Making a Weatherproof Stoker Box Question - With Light?

WeberWho · September 2016

Does anyone recall seeing a member that built a weatherproof box for a controller that had a light built into it maybe 5-6 years ago on the forum? I can't seem to find that post anywhere. I like the idea of the light what the original poster used in his box to keep the controller warm during winter months. These temp units weren't necessarily built for negative temperatures when grilling in winter so I'd imagine a little warmth from the light would help matters. What would you guys recommend for watts if I come up for something on my own? Thanks!

AVEngineer · September 2016

I would imagine in a small enough space any traditional incondecent lamp will work. Maybe even a small 25 bulb string of Christmas lights. People wrap them around the fawns of palm trees before wrapping them in industrial saran-wrap to help prevent them from freezing in the winter.

Begger · September 2016

An INCANDESCENT bulb puts out mostly heat. My ma kept her pump house warm enough with a 75 watt bulb. You can't let the wellhead freeze. PUmphouse was small and insulated.

With a small socket, like an E12, one of those 'candelabra' bulbs in 25 watt will be MORE than enough heat.

Toxarch · September 2016

Do you have any way to keep the Stoker in the house and run a wire outside? All you need is a long 1/4" stereo extension and a couple of Y splitters. Then you don't have to worry about the Stoker getting cold.

WeberWho · September 2016

@AVEngineer @Begger @Toxarch Thank you guys for the tips and suggestions. Much appreciated

WeberWho · September 2016

@Toxarch I should be able to skip the Y splitter if I went with 3 stereo extensions for each plug?

Hotch · September 2016

Check out @DoubleEgger post

http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1178715/weatherproof-box-for-stoker

Hotch · September 2016

Here are a few pics of what others have built

https://www.google.com/search?q=Weatherproof+Stoker+Box&newwindow=1&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiH_pPp-YTPAhXLbT4KHRg7C3gQ7AkIWQ&biw=1536&bih=797#imgrc=6A-O1hxDKj1RpM:

WeberWho · September 2016

Hotch said:

Check out @DoubleEgger post

http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1178715/weatherproof-box-for-stoker

Thanks! @Hotch I would like to build one like DoubleEgger but unfortunately I don't think it will stand up to the cold winter here in Minnesota. It would work perfectly for 3 of the 4 seasons but I believe the pvc opening would let all the cold come into the box. I remember seeing a box with a light in the past for heat but haven't come across it. I did find another box with a light for a different unit but had a big opening in it for cables which I don't think will work the best in my situation. The Stoker is much nicer than my old Auber Instruments PID controller and that one has had issues staying on in the MN cold. I wrapped a towel around the controller and seemed to fix it or at least stay powered on during negative temps. I'd hate to get to that point with the Stoker

Hotch · September 2016

You could fill the voids in the PVC openings with a slotted foam insert. Should keep the air movement down. And the power supply should create a bit of heat if that is what you need.

Hotch · September 2016

You could use one of these for heat:

https://www.amazon.com/Flexible-Silicone-Rubber-Heater-Heating/dp/B00XXHF6YM

There are many others on Amazon.

DoubleEgger · September 2016

Put some rubber sleeves over the PVC openings to keep the heat in. The unit produces a decent amount of heat on its own.

WeberWho · September 2016

Sorry for the third grade sketch but this is what I had floating around in my head. Some type of jack that you can plug into from the outside of box that has wires that run from the back of the jack to the Stoker. (Not sure if they even make a double sided female plated jack) I would have a light in the back that would have an outlet in the base of the light that would power the Stoker. I'm sure I'm missing things but somewhat of a rough idea

DoubleEgger · September 2016

You really ought to move somewhere warmer @WeberWho

Carolina Q · September 2016

Here's an idea from Canugghead. Just bring it indoors.
http://www.greeneggers.com/index.php?option=com_simpleboard&Itemid=55&func=view&catid=1&id=840847

Canugghead · September 2016

@Carolina Q how the hell did you remember that? it totally slipped my mind, heck no wonder I can't remember what year the blue egg was made

btw, my Stoker bit the dust long time ago, one of the plugs got 'fused' with a socket and short circuiting the whole damn unit. Talked to Rock's but not much help

one of these days I need to rip out that socket and hopefully the rest will work.

