WindmillWall
New member
I have found that my Pro 780 has been operating with a floating ground for two years.
Basically, about three months ago, I started having issues with the grill shutting off shortly after I press 'Ignite'. I would get frustrated and just not use the grill that day (irritating). I would then try a week later and it would work fine. This went on for months, until I finally had time one day to spend time on the phone with Traeger Support. I was on the phone for two hours while the representative talked me through disconnecting each of the connectors from the back of the control board, and seeing if any of the connectors 'shorted out' and turned the grill off. This seemed to be their standard way of troubleshooting (because they made me do this the second time I called as well). This was not exactly representative of my issue (because it was only turning off after pressing 'Ignite'), but I went along with it anyway. After not finding a 'short' with their method, they had me disconnect all of the connectors and wait a few minutes. This got the grill working for that day. Weeks later, I called back (for another two hour phone call) because I still had the same issue. We went through the same process, and I stated "I should not have to go through this process to get my grill started". They agreed, and sent me a new control board and wire harness for the power switch.
Once those parts arrived, I dedicated a third Saturday to troubleshooting my $1000 grill (kinda wishing I had gotten a Big Green Egg instead). First, I swapped out the control board, and the issue immediately sprung up (grill turned off after pressing 'Ignite'). I then had to tend to my two year old daughter, and cook dinner in the oven that night. The next weekend, I finally had time to take apart and replace the power switch harness. Once I got down under the grill, I found where the ground was connected with a ring terminal. Well, I found that the ring terminal was making contact with powder coat! See picture. SO, I got out my Dremel, and removed the powder coat so that the ring terminal can make proper electrical contact with bare metal. I have used the grill three times since then without issue. I am going to fire it up one more time today, but I am feeling pretty confident that I solved the issue. (It still doesn't make complete sense to me that the issue popped up 1.5 years into me owning it. But, floating ground can cause unpredictable behavior, so I am not going to spend too much time figuring that out).
Anyway, I have spent four Saturdays, and approximately eight hours of my time troubleshooting this issue, and I am rather irritated. While I did have a good experience with the tech support representatives, I do not want to call about my findings. I want them to actually see the picture of the quality issue. I feel that pictures hit home more effectively. Like I say, this was a ~$1000 grill, and I shouldn't have to spend eight hours of my time (And multiple times not being able to grill and having to use the lame oven instead!) finding SIMPLE issues like this.
So, does anybody have an email address where I can illustrate my frustration?
Basically, about three months ago, I started having issues with the grill shutting off shortly after I press 'Ignite'. I would get frustrated and just not use the grill that day (irritating). I would then try a week later and it would work fine. This went on for months, until I finally had time one day to spend time on the phone with Traeger Support. I was on the phone for two hours while the representative talked me through disconnecting each of the connectors from the back of the control board, and seeing if any of the connectors 'shorted out' and turned the grill off. This seemed to be their standard way of troubleshooting (because they made me do this the second time I called as well). This was not exactly representative of my issue (because it was only turning off after pressing 'Ignite'), but I went along with it anyway. After not finding a 'short' with their method, they had me disconnect all of the connectors and wait a few minutes. This got the grill working for that day. Weeks later, I called back (for another two hour phone call) because I still had the same issue. We went through the same process, and I stated "I should not have to go through this process to get my grill started". They agreed, and sent me a new control board and wire harness for the power switch.
Once those parts arrived, I dedicated a third Saturday to troubleshooting my $1000 grill (kinda wishing I had gotten a Big Green Egg instead). First, I swapped out the control board, and the issue immediately sprung up (grill turned off after pressing 'Ignite'). I then had to tend to my two year old daughter, and cook dinner in the oven that night. The next weekend, I finally had time to take apart and replace the power switch harness. Once I got down under the grill, I found where the ground was connected with a ring terminal. Well, I found that the ring terminal was making contact with powder coat! See picture. SO, I got out my Dremel, and removed the powder coat so that the ring terminal can make proper electrical contact with bare metal. I have used the grill three times since then without issue. I am going to fire it up one more time today, but I am feeling pretty confident that I solved the issue. (It still doesn't make complete sense to me that the issue popped up 1.5 years into me owning it. But, floating ground can cause unpredictable behavior, so I am not going to spend too much time figuring that out).
Anyway, I have spent four Saturdays, and approximately eight hours of my time troubleshooting this issue, and I am rather irritated. While I did have a good experience with the tech support representatives, I do not want to call about my findings. I want them to actually see the picture of the quality issue. I feel that pictures hit home more effectively. Like I say, this was a ~$1000 grill, and I shouldn't have to spend eight hours of my time (And multiple times not being able to grill and having to use the lame oven instead!) finding SIMPLE issues like this.
So, does anybody have an email address where I can illustrate my frustration?
