Taylor Hendrix on tue 11 nov 08
Chris,
It's a good idea to check the 4 way switches. Turn off the power to
your kiln, pull the plug, pull the breaker, whatever. When you open
the box, be sure to look at where the wires connect with the switches.
The connections may be push on or spade connections -- flat spade-like
extension out the back of the switch slips inside a paddle-shaped
connection from the wires connected to the element tails. I had my old
switches fail right where the metal spade entered the switch. Got so
hot it melted the plastic housing. Most probably because of arcing
from a short.
If it has switch connections that are screw on connections, make sure
the screws are holding down the wires firmly and that a weakened wire
has not burned out near the switch. It may be making intermittent
contact causing problems.
Make sure all the connections are tight and the switches are whole.
You may find a faulty connection is causing the problem.
The pilot light I do believe is an on or off light, so the flickering
may be due to a failing switch or a failing light. I don't think it
signals high/med/low.
Pretty easy to eyeball things once you get the switch box off. Be
careful of brittle wires especially if it is an older kiln. I'd have a
few extra switches on hand in future just in case.
Taylor, in Rockport TX
wirerabbit1 on Skype (-0500 UTC)
http://wirerabbit.blogspot.com
http://wirerabbitpots.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wirerabbit/
On Tue, Nov 11, 2008 at 10:34 AM, chris massingill
wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I'm a lurker on the list and I'm having a kiln problem that I'm hoping that someone might be able to help me with.
>
>
> Is it possible that I need to get new switches? or that the switches need to be cleaned to make a better connection? Any advice would be appreciated - I live in Central Arkansas and there aren't any kiln repair services (that I am aware of) in the area.
>
> Thanks!
>
> chris massingill
> www.chrismassingill.com
>
larry on tue 11 nov 08
It sounds to me that it is the controller not a switch. The controller
calculates the amount of power necessary to attain temperature, that along
with a thermocouple (which might be bad) cycles on and off keeping the temp
consistent. Larry
----------------------------------------
From: "chris massingill"
Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 2008 12:30 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: electric kiln help - please!
Hello,
I'm a lurker on the list and I'm having a kiln problem that I'm hoping that
someone might be able to help me with.
I have an electric paragon A82-B which up until about a week ago was a very
reliable kiln. But then one day it just didn't get to temperature - I'm
only firing low fire work in the cone 03 - 01 range. So I thought it was
maybe an element, and ordered a new set - I've now replaced the elements
and while the kiln gets red hot, it's still not reaching cone 03. It gets
to about 06 and stays there. I'm starting to think its a switch problem -
yesterday I noticed that one of the indicator lights was flickering when I
turned the kiln to low, then when I flipped it to med, the light was on,
but so dim it was hard to tell, only once I switched it to high did the
light really turn on, maybe it's always done this with the lights getting
brighter as I turn it on, but I usually turn up my kiln in the middle of
the day and have never noticed it before.
Is it possible that I need to get new switches? or that the switches need
to be cleaned to make a better connection? Any advice would be appreciated
- I live in Central Arkansas and there aren't any kiln repair services
(that I am aware of) in the area.
Thanks!
chris massingill
www.chrismassingill.com
chris massingill on tue 11 nov 08
Hello,
I'm a lurker on the list and I'm having a kiln problem that I'm hoping that someone might be able to help me with.
I have an electric paragon A82-B which up until about a week ago was a very reliable kiln. But then one day it just didn't get to temperature - I'm only firing low fire work in the cone 03 - 01 range. So I thought it was maybe an element, and ordered a new set - I've now replaced the elements and while the kiln gets red hot, it's still not reaching cone 03. It gets to about 06 and stays there. I'm starting to think its a switch problem - yesterday I noticed that one of the indicator lights was flickering when I turned the kiln to low, then when I flipped it to med, the light was on, but so dim it was hard to tell, only once I switched it to high did the light really turn on, maybe it's always done this with the lights getting brighter as I turn it on, but I usually turn up my kiln in the middle of the day and have never noticed it before.
Is it possible that I need to get new switches? or that the switches need to be cleaned to make a better connection? Any advice would be appreciated - I live in Central Arkansas and there aren't any kiln repair services (that I am aware of) in the area.
Thanks!
chris massingill
www.chrismassingill.com
Arnold Howard on tue 11 nov 08
From: "chris massingill"
> I have an electric paragon A82-B which up until about a
> week ago was a very reliable kiln. But then one day it
> just didn't get to temperature - I'm only firing low fire
> work in the cone 03 - 01 range. So I thought it was maybe
> an element, and ordered a new set -
------------
Chris, you can test the entire electrical system of that
kiln with an ohmmeter. Instructions:
The test is done from the cord plug.
If you don't have an ohmmeter, turn both switches to High.
All elements should glow within about 10 minutes. If they
don't, the contacts in the Kiln Sitter may be corroded. This
would prevent the elements from glowing on High.
Sincerely,
Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com
Doric T. Jemison-Ball ll on wed 12 nov 08
I'd talk to the support folks at Paragon. Always a good place to start.
Doric T. Jemison-Ball ll
BBS-LA
14622 Ventura Blvd. #727
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
707-884-5067 Voice
707-884-4449 FAX
818-606-6678 CELL
buffalo@bbs-la.com
www.bbs-la.com
"You can always cure the sausage that is too long." Susan Gatherers
----- Original Message -----
From: "chris massingill"
To:
Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 2008 8:34 AM
Subject: electric kiln help - please!
> Hello,
>
> I'm a lurker on the list and I'm having a kiln problem that I'm hoping
> that someone might be able to help me with.
>
> I have an electric paragon A82-B which up until about a week ago was a
> very reliable kiln. But then one day it just didn't get to temperature -
> I'm only firing low fire work in the cone 03 - 01 range. So I thought it
> was maybe an element, and ordered a new set - I've now replaced the
> elements and while the kiln gets red hot, it's still not reaching cone 03.
> It gets to about 06 and stays there. I'm starting to think its a switch
> problem - yesterday I noticed that one of the indicator lights was
> flickering when I turned the kiln to low, then when I flipped it to med,
> the light was on, but so dim it was hard to tell, only once I switched it
> to high did the light really turn on, maybe it's always done this with the
> lights getting brighter as I turn it on, but I usually turn up my kiln in
> the middle of the day and have never noticed it before.
>
> Is it possible that I need to get new switches? or that the switches need
> to be cleaned to make a better connection? Any advice would be
> appreciated - I live in Central Arkansas and there aren't any kiln repair
> services (that I am aware of) in the area.
>
> Thanks!
>
> chris massingill
> www.chrismassingill.com
>
| |
|
