Janet H Walker on wed 26 mar 97
Hi... I have a question about kiln switches and kiln controllers.
Maybe someone out there has some experience to share.
I use a Skutt KM-1 to control a Skutt 1027 kiln. The instructions
say to put all the switches on high (they are 3-position switches)
and then do the firing. I find that the bottom of the kiln is often
about half a cone behind, even with a 30-min soak. I've wondered
about putting the top and middle switches on medium and leaving the
bottom one on high. Aside from the fact that the kiln probably
couldn't sustain the temperature with the switches like that, does
anyone know whether this in fact "works"? I mean, HI on this kiln
means fully powered, MED means some intermediate duty cycle, full
power for some proportion of time and off the rest of the time.
Lots of loud clicking and such. Ditto with LO.
I guess the question boils down to -- Would the way the switch works
interfere with how the controller works (which is also intermittent,
lots of whining and clicking)? Anyone with understanding of this
business of switches and solenoids and whatever have opinions or
knowledge to offer?
Many tnx,
Jan Walker
Cambridge MA USA
Eleanora Eden on thu 27 mar 97
Hi Janet and all,
My understanding is that (1) the "noise" from the switches might interfere
with the controller and maybe damage it and (2) the controller can
interfere with the working of the switches so that the results can be
unpredictable.
I usually program my controller to a max (9999) rate and use it mainly as
a safety shut-off and then use the switches to control the firing. I
always keep a log and although it doesn't seem to be using the computer
for much it does shut it off at a programmed temperature so I don't
over-fire. I need to keep adjusting to get the levels to come out even.
Hope that helps.
Eleanora
Eleanora Eden 802 869-2003
Paradise Hill
Bellows Falls, VT 05101 eden@maple.sover.net
[the address fga@world.std.com is temporary. My mailbox at
eden@maple.sover.net still works -- do not change address books]
David Woodin Set Clayart digest on fri 28 mar 97
I would not use the switches on anything but high for the following reason:
1. One half cone difference is great. 2. The high low medium switch on the
Skutt doesnot cycle by itself as an "infinite" type switch would. Medium
means about 1/2 power to the elements because the switch puts the elements to
that switch in series and this keeps 1/2 power on the elements at all times.
(higher resistance) High puts the elements in parrallel and puts full power
to the elements at all times. (lower resistance) and low uses only one of the
two elements conncected to the switch. The noise you hear is the main
contactor inside the controller being pulsed on and off as needed to hold
temperature. These electrical spikes are filtered out so they don't affect
the controller, but you may hear them on the radio.
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