ThermoWorks Billows General Questions


 
Todd K Wisc

Todd K Wisc

TVWBB Super Fan
So, Billows is 50% off right now and I would like to buy and use on my WSK and possibly my WSM, but have questions:
  1. Do I need any of the adapter mounts for it to work on the premade hole of the WSK?
  2. Do I need adapter mounts to use on WSM vent hole without removing the rest of the external vent, or just some high heat tape to cover the other 2 holes?
  3. Did you buy the billows damper for low and slow?
  4. Did you buy the billows battery to power your signals?
  5. Billows battery is expensive, but has very specific output of 12v, 1.5a. Did you find a cheaper battery elsewhere with those outputs?
All help and pictures is appreciated!

Thanks,

Todd
 
1 I had a billows before getting the WSK. On the WSK It mounts directly to the fan hole. had to remove the BGE adapter plate to do this which was trivial.
2. I no longer have a WSM and never used the billows on mine when I had one.
3. the yellow damper is must-have for the WSK or there is too much free flow air.
4. I have a smoke x4, but I run an extension cord to it which has limitations
5. I plan to wire up a small 12v battery some day. these are much cheaper than the TW battery. Note, you cannot use a cell phone battery without modifying the cord.

all that said, I don't use the billows much. I use it for low-temp insurance on long overnight cooks.

The temp control on the WSK without a billows is solid once it is dialed in.
 
1. No, it attaches to the WSK without additional accessories.
2. I have not used the Billows with the WSM, but I'm pretty sure you can just use high heat tape to cover the other holes (a small piece of high heat tape is included).
3. Yes. Like @DanHoo said, make sure you purchase and use the yellow damper.
4. Yes.
5. I just use the Thermoworks battery. Easier than trying to find another compatible battery.
 
Bought a billows on sale, seemed like it had a million wires by the time it connected to a signals. I do think it would work really well with a WSK, easy install.
 
1. I don't know about using the Billows with WSK, as I don't have a WSK.
2. You can simply use some of flue tape that was included to tape off the other two holes in the vent you're using.
That method is shown in this ThermoWorks video on YouTube. I have a extra "dog bowl" adapter from a different ATC,
and have used that without its hose nipple to attach the Billows to my WSM.
3. Yes, definitely recommend buying the damper as others have mentioned. Without it, to much air can enter the WSM even
with the fan not running for low & slow.
4. I used the Billows with a Smoke X4, and used the AC adapter with the included wye cable adapter. I did not buy
a battery to use with it.
5. No, I didn't try to identify a battery that would run it, though as you point out, a 12V battery with a sufficient
amp-hour rating should suffice, with the correct connectors.
 
Jim C in Denver said:
Do you already have a billows compatible base unit? If so, no brainer to buy the billows fan.

The base unit costs way more than the fan does.
Click to expand...
I do have signals. I bit the bullet last Friday and ordered it at the reduced price $39.50, with the battery and damper. Got a free silicone spatula they offered on their website for text messages too. Glad I did as it is back to $79 this morning.
 
The easy way to add a battery for the billows is to buy the one from Thermoworks. I don't' recall the price when I looked at it originally, however it is now $99.00

I was considering getting small 12v AGM battery and wiring it up to power the smoke X4 / Billows. These batteries are about $20 and I have several chargers I could use to charge it and It would be simple to wire up a cable.

All that said, I haven't done anything because I don't use the billows that often, maybe once or twice last year.

Something like this

 
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DanHoo said:
The easy way to add a battery for the billows is to buy the one from Thermoworks. I don't' recall the price when I looked at it originally, however it is now $99.00

I was considering getting small 12v AGM battery and wiring it up to power the smoke X4 / Billows. These batteries are about $20 and I have several chargers I could use to charge it and It would be simple to wire up a cable.

All that said, I haven't done anything because I don't use the billows that often, maybe once or twice last year.

Something like this

Click to expand...
Easy button is the battery from Thermoworks. That's the way I went.
 
DanHoo said:
I don't think it will. For a USB power source to deliver 12V the load needs power delivery circuitry to request the higher power, otherwise you will just get 5V.

I did try it and mine did not work
Click to expand...
You are correct, that one did not work, not enough amps, barely turned the fan.

I did try another solution and it worked great. It ran for 10 hours at 100% fan and still had one bar on the battery. I have Dewalt power tools so I purchased the following...

Battery adapter with 12v output.
Barrel connector to USB C

And if you don't already have Dewalt 20v battery...
 
DanHoo said:
@Rick-Palmtree I like the approach for about $30 in parts. The TW battery bank is 8 AH and your battery is 6AH so you should get plenty of run-time.
Click to expand...
I imagine if you need longer runtime there are Dewalt batteries up to 15ah. I personally cook hot and fast (275-325) so I would never need higher ah batteries. A side note, The battery also charges the Gateway and kept it fully charged.
 
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Rick-Palmtree said:
You are correct, that one did not work, not enough amps, barely turned the fan.

I did try another solution and it worked great. It ran for 10 hours at 100% fan and still had one bar on the battery. I have Dewalt power tools so I purchased the following...

Battery adapter with 12v output.
Barrel connector to USB C

And if you don't already have Dewalt 20v battery...
Click to expand...
I might send back the thermoworks battery and buy these two as I have dewalt tools. Save myself $60.
 
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