Pellet Fan
Pit Talk -- Comments and Questions Regarding These Pellet Pits => Firecraft => Topic started by: dclord on January 28, 2019, 12:38:51 PM
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I discovered the other day that the temperature up button no longer works. With FireCraft out of business that means I have to find something else to put in there. I sent off an email to Roanoke (the controller manufacturer) to see if they would be of any help, but I'm not holding my breath.
I saw a post that the Rec Tec controller can be made to work, but neither the new wifi version or the old PID version are available on the website. I may try to call, but I'm not sure how helpful they will be when they ask what grill it is for.
Blaz'n Grill appears to use the exact same board as mine, but again I can't order it straight from the website.
There are a lot of of boards for Louisiana grills on eBay, but most don't look official, and don't show the back of the board. I would try something like a Pellet Pro or Savannah Stoker, but both look like I would have to cut a bigger hole even to mount them side ways.
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It seems, from your description, that it's the button component that failed. I know zip about electronics, but can you, somehow, just replace the button?
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It is a membrane surface with a 7 pin ribbon connector that plugs into the board. It is theoretically possible to tap into the connection, but making the connections would be pretty tough. I'd have to come up with a small water resistant push button switch and find a place to mount it.
I'd rather just replace it but most of the PID boards are $200+. I may just stick in a Traeger style controller instead.
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Did you take a look at the Blazn Retro Fit Kit? It comes with an enclosure.
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Did you take a look at the Blazn Retro Fit Kit? It comes with an enclosure.
Yes, it is on my list. I probably don't need the enclosure though as it appears to be the exact same board. There is a video that shows the back, same components and cables as the FireCraft. There is no Add to Cart button for it though. I'm not sure if they are out of stock or if they just want you to call.
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Did you take a look at the Blazn Retro Fit Kit? It comes with an enclosure.
Yes, it is on my list. I probably don't need the enclosure though as it appears to be the exact same board. There is a video that shows the back, same components and cables as the FireCraft. There is no Add to Cart button for it though. I'm not sure if they are out of stock or if they just want you to call.
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Can you point me to this video you mentioned?
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Did you take a look at the Blazn Retro Fit Kit? It comes with an enclosure.
Yes, it is on my list. I probably don't need the enclosure though as it appears to be the exact same board. There is a video that shows the back, same components and cables as the FireCraft. There is no Add to Cart button for it though. I'm not sure if they are out of stock or if they just want you to call.
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Can you point me to this video you mentioned?
https://youtu.be/Ssvyo3ide-s
At about 3:10 he flips the controller around to show where to plug in the wifi unit.
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Did you take a look at the Blazn Retro Fit Kit? It comes with an enclosure.
Yes, it is on my list. I probably don't need the enclosure though as it appears to be the exact same board. There is a video that shows the back, same components and cables as the FireCraft. There is no Add to Cart button for it though. I'm not sure if they are out of stock or if they just want you to call.
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I don't think they sell much of anything on their site without having to call or email them. At least that was my experience when looking for items for a used Blazn I bought.
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Hello,
Sorry to hear of your controller problem. The RecTec controller was an easy install, so it's unfortunate that they might be out of stock. It's not going to be a good fit, but a few years ago I installed an Ortech controller in a Treager. It seemed to be a better controller for the Traeger, but probably not as functional as the original FireCraft controller. The Traeger and Ortech controllers that I'm familiar with are oriented vertically, and the FireCraft is designed for a horizontally aligned controller. It's not pretty, but it would probably work and these controllers can be found on Amazon.
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I considered putting in a Traeger type controller, but after looking over the grill and making sure that the firepot was still in good shape, I went ahead and ordered the upgrade kit for a Blaz'n Grand Slam. $219. It's back ordered so it will be a few weeks. I'll followup when I get it.
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Looks like Kuma Stoves sells the Wi-Fi controller for $250 and Pitts and Spitts sells the Wi-Fi controller for $299. You may not need the Wi-Fi but the Kuma site says it’s in stock.
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I considered putting in a Traeger type controller, but after looking over the grill and making sure that the firepot was still in good shape, I went ahead and ordered the upgrade kit for a Blaz'n Grand Slam. $219. It's back ordered so it will be a few weeks. I'll followup when I get it.
From the responses I've seen from original Blaz'n owners that have upgraded, my bet is your gonna love it!
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That Firecraft 450 was dang good little pit for the money, hope you get the controller situation worked out, should last you many decades!
