I’ve been using my FB2Drive on my Masterbuilt 1050 for 2 years now, replaced the stock controller, and it blew away the stock controller. Not to mention the stock temp probe is installed on the opposite side from the hopper, and I installed the probe on the cooking grate. Another feature i like in the FB app is the ability to set the fan speed and PID version, i set it to 100% to get to temp, then 40% once at temp and it cruises along at the set temp for the life of the cook. The drive programs is a fun feature as is the cook analysis to predict when you’ll be done.
I've had nothing but trouble with my Fireboard. I purchased the one with the K type thermistors so maybe that's where I went wrong. Did not have a good experience with their customer service. Just purchased the signals. So we'll see. Thanks for the video.
Well that's frustrating... Sorry to hear that. I think you'll like the signals. Mine has been bulletproof. The one thing I wish it had was programmable cooks. I just threw a brisket on with the Fireboard. It's gonna smoke at 200 for 3 hours, then kick up to 225 automatically - while I'm sleeping 🙂. I think you'll really like the Signals AP. I find it easier to use. Their software is easy to use. Things seem to be where you expect them to be if that makes sense. Good luck to you!
You bet - hope it helped. At 40 degrees below the set temp the fan pulses on and off. In something efficient like a Kamado it's a good thing because you don't need a lot of air movement and it helps keep from overshooting temps. The 980 is far from efficient. With a single fan it just can't keep up at higher temps when the fan starts pulsing. I added a second fan and it helps a lot. Check out the video starting at about 45 seconds. You can see the smoke flow increase then slow way down as the fan cycles (pulses) on and off. I'm probably not explaining it well... Let me know if you have other questions!
Im confused. So i bought the 2 item's you posted. The cable wire and the molex. So i still want to use the stock controller and switch between the fireboard. So how many molex connectors am i using total? I know one for sure with the cable wire with the red and black. I know this is very simple. I just wish there was clearer instructions
Hi DV. Three connectors total. I put a female connector on the fireboard drive cable. I replaced the connector on the original 980 controller with a female connector. I replaced the connector on the fan cable with a male connector. That way, the fan cable can plug into the original controller, or the fireboard drive cable.
@crashcopter6000 when you replaced the original connectors with the new ones. We're you able to reuse the factory crimped molex? If so, how did you pull it out? If not. I assume you cut it and reconnect it a new molex and crimped it?
So if I get a 980 is it consistantly 10 degrees over from what the actual temp is? For example, should I run it at 260 if I want it at 250? Or is it all over the place?
Mine was kind of all over the place - but my son bought one about a year after mine. His is still totally stock and working great. It's consistently about 20 degrees off so he just ups his set temps a bit. It takes a couple cooks for it to settle in. Then give it at least 45 minutes to stabilize each time you light it. Hopefully the newer controllers are more stable. You'll definitely want some kind of secondary temp sensor to validate your settings. Even a couple inexpensive oven thermometers from the grocery store would help. Just be patient with it and take your time learning to use it. It's absolutely not a pellet smoker. If you try to treat it like one you'll be frustrated early on... If you take your time and learn to cook with it you'll be shocked at the quality of the food. It really is that much better!! Good luck to you!
@@crashcopter6000 itll be a Christmas prez from my lady. She loves what Ive done with the cheapy electric, she asked me what I wanted this year. Im angling towards this, cause I can run it like an offset, without worrying about reloading so much and ma fire going out.
@@crashcopter6000 ok, after weeks of this sitting in my living room I'm ready to tackle this thing. I have it all pretty much assembled except the wiring part. Is it going to make sense to me how to connect the Fireboard up to this? I have the barrel plug and the molex connector.
@@GlennCoco77 Hi Christopher ~ that's awesome!! I think it will make sense. Just make sure you're connecting black to black, red to red and yellow to yellow. If you have questions, please ask!!
@@crashcopter6000 so funny story, after weeks of this laying in my living room, we misplaced the barrel connectors. After hours of looking we finally found them. If I'm understanding this correctly, the only thing that I'm changing with the Fireboard wiring is where the stock controller connects, I'm connecting the barrel connector to that. Everything else downstream of that (like where the fan wiring connects by the hopper) all gets hooked up like normal right?
I think I see what you're saying. I do like to experiment. I many ways it's less complicated... Connectivity is 100% reliable, no error codes. It just works when you need it to. Thanks for commenting!
Does the fireboard still uses the factory internal chamber temperature probe? I didn't see any connection to the fireboard besides the red and black wires
@@sfiv1987 Correct. The Fireboard doesn't use the original Char-Griller internal temp probe. But, when you plug the fan wiring harness back into the original controller it still works.