Update...I mis-spoke...seems I found another way to do something wrong with a Hot Top=:-) So, I finally got around to installing the new control board, along with a new rear fan that I also bought and had shipped with the board. The install was ridiculously easy. Anywho, I forgot to mention I also bought and ordered a new top filter so everything is installed and I plug the roaster in for a pre-heat and had already measured out 280 grams of El Salvador COE to roast, so the preheat is met, I dump the beans and immediately after dumping the greens, I reset the over temp factory preset from 420 to 428, like I do every roast and I also reprogram the fan speed. Anyone that has used the B model Hot Top knows you can reset the fan by changing it after the pre-heat is done, and I like to run my fan differently from the preprogramed fan settings, but I punch the fan buttons and my fan did not come on. Oh! the horrors!!! I've already dumped the greens and what now, no fan?!? I immediately realize I'll have to remove the fan housing while the roaster is running as I don't want to restart the roast and have to go through a cool down cycle, and I'm thinking I'll be able to take care of the problem once I figure it out, even though the machine has a full charge of greens in it...
So I'm thinking I must have not completely connected the fan plug in connection so I'm taking the fan off unscrewing the four screws, the roaster is running, it's hot, so I took my T-Shirt off so I could hold onto the front of the roaster for leverage...Now I have the fan off, it's plugged in, so I hit the fan button and guess what?....the fan blades are turning, but it's so quiet I can't hear the fan running. Yeah...the fan was running when I changed the control input, but it's new and therefore totally quiet. This is why i replaced the OE rear fan, because it was making some noise, I'm thinking because it's right in the way of the exhaust heat. BTW, it wasn't terribly loud, just loud enough that I thought it was time to replace it so, it looks like I haven't done everything wrong that you can with a Hot Top. You learn something new everyday
BTW2, the roast came through perfect...I leave the heat setting as factory pre-set and dumped the greens with close to 18 minutes on the clock (count down). 1st crack happened with approx 4 minutes remainging (not looking at my notes), at 401 degrees on the roaster temp guage (drum ambient). With about 1:30 remaining, it came into a steady 2nd crack, I termintated the roast 10 seconds later, w/420 degrees showing on the board. Colour of the roasted beans in the cooling tray and when I bagged them looked quite even and at FC+. These are great greens and I have one more roast charge after this bag is finished. FWIW these are the only El Salvador greens I've ever cared for, but then they are COE. Thanks GCBC for scoring these beans for me!
Best,
Jake
Reddick Fla.
Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while...