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While still waiting on a replacement controller, I decided to see if I could get the temperature setting back up to my most used temperature. That entailed taking the controller back out and using woefully inadequate tools to figure out which pins mapped to which buttons. So using a multi-meter, alligator clips, and paper clips, I managed to figure out the pins, and also I found that there was a second dead button, the Pellet Prime button that I've never used.
I think I understand the cause of the failure.
FireCraft really should have put a bit of weather stripping along the top of the controller. They must have assumed that water wouldn't climb up from the opening and get to the panel edge and anyway the panel front is mostly sealed. The problem seams to be where the panel (the membrane buttons not the circuit board) ribbon cable connects. I think this area gets wet and corrodes. When I put the new controller in I am going to weather strip it. For now I've just used a piece of tape. I'll try to take pictures of what I believe to be the problem next time I take it apart.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190211/c1ea1466ea1e41d043b43f6cf31d73bf.jpg)
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I'm curious if you were able to kludge in a push button switch and get your controller going again.
And for others who may end up with a dead controller, another possible replacement would be the Dansons / Louisiana Grills Digital Control Center. I believe they are identical to the one Firecraft was using including variable fan control. They go for $150 at lots of places.
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Since I'm hoping to have a new controller soon I didn't try to add any kind of switch. The pins and connectors are very tiny and in a very tight space. Pretty much beyond my skill level to try to tap into. I wedged a couple pieces of paper clip temporarily against the connection and tapped using a wire with alligator clips to simulate a button press. My plan is to not change the temperature again until I have the new controller.
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Aha, good to know the actual controller board is still working.
I bet at some point someone will come along looking for the board and you'll be able to recoup some of the cost of the new controller.
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Might look into these guys for parts.
https://www.sawtoothpelletgrills.com/product-category/products/accessories/
Grill looks a lot like the Q450.
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The new controller came today from Blaz'n Grill. Same controller, different wiring harness, so I used the old one. Same screw locations. It looks like their two models have different programming (it shows an option on the invoice). I chose for the grill closest in size figuring it will be close enough. I won't get to do a full test until tomorrow, but it does fire up. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/da4a330fc890227f9d302e7fc3942bd8.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/30018fe423848bd14b262019a6d07f21.jpg)
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Here you can see possible problem areas. Notice that the new controller has caulk around the ribbon cable. It also looks like water seeped in to the front panel around the buttons. The new panel seems designed to keep water out better. I added a little weather stripping and I'll make more of an effort to keep it out of the rain.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/720e639759a10c36ade52f7f09d4ad64.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190223/e0e2116777f85f45e87fc50f6377eb64.jpg)
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Thats weird. I've had a lot of my grills outside with no cover for 3-5+ years and never had an issue like that. The MAK had an issue where the screen got fried by the sunlight. Apparently, they fixed that with a newer model controller which I have installed and have not had an issue so far (2-3 years).
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I suspect that if they had run the plastic faceplate front all the way to the top of the metal plate like they did on the new one there would never have been a problem.
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Thats weird. I've had a lot of my grills outside with no cover for 3-5+ years and never had an issue like that. The MAK had an issue where the screen got fried by the sunlight. Apparently, they fixed that with a newer model controller which I have installed and have not had an issue so far (2-3 years).
What's interesting is I had another "stainless" grill that started having "rust" issues a few years back. I always had that grilled covered.
Got a replacement and quit covering it and the issue never happened.
I have a cover for my Q450 and have barely used it. Grill in rain, snow. It's been covered in ice, snow, rain. I'm curious how long the controller will last, but part of me thinks not having it covered is better so it breathes freely rather than trapping moisture inside.
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I finally wwas able to change mine to the RecTec that I purchased back in December. It appears to work fine. Now to decipher the Firecraft controller issue.It appears as said above that the buttons are a problem. If so then I may make a new plate with buttons? again the picture rotated 90* counter clockwise?
Mike
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Here is the faceplate removed so you can see the ribbon cables positions.
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The circuitry looks good. Must be the switch/contact itself.
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The circuitry looks good. Must be the switch/contact itself.
I see faint scars in the black contact areas where the circuit is missing or broken from the metal switches?
mk
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I discovered the other day that the temperature up button no longer works. With FireCraft out of business that means I have to find something else to put in there. I sent off an email to Roanoke (the controller manufacturer) to see if they would be of any help, but I'm not holding my breath.
Blaz'n Grill appears to use the exact same board as mine, but again I can't order it straight from the website.
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You have to call to order the Blaz'n. Talk to Tim he will have it in the mail the next day. I think the board is $99 but the new one with Wifi ?? Anyhow that is how you order from Blaz'n. It is a great control.