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  3. AC (non-WiFIRE) Grill Parts

RTD Replacement Instructions

  • Updated

What's in This Article?

Learn how to replace your grill's temperature sensor (RTD) on a non-WiFi Traeger pellet grill. 

NOTE: RTDs are used only on Traeger pellet grills without WiFi; WiFIRE-enabled grills use a thermocouple instead. If your grill has WiFIRE connectivity, please see Thermocouple Replacement Instructions.

Related Articles & Links

Applicable Part Numbers

The steps in this article apply to any of the following RTD part numbers:

  • BAC194 - 7" Probe
  • KIT0779 - 7" Probe
  • KIT0225 - 2" Probe
  • KIT0373 - 2" Probe

Before You Start

Before replacing your grill's RTD, consider the following:

  • Whenever doing maintenance on a Traeger grill, make sure it is unplugged and is cool to the touch. 
  • Use caution around metal edges.
  • Wear gloves when working around the fiberglass insulation in the grill and do not touch it more than necessary.
  • When re-assembling the grill, make sure all wires are secured so that they do not contact any moving parts.

How to Replace an RTD

Most grills with RTDs follow these simple instructions; however, replacement steps for the following models have a few diversions, which can be found after these

Supplies Needed

  • Phillips screwdriver (#2 size)
  • Flathead screwdriver (1/8” or 3mm)
  • Optional:
    • Cutting pliers or scissors
    • Zip ties, 8” (1-3)

  1. Turn off and unplug your grill.
  2. Unscrew the screws securing your controller to your hopper and pull the controller away from the grill to expose the wiring and connection points.
  3. Locate the green box in the upper corner of the control panel that secure the RTD wires in place. Loosen the two screws holding the RTD sensor wires just enough to be able to remove the RTD wires.
  4. Open your grill and locate the RTD temperature probe on the left side of your barrel and unscrew the two Phillips screws holding it in place. 
    • Depending on your grill, the RTD may be 2" or 7".
  5. Pull the RTD probe and its wires completely out of the grill.
  6. Insert the new RTD probe wires through the same channel you pulled the old RTD out of so that the end of the wires are near the controller.
  7. Screw the new RTD probe in place with the two Phillips screws.
  8. Insert the new RTD probe wires into the green RTD connection box and gently tighten the screws to secure the wires in place.
  9. Make sure no wires are touching the fan blades. If you have zip ties on hand, zip tie the wires together to keep them bundles. 
  10. Reinstall the controller to the front of the hopper.

Replacing an RTD on a Junior & Tailgater

Supplies Needed

  • Phillips screwdriver (#2 size)
  • Slotted screwdriver (1/8” or 3mm)
  • Wrench
  • Optional:
    • Grill cleaner
    • Paper towels or rags
    • Gloves

Replacement Steps

  1. Turn off and unplug the grill.
  2. Remove the grill grates, drip tray and heat baffle. Clean the grill thoroughly.
  3. First-Time Replacing an RTD: Because Juniors and Tailgaters are shipped with the HBA inside the barrel, the RTD comes in two pieces that connect together when assembling the grill.
    RTD install - junior tailgater.jpg Two-Piece RTD.png
  4. Find the RTD probe on the left side of the grill. Use a Phillips screwdriver to unscrew the 2 screws securing the RTD to the grill.
    RTD Replacement (Junior Tailgater).jpg
  5. Use a Phillips screwdriver to unscrew the controller from the front of the hopper.
    Junior Tailgater 9.jpeg
  6. Find the green RTD connection box. Use a small flathead screwdriver to loosen the two screws on the top of the box. This will allow you to then remove the RTD probe wires.
    Junior Tailgater 8.jpeg
  7. Use a wrench to unscrew the bolts holding the hopper-burner assembly to the grill.
    Junior Tailgater 4.jpeg
  8. Pull the hopper away from the grill so you can see the entry points for the RTD wires. 
    Junior Tailgater 5.jpeg
  9. Pull the RTD out of the grill.
    Junior Tailgater 6.jpeg
  10. Feed the new RTD wires through the grill and through the entry points between the grill barrel and the hopper-burner assembly until you are able to grab the ends of the wires near the controller.
  11. Reattach the hopper-burner assembly to the grill.
  12. Screw the new RTD in place.
  13. Insert the RTD wires into the green RTD connection box and gently tighten the screws to secure the wires in place.
  14. Make sure no wires are touching fan blades. If possible, use a zip tie to secure wires together.
  15. Using a Phillips screwdriver, re-screw the controller to the grill.

