gfi start up problem

I don't know the answer to your question, but I suspect you can't bypass the igniter.

If you have more things on your gfi (like a garage fridge and freezer, make sure they aren't running when start the 100. It may be that with the warmer months they are running more so when you start the 100 it pops the breaker. just a thought, anyway.

Rich,

I have both a FEC100 and a FEC500. I have had problems with the 500 on ground fault breakers at the start up. The 500 draws a lot of amps on the start. But the 100 takes very little. That's why some people are able to pull them with a battery. I would think Skippy hit it on the head, check the load many times a ground fault will not carry the same loads as non faulted breakers. And look at the size of the breaker it is on.

Yes, you can unplug the igniter but you'll have to start the pellets manually. Just some starter jell or a wax block will do it (I do that if my igniter fails, which it did once about 2 years ago).

You can follow the igniter wire out of the pot and trace it to the plug in and unplug it.

Me, I'd get it off a GFI first.

Thanks Gentlemen, it just seemed odd to me that it shut off well after the initial four minutes that I thought the amps were being pulled (about fifteen minutes after pushing "start"). Maybe I misunderstood and it runs for several minutes to fill up the fire pot before the ignitor comes on.

Another Long Shot to consider:
I noticed another post about some melted wires inside, you might consider unplpugging it and checking that out to be safe. Look for possible "kick-out" damage creating a short.
Just a couple thoughts, good luck.

Fast Eddy relayed my issue to CS and said they'd be in contact... no such luck. I will say that Eddy himself has gone out of his way to help me when I've had questions.
I've read here and there that GFCI circuits lose some of their umph each time they trip. Seems odd that after 12 years in the house one of them is suddenly tripping when the weekend before it didn't. Seems more likely that something in the 500 doesn't like to travel very well.
regardless, it works on a normal house circuit, but that means I have to have a door or window open in the Houston heat when cooking.
Just to check it out I'm going to cook on a honda 2000is this weekend to see if it trips.

quote:

Originally posted by skippyp:
Fast Eddy relayed my issue to CS and said they'd be in contact... no such luck. I will say that Eddy himself has gone out of his way to help me when I've had questions.

Call CS direct if you're still waiting. Not sure what FE relayed or what but you can get an answer.

FYI, the customer service manager had his National Guard unit called up, so maybe he didn't get back to you because he has extended training.

Call them, they'll help you out.

Russ

Hmmm.. operation bbq at CS?

OK. First question is which version is it? If it is an IQ4 it will run the igniter for more than 4 minutes while it lights. If it is a Traeger controlled unit then it will light for 4 minutes. What happens when the igniter shorts out is that it causes the circuit to short to ground which causes a big jump in current which the GFCI sees and trips. It tends to happen right when the igniter shuts off which is why it doesn't trip right away. I thought I was smart once by moving it to a 20 amp circuit and it eventually cooked the fuse on the board. Try unplugging it and see if it will run.

I use Everclear to light mine when I have igniter problems and it works like a champ. About a 1/4 cup is all you need. Light it, let it burn for a minute or two and then turn on the cooker.

Mark