Rollover/limit switch necessary?

[Arapaho G]

Hello all, I'm new here so if this has already been discussed please forgive me. I have replaced the digital control panel twice in the past on my 30" MES. I just replaced the electric heating element, as the smoker would trip GFI's. Some internet reading and videos suggested that a new element would solve the problem. Once the element was replaced I plugged it in and...nothing. I wired power directly to the element and it works so I assume the digital controller is bad again. So now I have purchased an Auber PID to get rid of the MES electronics and hopefully all future electric problems with the smoker. Here is my question: why is the rollover/limit switch even necessary if I have the Auber, why can't I just direct wire the element to the power cord? I am asking this because when I wired the element direct to the power cord I broke a connector on the circuit board, and the smoker is so old I find no pictures that look like my circuit board. Thanks.

 

[cmayna]

I bypassed the entire circuitry of my MES40 when I hard wired the power cord to the element. Plugged the power cord into the Auber PID and never looked back.

 

[BGKYSmoker]

I did this to my TSM smoker, took all the OEM controls off, wired the element to a hd extension cord and plugged to the back of my Auber pid.

 

[Arapaho G]

Thanks guys, I believe I will do the same. I never smoke over 225 degrees and I stay around while I'm doing it. Don't see a need for the limit switch safety feature especially if the Auber is as good as claimed. Just another cheap electronic thing to go bad.