General Newbie Questions

[RMKruse]

I have been reading and researching for a while now and have accumulated a few newbie questions. I have tried to search for these questions but I haven’t found a clear answer. If this has been covered already please point me in the right direction.

In the assembly instructions on step 10 I see 3 audio-mono jacks and I am guessing a thermocouple jack for JP3 or what is that jack? If it is a thermocouple jack, why?

I have read the differences on thermocouple vs thermistor but am having a tough time to make the correlation to smoking. In regards to smoking food why would you choose one over the other?

Assuming I have 3 food probes and 1 pit probe does the 2 line display cycle through the different probes on the display? Would it be better to get a 4 line display or just view the web page?

Is there any ability to control 2 fans/pit temps? If I have 2 smokers can I control the temp on both of them with the one HeaterMeter?

TIA.

 

[John Bostwick]

In the assembly instructions on step 10 I see 3 audio-mono jacks and I am guessing a thermocouple jack for JP3 or what is that jack? If it is a thermocouple jack, why? I assume you are talking about the thermocouple jack. Its different then the 2.5mm probe jacks as it a different type of probe and it needs its own type of connector.

I have read the differences on thermocouple vs thermistor but am having a tough time to make the correlation to smoking. In regards to smoking food why would you choose one over the other? Thermocouples are nice in that they are more robust, and can handle much more heat. If you just plan on smoking foods in the 200-400 range then a thermistor probe would do just fine. But, if you want to go much further then 400, then you would be better off getting a TC, as some of them can handle extreme temps, up to 2,000 degrees. Also, TC can be semi permanent attached to the smoker or grill unlike thermistors which can be ruined by water and other things can make them go bad

Assuming I have 3 food probes and 1 pit probe does the 2 line display cycle through the different probes on the display? Would it be better to get a 4 line display or just view the web page?Yes, the display will cycle through the 3 probes. The 4-line will show all the temps at the same time

Is there any ability to control 2 fans/pit temps? If I have 2 smokers can I control the temp on both of them with the one HeaterMeter?The Heatermeter can only handle 1 smoker(1pit, 3 meats) at a time. But, usually 1 Heatermeter will get lonely overtime and wouldn't mind having company.

 

[RMKruse]

In the assembly instructions on step 10 I see 3 audio-mono jacks and I am guessing a thermocouple jack for JP3 or what is that jack? If it is a thermocouple jack, why? I assume you are talking about the thermocouple jack. Its different then the 2.5mm probe jacks as it a different type of probe and it needs its own type of connector.

I have read the differences on thermocouple vs thermistor but am having a tough time to make the correlation to smoking. In regards to smoking food why would you choose one over the other? Thermocouples are nice in that they are more robust, and can handle much more heat. If you just plan on smoking foods in the 200-400 range then a thermistor probe would do just fine. But, if you want to go much further then 400, then you would be better off getting a TC, as some of them can handle extreme temps, up to 2,000 degrees. Also, TC can be semi permanent attached to the smoker or grill unlike thermistors which can be ruined by water and other things can make them go bad

Assuming, this why you have the thermocouple jack for the pit probe to tolerate the higher temps, correct?

 

[Andy Snider]

Assuming, this why you have the thermocouple jack for the pit probe to tolerate the higher temps, correct?

You can go either way, but you have to choose 1. Pre 4.1, there was no thermocouple support. It's an evolution, but it's more expensive & requires SMD (itty bitty pieces) soldering.
The 'ruined by water' part of the Maverick probes can't be stressed enough. Buy spares.

 

[Steve_M]

You can go either way, but you have to choose 1. Pre 4.1, there was no thermocouple support. It's an evolution, but it's more expensive & requires SMD (itty bitty pieces) soldering.
The 'ruined by water' part of the Maverick probes can't be stressed enough. Buy spares.

If you want the thermocouple functionality, but aren't comfortable with soldering the small SMD components, you can buy either the TC prepped board or the TC kit from the HM Store.

 

[RMKruse]

You can go either way, but you have to choose 1. Pre 4.1, there was no thermocouple support. It's an evolution, but it's more expensive & requires SMD (itty bitty pieces) soldering.

I will be doing a 4.2.4 build.

So the most common configuration is to have 3 thermistor probes and 1 thermocouple probe? At least that’s what I think the majority of the pictures are.

 

[Steve_M]

I will be doing a 4.2.4 build.

So the most common configuration is to have 3 thermistor probes and 1 thermocouple probe? At least that’s what I think the majority of the pictures are.

From what I've seen, I think its about a 50/50 split between folks with all 4 probes as thermistors vs the 1 x TC and 3 x thermistors. If you don't think you have any use for a thermocouple, then there's no need to go through the extra effort.

What I would recommend on the thermistor side of things, is to buy the Thermoworks probes instead of the Maverick probes. They're about the same price but the Thermoworks probes are a lot more rugged.

 

[Tony L-Iowa]

I bought a thermocouple because I want it permanently mounted as the pit probe in my electric smoker. I bought the thermoworks thermistor probes for the meat temps. My electric smoker cannot go higher than 350º limit (actually 250º on my analog controller but I'm planning on using the HM PID to allow higher temp controls than that.

 

[RMKruse]

Sorry for the non-researched question, but can you still do 4 probes if they are all TC's?

Also, can someone explain the purpose of the servo in the blower assembly?

 

[Steve_M]

Sorry for the non-researched question, but can you still do 4 probes if they are all TC's?

Also, can someone explain the purpose of the servo in the blower assembly?

You can have either 1 x TC Probe + 3 x Thermistor Probes or 4 x Thermistor Probes. The HM will support 4 x TC Probes, but you'll need to come up with your own add-on board, etc to do it.

The purpose of the servo in the blower assembly is to allow the servo to control the natural air intake, since the fan is not sealed and air will flow through it, even when it's off.

 

[RMKruse]

Steve_M;637340]You can have either 1 x TC Probe + 3 x Thermistor Probes or 4 x Thermistor Probes. The HM will support 4 x TC Probes, but you'll need to come up with your own add-on board, etc to do it.

So are there boards available that are as tested as the HM PCB?

The purpose of the servo in the blower assembly is to allow the servo to control the natural air intake, since the fan is not sealed and air will flow through it, even when it's off.

Ah, that makes sense. So now I have to research the different designs....is there one that is more popular so if I have issues/questions I can bounce questions off others?