Smokin Tex 1500-C Help (Similar to Cookshack or Smokin it)

[johngolf01]

Hey All,

Hoping someone can lend me a helping hand and or provide some advice.

I recently picked up a Smokin Tex 1500-C electric smoker from a FB Marketplace add. Manufactured in 2014.
I purchased it for $200, knowing it did not work and am ok spending some cash to get it up and running. These seem to retail $3500 range.

Plugged in, when "switching" it up (700W heating) the light turns red, but no heat output. It takes a couple on/off switch try's to get the light to stay red. "Switching" it down (1400W heating) no light comes on.

I called and spoke to Scott with customer support, and he suggested trying the heating elements first. Spent $160 on two replacement elements. Replaced them this evening and the same thing happens with the switch (it's finicky). All the wiring seemed OK to me.

Power must be ok since a light comes on?
Do I invest in a new switch? I think the thermostat is working, because a hear a "click" when turning the temperature knob up.

New switch ($50) and thermostat ($50).

I'm a newbie when it comes to aftermarket controllers. Do they make one that bypasses all of the smoker internals? Essentially independent controller / power to the new heating elements? I've seen some "plug and play" controllers, but that only works if the smoker is functioning as it should (you plug the smoker into them)?

Is there one that I can bypass all the existing controls and just power the heating elements?

Looking for the least path for resistance. I have no issue replacing the switch and thermostat if that likely would be the fix, my fear is that I replace those and still have a non-functioning smoker. That is why an aftermarket controller option appeals to me.

Attached some pics of the smoker for reference. Pics with the back panel off are before/after replacing the elements. Forgot to get new pics of the inside after cleaning / replacing the heating elements. Original photos shown.

Appreciate any feedback or insight!

 

[801driver]

$50 switch? Don't think so. Pull that switch out, read the numbers off the sides of it, do some internet searching and you should be able to find one way less expensive. I have a Smoke-it #2. It has no switch, it came that way from the factory. If I want to smoke something, I plug it in and the light goes on and off when the T-stat is calling for heat. You could jumper your switch wires together to bypass your switch and accomplish the same function just plugging and unpluging for now if you wanted to test.

 

[801driver]

Woops, I just took a better look at your smoker and see that it has two heating elements. Seems you can choose to use one or both. In that case just direct wiring would only give you the option of using one heater or both heaters all the time. I would look at the switch you have and see if this might be an acceptable replacement.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/373688029864?_skw=20+amp+toggle+switch&itmmeta=01M42NQYYFGEDJ4RTQA07HJJVX&hash=item57018ad2a8:g:PToAAOSw6X1mngyr&itmprp=enc%3AAQALAAAA8LB2JXbe%2Bh2pdWBqbR2c2DsUPTSkNLAf9RijwTyBMXscWAc2voNhIVsZ7AgS9TjmnT3qBF7Hd4uArN3RFQGO7AbLc7IC2aGzA6OmC4lL5YWaOCTcoNi3CUW2te6ZI2eMW%2FhinX0VNjPEugA%2FtNqM6VX%2FxOPBxRbe9vxYaMc5WvzqLCVYB19jiflUGi5VO3dCRKr4xWgcRJEajHZ%2BQomrPWWo%2B%2BtYDKOPbeYZ3hmLZ7Am%2BH%2FOp5SencR8AgMaHhLbLGfM2hHNiOtdoS%2B3BHT4xs5iW%2B0WXqRQMr2WnZZYdPWbGM42oMDBLJmH1xhkw5%2Bp8A%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9rv39WgaA