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Another question on replacement temp cables

 
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SD Endorf




Joined: 24 Apr 2015
Posts: 88



PostLink    Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2018 5:52 pm    Post subject: Another question on replacement temp cables Reply with quote


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Last couple of brew days, the mash temp cable has been finnicky.
It occasionally displays Oral (no connection) then I jiggle it at the probe end and it calms down to a reading which is now 4 degrees off.
Simply a bad cable? Or should I be looking at something else as well?
I unscrewed the probe and it looks fine.
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kal
Forum Administrator



Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11116
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2018 7:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Could be any spot between probe tip and the PID.

If a PID is displaying 'orAL' or the temperature's jumping around wildly then the PID is unable to communicate with the temperature probe tip.
The connection point between the temp probe cable and the stainless temp probe tip is the most likely place to be damaged. It may be damage on either side or both sides.

This can happen if one is not careful when disconnecting/reconnecting the cable and the connectors are twisted and or turned when connecting them instead of lining up the tabs and pushing them together straight.

There’s a little tab you need to line up when you mate the two halves together. To connect/disconnect, the tabs need to be lined up and pushed together, they should NEVER BE TWISTED/TURNED. If you twist/turn them to make a connection you may damage one or both ends. Twisting/turning can pull apart the wires inside the connector.

You can test if it's the cable only end by swapping cables with one of the known working temperature probes.
If swapping cables does not help I would recommend replacing the entire assembly (probe tip and cable).

Replacement cables as well as replacement cables with probe tips are available for order here:

http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/custom-temperature-probes

If twisting/turning caused damage and you are handy with a soldering iron, you may be able to easily repair the probe yourself. Remove the four small screws from the back of the probe and slide the resistor and cable end out of the probe (you should not have to remove it from the pot or Tee). You will see one end of the resistor soldered to pin #2, and the other side soldered to either 1 or 3 with a jumper between the two. One of those points is most likely broken and/or making intermittent contact. A quick re-soldering is all that is needed.

Cheers,

Kal

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SD Endorf




Joined: 24 Apr 2015
Posts: 88



PostLink    Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 6:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Guilty as charged.
I've regularly disconnected / connected the mash cable for cleaning the kettle.
Just ordered new, and I'll be aware of not turning it.
As always.... thanks again Kal.
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pinbrew




Joined: 31 Oct 2014
Posts: 55
Location: Kemptville, ON

Drinking: Amber Ale

Working on: Electric Hop Candy Jr., Toy Soldier Stout, Crispy Pils


PostLink    Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 2:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I ran into this as well for a different reason. I had wort from the RIMS coil valve from the MT drip onto the connector and I didn't notice it. It gunked the connector and got into the housing. Disassembly, cleaning in rubbing alcohol, and reassembly corrected everything. I flipped the temp probe on the MT 180 degrees so it was away from the HLT, but admit I'm a lot more careful wiping all the fittings down on the outside after a brew than I was, too.
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