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Interesting mod for old BBQ Guru "Competitor" controllers
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Rob Lewis
Posts: 6
I've used my Competitor with great results for years. But I've always wished that I could reverse the roles of the two temperature probes. The meat probe would become the pit probe, and I could simply poke it through the thermometer hole in the lid of my BGE.
So this weekend I got out my soldering pencil and my multimeter and built myself an adapter cord. I plug the standard probe set into my adapter, and the adapter plugs into the Competitor where the probes normally go.
I works great! I power up the Competitor with the meat probe temperature dial set OFF, so the ramp function won't be enabled, and just use the meat probe and pit temperature dial to control the pit temperature, with a perfect seal for the lid and no worries about melting the probe wires with too much heat.
Respond here if you'd like details. Building one takes some fairly delicate wiring and soldering, and some parts and equipment that most people probably don't have lying around. If LOTS of people were anxious to buy one of these for, say, $20, I'd look into getting them built commercially.
So this weekend I got out my soldering pencil and my multimeter and built myself an adapter cord. I plug the standard probe set into my adapter, and the adapter plugs into the Competitor where the probes normally go.
I works great! I power up the Competitor with the meat probe temperature dial set OFF, so the ramp function won't be enabled, and just use the meat probe and pit temperature dial to control the pit temperature, with a perfect seal for the lid and no worries about melting the probe wires with too much heat.
Respond here if you'd like details. Building one takes some fairly delicate wiring and soldering, and some parts and equipment that most people probably don't have lying around. If LOTS of people were anxious to buy one of these for, say, $20, I'd look into getting them built commercially.
Comments
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So I assume the temp probe doesn't fit in the thermometer hole?
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Hmm, my pit probe is the same diameter as my meat probe and they both use the same jack type. I'm assuming your ole "competitor" style is different.
Got pictures?
Large BGE in a Sole' Gourmet Table
Using the Black Cast Iron grill, Plate Setter,
and a BBQ Guru temp controller.
Medium BGE in custom modified off-road nest.
Black Cast Iron grill, Plate Setter, and a Party-Q temp controller.
Location: somewhere West of the Mason-Dixon Line -
Are your wires the old tiny Teflon coated ones? I bought replacements (which I have yet to ever use!) and those are the finely mesh cloaked ones.Re-gasketing America one yard at a time.
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My pit probe has an alligator clip attached to it, and even if this was removable (I'm not sure), the probe is probably too big to fit in the thermometer hole (and it's quite short) . The meat probe fits perfectly and is long enough to project well into the cooking space. And yes my wires are the tiny Teflon-coated ones. Didn't know there was any other kind.
I've tested the unit's calibration and it performs identically with or without my adapter (except for the probes being swapped, of course). -
They discontinued the Teflon coated and went with these more durable steel cabled ones. Thanks - your thread made me go find these new, but never used replacements! LOL
Re-gasketing America one yard at a time. -
Rob Lewis said:My pit probe has an alligator clip attached to it, and even if this was removable (I'm not sure), the probe is probably too big to fit in the thermometer hole (and it's quite short) .
Large BGE in a Sole' Gourmet Table
Using the Black Cast Iron grill, Plate Setter,
and a BBQ Guru temp controller.
Medium BGE in custom modified off-road nest.
Black Cast Iron grill, Plate Setter, and a Party-Q temp controller.
Location: somewhere West of the Mason-Dixon Line -
Zmokin said:Rob Lewis said:My pit probe has an alligator clip attached to it, and even if this was removable (I'm not sure), the probe is probably too big to fit in the thermometer hole (and it's quite short) .Re-gasketing America one yard at a time.
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You can still order from RS online. I just received some resistors and diodes that I ordered last week.
Cleveland, TN.
LG BGE, PSWOO2, Stoker WIFI.
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bo_mull said:You can still order from RS online. I just received some resistors and diodes that I ordered last week.
Large BGE in a Sole' Gourmet Table
Using the Black Cast Iron grill, Plate Setter,
and a BBQ Guru temp controller.
Medium BGE in custom modified off-road nest.
Black Cast Iron grill, Plate Setter, and a Party-Q temp controller.
Location: somewhere West of the Mason-Dixon Line -
bo_mull said:You can still order from RS online. I just received some resistors and diodes that I ordered last week.
http://www.radioshack.com/search?q=Alligator+clips
Re-gasketing America one yard at a time. -
I found a pair on amazon for $2. they are in my cart, but now I need another $33 of stuff to get free shipping.
Large BGE in a Sole' Gourmet Table
Using the Black Cast Iron grill, Plate Setter,
and a BBQ Guru temp controller.
Medium BGE in custom modified off-road nest.
Black Cast Iron grill, Plate Setter, and a Party-Q temp controller.
Location: somewhere West of the Mason-Dixon Line -
@Zmokin ... call around ... not all Radio Shack stores are closed. The two closest to me closed, but the next two are still open.
Washington, IL > Queen Creek, AZ ... Two large eggs and an adopted Mini Max
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Thanks, but I'm not driving around wasting gallons of gas for a 99 cent alligator clip.
I can wait until I find enough other stuff to buy from Amazon to get my free shipping.
Large BGE in a Sole' Gourmet Table
Using the Black Cast Iron grill, Plate Setter,
and a BBQ Guru temp controller.
Medium BGE in custom modified off-road nest.
Black Cast Iron grill, Plate Setter, and a Party-Q temp controller.
Location: somewhere West of the Mason-Dixon Line -
Zmokin said:Thanks, but I'm not driving around wasting gallons of gas for a 99 cent alligator clip.
I can wait until I find enough other stuff to buy from Amazon to get my free shipping.Re-gasketing America one yard at a time. -
RRP said:Zmokin said:Thanks, but I'm not driving around wasting gallons of gas for a 99 cent alligator clip.
I can wait until I find enough other stuff to buy from Amazon to get my free shipping.
Large BGE in a Sole' Gourmet Table
Using the Black Cast Iron grill, Plate Setter,
and a BBQ Guru temp controller.
Medium BGE in custom modified off-road nest.
Black Cast Iron grill, Plate Setter, and a Party-Q temp controller.
Location: somewhere West of the Mason-Dixon Line -
@Zmokin I will look and see if I still have the alligator clips off my probes if i do I will send them to you for free as I don't use them. I will check in a little bit.1 XXL BGE, 1 LG BGE, 2 MED. BGE, 1 MINI BGE, 1 Peoria custom cooker Meat Monster.Clinton, Iowa
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Zmokin said:RRP said:Zmokin said:Thanks, but I'm not driving around wasting gallons of gas for a 99 cent alligator clip.
I can wait until I find enough other stuff to buy from Amazon to get my free shipping.
THANKS!!!
Large BGE in a Sole' Gourmet Table
Using the Black Cast Iron grill, Plate Setter,
and a BBQ Guru temp controller.
Medium BGE in custom modified off-road nest.
Black Cast Iron grill, Plate Setter, and a Party-Q temp controller.
Location: somewhere West of the Mason-Dixon Line
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