New Bullseye Hinge Problems?

[JohnC]

So I found a few mentions of this problem here and around internet but not a clear answer on solutions...

Brand new Bullseye Deluxe - love it so far - but from the jump the lid didn't close properly. It would "levitate" about 1/2" above the front of the bowl because the hinge was binding at the rear.
Spent hours on it when it was new trying to fiddle thinking I just wasn't adjusting it correctly before realizing it was just not right.

RT CS sent me a new hinge which is slightly better but still not right.

Now I must have 3-4hrs into trying to make this work between the original and new hinge. The hinges are DEFINITELY made wrong - the holes aren't in the right place I think on the bottom part (or, the bends aren't quite right on the bottom which are creating the hole alignment issue)

Only progress I've made is in taking better pictures of the problem to illustrate, I'm pretty good at that now

You can see here if the hinge plates are screwed to the lid and bowl the hinge pin holes are WAY off...
Then alternately if you put the hinge pin and screw it to the bowl only you can see how far the gap is to the lid.

Anybody got suggestions? I've sent these pix to RT CS again but the first time although they DID send me a hinge they tried out the old "that's just how they are supposed to be" on me first (no I don't think a smoker grill is supposed to leave the lid cracked 1/2" open at all times?)

 

[Greg Jones]

Did you install the lid spacer? That will keep the lid cracked all the time, although mine is about ¼” gap.

 

[C. Keeper]

I don't think the hinge is installed correctly

 

[JohnC]

Did you install the lid spacer? That will keep the lid cracked all the time, although mine is about ¼” gap.

What's the lid spacer? I've seen it mentioned before but I've never seen a picture of it. There's no parts that I haven't installed.

 

[JohnC]

I don't think the hinge is installed correctly

Nope. There's no possible other way to install the hinge. It's extremely simple. It's very clear from pictures and fit which side goes on top which side goes on bottom. That's the thing. It looks like it's installed incorrectly because the hinge is not manufactured properly.

 

[Motodad1776]

So the hinge has been manufactured twice improperly?

 

[JohnC]

So the hinge has been manufactured twice improperly?

Uhhh sure. Or, as they say "the simplest explanation...." they have a batch that are out of spec because the manufacturing jig drifted? So you get a bad one then you get another bad one. Happens all the time.

 

[Greg Jones]

What's the lid spacer? I've seen it mentioned before but I've never seen a picture of it. There's no parts that I haven't installed.

Look in the Bullseye manual-I believe it is part #4.

 

[Greg Jones]

Yup, item #4.

 

[Greg Jones]

Just wanted to add, you have received other comments that may be on point-don’t want to suggest that there are not issues with the hinge. Just saying that with the lid spacer installed, there will be an intentional gap in the front.

 

[C. Keeper]

Hopefully the hinge was installed per video

 

[JohnC]

View attachment 22043Yup, item #4.

Thanks for replies Greg. Yeah no such parts in the current Deluxe manual or box. No mounting holes for them either.

That could explain some of the confusion. I do see the Bullseye has evolved over time and I guess that could explain why folks think im just a dumbass who can't put things together .

Current manual is really straight forward. I am pretty mechanical so was not hard to follow it to a T.

Then spent as I said hours fiddling with the screws and hoping a little movement in the slot would help but it doesn't.

Those suggesting user error may not be familiar with the current parts, or, more likely just aren't looking at pix which tell basically whole story. It's a simple assembly the owner us asked to accomplish, I've done it all correctly. Lid doesn't close unless you loosen the bolts,. There's really no room for "you did it wrong".

https://support.recteq.com/hc/en-us/article_attachments/26170268677147

 

[charlesrshell]

What's the lid spacer? I've seen it mentioned before but I've never seen a picture of it. There's no parts that I haven't installed.

Here is what I use for my Bullseye lid spacer.

https://www.weber.com/US/en/accesso...arcoal-grill-accessories/tool-hooks/7401.html

 

[JohnC]

Here is what I use for my Bullseye lid spacer.

Cool tip!

But the pic helps also now I see what guys are talking about. Current bullseye deluxe has a totally different vented lid from that , so that's why it doesn't take the spacer. Maybe thats the problem they are using hinges for non vented lids!? Hmmm...

I have been searching more, I see enough reports of same problem, some seem to have gone through several hinges from RT until they got one that worked. Hoping they can do something for me. Other guys got mad and returned the grill but I like it way too much. Worst case I could fab or have friends help fab something. Would prefer not to tho!

 

[Greg Jones]

Current manual is really straight forward. I am pretty mechanical so was not hard to follow it to a T.

Mine is the older, non-deluxe model and I thought at some point recteq added more vents in the back to do away with the spacer, but the online manual I took the above picture from still shows it. Perhaps the non-X version still comes with a spacer. Hope you get it resolved as they are awesome grills.

 

[JohnC]

Mine is the older, non-deluxe model and I thought at some point recteq added more vents in the back to do away with the spacer, but the online manual I took the above picture from still shows it. Perhaps the non-X version still comes with a spacer. Hope you get it resolved as they are awesome grills.

So far its been great. Only about 4-5 cooks. Temp control is amazing. Some not as smokey as I'd like, but I figure that's just learning curve. Have tried chips on the deflector - works but probably need more / sooner? Have not bought a smoke tube yet but open to it. Added a cast iron grill and will be making a drip pan for low slow.

 

[C. Keeper]

@JohnC , I watched the video and reviewed the manual. Agreed, seems easy enough.

Please let us know what the resolution is.

 

[Motodad1776]

@JohnC , I watched the video and reviewed the manual. Agreed, seems easy enough.

Please let us know what the resolution is.

Absolutely, and nobody here ever thought you were a "dumbass" who couldn't put things together. I work at a metal fabrication shop so I know about jigs, welding, grinding, press break, turret presses....etc, and yeah we make mistakes from time to time, thankfully it isn't very often when our QA guy is on his game.

 

[C. Keeper]

Absolutely, and nobody here ever thought you were a "dumbass" who couldn't put things together. I work at a metal fabrication shop so I know about jigs, welding, grinding, press break, turret presses....etc, and yeah we make mistakes from time to time, thankfully it isn't very often when our QA guy is on his game.

Wait @Motodad1776 , are you suggesting that RT has QC issues

 

[RattleR]

Wait @Motodad1776 , are you suggesting that RT has QC issues

In my experience QC problems are driven from above their pay grade. Got to walk the walk if you talk the talk.