This might be a bit too simple to talk about, but it sure is handy. I
have one of those meat probe thermometers what uses batteries. It
transmits a radio signal with the temperature of the meat to a
pocket-sized receiver that displays the probe's temperature and beeps
when the meat reaches a preset temp. That transmitter seems to EAT
batteries on the transmitter end, for some reason, while the receiver
lasts for over a year on one pair of AAA batteries.

Today, I decided I'd fed the transmitter too many batteries, and used an
old 3vdc wall wart to repower it, connecting the wall wart directly to
the internal leads coming from the battery compartment. I left it in
the "on" position and installed the entire transmitter assembly inside a
project box I got from Radio Shack. The box itself is screwed to the
side of my Bradley smoker and now uses the same power source to
permanently power it. The probe was run inside the smoker cabinet
through a 3/16" hole I drilled through the project box and Bradley wall,
and sealed with a dob of silicone putty inside and outside to
smoke-proof it. The project box also had several weep holes drilled in
the bottom to let out any moisture or condensation that might get
inside, though the lid fit very tightly.

I am aware that the probes eventually wear out, but if that happens it's
just a case of opening the project box and plugging in a new one,
resealing the hole with more putty.

Now, with the probe pernanently inside the cabinet and the transmitter
"turned on" all the time, I have a good and reliable report on the
temperature of the meat whenever I'm smoking something, without the need
to keep the good Duracel company in business. grin
--
---Nonnymus---
In the periodic table, as in politics,
the unstable elements tend to hang out on
the far left, with some to the right as well.

"Nonnymus" wrote in message
news
project box I got from Radio Shack.

Didn't know the shack had anything but telly's Seriously, sounds like a
good deal. I don't use batteries for anything I can get by with out. If I
have to use them I go the nickel metal route if possible. RM~

In article ,
says...
This might be a bit too simple to talk about, but it sure is handy.

[snip]

That's a good suggestion, but what's more remarkable is having the guts
to drill into your brand-spanking-new, probably still shiny Bradley. I
too hate going through bunches of batteries like that, but I'd still
probably wait a few sets before doing any surgery...

Bob

Nonnymus wrote:
This might be a bit too simple to talk about, but it sure is handy. I
have one of those meat probe thermometers what uses batteries. It
transmits a radio signal with the temperature of the meat to a
pocket-sized receiver that displays the probe's temperature and beeps
when the meat reaches a preset temp. That transmitter seems to EAT
batteries on the transmitter end, for some reason, while the receiver
lasts for over a year on one pair of AAA batteries.



I already have a charger and rechargeable batteries for my digital
camera. I just bought a
few more AAA rechargeable batteries and use them for the Maverick
thermomoter
and remote.

Rusty