Is your GFI Popping Tripping? MAK Not igniting?

Big Poppa

Administrator
If your Gfi is popping when you start your MAK.....

Check to make sure all of your cables are intact...sometimes there are issues with extension cords..

But usually the MAK is giving you warning that the Ignitor Rod is about to go.

You can still cook you just have to manually light the unit.

Start by disconnecting the igniter rod from the circuit board....from there you have many options for a manual light...a very small chunk of firestarter in the firepot, a olive oil soaked paper towel a map torch...just get the pellets going with the fan off...if you have the fan on it will usually extinguish all but the firestarter....once the pellets have lit then turn the fan back on put the deflectors and grates back on and you are cooking!
 

Dude Young

New member
Odd, I just started having lighting issues and then today the 'General tripped the GFCI. Plugged into another and the same result. Had to run it on a non-gfci circuit to cook lunch.

Calling MAK on Monday to order new rods (want backup)
 

Stone

New member
So glad to see this post as my GFI just started tripping when starting my MAK (over the last week or so). My Hasty-Bake was thrilled as it got more use than normal. I'll be ordering a new rod this afternoon. Thanks for the heads up Sterling!
 

GLA

New member
yes, among other prob

I've had my grill going on 3 weeks, and it's still not working. First the thermocoupler was determined to be defective- have to wait a week to get another. Then after starting once in manual mode- now not won't ignite. Little frustrated after putting out all this money. Am I the only one having this problem?
 

MAK DADDY

Moderator
I've had my grill going on 3 weeks, and it's still not working. First the thermocoupler was determined to be defective- have to wait a week to get another. Then after starting once in manual mode- now not won't ignite. Little frustrated after putting out all this money. Am I the only one having this problem?

We are always striving for perfection but sometimes components can fail. If they do fail our job is to take care of you on the service side which we always do. I know its frustrating but hang in there and we will get you up and smoking happily on your MAK for years to come.
 

Stone

New member
The customer service at MAK is first class and my 2 star is awesome! It has been heavily used since I received it and I am so glad to know of what indicates it is time to replace the igniter rod. Thanks again for the initial post.
 

CherkyB

New member
What do we expect the lifetime of the ignitor rod to be? Mine seems to have lasted one month (about 5 cooks) before it began tripping the GFI nearly every time it lights. I figured it couldn't have worn out that quickly, so I changed out the GFI. Didn't help. Is this something I'll have to plan on replacing once a month forever?
 

JD McGee

New member
What do we expect the lifetime of the ignitor rod to be? Mine seems to have lasted one month (about 5 cooks) before it began tripping the GFI nearly every time it lights. I figured it couldn't have worn out that quickly, so I changed out the GFI. Didn't help. Is this something I'll have to plan on replacing once a month forever?

Wow...that's very odd! Been using my MAKs every weekend for over a year now and only had to replace one on my 2 Star initially (bad batch I think). I'm sure MAK will hook you up with troubleshooting and replacement.

www.winecountryq.com
 

MAK DADDY

Moderator
What do we expect the lifetime of the igniter rod to be? Mine seems to have lasted one month (about 5 cooks) before it began tripping the GFI nearly every time it lights. I figured it couldn't have worn out that quickly, so I changed out the GFI. Didn't help. Is this something I'll have to plan on replacing once a month forever?

This is certainly not normal but can happen, the igniter is a direct current element and sometimes the tiny wire inside is flawed causing it to fail. Give us a call or email and we will send you out our new HD igniter we developed, these are proving to be outstanding!
 

Tailback

New member
Wow! What a timely post! I haven't been here in months but just a couple days ago my MAK started tripping the GFCI. I thought it was the GFCI since I've already had to replace the one in the garage. Is there a way to verify that it is the igniter rod and not the GFCI?
 

TentHunter

Moderator
Plug it into the GFCI you just replaced in your garage. If it trips that one too, then it's your ignitor rod. Give MAK a call and they will fix you right up.

Don't let it stop you from cooking. Follow BP's advice in the original post to light manually.
 

MAK DADDY

Moderator
Is there a way to verify that it is the igniter rod and not the GFCI?

Yes, simply unplug the igniter from the controller and run the grill as normal for a few minutes, if the GFI doesn't trip you know it is the igniter. Let us know and we will send you a new HD igniter.
 

Phred

New member
Need your direction. I've replaced the igniter rod and the GFI outlet. It is still tripping on me. Suggestions?
Thanks,

Fred
 

Phred

New member
I am not an electrician so I'm hoping one of you might be able to answer this question. My MAK has been tripping the GFCI outlet so we replaced the ignitor and I replaced the outlet as well (20 amp). My MAK has been still tripping so I followed MAK Daddy's suggestion and tried another outlet. No problems so far. So my question is if I change the breaker switch in the circuit box will that take care of the problem?

Thanks,

Fred
 

TentHunter

Moderator
I am not an electrician so I'm hoping one of you might be able to answer this question. My MAK has been tripping the GFCI outlet so we replaced the ignitor and I replaced the outlet as well (20 amp). My MAK has been still tripping so I followed MAK Daddy's suggestion and tried another outlet. No problems so far. So my question is if I change the breaker switch in the circuit box will that take care of the problem?

Thanks,

Fred


A bad ground on a circuit can also cause a GFCI to pop. I had that issue one time. Any load more than a light bulb or so and it would pop. This may not be your problem, but something else to think about.
 

Phred

New member
To let everyone know what happened just in case you're having trouble. I had an electrician over the other day to install some new lights in my kitchen ceiling. While he was here I had him check out the outlet and found out the polarity was reversed. The original electrician didn't install it correctly. So if you are having problems you may want to make sure the outlet has been properly wired.
 

Tailback

New member
Another thought. I had a bad igniter rod. MAK replaced no questions. Then, this Winter, I spaced offcovering my grill during really heavy rain. I had to manual start, but since I had time, I put it on high to do a good cleaning. After ridding the grill of moisture, no problem. That was about 6 months ago. No problems since. I wonder if moisture in ash could cause a problem if it contacts the rod? I'm in Oregon (So is MAK) so they could probably do some testing on this. In Kuwait,we had to pour bags of salt into the sand and water 4X daily just to get a good ground. I'm wondering if there's some wierd grounding or voltage draw going on here?
 
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