My Golden Dog review

[Toronto]

Just got this in the mail and decided to snap a few pix for those interested in picking up a unit. I havent used it yet but I am planning on smoking a pork butt on the weekend if weather permits. This thread is for keeping everything in one place, I will probably put up a full review in the Q forum once its complete. Any photo editing you see is just me trying to get my reflection out of the picture.

Everything that was included(I have a water bottle in there for size comparison):



The controller from the front:



Controller from the back:



Blower:



Back of the plug:

[Toronto]

Unofficial Instruction Manual for Golden-Dog

There are two displays and they are labelled PV / SV. The current temperature is the top display(PV) and the lower one(SV) is used for setting your desired temperature.

The LED Display.

RUN: This green colored LED will blink very rapidly when the fan is in the OFF setting and blink slowly when the fan is in the ON setting. In the OFF setting you will see ---- in the SV display.

Hi: This red colored LED is the high temperature alarm light.

Lo: This red colored LED is the low temperature alarm light.

The controls are located below the LED display and they consist of four buttons:


This button has three menu's:

Menu #1 - activated by a single click.
Menu #2 - activated by pressing and holding the button down.
Menu #3 - activated by continuing to hold the button down while it is in Menu #2.

Menu #1 (Single Click): This will cycle you through the 4 stage temperature setting. Each button click will move you through the menu starting at SC1 and ending at AH4.

SC1 SC2 SC3 SC4
RC1 RC2 RC3 RC4
AL1 AL2 AL3 AL4
AH1 AH2 AH3 AH4

Legend:
SC= Desired pit temperature.
RC= Timing at desired pit temperature.
AL= Low temperature alarm, to turn this off set it at a temperature that will never be reached; example 0001.
AH= High temperature alarm, to turn this off set it at a temperature that will never be reached; example 0600.
1-4= This number represents the stage that it is in.

If you want only one temperature stage, simply set SC2 to 0000, it will now ignore the remaining stages.

Menu #2 (Press and Hold): This will bring you to the second menu, a single click will cycle through the menu and pressing and holding the button will bring you out of the menu.

F – C (default SV value 0000 set to Celsius): Changing the value to 0001 sets it to Fahrenheit.
SL1 (default SV value 1111): Internal parameter to define mode of alarm. For BBQ use, leave at default value.
SL2 (default SV value 1011): Internal parameter to define mode of alarm. For BBQ use, leave at default value.
HdC (default SV value 0100): Fan speed > 0001=slowest setting > 0100=fastest setting

Menu #3 (Continuing to hold the button while in Menu #2): This will bring you to the third menu, a single click will cycle through the menu and pressing and holding the button will bring you out of the menu.

P (default SV value 0030)= PID setting. Google PID controllers for a long winded explanation.
I (default SV value 0240)= PID setting. Google PID controllers for a long winded explanation.
D (default SV value 0060)= PID setting. Google PID controllers for a long winded explanation.
*AR (default SV value 0100)= use default, not sure what this does.
*r (default SV value 0000)= use default, not sure what this does.
Pb (default SV value 0000)= used to calibrate the temperature probe.
UdC (default SV value 0000)= this value must be changed when using the larger 50CFM fan. I am not certain of the value needed for the 50CFM fan.
*LCY (default SV value 0000)= use default, not sure what this does.

This button scrolls left with every click, it is used to easily enter large numbers without having to do it sequentially. This button will also start and stop the fan.

This is used to lower the current number on the SV display.

This is used to raise the current number on the SV display.


*indicates functions I do not understand.

[woodpelletsmoker]

SL1,SL2 are internal parameter to define mode of alarm. For BBQ use, please use default value.
HDC is maximum fan speed. In a small pit, you may define it as 50%, 60%,70%,80% ect.

SC is TARGETED pit temperature.
RC is keeping time under SC
AH high temperature alarm
AL Low temperature alarm

If you do not want alarm or neighbor friendly, you can simply set a big AH,AL.
If you want ONE temperature stage, simply set SC2=0, it will ignore following stages

[woodpelletsmoker]

*Hi: Not sure what this is for. high temperature alarm light

*Lo: Not sure what this is for. LOW temperature alarm light

[woodpelletsmoker]

press "SET" and hold longer time, it will appear P.I.D.
For advanced settings, you can change P,I,D

[Toronto]

Originally Posted by woodpelletsmoker

press "SET" and hold longer time, it will appear P.I.D.
For advanced settings, you can change P,I,D

Question 1: What are the other values in this menu? Also, should I leave my PID values at default?