Carolina Q · September 2016

LOL, I didn't remember it, I don't even recall seeing it before. I searched on greeneggers for weatherproof stoker box or some such and that popped up. Does it still work?

Canugghead · September 2016

@Carolina Q no, still broken (read my update above). btw, you just broke forum rule by linking to the 'other' forum, lol!

Begger · September 2016

EVERY connection NOT to thermocouple standards introduces ANTOTHER possibility for MORE error in measurement.
All wire and connectors in a thermocouple system should be the SAME as specified for the thermocouple type.
Type 'K', for example, which is common, uses YELLOW coded wires and connectors and is made from Nickel-Chromium / Nickel-Alumel alloys of great purity.

NPHuskerFL · September 2016

Made mine a few years ago. It's on a thread somewhere. Watching Huskers so I'm not gonna search. No light though. I store mine in the same box. A led could be incorporated or a 3M adhesive led flexible strip light. I see book need personally. I can see the data through the box and even easier just look on the mobile app

WeberWho · September 2016

DoubleEgger said:

You really ought to move somewhere warmer @WeberWho

@DoubleEgger I laughed when I read this. For how long and miserable winter can be I'd miss it if I didn't have it. I could do without the cold and ice though

WeberWho · September 2016

Carolina Q said:

Here's an idea from Canugghead. Just bring it indoors.
http://www.greeneggers.com/index.php?option=com_simpleboard&Itemid=55&func=view&catid=1&id=840847

Thanks! @Carolina Q @CanuggheadI just bookmarked it.

WeberWho · September 2016

NPHuskerFL said:

Made mine a few years ago. It's on a thread somewhere. Watching Huskers so I'm not gonna search. No light though. I store mine in the same box. A led could be incorporated or a 3M adhesive led flexible strip light. I see book need personally. I can see the data through the box and even easier just look on the mobile app

@NPHuskerFL The light would be strictly for heat during winter. I'd probably go with a black plastic container. A clear plastic bin with a bright light lit up inside would say steal me from the road in the middle of the night. Definitely would try to go incognito the best I could

NPHuskerFL · September 2016

@WeberWho How cold are we talking? The unit generates heat by itself.

WeberWho · September 2016

NPHuskerFL said:

@WeberWho How cold are we talking? The unit generates heat by itself.

@NPHuskerFL I've done low and slows in windchill's of -30's. It can get a little brisk in the middle of winter here in Minnesota. I'd say average here in winter is below freezing. My previous Auber PID controller was not a fan of the cold. It would malfunction if not wrapped in some type of towel during winter

DMW · September 2016

WeberWho said:

NPHuskerFL said:

@WeberWho How cold are we talking? The unit generates heat by itself.

@NPHuskerFL I've done low and slows in windchill's of -30's. It can get a little brisk in the middle of winter here in Minnesota. I'd say average here in winter is below freezing. My previous Auber PID controller was not a fan of the cold. It would malfunction if not wrapped in some type of towel during winter

-30* is well below when I go inside and hibernate until spring. Thankfully it doesn't get that cold here. Dang that is cold.

WeberWho · September 2016

DMW said:

WeberWho said:

NPHuskerFL said:

@WeberWho How cold are we talking? The unit generates heat by itself.

@NPHuskerFL I've done low and slows in windchill's of -30's. It can get a little brisk in the middle of winter here in Minnesota. I'd say average here in winter is below freezing. My previous Auber PID controller was not a fan of the cold. It would malfunction if not wrapped in some type of towel during winter

-30* is well below when I go inside and hibernate until spring. Thankfully it doesn't get that cold here. Dang that is cold.

