Plug Melted/electrical fire!!!….???
- Thread starter Schroffie
- Start date
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hput2
Well-known member
Wow! Never heard of that! Is that a new unit or older one? If you find out what happened pass it on please!
Freedom Forged
Well-known member
- Messages
- 51
- Grill(s) owned
- RT-680
Lightning??
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- 1,088
- Location
- Westerville, OH
Do you leave it plugged in when not in use?
A lightning strike is certainly a possibility, but don't overlook the possibility of a voltage surge from the power company's transmission lines as well. An auto accident knocking a pole down a mile or more away can generate a momentary voltage surge that can fry things. So can a lightning strike a fair distance away.
Sometimes, the damage from such a voltage surge is covered by homeowner insurance or, in rare cases, by reimbursement from the power company. I would contact the local power company and report the damage. There may have been other similar reports and the power company may have evidence of the cause.
Sometimes, the damage from such a voltage surge is covered by homeowner insurance or, in rare cases, by reimbursement from the power company. I would contact the local power company and report the damage. There may have been other similar reports and the power company may have evidence of the cause.
Older unit, got it summer of 2018, been real rock solid. Seriously can’t complain. No idea how new units fair, but the 2018 unit was solid as a rock. I think it’s a RT-700 has the Brahma bull horns as handles. Honestly out in the weather uncovered now for 3-4 year still a champ until this, really can’t complain. The cover always sucked ass, never got a new one once it tore. They really missed on the cover
.
I’ll take a picture in the morning of the issue for reference. Not complaining, and if Rex-Tec monitors this not asking for anything except maybe advice as too what happened. I’ll try and fix and got a new plug head tonight at the HD. I’m really just wondering from people if this happens every so often, just a super random fluke, or more importantly need a new board/other issues which needs addressed as well. If board is really root cause I’ll get another. If it works again great, if it’s dead oh well. While at the HD tonight getting a plug end, also pulled the trigger on a Master Built 1050 tonight. First impression is sort of junk, show unit had some rust already, from rain, but I do miss the smell/taste of charcoal so thought I’d give it a try. Review of them on the web is many parts will need replaced and plenty of aftermarket part exist, which usually means it’s trash, but want to try it. Will definitely need to keep this in the garage. Again the rec-tec is used and abused, no special care what so ever.
If the rec-tec need a board I’ll do it, if it is dead I’ll still get another pellet smoker, but goin to give the camp chef a try with the wood chunk fire box. Don’t get me wrong, the rec-etc always worked and held temp, but WiFi never worked day one, never sturdy super wobbly, rust all over from the beginning so thought I’d give the woodwind a try. But seriously can’t complain, worth the money. Rusted day one, but honestly, never got to the point of failure despite being left outside in Cleveland winters, 3-4 years uncovered now.
If anyone made this far, the most disappointing thing is no matter how “premium” the pellets are now, (this summer) the nice smoke ring, smell and flavor are gone. Just can’t get it like I used too. I don’t think this is a RT smoker thing thing, totally pellets. Found an old bag and wonderful results. But new pellets, just don’t seem the same. I really think the pellet grills became to popular and now we all suffer with the massive demand. Prime example (pun intended) try and find prime brisket. Used to be easy, now impossible. Another reason for wanting to try an electronic charcoal unit.
. I’ll take a picture in the morning of the issue for reference. Not complaining, and if Rex-Tec monitors this not asking for anything except maybe advice as too what happened. I’ll try and fix and got a new plug head tonight at the HD. I’m really just wondering from people if this happens every so often, just a super random fluke, or more importantly need a new board/other issues which needs addressed as well. If board is really root cause I’ll get another. If it works again great, if it’s dead oh well. While at the HD tonight getting a plug end, also pulled the trigger on a Master Built 1050 tonight. First impression is sort of junk, show unit had some rust already, from rain, but I do miss the smell/taste of charcoal so thought I’d give it a try. Review of them on the web is many parts will need replaced and plenty of aftermarket part exist, which usually means it’s trash, but want to try it. Will definitely need to keep this in the garage. Again the rec-tec is used and abused, no special care what so ever.
