DIY UDS blower adapter

[scguy2473]

I'm in the process of putting together my own pit temp controller. I was wondering if anyone had any examples or suggestions on how I can make the rectangular end of my blower fan mate to a round pipe that attaches to a ball valve intake. Attached is a picture of my blower fan. Thanks.

 

[Q Junkie]

This is what I did for a test. This was just stuff I had in my shop.
(1) computer fan
(1) project box
(1) 3/4" close nipple

Not pretty but it was just to test it out.

 

[scguy2473]

Where is the project box from?

 

[Nuco59]

Honest question- why bother at all? If you had a cooker that could not maintain temps I could understand it- but a UDS is like the crock pot of smokers. Ordering take out is the only thing easier.

 

[SmittyJonz]

:shock:

 

[scguy2473]

I'd like to be able to start a cook at night and not worry about my temps going down. Obviously my drum doesn't maintain temps consistently for me to do that so I'm willing to spend less than $100 to make it worry free. Why bother commenting on my post if you had nothing to add to the original question?

 

[Nuco59]

I did not offer a solution-that's a fair statement. But it was an honest and innocent question- did not mean to raise hackles.
(I sometimes find myself looking at what I perceive to be problem and think about all sort of intricate solutions- just to finally come to "why am I doing this again?" I look at it hard and decide that not doing it at all was the answer all along. This does work for everything of course)

Please accept my apology.

If you just need a simple rectangular box- a thin sheet aluminum, good pair of snips, a dab of silicone and you are good to go. (this would be my solution. You will need a pipe nipple or box connector like the fellow above shows- but it should work just dandy.

For online stuff- I hit McMaster Carr pretty hard. Their selection is great, their search feature are probably the best I've used, their prices are so-so but they sell to anyone and ground shipping is only a couple of days to most places.

If you live anywhere there still might be a Radio Shack -they might have something you can adapt (or use outright). Some UDS folk have used pvc ball valves so it's possible could get away with a plastic project box (would be easier to shape).

Good luck with your project.

 

[Q Junkie]

Where is the project box from?

I got the project box from Fry's Electronics. Not sure if you have those out there. Might want to look at Mouser.com or Radio Shack. Heck a weather proof J box from home depot might work.

In my case I did not continue with the project because I just found that either cooking hotter or cooler with a Maverick alarm to wake me up if out of temp range worked for me.

 

[Bryan139]

Heck a weather proof J box from home depot might work.

I was thinking along the same lines. $2.59 at Home Depot.

 

[Cat797]

Looks like you have some good ideas to work with to get started......

I have a UDS that does not maintain temps very well either, and I know I have a few problems with it. Something you may consider looking at in the future, so I'll lay out my problems as I see them. I used 1" pipe nipples in three locations around the bottom. Each has a ball valve to control air. The ball valve chokes off the pipe pretty good, so is actually a good bit smaller than the 1" pipe (which actually is smaller ID). I built another UDS for a buddy and upsized the pipe and ball valves, and his runs real well.

For my charcoal basket bottom, I took two Weber Charcoal grates and welded them at 90 degrees to each other. I think this creates too small of holes to let ash fall through and contributes to choking off the fire. It is also a pain to build a circular fire basket that looks good. For one I built this winter, I used one Weber charcoal grate, then welded a piece of expanded metal on it. I then constructed a square basket out of the expanded metal 12x12x12 tall. This is more than enough charcoal for a long cook.

I have not looked yet, but my UDS uses a Weber kettle lid, and I think the exhaust may be a bit small......I like the Gateway drums and there's a reason they are popular. They run good, maintain temps, and can get really hot if you need them too......

Some things to think about......

All the best,
Ed

 

[Q Junkie]

Looks like you have some good ideas to work with to get started......

I have a UDS that does not maintain temps very well either, and I know I have a few problems with it. Something you may consider looking at in the future, so I'll lay out my problems as I see them. I used 1" pipe nipples in three locations around the bottom. Each has a ball valve to control air. The ball valve chokes off the pipe pretty good, so is actually a good bit smaller than the 1" pipe (which actually is smaller ID). I built another UDS for a buddy and upsized the pipe and ball valves, and his runs real well.

For my charcoal basket bottom, I took two Weber Charcoal grates and welded them at 90 degrees to each other. I think this creates too small of holes to let ash fall through and contributes to choking off the fire. It is also a pain to build a circular fire basket that looks good. For one I built this winter, I used one Weber charcoal grate, then welded a piece of expanded metal on it. I then constructed a square basket out of the expanded metal 12x12x12 tall. This is more than enough charcoal for a long cook.

I have not looked yet, but my UDS uses a Weber kettle lid, and I think the exhaust may be a bit small......I like the Gateway drums and there's a reason they are popular. They run good, maintain temps, and can get really hot if you need them too......

Some things to think about......

All the best,
Ed

Ed, I think you are dead on with what may be causing your issues.
Always use a full port ball valve to control temps. I do not see a need for more than (1) ball valve.
Ash needs to fall out of the basked freely in order to run a UDS hands off.
A good kick or a firm rocking will jar it loose but that is not hands off.

I have just learned to deal with reasonable temp swings without getting too concerned.

 

[Cat797]

Exactly......I had grandiose visions of opening one valve part way and cruising at 250 or whatever.....that is not the case for me with this one, and I haven't had time to fix it. Nowadays, I just open all three ports, let her run where she runs, and rock it from time to time to clear the ash.

Ed

 

[funugy]

How much do you think you are into this project for? When I built my UDS I knew I wanted to use a temp controller of some sort as well. I ended up just buying an Ique instead of building something. It is simple and easy to use. I love setting my desired temp and not having to worry about temps for 12-16 hour cooks at all as long as I have enough charcoal in the basket.

Good luck with your project.

 

[Bbq_lover]

here is what I would look for. I would try to find a flexible hose and attach it to the end of the blower using a hose clamp. The other end, for the UDS, use a nipple or a ball value and stick the other end of the hose on it. You may need to clamp it as well.
Look at the pitmaster iq hose and get some ideas from there. Just a thought.