P (default SV value 0030)= PID menu
I (default SV value 0240)= PID menu
D (default SV value 0060)= PID menu
*AR (default SV value 0100)= No idea what this is for.
*r (default SV value 0000)= No idea what this is for.
*Pb (default SV value 0000)= No idea what this is for.
*UdC (default SV value 0000)= No idea what this is for.
*LCY (default SV value 0000)= No idea what this is for.

[woodpelletsmoker]

set AH=600, AL=10, usually the alarm will be disabled

P (default SV value 0030)= PID menu
I (default SV value 0240)= PID menu
D (default SV value 0060)= PID menu
*AR (default SV value 0100)= use default
*r (default SV value 0000)= use default
*Pb (default SV value 0000)= probe calibration
*UdC (default SV value 0000)= minimum speed of fan
*LCY (default SV value 0000)= use default

[Toronto]

set AH=600, AL=10, usually the alarm will be disabled

I want to turn off the beeping sound that happens when I push a button, is it possible to make it completely silent?

RC#= Desired timing at targeted pit temperature.

Does 1 = 1 minute? i.e. 0060 = 1 hour?

[Mapleleaf]

Great stuff..keep it coming I will be getting my DOG shortly and will add my experience.

[woodpelletsmoker]

Time is in minute

[Toronto]

Woodpelletsmoker, couple of more questions for you:

Originally Posted by Toronto

Pb (default SV value 0000)= used to calibrate the temperature probe.

How does this work? What happens when you change the SV values?

Originally Posted by Toronto

UdC (default SV value 0000)= this value must be changed when using the larger 50CFM fan. I am not certain of the value needed for the 50CFM fan.

What SV value is needed when changing to the 50CFM fan?

Originally Posted by Toronto

This button scrolls left with every click, it is used to easily enter large numbers without having to do it sequentially. This button will also start and stop the fan.

After changing the HDC value to 0050, this button no longer stop/start the fan. When I push the button it will stop for 2 seconds and then begin blowing at 0100 power, is this normal?

Originally Posted by Toronto

I want to turn off the beeping sound that happens when I push a button, is it possible to make it completely silent?

I am going to assume that you cannot make this unit silent. This may be a feature you want to add if you decide to make changes to this model. I find the beeping to be unnecessary and rather loud. I can see the changes I made on the LCD display so the beeping is not required for me, others may have a different opinion.

--------------Readers Note-----------------

This forum has a time limit for making changes to your post, due to this fact I cannot update the 'Unofficial Instructions' in the thread but will be doing so manually in a WORD file. I will make it available via download with rapidshare or something to that effect once it is complete.

[Mapleleaf]

Interesting...2 questions:

What kind of system are you mounting it on?

Did you order the 50cfm fan specifically?

If these questions are disruptive, I can move this to PM.

thanks

Mapleleaf

[Toronto]

Originally Posted by Mapleleaf

Interesting...2 questions:

What kind of system are you mounting it on?

Did you order the 50cfm fan specifically?

If these questions are disruptive, I can move this to PM.

thanks

Mapleleaf

Hey Mapleleaf, not disruptive at all, id be happy to answer your questions. I do my smoking in my 22in Weber OTS. I did not order the 50CFM fan, I asked for the sake of others and will be adding it to my unofficial manual.

I plan to do something similar to this:

YouTube (Short URL)

YouTube (Short URL)

This is the reason why I chose that adapter, I figured it would be easiest to mount a 1in hose to it. I will also be throwing my Maverick in that box as well and probably have something to block the sun. Although I find the box to be rather ugly the functionality of it out weighs that for me.

To mount it to my kettle I will be using a dog dish, bolt, wingnut, toggle nut and 1inch pvc piping:

[wearcd]

I take it this is the newest version of Woodpellet's product? Nice! Much more modern appearance and I like the wiring harness and all! What does this model cost?

[Toronto]

Originally Posted by wearcd

I take it this is the newest version of Woodpellet's product? Nice! Much more modern appearance and I like the wiring harness and all! What does this model cost?

The controller in that video is actually the Pitmaster iQue110. Google it if you want to know more.