Replacement Controller for MB 1050

[jpietrantone]

My stock controller keeps losing wifi connection and at times shuts the smoker down. This happens even when running the current software updates.

Have any of you used a Fireboard 2 Drive instead of the stock controller? I'm hoping that if I went this route, that I could then monitor the grill while being away from the pit.

[glitchy]

Polarbear777 just talked about it at end of this topic: https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/fo...tes-and-charts

Sounds promising for you. Though might want to verify the FB probes you have can handle the heat. The three different types each have a different max.

[jpietrantone]

Thanks! I somehow missed that info!

[IFindZeroBadCooks]

The stock WiFi is not good. I bought this to address the dropped WiFi and it now works perfectly.

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07MG6ZXCD/

The smoker will shutdown and reset when installing updates, which I have accidentally done mid cook which is annoying but user error. It shouldn't shut down otherwise unless there is a flare up and temps go over 800.

And yes, rigging the MB to run off the FB is easy enough.

https://thebbqhq.com/products/thebbqhq-custom-fireboard-masterbuilt-gravityfed-cable

[jpietrantone]

So did you just screw the new antenna into the existing connection?

[IFindZeroBadCooks]

Yup. The connection fits perfectly.

[jpietrantone]

Awesome...thanks! I may upgrade the controller anyways in the future but would love to get this working better.

[Polarbear777]

I used the fireboard pro, which can drive the fan. The fan and controller are both 0-12V DC and so is the fireboard so all you have to do is splice in the fan.

if you use the FB pro, you can plug in the built in thermometer from the master built or any other high temp K-type probes.

[Polarbear777]

Can wire in a barrel plug if desired

DC Power 12V 5.5mm x 2.5mm Barrel Male Plug Connector Pigtail (20AWG) 50cm https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016IGA60S...ing=UTF8&psc=1

[Polarbear777]

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/charcoal-grills/masterbuilt-aa/862733-masterbuilt-gravity-mbg1050-calibration-tests?p=872724#post872724

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/charcoal-grills/masterbuilt-aa/862733-masterbuilt-gravity-mbg1050-calibration-tests?p=872725#post872725

of course you don’t need the fireboard pro. Any controller that will send 0-12V DC to the fan should work.

[jpietrantone]

Thanks for all of your info and insights! I found a BBQ website who has made a cable that plugs into the 2 wires going to the MB controller that then would plug into the fireboard drive.

I've ordered the antenna that IFindZeroBadCooks recommended for a short term fix. I'll probably try to get the fireboard after Christmas. I've wanted one for awhile anyways.

[jpietrantone]

Just a quick update. I found a gently used Fireboard on Facebook Marketplace for 100. Comes with 2 ambient probes and 5 meat probes. I also ordered the drive cable and the custom connector cable from the bbqhq. MCS strikes again. It will be great to use this with my WSM as well.

[IFindZeroBadCooks]

Did the WiFi antenna work?

[IFindZeroBadCooks]

Well, it worked out for me so sorry to hear it didn’t work out for you. WiFi problems are so hard to troubleshoot. I just gave up a few years ago and upgraded to a mesh network which fixed a lot of things. It sounds like the FB will work better!

[jpietrantone]

It's none of your fault! I appreciated the suggestion. I'm guessing it's either an app or network card issue. I could pursue those further but can use the fireboard for other things as well. I thought I got a good deal on that with all of the probes. Thanks again for your help!

[IFindZeroBadCooks]

$100 is a steal for sure

[jpietrantone]

It didn't for me. Ironically the Bluetooth connection was better with it, but the app kept dropping the connection with the grill. I honestly don't get the issue with the wifi. I can easily run my phone standing next to the grill. Maybe something is messed up with the wifi network card in the controller?

[IFindZeroBadCooks]

Have you tried removing the smoker from the app and adding it back with the new antenna installed?