IQ3 vs IQ4

IQ3??? Don't know that option (but then, CS does all sorts of things with model #'s and I can't keep up; but I confuse easily).

The only option, if it's still there is either the Electronic controller with the IQ4 that is all digital

The other controller, is the traeger dial type. (I don't know if that's an IQ3?)

Main difference is you can set the temp with the IQ4 to +/- 2 degrees. The traeger only has a few settings (Smoke, 180, 240, 275, 325, 375)

Both work great.

One nice thing about the IQ4 is it has the hold feature. You can say set the temp to smoke at 180 for 3 hours and at 3 hours, it goes to hold. I set my hold to 250 at a contest and don't have to even get up to change the temp.

IQ3 was the version that was on Cookshack ovens (100, 200, 300) before the IQ4 came along. When Cookshack started putting the IQ controller on the FECs, they started using IQ4 so that the same control would go on either Cookshack or FEC (Same board - different program. All ovens made in the past year have IQ4 controllers.

Bill
Your friendly Cookshack Tech Support Guy

So, Jelly reading what Bill said, an IQ3 won't work on an FE, it's for the Electric series.

We currently use the same circuit board for both the Cookshack Electric smokers and the Fast Eddy Pellet smokers. However, we program the boards differently depending on which smoker it is going into.

The major difference between the IQ3 and the IQ4 is the temperature sensor. About 2 years ago we started have problems getting the temperature sensor we were using on the IQ3, so with the IQ4 we changed to using a thermocouple for the temperature sensor rather than the microprocessor we had used for years with the IQ controller.

Since thermocouples take special connections rather than terminate the wire at a terminal block in the back of the oven, we run the wire directly to the board.

Thanks guys.

ML

quote:

Originally posted by Stuart:
We currently use the same circuit board for both the Cookshack Electric smokers and the Fast Eddy Pellet smokers. However, we program the boards differently depending on which smoker it is going into.

The major difference between the IQ3 and the IQ4 is the temperature sensor. About 2 years ago we started have problems getting the temperature sensor we were using on the IQ3, so with the IQ4 we changed to using a thermocouple for the temperature sensor rather than the microprocessor we had used for years with the IQ controller.

Since thermocouples take special connections rather than terminate the wire at a terminal block in the back of the oven, we run the wire directly to the board.

Stuart,

I am seriously looking at getting the Amerique to replace my WSM in the winter months (and maybe even for the summer months) and have a few questions on the Amerique controller board:

1. Given the supply problems with the IQ3 temperature sensor - does this mean that the Amerique will also be switched over to the IQ4 in the near future (like what was done for the commercial units)?

2. Any plans to deal with the issue of power outages causing the Amerique to lose it's programming in mid-brisket (like a battery or capacitor back-up to get over short term "hic-cups").

3. I might be using the Amerique overseas for a period of time. Although step-down transformers will easily handle voltage issues - is there anything I should be worried about with respect to running the Amerique on 50Hz vice 60Hz power (for example a transformer or linear power supply that can't take the lower frequency).

BTW - thanks much to everyone on the forum - especially SmokinOakie - for providing such fantastic information on the cookshacks. It has been extremely informative reading the last couple of months. You guys have just about got me convinced that the smoke ring doesn't matter (although I won't believe it until I try it for myself). Thanks again everyone.

Joe

Joe,

1. We have no plans to move the AmeriQue to the IQ controller. The AmeriQue controller uses a type "K" thermocouple for it's temperature probe.
2. I am looking at a few changes on the AmeriQue board, I will take a look at a capacitor for a short term back up.
3. There are no problems using the AmeriQue on 50hz electricity.

Thanks,

Stuart,
Thanks for the quick reply. Interesting that the Amerique uses a custom controller all to itself. I just figured that you would keep things in line with the commercial units to save on production costs.

In any case - glad to hear you are looking at the issues raised elsewhere on the forum. Considering that most power outages range from seconds to maybe a minute or two max - a simple capacitor back-up should be able to survive the large majority of power issues (i.e. always avoid batteries if at all possible). In any case - thanks much.

Joe