Trying to wrap my head around Servo Mode.


 
C

CraigMW

TVWBB Member
Hey all...

Now that I have a functioning HM4.1, I'm trying to move onto the next part of this which is attaching the blower to my Vision kamado. I do like the idea of a servo damper, but I'm not understanding how the HM controls the servo and the fan. Does the PID logic control one or the other, or both at the same time? How do you configure it to shut down the pit (e.g. shut off fan and close damper completely)?
 
You can run it two ways.

1. fan & servo - which will adjust the fan and the damper simultaneously. So if the fan is at 100% then the damper is also at 100%, 35% and 35%, etc. I run it this way when I use Kingsford briquettes because they need a little boost from the fan to maintain temps.

2. fan at max only - This will run the fan only when it is calling for 100%. If it is < 100% then only the damper is used and the fan is off. I use this when I use lump charcoal because I don't need the fan stoking the fire, it runs fine without the fan. Basically the fan will run to get the smoker up to temp, then turn off for the rest of the cook.

You can also set the max fan speed. If you set the max fan speed to 50%, then when the PID is calling for 100% fan, you will only be getting 50% (your max setting). I use this because the fan I have is way to big for my smoker, so I limit my max fan speed to 10%.

Hopefully that isn't too confusing.

dave
 
You can also have the servo run in "full open/close only" mode, meaning the servo will be fully open if the blower speed being called is between 1-99% and will only close at 0%
 
Steve_M said:
You can also have the servo run in "full open/close only" mode, meaning the servo will be fully open if the blower speed being called is between 1-99% and will only close at 0%
Click to expand...

Steve:

This seems useful for high heat cooks, or for shutting things down. But, what about low and slow in a kamado? Incidentally, what at you all doing for the top vent? It should be irrelevant if the air coming into the pit from the bottom is relatively controlled, right?
 
CraigMW said:
Steve:

This seems useful for high heat cooks, or for shutting things down. But, what about low and slow in a kamado? Incidentally, what at you all doing for the top vent? It should be irrelevant if the air coming into the pit from the bottom is relatively controlled, right?
Click to expand...

I'm running in normal fan and servo mode, where both the fan and servo move from 0-100% On my Kamado Joe, I've got the daisy wheel fully open, so the small vents are fully open ie:

This isn't mine, it's just a pic I stole off the webz.

ur5Z0vYl.jpg
 
Steve_M said:
I'm running in normal fan and servo mode, where both the fan and servo move from 0-100% On my Kamado Joe, I've got the daisy wheel fully open, so the small vents are fully open ie:

This isn't mine, it's just a pic I stole off the webz.

ur5Z0vYl.jpg
Click to expand...

Okay, perfect! I'm trying my hand at building a servo controlled damper with fan to control my Vision Kamado Classic. I'll post it once I've figured it out (if I ever do).
 
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