SMOBOT Beta Temperature Controller Demo

reinhart36 · March 2016

Howdy,

Here's an introduction to the SMOBOT Beta prototype: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jE8YKKz2pp4" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Video</a>

A big thanks to Tom Streeter (Crankybear Media) for trading me a a demo video for a controller!

All I did was send a controller to Tom without any instructions, and he sent me back this outstanding video.

@tom_streeter

Let me know of any questions.

Kind regards,
Eric

Ozzie_Isaac · March 2016

Cool video! Love the different approach to temp control!

FlashkaBob · March 2016

The video shows what it does. Maybe it should be added to your website (with minor modifications)

SmokeyPitt · March 2016

Very cool. I am intrigued and I subscribed for more info.

bgebrent · March 2016

That's pretty cool.

stompbox · March 2016

Is this the same user that had a prototype last year(ish)?

I just signed up, pretty cool.

reinhart36 · March 2016

Thanks for the compliments and interest!

@stompbox: Yes, it's me. This was a far bigger project than I anticipated and took about 2X longer than I'd planned..

It's been lots of fun though. Just beginning to be rewarded by seeing people use these things. Very entertaining!

tgs2401 · March 2016

@reinhart36 This looks very interesting. Battery powered?

Ragtop99 · March 2016

tgs2401 said:

@reinhart36 This looks very interesting. Battery powered?

It can run off 9v battery or be plugged in.

tcracing · March 2016

Looks interesting, does it have a AC adapter? Signed up for notices.

KiterTodd · March 2016

That's a cool product idea. Thanks for sharing.
I haven't been to the website yet (data may be there) but what are thoughts on pricepoint and such?

I would rather use something like this, since as the video points out...it's just a robot doing what I would be doing anyway. Seems pretty simple to mount and setup.

Ragtop99 · March 2016

tcracing said:

Looks interesting, does it have a AC adapter?

yes

Dondgc · March 2016

Looks really neat. Nice video by @tom_streeter

Dobie · March 2016

Keeping that unit clean will be the challenge.

reinhart36 · March 2016

Howdy,

Actually, keeping the damper clean isn't a problem, as it turns out. I used to share your concern, but with 6 years of use of this concept, it's proven just fine.

This video is an extremely heavily used damper cold and stuck. Just break it loose before starting, and carry on as normal.

Once things heat up, the funk softens and doesn't cause trouble.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/157536471

On one or two occasions, I've been compelled to "clean" my damper either for aesthetic reasons, or because I was paranoid that it _might_ start to have trouble moving (never saw that actually manifested).

All I did was remove that center screw/nut that hold the two plates together, allowing them to swing apart (still connected to the servo linkage), and I took a couple scrapes with a putty knife. Ten minute round trip, at most.

Also, see the last FAQ at http://www.smobot.com/

Thanks,
Eric

tom_streeter · March 2016

Dondgc said:

Looks really neat. Nice video by @tom_streeter

Thank you! It was a lot fun to make. Any time I can work "robot apocalypse" into a piece I'm happy. I'm easily amused. Oh, and this thing is a joy to cook with.

Ozzie_Isaac · March 2016

tom_streeter said:

Dondgc said:

Looks really neat. Nice video by @tom_streeter

Thank you! It was a lot fun to make. Any time I can work "robot apocalypse" into a piece I'm happy. I'm easily amused. Oh, and this thing is a joy to cook with.

The video was really cool. Very well done

NPHuskerFL · March 2016

Perhaps a stupid question....but, I'll ask anyways. Can it be used &/or modified for use with a Smokeware cap vs DFMT? I remember when you first started tinkering with the idea. My how it has evolved. Glad to see it coming together for ya Eric.

NPHuskerFL · March 2016

I see the wheels spinning. Such an engineer.

(This is a compliment).

ryantt · March 2016

Seems like a cool product, I'd be interested in buying one when available.

reinhart36 · March 2016

Thanks guys.

We'll be emailing a survey to everyone who signed-up (or who still will) for more info on smobot from the website. www.smobot.com

Sadly, since there are more interested parties than hardware sets, we're in need of down selecting some. Basically, we'll be picking people who are apt to grill the most. ;-)

Thanks to everyone for all of the complements and interest! Been a lot of fun.

Eric

SMOBOT Beta Temperature Controller Demo

Comments

Categories