Mod for grill lights when just using propane side

[JayBirde]

So I just got my KC Combo on Saturday and haven’t smoked anything on it yet (today just doing some ribs) but the most annoying and “wrong” thing Pit Boss did was make the lights only able to operate when the pellet side is operating!

I am thinking of just using a toggle switch (15A) to go between the black 120V power in wire and the orange power wire going to the lights. If left on, this would override the electronic switch, but when off, would still allow factory operation. One side of toggle switch would have the black wire and the other side would have the orange without interrupting the wiring. Diagram below.

What do you guys think about this?

 

[JeepSmoker]

I would say the problem might be that your switch would back-feed 120V to the control board. Maybe better to use a DPDT toggle to break the circuit to the board while making the connection to the lights.

 

[JayBirde]

I would say the problem might be that your switch would back-feed 120V to the control board. Maybe better to use a DPDT toggle to break the circuit to the board while making the connection to the lights.

Good point! Hadn’t thought of that, but I assume it’s just a relay on the board that closes when you turn the lights on and opens when turned off. If that’s the case, it shouldn’t make a difference. Maybe I will pull the board today and look at it!

 

[JayBirde]

You know...a DPDT switch would allow me to actually kill the power coming in to the smoker in the OFF position, then I wouldn’t have that annoying Pit Boss light on constantly! Hmmm....

 

[Amabob]

JayBirde, I looked at your mod instructible and am thinking of doing it. Have you used it awhile without problems?