Memphis Pro problem - computer issue

[timsch]

Howdy All.

I was just given a Memphis Pro by my elderly inlaws who had not been able to get it fixed. A repairman came out to diagnose it but they never heard back from him after the initial visit, but recall him saying that it'd need a new computer. They've had it about 5 to 7 years I'd guess. It was made in the USA.

Problem: It is failing to boot. It shows on the screen the following:

Bootloader V2.3
CRC VALID
CHECKING MCU FLASH CRC
CRC VALID
BEGINNING GRILL APPLICATION.

From there it just hangs and beeps. After a while, the screen will go black with a beep. Occasionally it will beep again. Never gets past that.

I sent all of this info to Memphis via their web page but didn't hear back at all from them.

If anyone could advise on any troubleshooting steps, recommend where to get parts, etc, I'd greatly appreciate it. I'd love to get it back to my FIL. He's pretty bummed about is 5K anchor right now.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

Dunno anything about their controller but I would guess it was proprietary and discontinued. Can you buy an aftermarket controller? Smoke daddy used to sell some.

[STEbbq]

A phone call or a local dealer might also be good places to start. You may also be able to find an aftermarket or original controller on eBay.

[glitchy]

Unfortunately Memphis has essentially changed hands twice since then. They shipped everything overseas, then sold the division a few months ago. Their controller is very uniquely shaped, so would be a challenge to retrofit, plus the dual augers might mean extra connections on the board unless split between controller and auguers.

The new company could have bought remaining repair stock, if there was any left. There’s a big BBQ shop with several locations in Houston that used to be a big Memphis dealer, big enough they could still have some parts. They bought a truckload of grills at a time. I am just drawing a total blank on the name this morning. Panhead John can you maybe help me remember?

Beware, there controllers are kinda pricey.

[Panhead John]

Sure can glitchy It’s called Texas Star Grill Shop, nice place!

https://texasstargrillshop.com/collections/memphis-wood-pellet-grills

[glitchy]

Thanks John. That’s it and where I bought my Memphis from actually. It was just totally escaping me yesterday.

[Smoker_Boy]

Contact Smoke Daddy.
They make controllers that can control multiple augers.
They also make adapter plates for different grills.

Oh, and they also make vertical and horizontal controllers.

https://smokedaddyinc.com/

[RonB]

I can't help, but welcome to The Pit.

[timsch]

Thanks for all of the pointers. MUCH appreciated!!

I'll start checking around those places once I clean off the surface that has all of the tag info. Funny how they put that where'd it'd get all blackened.

...................

On another note, I checked this thread on a whim just now not expecting any responses, but lo-and-behold y'all came through like something else.

Usually a threadmaker automatically gets email notifications of responses, but not always, so not knowing, I clicked the green button which then turned to "followed" thinking I'd be set, but apparently not. How do I get notifications?

[Panhead John]

Not sure why you weren’t notified when you subscribed but…..On your profile, go to “Edit Settings”. Then click on “Notifications”. Then make sure that “Subscribe When Posting” is checked, next to Automatic Subscriptions. This might be your problem if it’s not turned on.

[Purc]

This site and the people are great as you have seen by these quick responses. Welcome to The Pit from Texas.

[Skip]

Welcome from Minnesota. I had one of the original Memphis Pro Model when they were made in Minneapolis. I had it from 2010-2020 and it worked great for me. I just wanted to try something different. I'm sure you can get yours fixed. Please keep us posted on your success with it. Good luck.

[timsch]

Got it fixed. Haven't tried it out yet, but it boots up and goes through the menu & diagnostics, so I'm hopeful.

The Texas Star Grill Shop gave me a pointer to SES, where a very helpful person in the department that handles inventory bought from Memphis when they were purchased by them. He sent me a firmware update and said if that didn't work, they had a new controller that I could have for a little under $500. Still hard for me to swallow being as frugal as I am, but significantly better than the controller that the repairman quoted my father in law @ around $700.

Anyway, the firmware update failed, with the controller just looping through the sequence to finally get to the upgrade and then hanging. I was bummed, but not surprised. Anyway, I checked wiring and looked for burned components but didn't find anything.

I decided to unplug the network cable from the back of the controller, and heck if it didn't boot up like it should. Good stuff !! At least it looked like only a bad WIFI card. But it gets better !!

So, after a few more tests, it turned out to be a bad network cable. Now I've got it back together and working with just a spare cable I had laying around.

Nothing good to say about the "repair specialist" from a grill repair company that came to my FIL to check it out....