ErL Error on PBV5P1 Copperhead 5 series

[achillez01]

Purchased a Copperhead 5 series (PBV5P1) in September 2021 in Pacific NW. Solid 20-30 runs between September 2021 and June 2022. Pitboss Competition pellets only. Burn pot was vacuumed out each run.

Relatively soon after purchase the prime function stopped working. I could still get the system running by throwing some pellets in. Contacted Pitboss support Fall 2021. They sent me a replacement control panel. I sat on the replacement control panel until now because the smoker still worked.

Emptied and vacuumed everything out and flipped the system on its head to replace the control panel. Replaced the control panel over the weekend. Reset the wire harness and made sure everything was connected correctly.

Turned on the system and immediately got power, heat, fan, auger rotation, and prime function. After about 60-120 seconds the system stopped and ErL error code comes up. Could not get the error code to be removed after multiple power cycles. I opened the hopper and removed all the fuel possible to clear any obstructions.

After several vacuums I was able to get the system working again. Once I had heat and power for several minutes I added more pellets and proceeded to increase to 200f. System stopped and ErL again.

I have cleaned out the entire hopper, removed all of its components and accessed the back of the auger to clear any pellets. No swollen pellets. Maybe a small handful of pellets still in the middle auger.

I contacted Pitboss again today and they said it is either the control panel I replaced or the RTD temperature sensor is malfunctioning. A replacement RTD temperature sensor is being sent.

Today I double checked to make sure the wiring was correct. I repositioned the smoker and cleaned the RTD sensor. After several attempts I got the system to start again and the auger started turning. After about 60-120 seconds it errored out ErL again. The hopper is empty at this point, there is a tiny amount of residual pellets in the auger.

I am waiting on the replacement RTD sensor to try with the new control panel. If the new sensor does not solve the issue I will swap back in the old control panel. I initially thought it was a pellet dust issue in the auger but my smoker has eaten hundreds of pounds of fuel and has never had an issue. Dust has been minimal, fuel is stored properly, and I empty the fuel in between runs and keep it in the garage.

Stressed out because the smoker was working fine except without the prime button and now I have a non-functional smoker right before my engagement party where I was supposed to smoke several shoulders.

Any other ideas? Am I out of luck until I get the sensor to test?

 

[brewersfan73]

The Er1 (aka ErL, depending on which website you look at) error code is a bad connection to the RTD sensor. Since it only happened after you swapped the controller, my guess is that you've got a loose wire (maybe something broke loose in the harness) or a bad new controller. I can't imagine the RTD sensor went bad all of the sudden. If I were you and I needed to get it working in time for your party, I'd reinstall the old controller to get it back up and running (with your manual priming method, of course). If it still flashes that same error, then you know that the new RTD sensor will probably fix it when it arrives. Assuming we are diagnosing this correctly.

I'm not sure what kind of controller is on your unit. Does it show the actual temperature of the RTD? Does that temp show up in the first minute or two before the error code flashes?

 

[achillez01]

The Er1 (aka ErL, depending on which website you look at) error code is a bad connection to the RTD sensor. Since it only happened after you swapped the controller, my guess is that you've got a loose wire (maybe something broke loose in the harness) or a bad new controller. I can't imagine the RTD sensor went bad all of the sudden. If I were you and I needed to get it working in time for your party, I'd reinstall the old controller to get it back up and running (with your manual priming method, of course). If it still flashes that same error, then you know that the new RTD sensor will probably fix it when it arrives. Assuming we are diagnosing this correctly.

I'm not sure what kind of controller is on your unit. Does it show the actual temperature of the RTD? Does that temp show up in the first minute or two before the error code flashes?

I get the error immediately when I press the power button.

I plan on swapping in the old control panel tomorrow to see if it's the panel or the probe.

The Er1 (aka ErL, depending on which website you look at) error code is a bad connection to the RTD sensor. Since it only happened after you swapped the controller, my guess is that you've got a loose wire (maybe something broke loose in the harness) or a bad new controller. I can't imagine the RTD sensor went bad all of the sudden. If I were you and I needed to get it working in time for your party, I'd reinstall the old controller to get it back up and running (with your manual priming method, of course). If it still flashes that same error, then you know that the new RTD sensor will probably fix it when it arrives. Assuming we are diagnosing this correctly.

I'm not sure what kind of controller is on your unit. Does it show the actual temperature of the RTD? Does that temp show up in the first minute or two before the error code flashes?

The controller in the unit is the standard Vertical 5 series control panel (SKU 80121 on pitboss website). It shows the actual temperature of the RTD when the unit is functioning properly. Currently when I plug in the smoker and press the power button, ErL error code is immediately present and static, it does not blink. No fan, no auger turn, etc.

