I have a question on running one of these Auber units. I'm going to be using one on a WSM 18.5 and I was assuming that most of you would suggest leaving the top vent wide open or not? Also, I'm certain I should leave the other 2 "3hole" intake vents at the bottom closed, but I was wondering if I should seal the other 2 holes of the "3-hole" that I'm mounting the fan too?
Any help appreciated for a newcomer to automation.
Yes run the top vent wide open. You want the airflow to make the best smoke. All other intake vents except the one your Auber is on should be closed. The Auber will provide the necessary flow. I'd make sure any other holes are also sealed. If you see how the pitmaster iq does it, they have what looks like a metal plunger to make sure all the holes are covered on the intake.
I use the Auber on my COS but its the 20 cfm blower yours should have come with some aluminum tape to seal the other intake holes you don't need them any more.
Dave
So I started using mine last night (first time) with the set up discussed in the post above (bottom vents closed, top vent open all the way). It was sort of cold - high 40's. When the fan kicked on it actually LOWERED the temperature of the cooker. Doesn't seem possible - almost as if it was blowing the hot air out and filling with cold air! I was having a lot of trouble getting it to maintain a temp of 250 and the swings were crazy. I tried to auto tune and the blower ran and ran but the pit temp didn't move - if anything it went down. I know I was getting good airflow because I could feel the air pressure coming out of the top. I also feel like the device cycled on and off a lot when it wasn't at my set temp... for instance looking for 250, the temp is 238 and the fan would cycle on for 3 seconds then turn off then a few seconds later it would cycle back on!
Definitely close the top vents most of the way. I wouldn't run the tuning function until you get it running smooth. I never have since it holds the temp fine without it.
I run mine on a kettle with SnS bottom vents closed top vent slightly cracked. I've experimented leaving the bottom open slightly but it doesn't work as well as closed. Wsm and kettles are going to be minimal air flow. You'll get blue smoke slightly out of the top, which is what you want. I usually chimney start the charcoal and once I add it to the kettle I try to bring the temp as close as possible to target. Then I shut the bottom completely, close the lid vents to a near crack, and binder clip the lid down. You want minimal air coming in or out. The fan provides the air in, blue smoke slightly out of the top. I personally don't use more than two good sized wood chunks. Once the temp balances out you can leave it to cook (sleep, whatever). I've even run it in a rainstorm, with the controller power cord and thermometer in Ziploc bags, it held temp fine.
Did as recommended above. Top vent just cracked, bottom vents closed. Unfortunately still not working good - even trying to hold 225. Perhaps the 6.5 isn't big enough? What I don't understand is why the fan is cycling when it is as much as 15 degrees under the set temp. It has not been over the set temp even once.
lord2464 what are you cooking on? WSM? How many coals are you lighting to start with? How long are you leaving the setup? The fan will cycle as it gets closer to the temperature. If it's coming on within a few minutes you probably need more fuel. Are you bringing the cooker up to temperature and then plugging the auber in? For me it works best to get things up to temp using the vents and then plug the fan in and shut the bottom vents, even going over temp a bit. If you leave it too much to the device to bring the temp up it will take forever.
http://amazingribs.com/bbq_equipment...-syl-1615sys-w this is the review of the auber from the main site. The write up gives a good guide for setting up the WSM. I use a SnS and kettle so since its smaller it takes less fuel. The 6.5 fan and auber controller was designed for the WSM. If you read through article it should give you an estimate about the fuel amounts you'll need, more the colder it is. The best procedure is to take your cooker up to temp without the auber. Get it about steady, then plug the pid device in to hold temp. They work great but you basically still need to set it up with enough fuel, lit and unlit, to keep it rolling. It'll work but like anything else it will just take some adjusting...
lord2464 I had the same problem this past weekend with the exact same setup (18" WSM, 6.5 CFM fan, lighting 40 coals). I didn't see this thread and started a new one here with some details. I had the top vent fully open and all lower vents fully sealed (except where the fan was hooked up). Thing ran more or less constantly, but did sputter on and off a lot while it was still below my target temp of 225. It never really did get up to 225, my average temp was more in the 210 range. Let me know if you get anywhere with this and I'll do the same!
Last edited by sorensen_j; April 3, 2017, 12:09 PM.
Analyzing this a little more. The thing I don't like about the Auber is that it seems to feed the fire then choak the fire which I think could cause some dirty smoke. My last attempt that was more successful than others and seemed to address this issue was to set up with the top vent completely open an 1 of the bottom vents opened a little less than half way. Under normal operations this would not be enough air to maintain 250 degrees (I have installed gaskets and my unit seals up nice and tight). Using this set up the auber was just adding enough air to stoke the fire but when it turned off their was still enough airflow to keep it going, the fire never really choked. I know this isn't how auber intends for the devise to be used, but it worked for me and I was very happy with the light blue smoke coming out the top of the WSM.
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