Most days are tolerable but when your teeth start to feel cold it's cold. -30 windchill are not that common but have made a point to grill during those negative temperatures. It's one of those deals where it's wrong but feels right. Everyone is inside and it's quite and peaceful outside. It will be interesting to see what our pup does the first snowfall as he hasn't seen snow yet.

Focker · September 2016

WeberWho said:

DMW said:

WeberWho said:

NPHuskerFL said:

@WeberWho How cold are we talking? The unit generates heat by itself.

@NPHuskerFL I've done low and slows in windchill's of -30's. It can get a little brisk in the middle of winter here in Minnesota. I'd say average here in winter is below freezing. My previous Auber PID controller was not a fan of the cold. It would malfunction if not wrapped in some type of towel during winter

-30* is well below when I go inside and hibernate until spring. Thankfully it doesn't get that cold here. Dang that is cold.

Most days are tolerable but when your teeth start to feel cold it's cold. -30 windchill are not that common but have made a point to grill during those negative temperatures. It's one of those deals where it's wrong but feels right. Everyone is inside and it's quite and peaceful outside. It will be interesting to see what our pup does the first snowfall as he hasn't seen snow yet.

Nowhere near as cold V, but Stac said one winter her lips froze to her teeth outside cold smoking bacon. Lol

BilZol · September 2016

WeberWho said:

DMW said:

WeberWho said:

NPHuskerFL said:

@WeberWho How cold are we talking? The unit generates heat by itself.

@NPHuskerFL I've done low and slows in windchill's of -30's. It can get a little brisk in the middle of winter here in Minnesota. I'd say average here in winter is below freezing. My previous Auber PID controller was not a fan of the cold. It would malfunction if not wrapped in some type of towel during winter

-30* is well below when I go inside and hibernate until spring. Thankfully it doesn't get that cold here. Dang that is cold.

Most days are tolerable but when your teeth start to feel cold it's cold. -30 windchill are not that common but have made a point to grill during those negative temperatures. It's one of those deals where it's wrong but feels right. Everyone is inside and it's quite and peaceful outside. It will be interesting to see what our pup does the first snowfall as he hasn't seen snow yet.

I plan on doing thanksgiving and Christmas totally on the Eggs. Didn't consider the cold affecting the Stoker. Last year it was snowing to boot. Now I have another problem to solve. (Or needlessly fret over and over think. I'm going to Rube Goldberg the **** out of this...)

blind99 · September 2016

If it's in a plastic box I bet you'd need very little power to keep the temp reasonable. Maybe a little 4w nightlight, if you're using your sketch above?

if you're using DC power, something like this might do the trick:

https://www.adafruit.com/product/1481

Dang now I want to tinker and wire something up!

WeberWho · September 2016

Focker said:

WeberWho said:

DMW said:

WeberWho said:

NPHuskerFL said:

@WeberWho How cold are we talking? The unit generates heat by itself.

@NPHuskerFL I've done low and slows in windchill's of -30's. It can get a little brisk in the middle of winter here in Minnesota. I'd say average here in winter is below freezing. My previous Auber PID controller was not a fan of the cold. It would malfunction if not wrapped in some type of towel during winter

-30* is well below when I go inside and hibernate until spring. Thankfully it doesn't get that cold here. Dang that is cold.

Most days are tolerable but when your teeth start to feel cold it's cold. -30 windchill are not that common but have made a point to grill during those negative temperatures. It's one of those deals where it's wrong but feels right. Everyone is inside and it's quite and peaceful outside. It will be interesting to see what our pup does the first snowfall as he hasn't seen snow yet.

Nowhere near as cold V, but Stac said one winter her lips froze to her teeth outside cold smoking bacon. Lol

Now that's cold! Ripnem text 3-4 months ago asking if I could help him with a concession stand for the dog sledding races up northern Minnesota in January. Northern Minnesota got dumped with snow way more than we got here in the T.C. Some stiff drinks will be needed for a weekend outdoors in January

Making a Weatherproof Stoker Box Question - With Light?

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