Lion Wifi PID Thermostat and Akorn Grill Review - Page 2

Chocolatesoupcan · 08-15-2012, 05:24 PM

Is the blue line on the first graph the fan? So at its max its running as fast as it can, and in the lower parts there is voltage drop reducing fan speed?

Am I interpreting this right? I am just really curious to see how often the fan runs in varying cooking environments. I am a ways out from setting mine up in to cook with, I need to go buy some metal and draw up my plans still.

FYI- I saw in another forum, kamado guru, that Kroger, marked down the Char Griller Akorn to around $99 in some places a week ago. Happy hunting, I have my family and friends checking at Krogers around Atlanta, we don't have them in New Orleans.

thegizzard · 08-15-2012, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chocolatesoupcan

Is the blue line on the first graph the fan? So at its max its running as fast as it can, and in the lower parts there is voltage drop reducing fan speed?

Absolutely correct.

The Blue Line is Fan Output. Depending on some pre-defined settings, the output will range from 0 - 100%. In my case, I have max output at 97%. I currently have min output at 60% although I cannot confirm that was the setting when I took this snapshot.

But as voltage to the fan was regulated by the PID, fan speed was adjusted.

I am in the process of performing several air-sealing mods on my kamado while I wait for a replacement pit probe, as soon as I return I will update my posts with new images and more detailed explanations.

One of the things I am looking forward to is more variation in the fan output levels. I would like to see the fan blow at more intermediate speeds to regulate the temperature more finely. I believe I will achieve this when I seal up my kamado better.

thegizzard · 08-15-2012, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluesDaddy

Hey Giz, regarding the power supply, did you attach a connector to the power wires of the Lion or did you just splice wires together? I assume white is hot and black is ground on the Lion side, but just want to be sure. Am still waiting on a battery/charger to make it to me from China.

I connected the fan to lion as normal. The fan indicates that the black wire is negative, so I assumed the white was positive. I connected the power to the lion as normal. I connected the white wire from the power to the positive battery terminal and the black to negative. No splicing.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

BluesDaddy · 08-25-2012, 09:39 AM

Gizzard, how did you connect the flange to the Akorn? Did you have to remove the Akorn's lower sliding vent? And what adapter did you get? I'm guessing it was NOT the adapter A, was it the B or did you roll your own?

thegizzard · 08-25-2012, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluesDaddy

Gizzard, how did you connect the flange to the Akorn? Did you have to remove the Akorn's lower sliding vent? And what adapter did you get? I'm guessing it was NOT the adapter A, was it the B or did you roll your own?

Wang custom made an adapter B for me. And Yes I had to remove the Kamado's sliding vent. Not hard to do.

See the pic below from today and my Boston Butt cook.

BluesDaddy · 08-25-2012, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegizzard

Wang custom made an adapter B for me. And Yes I had to remove the Kamado's sliding vent. Not hard to do.

See the pic below from today and my Boston Butt cook.

Well, stupid me, I just thought adapter A would work on the Akorn.

I guess I'll have to check with Wang about making me one as well.

thegizzard · 08-25-2012, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluesDaddy

Well, stupid me, I just thought adapter A would work on the Akorn.

I guess I'll have to check with Wang about making me one as well.

Maybe I can sell you mine. I have a SS Box coming which is supposed to replace my Adapter B.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Xparent Blue Tapatalk 2

BluesDaddy · 08-26-2012, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegizzard

Maybe I can sell you mine. I have a SS Box coming which is supposed to replace my Adapter B.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Xparent Blue Tapatalk 2

Thanks, but I just ordered mine from Wang. No problems, it will probably be a while till I get a chance to do a long cook again.

thegizzard · 08-29-2012, 05:39 AM

Link to the water boil test.

Golden Lion Water Boil Test - YouTube

thegizzard · 09-22-2012, 01:08 PM

Using the Lion to control my cook of 20lbs of pulled pork.

Rock solid control for 7 hours so far

Looking good so far

BluesDaddy · 09-22-2012, 03:46 PM

Gizzard, finally got my adapter for the Akorn. Now I'm just waiting on that manual!!

thegizzard · 09-25-2012, 09:04 PM

I am loving my SS Box

thegizzard · 09-25-2012, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluesDaddy

Gizzard, finally got my adapter for the Akorn. Now I'm just waiting on that manual!!

i know i know i know...

I gotta tell you. part of the delay is just me taking a while to really understand how to use the Lion. I finally think I have it understood. I have completed a whole bunch of cooks and the Lion has come through like a champ.

jetfxr27 · 09-26-2012, 07:02 AM

Wow that thing looks cool and crazy all at the same time.

Toronto · 09-26-2012, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetfxr27

Wow that thing looks cool and crazy all at the same time.

I agree, it looks a lot cleaner in the box, hides a lot of the wires and makes it look more like a finished product.

Maybe a plexiglass window on the top so you can check temps at a glance?

Might be a bit redundant since you can check on it through WIFI.

08-25-2012, 09:39 AM	#19
BluesDaddy Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 03-18-10 Location: South Metro Atlanta, GA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Gizzard, how did you connect the flange to the Akorn? Did you have to remove the Akorn's lower sliding vent? And what adapter did you get? I'm guessing it was NOT the adapter A, was it the B or did you roll your own? Last edited by BluesDaddy; 08-25-2012 at 09:59 AM..

09-22-2012, 01:08 PM	#25
thegizzard On the road to being a farker Join Date: 07-25-12 Location: Charlotte, NC Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Using the Lion to control my cook of 20lbs of pulled pork. Rock solid control for 7 hours so far Looking good so far __________________ Chargriller Akorn. Golden Lion PID.

09-25-2012, 09:04 PM	#27
thegizzard On the road to being a farker Join Date: 07-25-12 Location: Charlotte, NC Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I am loving my SS Box __________________ Chargriller Akorn. Golden Lion PID.

09-26-2012, 07:02 AM	#29
jetfxr27 is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 09-30-09 Location: Memphis Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Wow that thing looks cool and crazy all at the same time. __________________ UDS', mUDS, COS. Weber gasser & kettle. Thermapen,Digiq2, Golden-Tiger

08-15-2012, 05:24 PM	#16
Chocolatesoupcan Found some matches. Join Date: 07-26-12 Location: New Orleans, LA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Is the blue line on the first graph the fan? So at its max its running as fast as it can, and in the lower parts there is voltage drop reducing fan speed? Am I interpreting this right? I am just really curious to see how often the fan runs in varying cooking environments. I am a ways out from setting mine up in to cook with, I need to go buy some metal and draw up my plans still. FYI- I saw in another forum, kamado guru, that Kroger, marked down the Char Griller Akorn to around $99 in some places a week ago. Happy hunting, I have my family and friends checking at Krogers around Atlanta, we don't have them in New Orleans.

09-22-2012, 03:46 PM	#26
BluesDaddy Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 03-18-10 Location: South Metro Atlanta, GA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Gizzard, finally got my adapter for the Akorn. Now I'm just waiting on that manual!!