Rebuilding 30MES

[Smoken Don]

Just got my hands on a well used unit. Have pick up a mail box and ducting, built a stand from a pallet. All electric's seem to be ok except it wants to trip breakers after a minute or two. Measured the element 20 ohms. Other then replacing the element, is there anything else I need to look at? Excited to try some cold smoking. Thank for the add.

 

[radioguy]

check for short to ground off of each lead on the cord. There should be no reading at all. if you get a reading then disconnect wire at various spots to find culprit. Best to just rebuild it with a PID and have an awesome smoker


RG

 

[normanaj]

Definitely a good time to go the PID route.

 

[chopsaw]

it wants to trip breakers after a minute or two

Breaker or GFCI ?

Is it on an extension cord ?

Tripping the power supply after a few minutes of use sounds like a leak to ground , and tripping the ground fault .

Like suggested it post #2 , unplug the unit ,
Remove the inspection plate on the back of the smoker .
Should look something like this

Unplug the wires from the element .

Then use your ohm meter on one prong , and the other to the case . Should read 0 . Then do the same on the other side . That will rule out a short or leak in the element .

If the case is in good shape , and the element is good , check into adding a PID controller .

 

[Smoken Don]

I have tried both types of outlets using 25- 50' extension cords. Measured the coil (20 ohm) but didn't check to ground. Assumed 20 was close enough. Will check the ground measurement tomorrow. This is a project build, no hurry. Thanks for all the info!!