Marni Turkel on mon 9 apr 07
I am a Mac user so haven't worked with the software. But I have
worked with both Orton and Bartlett controllers and tech support. On
both counts, Bartlett is the hands down winner.
Some years ago I did a retrofit on 5 Skutt Kilns to add computer
controllers. I started with Orton and after months of trying to make
the system work, I have nothing good to say about the equipment or
assistance.
If you don't find people on the list with experience, call Bartlett
and talk to them. They're great, they are real people and they tell
you the truth.
Marni
--
Marni Turkel
2080 Llano Rd 1B
Santa Rosa, CA 95407
Phone 707-579-5567
Fax 707-579-1116
Alisha Clarke on mon 9 apr 07
I'm currently shopping for a new electric kiln with about a 10 cubic
foot volume. One of the issues I'm considering is the possibility of
setting up a connection to a PC so I can monitor and log the firing
activity and compare firings over time. Looking through the archives,
I found mention of Orton's "control master" and Bartlett's KISS
software, but I haven't been able to find any details about these
programs or about the interface kits that connect the kiln controllers
to the PCs. Orton's site has broken links and empty pages offering
absolutely nothing about their software (not even the pricing).
Bartlett has limited information about KISS including one simple
screen shot that shows virtually nothing about the program. I've also
found very limited information on the sites of the kiln vendors. L&L
seems to be the most informative, listing just the price, but no
details. Others don't even list the availability of a connection or
the price. I'm finding it very frustrating to get the information
needed to make an informed decision.
Has anyone here worked with these computer connections, and can you
provide information or links to information with more details?
Also, does anyone know the nature and format of the data that is
actually passed from the kiln controller to the PC through the serial
connection (RS-232 or USB)? I'm a computer professional and am
wondering if it would be better to just capture the data and
manipulate it myself rather than purchase the KISS or controlmaster
software.
Thanks,
Leesh
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alisha Clarke
www.alishaclarke.com
Marni Turkel on tue 10 apr 07
I re-read what I wrote about plaster and water temperature. I didn't
mean to say that the set up time is less with warm water. Perhaps I
should have said I think it delays the start of set-up, but that
might not be quite right either.
It is my experience that it gives me a more fluid slurry when I am
mixing. I pour before the slurry thickens too much and warmer water
gives me more time, especially if the plaster isn't as fresh as I
would like. Now that I think about it, it is not something someone
told me to do. Maybe it is just my own private ritual. Somewhere in
the range of "If I just use warmer water I can get through this last
4 bags of plaster."
Now I'll have to pay attention.
--
Marni Turkel
2080 Llano Rd 1B
Santa Rosa, CA 95407
Phone 707-579-5567
Fax 707-579-1116
Stony Point Ceramic Design
http://www.marniturkel.com
Sonoma Urn Company
http://www.sonomaurn.com
Arnold Howard on tue 10 apr 07
From: "Alisha Clarke"
One of the issues I'm considering is the possibility of
> setting up a connection to a PC so I can monitor and log
> the firing
> activity and compare firings over time. Looking through
> the archives,
> I found mention of Orton's "control master" and Bartlett's
> KISS
> software, but I haven't been able to find any details
Alisha, you will find the Orton controller/computer
interface manual on Paragon's website:
http://www.paragonweb.com/Instruction_Manuals.cfm
(Go to www.paragonweb.com and select Support from the menu
bar. Then select "Instruction Manuals" from the drop menu.
Scroll down to "Control Master DX Manual for Sentry 2.0.")
This is a 14-page pdf file that should answer all your
questions.
The ControlMaster can monitor up to 8 kilns from one
computer. Each kiln will require an RS232 port on the
computer. The cable goes from the computer to a pin on the
back of the kiln controller. You can order a kiln with the
RS232 port on the switch box, or thread the cable under the
edge of the controller and into the kiln switch box.
Sincerely,
Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com
Maurice Weitman on wed 11 apr 07
>Has anyone here worked with these computer connections, and can you
>provide information or links to information with more details?
Hi, Leesh,
I have no experience with the Orton system, but I've been using
Bartlett's KISS system for a few years. I now have three kilns being
controlled/monitored by an old Toshiba laptop running KISS. It keeps
logs for each firing which may be easily read and manipulated by
spreadsheet programs.
I've no recent experience with Orton's system, but assuming that
Arnold Howard described it correctly:
>The ControlMaster can monitor up to 8 kilns from one
>computer. Each kiln will require an RS232 port on the
>computer.
I'd say that Bartlett's system is superior, since it only needs one
serial port on the computer for up to 8 kilns, and the wiring is
standard phone cable and jacks, which are supplied with the kit.
You can buy one KISS startup kit which contains the software, cable,
and a chip (set?) for one Bartlett controller. Additional chips are
available in the expansion kits.
You'll have to contact Bartlett for pricing and availability info.
Their web page is here: .
The software isn't pretty, but it works reliably. And the Bartlett
family and their employees are knowledgeable and helpful.
Someone posted to the list about actually controlling his kilns with
his PC... maybe running Linux. If that's what you're interested in
and you can't find it in the archives, let me know and I'll try to
find it for you.
Regards,
Maurice, back home from a whirlwind trip to NY for my cousin Mike's
funeral. I be exhausted, saddened, and still in something like
denial. It does seem that he want in a humane way... a first heart
attack in his sleep. No urn for his ashes... he wanted to be buried
next to his father (who died at age 53). We were a few months apart
and like brothers during our late teenage years and remained close
until very recently. Now I'll have to find someone else with whom to
have a pact to pull the plug if the other becomes a babbling
bed-wetter.
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