Pro 780: Pellet Sensor?

[TXPhi67]

Hello all,

Just finished putting together my new Pro 780 and am starting to learn about all the feature/functions that aren't well documented. I've had a Century 34 for several years, so this is a fun upgrade.

One of the things I came across is that it seems my control is set up to support a Pellet Sensor, but there isn't an installed sensor. I knew there wasn't a sensor, but am pleasantly surprise that there seems to be the ability to add it.

When I did my due diligence with various online searches, I get rather mixed results (no surprise there). So my question to the group is: Has anyone installed or seen installed a pellet sensor for the Pro 780?

Thanks!

 

[Biffdotorg]

here is what I found, there seems to be a hole for it in the pellet feeder, and a spot on the control board for it to be installed. But Traeger support has informed a number of owners that this part cannot be ordered by itself. GRRR.

I thought it would be cool to have as well. Especially if you could get notification through the app!

 

[MaD HuNGaRIaN]

Yeah, I was at about 185º internal temp 10 hours into a brisket when the sun went down and my 575 started burning pellets like a mad dog and ran the hopper right out. I only found out because my Weber iGrill ambient alert went off for temp too low. Last time I'll make that mistake, but it would have been nice to have a low-pellet warning. I guess they don't want to cannibalize sales from the higher models by offering the part direct....

 

[JustinReflogal]

Traeger now sells the pellet sensor for $79. I too have a Pro 780 and will be installing the sensor when I get it in the mail. I’ll let you all know if it’s successful or not.

 

[MaD HuNGaRIaN]

I ordered it too lol.... never want to run out again, that was a pain in the butt! haha

 

[TXPhi67]

Received the sensor over the weekend and installed it.

Install was okay. Had trouble with one of the screws, but shaved down the plastic a bit and was able to get the screw to "bite".

Software instantly recognized it and calibration couldn't have been easier.

Have done a few cooks and really like have a real time remote view of the pellet status. Can see where its going to really come in use when I do a longer smoke at a later date.

 

[jombolo]

Can someone share a photo of the sensor installed on their 780? I’m considering purchasing but can’t really tell where it mounts. Thanks

 

[Meater]

This is my first post here, Hello!

Thought this is a good place to start. Here's a picture of the pellet sensor installed. The instal was an easy 5mins job. The molex type plug is in situe behind the rubber grommet, just be careful not to loose it by pulling the grommet out to far initially, or else the job will get longer.

A good tip: keep the grommet rather than throw away as the instructions suggest. It's a better grommet than the one used for the probe hole, you can see it in the picture. It's a direct fit, just needs the hole piercing.

 

[KevinJ]

$80 seems a little steep. So far I have not had any issues with running out of pellets. Anyone find this useful? If it ware $50 than maybe I would get it.

 

[RustyJake]

My Ironwood came with one. I had thought about buying one before I realized I got a new version that included it. North of the border it is close to $100 ??
Having one is nice, if it included. To buy one, I don't think it has the value that warrants the price paid
It's accuracy is determined by how the pellets fall in the hopper. I think anyone using a grill makes sure their hoppers have enough pellets for the cook they are about to do.
Sure it's nice to see in the app, and have all the bells and whistles, but I can't justify it as a necessary tool for the grill for the current cost.
Maybe the price will come down in the future. But I still wouldn't consider it a necessity. If we think about it, it is just something else that can possibly break down at some point. It runs all the time when the grill is in standby from what I can see. Right now on my sleeping grill as I sit at work I can see my pellet level. Not sure if that's a feature that I needed.
Just my thoughts on having it.

 

[MaD HuNGaRIaN]

Totally worth it to me. On long overnight cooks where the temp is low, I've had it wake me around 6:00 AM a couple times. saved the cooks for sure.

 

[KevinJ]

Did it give you an alarm to wake up or did you just rollover to check the pellets level?

 

[MaD HuNGaRIaN]

I went down stairs and it had tunneled both times....so I pushed them around and went back to bed lol...

 

[KevinJ]

LOL Tell then the senor gave you a false positive!

 

[MaD HuNGaRIaN]

How so? Had the sensor not gone off, it would have flamed out. Best case, it would have ruined the cooks, worst case caused a fire.