If the rec-tec need a board I’ll do it, if it is dead I’ll still get another pellet smoker, but goin to give the camp chef a try with the wood chunk fire box. Don’t get me wrong, the rec-etc always worked and held temp, but WiFi never worked day one, never sturdy super wobbly, rust all over from the beginning so thought I’d give the woodwind a try. But seriously can’t complain, worth the money. Rusted day one, but honestly, never got to the point of failure despite being left outside in Cleveland winters, 3-4 years uncovered now.
If anyone made this far, the most disappointing thing is no matter how “premium” the pellets are now, (this summer) the nice smoke ring, smell and flavor are gone. Just can’t get it like I used too. I don’t think this is a RT smoker thing thing, totally pellets. Found an old bag and wonderful results. But new pellets, just don’t seem the same. I really think the pellet grills became to popular and now we all suffer with the massive demand. Prime example (pun intended) try and find prime brisket. Used to be easy, now impossible. Another reason for wanting to try an electronic charcoal unit.
Some times, I and I’m thinking might have been when this happened because it made it through the entire previous cook 8 days ago no issues. 100% of the time it’s been used with an extension cord, and sometimes I trip on them. The cord was loose in the socket I use like usual, can’t say enough for power/no power because first thing I did was jiggle the cord when unit didn’t power up. No sign of issue on the socket side of the cord (male) just the female side of the of the socket, but also mowed since then and very common for it to be pulled from the wall while I get mower.
Again before any haters chime in. Not blaming the unit! As I just replied to another post, the unit is a 2018 (I think a RT-700), and has not been well kept. I would have thought a fan, or auger motor, ceramic auto ignition would have been the first to go. Melted plug head took me buy surprise and just trying too if this happened to anyone else and another issue is at play that needs to be fixed on the unit like a board. Ifs it just because I left it plugged in one to many times, cool I fix it and not do that again.
A short term power outage is common where I’m at, but never happened because my computer was still running and the tell tale sign of needing to reset the clock on the oven, microwave, fridge etc. I would think a surge, or lightning strike would also need a clock reset as well. However you did remind me of something. I travel a lot for work and was gone last week, but understand we had absolutely massive downpours, plug might have been submerged for a brief time, unit off, but still plugged in. Its been run many of times in the rain, plug submerged in snow because I use an extension cord, never any issues, but this might have finally been that one case where after all the poor using environments shit just happened…..in which case great!!!! Wire in a new plug and and hopefully board is good to go, if not I’ll get a new board.
Really just looking for suggestions and you did remind me that someone at work said it absolutely stormed like week, again, wasn’t here unit left outside, plug on ground probably live with extension cord. Again, no complaints, this unit has been treated not so great and been super solid and reliable
If the plug was melted and the metal pins were damaged, you had a very high amperage event. That is not usual with something like a pellet grill as the normal draw is fairly low amperage. If the high-amperage short had occurred in the control board, it would be totally destroyed.
Either the plug was damaged and the metal pins shorted together at the outlet, or you had an external power surge of some sort.
Either the plug was damaged and the metal pins shorted together at the outlet, or you had an external power surge of some sort.
Thanks for input. I’ll look under the side shelf too see if any visible damage. I can say the control panel has no damage and the buttons (membrane switch) are 100% intact. If it’s bad enough to evaporate the pins I would think they would go. But I’ll check. Should have time tomorrow to wire new plug. If it doesn’t power up I’ll see if they still over a replacement or see if fire board makes one.
- Messages
- 6,892
- Grill(s) owned
- Bull
- Bullseye
- RT-680
- Trailblazer
Pics of burned connector?
- Messages
- 6,892
- Grill(s) owned
- Bull
- Bullseye
- RT-680
- Trailblazer
Can't be all that "high" if the fuse is working.