 

[brewersfan73]

Good luck swapping out the controller and hopefully it gets you through the party. Keep us posted.

 

[Cowboy1955]

Purchased a Copperhead 5 series (PBV5P1) in September 2021 in Pacific NW. Solid 20-30 runs between September 2021 and June 2022. Pitboss Competition pellets only. Burn pot was vacuumed out each run.

Relatively soon after purchase the prime function stopped working. I could still get the system running by throwing some pellets in. Contacted Pitboss support Fall 2021. They sent me a replacement control panel. I sat on the replacement control panel until now because the smoker still worked.

Emptied and vacuumed everything out and flipped the system on its head to replace the control panel. Replaced the control panel over the weekend. Reset the wire harness and made sure everything was connected correctly.

Turned on the system and immediately got power, heat, fan, auger rotation, and prime function. After about 60-120 seconds the system stopped and ErL error code comes up. Could not get the error code to be removed after multiple power cycles. I opened the hopper and removed all the fuel possible to clear any obstructions.

After several vacuums I was able to get the system working again. Once I had heat and power for several minutes I added more pellets and proceeded to increase to 200f. System stopped and ErL again.

I have cleaned out the entire hopper, removed all of its components and accessed the back of the auger to clear any pellets. No swollen pellets. Maybe a small handful of pellets still in the middle auger.

I contacted Pitboss again today and they said it is either the control panel I replaced or the RTD temperature sensor is malfunctioning. A replacement RTD temperature sensor is being sent.

Today I double checked to make sure the wiring was correct. I repositioned the smoker and cleaned the RTD sensor. After several attempts I got the system to start again and the auger started turning. After about 60-120 seconds it errored out ErL again. The hopper is empty at this point, there is a tiny amount of residual pellets in the auger.

I am waiting on the replacement RTD sensor to try with the new control panel. If the new sensor does not solve the issue I will swap back in the old control panel. I initially thought it was a pellet dust issue in the auger but my smoker has eaten hundreds of pounds of fuel and has never had an issue. Dust has been minimal, fuel is stored properly, and I empty the fuel in between runs and keep it in the garage.

Stressed out because the smoker was working fine except without the prime button and now I have a non-functional smoker right before my engagement party where I was supposed to smoke several shoulders.

Any other ideas? Am I out of luck until I get the sensor to test?

You’ll be fine trust me, just a run of bad luck. I’d have support send you another controller asap
Hopefully this helps you

 

[MikeInFla]

Yeah health TV to me one time too got a new RTD and no more issues.

 

[achillez01]

Swapped out old Control Board and still ERL code immediately on pressing power. I purchased a few RTD probes that should be here Sunday as the warranty replacement probe will not be here for another week or two. The machine is on its head so I plan on plugging in one of the new RTD probes to test if its functioning before I install it permanently.

 

[Cowboy1955]

Swapped out old Control Board and still ERL code immediately on pressing power. I purchased a few RTD probes that should be here Sunday as the warranty replacement probe will not be here for another week or two. The machine is on its head so I plan on plugging in one of the new RTD probes to test if its functioning before I install it permanently.

Let me know how that works out for you
I have a friend that went through three new controller’s before his straighten up.

 

[brewersfan73]

Swapped out old Control Board and still ERL code immediately on pressing power. I purchased a few RTD probes that should be here Sunday as the warranty replacement probe will not be here for another week or two. The machine is on its head so I plan on plugging in one of the new RTD probes to test if its functioning before I install it permanently.

Sorry to hear that going back to the old controller didn't work for you. Seems like the RTD probe should fix your issue - keeping our fingers crossed for you.

 

[achillez01]

Received the RTD probe replacement from Pitboss. I tested it first before reinstalling everything just in case it was the control board too. Install went fine and got her working again. I have ran her for about an hour, increasing temp eventually to HOT (450F range). 1/2" level of condensation on the top of the control board. My first control board had the same condensation issue. Thankfully it went away after a while and when I brought the temp back down for its cool down process.

Will do some test smokes this week before I try out the 30lb of shoulder. I also bought 2 additional RTD probes so I do not get caught with my pants down again.

I know RTD probes can be a fickle mistress from my experience with them in HVAC, but I was not expecting mine to go out after a year of solid work.

If you are not confident in being able to remove the wires and RTD thermalcouple bare handed I recommend small pliers. I had to work harder to disconnect the sensor and plugs bare handed and must have pulled or damaged the RTD sensor at some point.. When reinstalling I used some small needle nose pliers and that prevented me from ever accidently tugging on a wire.

 

[brewersfan73]

Good advice, and I'm glad you are back up and running again. Hopefully your days of manually priming are behind you.