Mods to the PBV4PS2

[Dab942]

I just cooked ribs today. Brand new controller. There was some swing between the probe and mine in the box. However, once I left it a while, they seemed to be pretty close. I think the issue is the probe is in the top, back of the cabinet. Since the heat and smoke come from the cabinet through the walls, it might be warmer around the walls than the middle. I'm going to run a test tomorrow with my probe right next to the PB probe.

 

[Steve In Pa]

I just cooked ribs today. Brand new controller. There was some swing between the probe and mine in the box. However, once I left it a while, they seemed to be pretty close. I think the issue is the probe is in the top, back of the cabinet. Since the heat and smoke come from the cabinet through the walls, it might be warmer around the walls than the middle. I'm going to run a test tomorrow with my probe right next to the PB probe.

During winter cooks I noted mine tended to be cooler toward the front and bottom. In some cases I rotated foods around while smoking because of that.

 

[That_guy]

Looks like we both had the same idea.

 

[Steve In Pa]

Looks like we both had the same idea.

Taking inspiration from that I had this extra thermometer from my Kamado laying around
We’ll see how that goes

 

[That_guy]

Couldn't handle the silver painted it black.

 

[Joe G]

I put a wooden clothes pin in between the latch and the door. gave me an excellent fir.

 

[Joe G]

I ended up doing some mods to my PBV4PS2.

i added a analog thermometer to replace the useless pitboss logo. Not sure why this wasn’t like this from factory, it’s a cheap feature and in my opinion makes the smoker look way better. Plus I don’t really trust the factory thermostat after this weeks cook. I had my thermpro in there and it showed a good 10-20 degrees less than what the controller was showing. I had it set to 225 and it never went close to it. Always stayed in the mid 210’s. When I bumped it up to 250 it was at 225-230.
View attachment 1324

Also to be fair, the door wasn’t exactly the best in QA as it was a pretty big gap in the top corner. Other people have complained and there are options but trying to adjust the door didn’t really fix it. I don’t want to stick pieces of metal in different spots to get it to work correctly. The gasket that comes with it is tiny so I ended up using a roll of smoker gasket that I had to help seal it.
That and resetting the latch handle now creates a really snug and tight fit. Hopefully this helps with the temps difference. I know the controller prob is in the back, so that might be the reason why the temps showed higher, and my thermpro probe was in the middle of the cabinet.
View attachment 1325

Did you remove the original rubber gasket or place yours on top? Also, how exactly did you reset the latch?

 

[That_guy]

Magnetic paper towel holder I allways seem to need it, no it doesn't get hot at all it's on the pellet lid.

 

[Redoctapus]

I ended up doing some mods to my PBV4PS2.

i added a analog thermometer to replace the useless pitboss logo. Not sure why this wasn’t like this from factory, it’s a cheap feature and in my opinion makes the smoker look way better. Plus I don’t really trust the factory thermostat after this weeks cook. I had my thermpro in there and it showed a good 10-20 degrees less than what the controller was showing. I had it set to 225 and it never went close to it. Always stayed in the mid 210’s. When I bumped it up to 250 it was at 225-230.
View attachment 1324

Also to be fair, the door wasn’t exactly the best in QA as it was a pretty big gap in the top corner. Other people have complained and there are options but trying to adjust the door didn’t really fix it. I don’t want to stick pieces of metal in different spots to get it to work correctly. The gasket that comes with it is tiny so I ended up using a roll of smoker gasket that I had to help seal it.
That and resetting the latch handle now creates a really snug and tight fit. Hopefully this helps with the temps difference. I know the controller prob is in the back, so that might be the reason why the temps showed higher, and my thermpro probe was in the middle of the cabinet.
View attachment 1325

I have a GMG, I the app it allows for tweeking the probes to calibrate/fine tune them. Maybe we will see that capability in the near future, idk.

 

[xjoex44]

I installed a Savannah Stoker. Fairly easy to do and it has endless options vs the stock controller. Wish I still had wifi control but that's no big deal when you have so many better options vs stock. Happy I can set it at any temperature I want more than anything. I did a video on YouTube if anyone is interested.

 

[Steve In Pa]

I installed a Savannah Stoker. Fairly easy to do and it has endless options vs the stock controller. Wish I still had wifi control but that's no big deal when you have so many better options vs stock. Happy I can set it at any temperature I want more than anything. I did a video on YouTube if anyone is interested.

Post the link here

 

[xjoex44]

Post the link here

 

[Steve In Pa]

Thanks for posting that. Your video gives a good look into the process. I’ll save it over in my YouTube account.

 

[xjoex44]

Thanks for posting that. Your video gives a good look into the process. I’ll save it over in my YouTube account

Thanks for posting that. Your video gives a good look into the process. I’ll save it over in my YouTube account.

Hey no problem. It is a 3 part series as well so there are 2 more videos. I would be happy to answer any questions if anyone has them.

 

[GeekChef]

I changed mine about 1.5 years ago with a ReqTeq wifi controlller.....I posted it on another thread. But it has been flawless since install....not a single issue....holds temp perfectly. Temp at 180 or 225 or 350....all rock solid.