Michael Wendt on wed 22 aug 07
Vince,
I ordered the Bartlett circuit board from Joe at the
Clay Art Center in Tacoma, WA.
It came with the full schematic so wirings was a breeze
I can control 1, 2 or 3 zones depending on how many
thermocouples are wired in so it would be easy to
install
switch gear that would permit this.
Building a 3 zone controller with the set of directions
would be easy. The Controller switches 12 volt relays
so I went to http://surpluscenter.com and got them for
about $5.00 each along with the needed transformers.
The reason I chose to wall mount was portability.
We now have a controller that we use for three
different
electric kilns and it works great on all three. We Just
Move it to whichever kiln we need to fire.
Since I went to the Bartlett I have not cracked or
exploded a single pot. In my view, the low loss rate of
firing with a computer control pays for itself almost
immediately.
This week we ran 2 full loads of sculptures, some over
4"
thick for a local sculptor and did not break or explode
any of the pieces. Manual firing would have been cost
prohibitive but with preheat set a 20 hours, we simply
set it and forgot it, checking in occasionally to
verify that
it was still working properly and safely.
For the record, I installed mercury displacement relays
on the heavy switch loads on the kilns and use the 12
volt
relays to control the solenoid portions only.
Like magic!
Regards,
Michael Wendt
Wendt Pottery
2729 Clearwater Ave.
Lewiston, Id 83501
U.S.A.
208-746-3724
wendtpot@lewiston.com
http://www.wendtpottery.com
http://UniquePorcelainDesigns.com
Vince Pitelka on wed 22 aug 07
In a post the other day, I asked for more information on currently-available
wall-mounted programmable kiln controllers, but got no response. I know
that there are people on this list with this information, so please respond
to my questions.
The only wall-mounted controllers I have seen in the past are single zone,
and that can be a disadvantage on a ceramic kiln. Most of the built-in
controllers have two or three thermocouples and the corresponding zones are
controlled independently, giving more-even temperatures from top to bottom.
Several people were advocating wall-mounted vs. built in controllers, and I
would like to know why. Is it just to get the controller away from the kiln
heat, or to be able to use the controller on other or subsequent kilns? The
built-in controllers on the best toploader kilns today seem to be very well
insulated from the heat, and thus no problems there.
Does anyone make a wall-mounted multi-zone controller? The wiring would
certainly be a lot more complicated, and I am wondering why it would be
worth it as compared to a built-in controller.
Thanks -
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Craft, Tennessee Technological University
Smithville TN 37166, 615/597-6801 x111
vpitelka@dtccom.net, wpitelka@tntech.edu
http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka/
http://www.tntech.edu/craftcenter/
liz gowen on wed 22 aug 07
Vince perhaps you missed my response, in a post a day or 2 ago below is =
a
copy
- I have a wall mount Orton controller with 3 type s thermocouples. I am
very happy with it. I also have an underground cable that runs from my =
kiln
room to my living room where I can watch the temp rise on each =
thermocouple
and the % power needed per level. Helps let you know when the elements =
are
wearing out or if the computer shuts off I can restart it without much =
lost
time and temp. Jim at Orton was quite helpful matching it to my older =
L&L
kiln. There are three female ends that plug into the male ends from each
tier to control separately. I am replacing my current L&L with one with =
the
thicker brick since my electric per kwh fee is 14c per kwh instead of =
the
7.2 I was being charged in NJ.( Time for solar). I will get a manual one
again so I can use the Orton controller on it as well.
The cost difference is not that great for one with a controller =
and
one without but since I purchased the extra program to hook up to my
computer I'd like to keep my current controller.If I can provide any =
further
info let me know
Liz Gowen
Another thing I liked in my previous studio was I hung the
controller on the wall where I could see it by opening the garage door =
and
didn't have to walk into the room the kilns were in. With the computer
package It is even better in my new studio where I can watch it from the
house on the computer.
Vince said
In a post the other day, I asked for more information on =
currently-available
wall-mounted programmable kiln controllers, but got no response. I know
that there are people on this list with this information, so please =
respond
to my questions.
Angela Davis on wed 22 aug 07
Hello Vince,
I am the new proud owner of an Orton single zone controller,
my first controller.
I chose to go the separate controller route because I have a
recently rebuilt L and L 7 cu ft and a 4.5 Cu ft bisque kiln that have
the same plug so I can use the controller for both kilns. Thought not
at the same time.
I could have gotten a multi zone wall unit but it would require some hard
wiring
and then would be dedicated to the one kiln.
I like the idea that I will be able to use it on any (under 50 amp) kiln I
buy.
But if I ever get flush enough to buy a new kiln I would consider getting
the factory installed controller, the additional cost is less than buying it
separately.
AngelaDavis
In Homosassa with 21 new glaze tests ( on 3 different clays=63 tiles)
waiting to be fired with a programmed
firing.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Vince Pitelka"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2007 4:51 PM
Subject: Wall-mounted vs. internall kiln controllers
> In a post the other day, I asked for more information on
> currently-available
> wall-mounted programmable kiln controllers, but got no response. I know
> that there are people on this list with this information, so please
> respond
> to my questions.
>
> - Vince
>
> Vince Pitelka
> Appalachian Center for Craft, Tennessee Technological University
> Smithville TN 37166, 615/597-6801 x111
> vpitelka@dtccom.net, wpitelka@tntech.edu
> http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka/
> http://www.tntech.edu/craftcenter/
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
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> melpots@pclink.com.
>
>
> --
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>
>
Ingeborg Foco on wed 22 aug 07
Hi Vince,
I live in SW Florida which is the lightening capitol of the US. I decided
to go for a manually operated kiln for that reason. It would be more
convenient to have the other but decided it wasn't worth it. One bolt of
lighting and poof, everything is wrecked.
Our boat has been hit twice by lightening; one was a direct hit and fried
all of the electronics, the other was just a hit close by and did just as
much damage. I know a man whose boat sunk at the dock because of
lightening. Palm trees frequently are hit by lightening and die. So for me
it was a no brainer. I decided if I wanted to have a controller on my
Skutt kiln, I would get a wall mounted controller which would be unplugged
during the summer season. It is for that reason as well that my kiln isn't
hardwired.....also I need to be able to disassemble it and move it out of
harms way during the hurricane season. Tis that joyous season right
now.
Hope that answers your question.
Best wishes.
Ingeborg
www.thepottersworkshop.com
On 8/22/07, Vince Pitelka wrote:
>
> In a post the other day, I asked for more information on
> currently-available
> wall-mounted programmable kiln controllers, but got no response. I know
> that there are people on this list with this information, so please
> respond
> to my questions.
>
>
Josh Berkus on thu 23 aug 07
Vince,
> The only wall-mounted controllers I have seen in the past are single zone,
> and that can be a disadvantage on a ceramic kiln. =A0Most of the built-in
> controllers have two or three thermocouples and the corresponding zones a=
re
> controlled independently, giving more-even temperatures from top to botto=
m.
I'm interested in a wall-mount for a simple reason: It allows me to buy th=
e=20
controller now, and upgrade the kiln later. =20
I was thinking of ameliorating the single-zone problem by using a negative=
=20
pressure kiln venting system (I'm not buying an Orton 3-zone, which seem to=
=20
cost as much as a new kiln). =20
=2D-=20
The Fuzzy Chef
San Francisco
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