Is there any visual damage to the outlet the plug was in? It is also possible that the outlet itself failed and caused the short that melted the plug. You might want to have an electrician check the outlet for damage. If it is bad, you will just destroy the next thing you plug into it.
Sorry, when I got home from work it poured. Bad storms all night here in Ohio. I should have time to wire new plug tonight no I’ll get pic and post then.
No damage on the outlet side, but to your point I think I’ll avoid that outlet until it gets checked.
- Messages
- 6,892
- Grill(s) owned
- Bull
- Bullseye
- RT-680
- Trailblazer
Thanks!
I can't blame ya for going with the Camp Chef with the ability to add wood chunks over the firepot. I think Camp Chef makes good products. I'm not saying I would buy that but I would LOVE to see RecTeq do something like that. I've had my Bull since 2019 so I'm assuming we have very similar models. But for now, still rocking my 2019 Bull and 2021 SS bullseye.Older unit, got it summer of 2018, been real rock solid. Seriously can’t complain. No idea how new units fair, but the 2018 unit was solid as a rock. I think it’s a RT-700 has the Brahma bull horns as handles. Honestly out in the weather uncovered now for 3-4 year still a champ until this, really can’t complain. The cover always sucked ass, never got a new one once it tore. They really missed on the cover
I’ll take a picture in the morning of the issue for reference. Not complaining, and if Rex-Tec monitors this not asking for anything except maybe advice as too what happened. I’ll try and fix and got a new plug head tonight at the HD. I’m really just wondering from people if this happens every so often, just a super random fluke, or more importantly need a new board/other issues which needs addressed as well. If board is really root cause I’ll get another. If it works again great, if it’s dead oh well. While at the HD tonight getting a plug end, also pulled the trigger on a Master Built 1050 tonight. First impression is sort of junk, show unit had some rust already, from rain, but I do miss the smell/taste of charcoal so thought I’d give it a try. Review of them on the web is many parts will need replaced and plenty of aftermarket part exist, which usually means it’s trash, but want to try it. Will definitely need to keep this in the garage. Again the rec-tec is used and abused, no special care what so ever.
If the rec-tec need a board I’ll do it, if it is dead I’ll still get another pellet smoker, but goin to give the camp chef a try with the wood chunk fire box. Don’t get me wrong, the rec-etc always worked and held temp, but WiFi never worked day one, never sturdy super wobbly, rust all over from the beginning so thought I’d give the woodwind a try. But seriously can’t complain, worth the money. Rusted day one, but honestly, never got to the point of failure despite being left outside in Cleveland winters, 3-4 years uncovered now.
If anyone made this far, the most disappointing thing is no matter how “premium” the pellets are now, (this summer) the nice smoke ring, smell and flavor are gone. Just can’t get it like I used too. I don’t think this is a RT smoker thing thing, totally pellets. Found an old bag and wonderful results. But new pellets, just don’t seem the same. I really think the pellet grills became to popular and now we all suffer with the massive demand. Prime example (pun intended) try and find prime brisket. Used to be easy, now impossible. Another reason for wanting to try an electronic charcoal unit.
SmokeZilla
Well-known member
- Messages
- 1,168
- Grill(s) owned
- Bull
If I am seeing straight, it doesn’t look like an electrical surge problem. It looks more like a corrosion problem. The blue/greenish hue on the plug suggests some sort of dissimilar metals issue perhaps induced by arcing. That being said, I also see the indications crossing from the neutral to the hot side of the plug. Did you have to reset any of your breakers recently? Is the outlet exposed to the environment (i.e., outside plug where weather can reach/penetrate it)? Is the outlet in an area where snow can stack. up or intrude? Is the mating socket worn out and causing intermittent connections (which would be rare without noticing it during a cook)? I’ve seen my share of galled plugs but this one is rare for something vintage 2018. Ultimately, you’ve peaked my interest and I definitely want to know what you find out.
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