my smokers don't use the same one.the older 30 Pro has no window, probe or light, so it is just a 4-pin hook up. The 135 has a 4-pin plus 2-pin.

The auto shut off can happen for a few reasons:

1. Overheating - this can happen if the smoker genuinely gets too hot OR it can happen if the connector to the safety limit switch is messing up and causing the switch itself to get hot even though the smoker itself is not overheating.

2. Smoker is Grounding out - again the wiring with could be shot in the main areas as well as the ground wire so check it all.

3. Controller is simply dying - self explanatory


Two of those three reasons involve inspecting the wiring at the access panels to see if they look good. If the overheating is happening at the safety rollout limit switch then the switch may be melting down due to bad wiring so u have to fix the wiring and often replace the switch because it is damaged.


A PID controller wont fix 2 of the 3 issues. Using the PID controller means u will have to do a simple rewire on your MES to use the smoker, you can read about it here:

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

Lately I've seen a number of posts about guys wanting to rewire their MES. I had wanted to post a quick and simple guide for those out there that are curious or those that simply need to rewire but need a little assistance. Well here goes. Disclaimer: When messing with electrical equipment...

www.smokingmeatforums.com

Let us know what u find when you check that wiring :)

 

[fxsales1959]

H.ey Y'all,
thanks again for putting up woithme. popped the rivets and found nothing visibly suspect. decided to try somethingdiffernt since I'm a tightwad. took off controller an "mounted" it with spcers to keep off of top of smoke with breathing room. just finished a 4 hour smoke of some "chopasauruses". will keep babying it since the ASS#$les t masterbuilt wont return my call. Just won't starft anything big or expensive I cant finish on the grill.

 

[tallbm]

H.ey Y'all,
thanks again for putting up woithme. popped the rivets and found nothing visibly suspect. decided to try somethingdiffernt since I'm a tightwad. took off controller an "mounted" it with spcers to keep off of top of smoke with breathing room. just finished a 4 hour smoke of some "chopasauruses". will keep babying it since the ASS#$les t masterbuilt wont return my call. Just won't starft anything big or expensive I cant finish on the grill.

Well if neither sets of wiring were suspect (at element and at safety rollout limit switch) then it seems the controller is likely your problem as the connectors and then the controller are the top 2 problem children with the MES lol.

If you decide u want to do the simple rewire and use a PID controller let us know.
It is honestly like having a completely new and different smoker that can now do sausage and bacon with precision as well as hold set temp within 3 degrees :)

 

[dr k]

H.ey Y'all,
thanks again for putting up woithme. popped the rivets and found nothing visibly suspect. decided to try somethingdiffernt since I'm a tightwad. took off controller an "mounted" it with spcers to keep off of top of smoke with breathing room. just finished a 4 hour smoke of some "chopasauruses". will keep babying it since the ASS#$les t masterbuilt wont return my call. Just won't starft anything big or expensive I cant finish on the grill.

If you go to the MB FB page and messenger them, it's way faster than the ph.

 

[Murray]

See post #10

“If the top controller and the wiring connectors are not the issue then the control board in the bottom of your smoker (under side bottom) is the next thing to fail but is not reported to fail very often.”

Mine was heating past the set point, would have had an overheat issue if I hadn’t caught it with a remote digital thermometer. This was an an intermittent issue, I’d go 8-10 smokes run flawlessly then out of the blue my remote thermometer would alarm that the MES had reached my high temperature alarm, I’d check the smoker and it would still be heating past my set cook temperature. I would shut it down and start again and finish the smoke. Again it would run fine then out of the blue high temperature alarm. After many emails to Masterbuilt they sent me a new power control board. Haven’t had an issue since. You have another MES with a shot controller? Pull the bottom panel off both smokers and if the power control boards look the same try swapping them.

 

[chopsaw]

If you decide u want to do the simple rewire and use a PID controller let us know.
It is honestly like having a completely new and different smoker that can now do sausage and bacon with precision as well as hold set temp within 3 degrees :)

Yes it is .

the control board in the bottom of your smoker (under side bottom) is the next thing to fail but is not reported to fail very often.”

Interesting . So if the temp over runs , snap disc opens ( breaks the circuit ) it continues to heat ? Circuits jumping on the board ahead of the snap disc ?

 

[Murray]

“Interesting . So if the temp over runs , snap disc opens ( breaks the circuit ) it continues to heat ? Circuits jumping on the board ahead of the snap disc ?”

Can’t answer that one, I was relying on my ThermoPro TP-8 with a high temperature alarm. I’d set the TP-08 30F above my cook temperature, alarm went off I’d check the smoker and immediately and shut it down. I never let the temperature climb high enough to test the snap disc. This was happening the first 2 months of ownership after replacing the Power Circuit Board hasn’t happened since. Knock wood!

 

[UGAsmokin]

Don't you ever tire of putting Electric Smokers Down?

Bear

NOPE