Workhorse 1975 3" vs 5" Temp Guage Fit

[jrTheSmoker]

Has anyone been able to fit a 5" teltru on their Workhorse 1975 in place of the standard 3" that comes with it?

I had a 3" teltru glow dial I ordered for my old cheap Brinkmann offset, but never installed it prior to getting my Workhorse 1975t. I put the 3" glow dial on the bottom stack side port, and even though I've only cooked once on it thus far, I can sit in my chair 6ft away and see the glow dial 1000x better than the gray and black one that comes on the smoker.

I want to order the BQ500 5" glow version for all 4 ports, but when I measured the first time to see if they'd fit, no issues, then I double, triple, quadruple checked holding my tape measurer on different points and angles of the dial, and I come up with it fits and won't fit half the time. Just want to be sure before ordering since there isn't free returns from where I will be ordering from. I called WH and they haven't tried a 5" only the 3", so no experience on their side with the fit.

I did find a GT500 on amazon with free returns, that looks a little different but may be close, that I could order and install to verify then return, but that just doesn't sit right with me seeing's how I've been on the other side of the parts counter and hated when people bought something to see if it fit then would return and order online.

 

[bschoen]

Cut a couple of bamboo skewers to the appropriate length and test.

 

[jrTheSmoker]

That's what I was trying to replicate with my straight edge tape measure. You did kick an idea into my head about getting some heavy-duty construction paper and cutting to size, then testing around bottom flange, middle flange, and outside ring that could work.

Just noticed I can get the "angle adjustable" ones that stick out a little more that would clear the handle for a little bit more, could get those instead...wonder if they last as long as the fixed version?...

 

[CaptainQ]

I've thought about changing the thermometers on my 1975 as well. The Workhorse branded thermo is really cool(bussin' for the youngins'), but the black/white color scheme is difficult to read, especially when the indicator gets to the black portion. Let us know how it goes.

 

[jrTheSmoker]

Will do Capt'Q! I just ordered 4 of the 5" dial 4" adjustable stem, and one 5" dial 4" standard stem for my LSG IVS coming soon, all in the "glow" face.

It's works pretty well when I tested it while cooking our Vday prime rib and shrimp on Sunday. during the day I could see the needle and some of the numbers, then as night fell (sun in my face on my patio) I could see the needle against the glowing back. I just burned to memory that the temp and numbers are 300F is straight up and 250 is 10oclock, with 275 being the heavy line with no numbers in between.

I spoke with a supplier who had these in stock and asked him if the numbers were bigger. He said they everything was scaled up, so the numbers were quite a bit bigger, and he's starting to sell more of the 5" glow dials over the 3". We'll see how big the numbers are when it comes in, if I can read them from 6ft away sipping my "apple juice" (Crown apple) enjoying my firepit and smoking pit.

 

[jrTheSmoker]

Since I did order both the adjustable and non-adjustable, I'll let y'all know if the standard 5" works on any or all of the ports, it's gonna be close.

I'll clarify that I have pretty bad astigmatism developed over the past 10 years or so, so someone with better eyes or wears their glasses as the doc says to, may be able to see the numbers clearly from 6-10ft away. I just see needle (clearly which way its pointing) and glow with blurs which is why I memorized the dial layout. I was pleasantly surprised how well I could see the needle against the glow background from a "distance" even though I couldn't make out the numbers, so hoping the 5" is even better!

 

[BBQLab]

Tel-Tru 5” black glow face with 4” stem

I had these custom orders placed 2 weeks ago direct from Tel-Tru. They came in yesterday and are SUPER slick and so easy to read no matter what time of day it is or the outside weather conditions. Take a look. Only thing in it for me is helping good people like yourselves.
Cost was about $120 each
If your interested email Yvonne from Tel-Tru YObrien@teltru.com and tell her you want the same build as David from Central Tox in PA.

 

[jrTheSmoker]

I looked at those originally and started to order some since I liked the look of the numbers standing our more since they were the glowing part. After googling pictures to me I could see the blacked out (non-glowing) needle better against the glowing back versus the one you posted. I wish they had a minimalistic one with light background and contrasting numbers for the day, but at night only the numbers and temp ring glowed, as well as a different color glowing needle, kind of like a luminox watch.

 

[jrTheSmoker]

Pics of all 4 gauges while smoking 2 whole chickens, 1 spatchcock chicken, 1 pack of thighs, and 1 pack of drum sticks.

 

[jrTheSmoker]

Sorry for the late response. Was hoping to get all 4 thermometers replaced in time to post pics but can’t get off work early enough to do anything.

Simple answer, yes, a 5” teltru dial with a 4” stem will fit a workhorse 1975!!! Attached are some pics showing clearances, and how much bigger the dial and numbers are than the 3”. I can now sit back approx 8ft from my pit and sit by my fire pit and read the black numbers clearly against the “glow” background, instead of black smudges.

As much as these things are, I’ll prob remove them prior to storms and before I pull the trailer down the road, but to me, someone who’s always multitasking cause I have so little time these days, the cost is worth it to me, since me or the kids can easily glance over and read the big spaces out numbers on the dial when walking by, and make sure I don’t need to add another split before starting something. I did try and call and get a price reduction for not supplying any dials before either my put or IVS was built, but they’re factored into the unit. So if anyone wants to buy 3 once used and 1 never used workhorse labeled teltru’s, I know where to find some.

 

[jrTheSmoker]

Forgot to mention, I did order both the adjustable and the fixed. Tried the fixed first in all 4 locations on the 1975, and it fit no problems. So I sent the unused adjustable ones back and swapped for 4 all fixed teltru glows now. Even got a 5” glow dial for my IVS when it comes in in a few weeks. The adjustable ones will work too, but they stuck out another 1.5” or so, and I wanted the gauges as close to the pit as possible as to not hang on anything. I’m goin to try and find some hard covers for these gauges, similar to a composite top for a friction/slate turkey call. Sorry, don’t know why pics posted sideways and upside down.