Newbie Needs Some Guidance


 
J

JeremyK

New member
Hi all,

First of all, thank you to everyone, especially Bryan, for your hard work and contributions to this project!

I'm pretty handy, but soldering has never been something I'm very good at, as such I am likely going to buy a pre-built HeaterMeter but have a few questions:

1) that there are some 4.1 units available and a few members building 4.2 units as needed. I've read the GitHub page but still don't feel like I have a good enough understanding to decide between the two.

2) I live in Chicago and as such am basically done using my smoker until spring. I am wondering if it would be prudent to wait until spring before purchasing due to the current development taking place with A+ / B+ Raspberry Pi units. My goal was to give the HM to my brother as a holiday present but I'm sure I could give him a photo and tell him why he won't have it until spring.

Any help / guidance would be much appreciated!

Thanks again,

Jeremy
 
If you want to save a bit from the purchase of a Rpi, then at the moment I would wait until an A+ or B+ version is ready.

You could still get a Rpi A or B and you would still be getting the latest Heatermeter version. The Heatermeter just needs to change its PCB to fit the current Pi versions.

As for deciding which version 4.1 or 4.2 to get definitely get 4.2 with a TC. No more worries using Mavericks or Thermoworks and having them ruined from high heats.

If you are not far from Elgin, I could always help ya with the soldering, its not hard and you can tell your brother you actually built it yourself and that in it self would be a good reason as to it being a tad late for Xmas, lol
 
Hi John,

Thanks for the reply! I thought 4.1 had build in TC support? I've never measured the heat in the firebox itself, and would think any probe would manage meat temps and ambient temps in the smoking area (2-400 degrees), no? I'm just curious, I agree with wanting to have a TC if for no other reason than less expensive probes and improved accuracy.

Regarding Rpi B / B+, is there any functional advantage from one to the next? The A sets don't seem to offer as much in terms of features as the B sets, unless I'm missing something?

I'm in the city but can certainly travel to Elgin for help and greatly appreciate the offer!

Thanks,

Jeremy
 
The 4.1 had an Aux. board that had issues, so the TC support is not on them is not recommended unless you are fairly good at soldering and modifying the circuit.

Yeah, although the TC is not really needed for low and slow smoking, it basically has the heat tolerance and is more reliable, other then that it just comes down to preference.

Regarding the differences to the Pi in regards to the Heatermeter, there is no difference in the performance. It mainly comes down to price and the ease of finding them. The B and the newer B+(currently not compatible with the HM), do have some advantages over the A and A+(current Hm needs to be modified, a bit) for other projects.
 
John Bostwick said:
If you want to save a bit from the purchase of a Rpi, then at the moment I would wait until an A+ or B+ version is ready.

You could still get a Rpi A or B and you would still be getting the latest Heatermeter version. The Heatermeter just needs to change its PCB to fit the current Pi versions.

As for deciding which version 4.1 or 4.2 to get definitely get 4.2 with a TC. No more worries using Mavericks or Thermoworks and having them ruined from high heats.

If you are not far from Elgin, I could always help ya with the soldering, its not hard and you can tell your brother you actually built it yourself and that in it self would be a good reason as to it being a tad late for Xmas, lol
Click to expand...

John, I have been watching your posts for a few years now. We are 10 or 15 miles west of you now but used to live in the Catatoga subdivision just west of Elgin. Even went to Geneva to that science surplus store to restock power supplies (thanks for the idea).

Jeremy,
John is 100 % correct. I ordered the parts for my latest build a few months ago so I had no choice but the 4.2 thermocouple version is amazing. I did my first cook yesterday and it is rock solid compared to my old 4.0.
 
B Severson said:
Jeremy,
John is 100 % correct. I ordered the parts for my latest build a few months ago so I had no choice but the 4.2 thermocouple version is amazing. I did my first cook yesterday and it is rock solid compared to my old 4.0.
Click to expand...

Yah, if you have an older HM and are used to watching it closely when you get ahold of a HMv4.2 you can really notice the difference in stability. The v4.2 is designed very well, super stable, hats off to Bryan on that one, best HM yet!
 
B Severson said:
John, I have been watching your posts for a few years now. We are 10 or 15 miles west of you now but used to live in the Catatoga subdivision just west of Elgin. Even went to Geneva to that science surplus store to restock power supplies (thanks for the idea).

Jeremy,
John is 100 % correct. I ordered the parts for my latest build a few months ago so I had no choice but the 4.2 thermocouple version is amazing. I did my first cook yesterday and it is rock solid compared to my old 4.0.
Click to expand...

I love that store for the odd things you can pick up there, and very cheap. I live just off coombs rd. By the way, January 24th, i will be at Rubs backcountry smokehouse, in Chicago for a bbq get together and will be demonstrating the heatermeter. Pm me for more info.
 
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