Comments on: Erik’s Stoker Setup http://andersonfam.org/2010/02/06/eriks-stoker-setup/ Tue, 12 Oct 2010 13:44:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: erik http://andersonfam.org/2010/02/06/eriks-stoker-setup/comment-page-1/#comment-21748 erik Tue, 12 Oct 2010 13:44:47 +0000 http://andersonfam.org/?p=504#comment-21748 @Kevin - I think you're a bit confused on how the stoker gets temperature data from the temperature probes. While the probes themselves are indeed thermocouples, the signal going back to the Stoker is digital. There's a <a href="http://datasheets.maxim-ic.com/en/ds/MAX6675.pdf" rel="nofollow">small microcontroller</a> in the connector for the probe that converts the voltages read from the thermocouple to a digital signal. These microcontrollers are based on the Dallas Semiconductor 1-wire bus system. As long as there's not enough voltage drop to obscure the digital signaling, the Stoker will be able to correctly interpret it. I tested the temperature readings with and without my extension in place, and the temp readings were identical. @Kevin – I think you’re a bit confused on how the stoker gets temperature data from the temperature probes. While the probes themselves are indeed thermocouples, the signal going back to the Stoker is digital. There’s a small microcontroller in the connector for the probe that converts the voltages read from the thermocouple to a digital signal. These microcontrollers are based on the Dallas Semiconductor 1-wire bus system. As long as there’s not enough voltage drop to obscure the digital signaling, the Stoker will be able to correctly interpret it.

I tested the temperature readings with and without my extension in place, and the temp readings were identical.

]]> By: Kevin http://andersonfam.org/2010/02/06/eriks-stoker-setup/comment-page-1/#comment-21747 Kevin Mon, 11 Oct 2010 22:03:29 +0000 http://andersonfam.org/?p=504#comment-21747 I too have a stoker hooked up to my Superior Smokers SS-1 and love it. I am a bit cornfused about using headphone wire to extend the length of, or split, thermocouple wires. Since thermocouple wires traditionally utilize two different specific metals [in the case of the stoker - Type K - chromel (90 percent nickel and 10 percent chromium) and alumel (Alumel consisting of 95% nickel, 2% manganese, 2% aluminium and 1% silicon)] to obtain temperature readings from predicatable voltages, does the headphone wire not throw these voltages off when dissimilar metals are introduced? Or - do the voltages get thrown off some but they can be reliably recalibrated to compansate for the voltage differences introduced? Also, does adding length to the wiring create a significant voltage drop and, if so, can this also be reliably recalibrated to compensate for this voltage drop? Thanks! I too have a stoker hooked up to my Superior Smokers SS-1 and love it. I am a bit cornfused about using headphone wire to extend the length of, or split, thermocouple wires. Since thermocouple wires traditionally utilize two different specific metals [in the case of the stoker - Type K - chromel (90 percent nickel and 10 percent chromium) and alumel (Alumel consisting of 95% nickel, 2% manganese, 2% aluminium and 1% silicon)] to obtain temperature readings from predicatable voltages, does the headphone wire not throw these voltages off when dissimilar metals are introduced? Or – do the voltages get thrown off some but they can be reliably recalibrated to compansate for the voltage differences introduced? Also, does adding length to the wiring create a significant voltage drop and, if so, can this also be reliably recalibrated to compensate for this voltage drop? Thanks!

]]> By: erik http://andersonfam.org/2010/02/06/eriks-stoker-setup/comment-page-1/#comment-21742 erik Sun, 07 Feb 2010 05:15:20 +0000 http://andersonfam.org/?p=504#comment-21742 I'll be heading out shortly to top off the charcoal. That load should easily last until the morning, and most likely until the end of the cooking session tomorrow afternoon. I haven't found fuel usage to be a whole lot different in the winter versus summer weather. I’ll be heading out shortly to top off the charcoal. That load should easily last until the morning, and most likely until the end of the cooking session tomorrow afternoon. I haven’t found fuel usage to be a whole lot different in the winter versus summer weather.

]]> By: jeff http://andersonfam.org/2010/02/06/eriks-stoker-setup/comment-page-1/#comment-21741 jeff Sun, 07 Feb 2010 04:42:07 +0000 http://andersonfam.org/?p=504#comment-21741 Will a load of charcoal get you through a winter night or was the 12 hour number above for more mild temps? How much is a load? Half a bag? Will a load of charcoal get you through a winter night or was the 12 hour number above for more mild temps? How much is a load? Half a bag?

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