Kate McCoy on tue 2 feb 10
Hello all,
well, it seems the element on my little HB84 (hotbox) needs replacing,
again! I have had the kiln for 13 moths and this will be the second
replacement. Had to replace it last July. I just got an Error 1 msg. so
the firing last night will have to be repeated (testing new glazes) and
cones went to % 1/2 but no slow cool..
I have had my Skutt for almost 4 years, and it works great, and I fire
it just as often as the Olympic. Do others have the same experience with
Olympic? If I use ITC how much longer could I expect the elements to last.
I fire it up perhaps 5 times a month - I haven't really kept track.
Any thoughts anyone? Thanks a bunch
Kate
John Hesselberth on wed 3 feb 10
On Feb 2, 2010, at 8:32 PM, Kate McCoy wrote:
> well, it seems the element on my little HB84 (hotbox) needs replacing,
> again! I have had the kiln for 13 moths and this will be the second
> replacement. Had to replace it last July. I just got an Error 1 msg. =3D
so
> the firing last night will have to be repeated (testing new glazes) =3D
and
> cones went to % 1/2 but no slow cool..
Hi Kate,
Part of the answer to your question depends on what kind of connectors =3D
are used to connect the element to the kiln wiring. I have an Olympic =3D
doll kiln that I use for testing and it used crimped connectors. Given =3D
the tight space and the lack of commercial crimping tools, it was =3D
impossible for me to replace elements and get a long-lasting connection. =
=3D
They would burn out in a few weeks or months. The elements were still =3D
good and I could sometimes just redo the connection. I did have the =3D
hardware store variety crimping tool, but that did not do the trick.
I never got satisfactory element life from my Olympic until I completely =
=3D
rebuilt the kiln and replaced the crimped connectors with split bolt =3D
connectors. Post and nut connectors also work well but, in my opinion, =3D
kilns with crimped connectors should never be built and sold. I will =3D
certainly never buy one again. The manufacturers can do a decent job of =3D
making the connection when it is built because they have a professional =3D
(and expensive) crimping machine. I could not.
So if you have crimped connectors that is the first place I would look. =3D
Your elements may still be good.
Regards,
John=3D
William & Susan Schran User on thu 4 feb 10
On 2/2/10 8:32 PM, "Kate McCoy" wrote:
> well, it seems the element on my little HB84 (hotbox) needs replacing,
> again! I have had the kiln for 13 moths and this will be the second
> replacement. Had to replace it last July. I just got an Error 1 msg. so
> the firing last night will have to be repeated (testing new glazes) and
> cones went to % 1/2 but no slow cool..
> I have had my Skutt for almost 4 years, and it works great, and I fire
> it just as often as the Olympic. Do others have the same experience with
> Olympic? If I use ITC how much longer could I expect the elements to last=
.
> I fire it up perhaps 5 times a month - I haven't really kept track.
> Any thoughts anyone? Thanks a bunch
There are so many variables involved in determining the life of elements in
any kiln it would be difficult point out one thing, but if I were to hazard
a guess from the information you have provided, it would be the gauge (size=
)
of the elements and possibly the type of elements. The test kiln runs on
120v so probably has fairly thin elements that when fired often to near max
temperature will simply wear out faster than those in your Skutt kiln. If
you Skutt has APM elements installed, they will last a long time.
Bill
--
William "Bill" Schran
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu
http://www.creativecreekartisans.com
Kate McCoy on thu 4 feb 10
Thank you John H and Bill, for all this information. Since I only fire
to ^6, and this kiln is rated to ^10, I couldn't see why it would wear
out this fast.
Rob Haugen at Olympic wrote and said the elements should last longer
with the amount of times I fire, so now I'm not sure it's an element. I
called my kiln guy at Clay Art Center, and he thinks it may be a relay
(I have a Bartlett Controller). He has given me instructions on how to
test it.
I now go forth, bravely, (boldly go forth?!)) into the studio and
"test" the little kiln by doing a fast fire to 1000 degrees and see
what happens.
I'll keep you posted
Kate
South Puget Sound
William & Susan Schran User wrote:
> On 2/2/10 8:32 PM, "Kate McCoy" wrote:
>
>
>> well, it seems the element on my little HB84 (hotbox) needs replacing,
>> again! I have had the kiln for 13 moths and this will be the second
>> replacement. Had to replace it last July. I just got an Error 1 msg. so
>> the firing last night will have to be repeated (testing new glazes) and
>> cones went to % 1/2 but no slow cool..
>> I have had my Skutt for almost 4 years, and it works great, and I fire
>> it just as often as the Olympic. Do others have the same experience with
>> Olympic? If I use ITC how much longer could I expect the elements to las=
t.
>> I fire it up perhaps 5 times a month - I haven't really kept track.
>> Any thoughts anyone? Thanks a bunch
>>
>
> There are so many variables involved in determining the life of elements =
in
> any kiln it would be difficult point out one thing, but if I were to haza=
rd
> a guess from the information you have provided, it would be the gauge (si=
ze)
> of the elements and possibly the type of elements. The test kiln runs on
> 120v so probably has fairly thin elements that when fired often to near m=
ax
> temperature will simply wear out faster than those in your Skutt kiln. If
> you Skutt has APM elements installed, they will last a long time.
>
> Bill
>
>
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