Modified MES 30 test run

[Reginald]

Well I finally have my MES 30 a test run. My mailbox mod ran well. Didn’t seem to add heat and the smoke is steady. Added a side shelf to hold the pid. The only issue I’m having is temp overshoot. I do have an aftermarket element. Probably too big. Does everyone using a MES 30 use the supplied element? I gutted this one and just used the element I had. It’s 1500w and I believe the stock is 800w. If that’s my only issue then I’m happy and it’ll be an easy fix. It is 85° today. Maybe it won’t be so bad in colder weather.

 

[chopsaw]

Analog is 1500 , so you have the right one . Just depends on which PID you have , and what it's rated for .

MES 30 digital is 800w .

 

[Reginald]

Analog is 1500 , so you have the right one . Just depends on which PID you have , and what it's rated for .

MES 30 digital is 800w .

The pid is an Inkbird. Can’t remember which one. It just overshoots when I raise the temp but then evens out and runs good until I raise the temp again.

 

[chopsaw]

overshoots when I raise the temp

That's in the settings of the PID . On an Auber 1510 you would raise the value of I . Not sure if the Inkbird is the same .

I was wondering if it's rated for 1500 watt element .

 

[Reginald]

I was wondering if it's rated for 1500 watt element .

Gotcha. I’ll have to do some research. See if I can find the model. Thanks.

 

[processhead]

During the test run, was the smoker empty? Or did you have anything in the smoker to simulate a few lbs of meat?

 

[Reginald]

During the test run, was the smoker empty? Or did you have anything in the smoker to simulate a few lbs of meat?

It was empty.

 

[chopsaw]

It was empty.

That's how I set up and tuned mine .
Most don't agree , but it works . Not sure how many put cold meat in a cold smoker to start ,,,,

 

[dr k]

That's how I set up and tuned mine .
Most don't agree , but it works . Not sure how many put cold meat in a cold smoker to start ,,,,

I use your PID set up after I get to temp esp sausage, fish.

 

[river100]

Well I finally have my MES 30 a test run. My mailbox mod ran well. Didn’t seem to add heat and the smoke is steady. Added a side shelf to hold the pid. The only issue I’m having is temp overshoot. I do have an aftermarket element. Probably too big. Does everyone using a MES 30 use the supplied element? I gutted this one and just used the element I had. It’s 1500w and I believe the stock is 800w. If that’s my only issue then I’m happy and it’ll be an easy fix. It is 85° today. Maybe it won’t be so bad in colder weather.

Have you tried Auto Tune ? It can give you a good starting point, but from there on if it still overshoots you'll need to do some adjustments. Just to let you know, the PID settings on different brands of PID controllers are not the same. Especially the P setting so read the manual or find a group that's familiar with the brand you used. That brand is commonly used by people that brew beer so that's a good place to start. They can give you pointers on tuning your PID.

 

[Reginald]

Have you tried Auto Tune ? It can give you a good starting point, but from there on if it still overshoots you'll need to do some adjustments. Just to let you know, the PID settings on different brands of PID controllers are not the same. Especially the P setting so read the manual or find a group that's familiar with the brand you used. That brand is commonly used by people that brew beer so that's a good place to start. They can give you pointers on tuning your PID.

That’s actually why I have the Inkbird. I used to do quite a bit of brewing. Never had the overshoot problems because heating water isn’t nearly as fast. I’m getting close to getting it tuned right. Seems to be more of an issue at lower temps…

 

[processhead]

That's how I set up and tuned mine .
Most don't agree , but it works . Not sure how many put cold meat in a cold smoker to start ,,,,

I don't think the point of putting something in while tuning is to simulate cold meat in a smoker.

When tuning the PID, you want some thermal mass that approximates what having meat in the smoker would provide.
Controlling the temperature of an empty smoker chamber doesn't take into account the buffering effect that warm meat has on the chamber temperature as the element cycles on and off.

 

[chopsaw]

, you want some thermal mass that approximates what having meat in the smoker would provide.

I don't . I want mine to get to temp and pre heat .
It then sees a load and over comes that because of the settings I use , and the way I've tuned it . I've done it both ways and tuning empty is what worked the best for me .
I have no issues with it , with or without a load .