Replacing an RTD on a Scout, Ranger, & Trailhead

Supplies Needed

  • Phillips screwdriver (#2 size)
  • Flathead screwdriver (1/8” or 3mm)
  • Optional:
    • Thin wire or string, about 2 ft/60cm
    • Grill cleaner
    • Paper towels or rags
    • Gloves
    • Cutting pliers or scissors
    • Zip ties, 8” (1-3)

Replacement Steps

  1. Turn off and unplug the grill.
  2. Remove the grease bucket, grill grate and drip tray.
  3. Empty the hopper and remove any remaining pellets from the firepot.
  4. Clean the grill thoroughly.
  5. Remove the five Phillips screws that secure the hopper, RTD, and grill cavity in place.
    rtds_1.png
  6. Lift the hopper-burner assembly (HBA) out of the grill using the handle labeled, Caution Hot.
    rtds_2.png
    • If the HBA doesn't have a handle, pull it from the hopper and auger tube/firepot (older Ranger and Scout models do not have this handle).
  7. Cut the zip ties that bundle the wires together, careful not to cut any wires.
    rtds_3.png
  8. Rangers & Trailheads only: Find the back of the power switch and disconnect the two black wires from the power switch on the back of the grill body.
    rtds_4.png
  9. Unscrew the two Phillips screws holding the controller in place and pull the controller away from the grill to expose the back of the controller.
    rtds_5.png
  10. Locate the green box in the upper corner of the control panel that secure the RTD wires in place. Loosen the two screws holding the RTD sensor wires just enough to be able to remove the RTD wires.
    rtds_7.png  rtds_8.png
  11. Tie a string to the RTD wires. You will use this string to help guide the new RTD back through the grill.
    RTD.jfif
  12. Gently pull the RTD up and away from the grill, stopping when the leads that connect to the controller are out of the grill and the string is just exposed.
  13. Untie the string from the old RTD and tie it to the new RTD. Pull the string and the new RTD wires through the grill so you can attach the new RTD to the controller.
    rtdz_2.png
  14. Remove the wire/string from the RTD connectors and connect the RTD contacts to the controller, tightening the slotted screws just tight enough to keep the RTD wires secure.
    rtdz_3.png
  15. Re-install the controller to the grill body using your Phillips screwdriver.
  16. Bundle the wires together and secure them with at least one 8” zip tie, making sure the wires do not contact any moving parts.
    rtdz_4.png
  17. Ranger & Trailhead Only: Re-connect the main power switch wires on or inside the rear of the grill body.
  18. Lower the HBA back into the grill body.
  19. Reinstall the five screws, noting the difference between the machine thread and self-tapping screws.
    • Machine thread: 3 total, secure HBA to grill body
    • Self-tapping: 2 total, secure RTD to HBA
  20. Reinstall the drip tray, grill grate, and grease bucket.

Replacing an RTD on a Select

  1. Turn off and unplug the grill.
  2. Remove the 6 Phillips head screws holding the upper panel assembly together on the back of the grill.
  3. Locate the RTD wire running through the back of the grill and into the hopper assembly.
  4. Remove the 2 screws holding the RTD in place.
  5. With a small screwdriver, loosen the brackets holding the RTD wires.
  6. Remove the screws holding the RTD in place, and pull it through the grill (cut any zip ties holding the wires together).
  7. Feed the new RTD through the hole in the middle of the barrel.
  8. Run the wire through the back of the grill to the small hole leading into the hopper assembly. 
  9. Once through, replace the upper panel.
  10. From underneath, string the RTD wires through the hopper and out the controller cutout.
  11. With a screw driver, reinsert the RTD wires back into the housing box on the back of the controller.
  12. Screw the controller back in place.
  13. Tighten the RTD probe back into place and install the RTD guard.

Replacing an RTD on a Silverton

  1. Turn off and unplug the grill.
  2. Remove the 2 screws and nuts holding the RTD in place.
  3. Remove the controller from the front of the hopper by unscrewing the head screws.
  4. Using a small screwdriver, remove the screws on top of the green box on the back of the controller holding the RTD wires in place.
  5. Cut the zip ties holding the wires in place if needed and pull out the RTD. 
  6. Read the new probe and feed it down through the placement hole on the side of the barrel.
  7. Screw the new RTD in place. 
  8. When finished, use a zip tie to tie the wires back up again. 
  9. Using a Phillips screwdriver, re-screw the controller to the grill.
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