John Rodgers on sat 2 jul 11
I have two paragon kilns myself with the computer controllers.
Go here and download the PDF of instructions for the kiln controller.
http://www.paragonweb.com/ManualInfo.cfm?CID=3D66
It may give you clues as to how to get it out of the PF mode. Also -
there are trouble shooting instructions to help you isolate the problem.
If none of this works for you, know that the control board with the
keypad is not that complicated. You can remove it from the front by
removing the four screws in the corners of the keypad. Once the keypad
can be tipped forward out of the control box, the keypad (mounted on the
controller board) can be disconnected from the kiln.
The keypad/control board was, the last time I heard - made by Orton.
Visit the Orton website and get the contact information and give them a
call. I have talked with them and they will refurbish the control board
for you for less than the price of a new one. This is your best bet. If
you get a used one from somewhere - you may well regret it in short
order. Get the refurb from Orton. You will be way ahead of the game.
One thing you might want to consider, however. The new control boards
from Paragon are available with a program built in to calculate firing
cost. When you fire your kiln, it will tell you in dollars and cents how
much it cost for a particular firing, right down to the penny. If you
are using the kiln in teaching, the program for cost control would be
invaluable.
Regards,
John Rodgers
John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com
On 7/2/2011 10:23 PM, Fadra Hepner wrote:
> Hello everyone,
> I am a teacher and potter (when I can;) and was hoping to get some advice=
from you all..
> I have acquired a used Paragon and am hoping to get it running with minim=
al cost...I've contacted a kiln guru at Paragon for assistance and am hopin=
g you all may have a better option than the $385 replacement control box-ug=
h...
>
> Here's the scenario:
> The brick and interior of the kiln look great. The fuse is good and there=
is ample power coming from the receptacle.
> The control box continues to read PF (power failure) and I can't get it i=
nto idle mode. The wires in the control box appear to be in good shape. T=
he connection strap from the keypad to the control box was brittle when I t=
ook it apart (corrosion on outside of box made me think there was corrosion=
under the buttons).
> I'm *hoping* that just they keypad can be replaced and not the whole cont=
rol box (they do come apart..)
>
> I was also wondering if
> a) anyone knew of used PARTS for kilns..(I know this is a long shot, but.=
..)
> b) this control box and thermocouple could be replaced with a kiln sitter=
and knob or toggle controls from another kiln..
>
> Any advice would be appreciated.
> Thanks!
> Fadra in Missouri
>
>
Fadra Hepner on sun 3 jul 11
=3DC2=3DA0Hello everyone,
I am a teacher and potter (when I can;) and was hoping to get some advice f=
=3D
rom you all..
I have acquired a used Paragon and am hoping to get it running with minimal=
=3D
cost...I've contacted a kiln guru at Paragon for assistance and am hoping =
=3D
you all may have a better option than the $385 replacement control box-ugh.=
=3D
..
Here's the scenario:
The brick and interior of the kiln look great. The fuse is good and there i=
=3D
s ample power coming from the receptacle.
The control box continues to read PF (power failure) and I can't get it int=
=3D
o idle mode.=3DC2=3DA0 The wires in the control box appear to be in good sh=
ape.=3D
=3DC2=3DA0 The connection strap from the keypad to the control box was brit=
tle =3D
when I took it apart (corrosion on outside of box made me think there was c=
=3D
orrosion under the buttons).
I'm *hoping* that just they keypad can be replaced and not the whole contro=
=3D
l box (they do come apart..)=3D20
I was also wondering if=3D20
a) anyone knew of used PARTS for kilns..(I know this is a long shot, but...=
=3D
)
b) this control box and thermocouple could be replaced with a kiln sitter a=
=3D
nd knob or toggle controls from another kiln..
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Fadra in Missouri
Fadra Hepner on sun 3 jul 11
On Sat, 2 Jul 2011 23:47:06 -0500, John Rodgers wrote:=
=3D
>
Thank you everyone for such great advice! (John, I've excerpted portions=
=3D
of
your reply to keep it shorter-hope you don't mind!)
I had already removed the control board before posting and am not
intimidated by changing it out, just the cost... Here's more background:=3D=
20=3D
I am not a production potter, and only have much time at all for clay
throughout the summer, so maximum efficiency is not my top priority.=3D20=
=3D20=3D
I already have a fully functional Evenheat 6320XL toggle switch with
extender ring. It takes me forever to fill it up and the Paragon TNF82 i=
=3D
s a
smaller kiln that I would be able to turn things over faster when needed.=
=3D
=3D20
This is the only reason I would be switching to it.
The bricks are in FABULOUS condition, Thermocouple APPEARS to be in great=
=3D
shape, elements are tight and don't seem brittle, so it *seems* that the
best option at this point is to call Orton and ask about the refurb.
controller. I can't justify spending more than $200 as I already have a
working kiln and put spent $200 for it.(this one would be sold if I can g=
=3D
et
it going..) If anyone has a better=3D20
idea, I'm all ears. Otherwise, I'll let you know how it goes!
=3D20
thank you all again!
Fadra=3D20
in Missouri
Excerpts from John's response:
>Go here and download the PDF of instructions for the kiln controller....=
=3D
....
>
>http://www.paragonweb.com/ManualInfo.cfm?CID=3D3D66
>
>It may give you clues as to how to get it out of the PF mode. Also -
>there are trouble shooting instructions to help you isolate the problem.=
=3D
>
>
>
>The keypad/control board was, the last time I heard - made by Orton.
>Visit the Orton website and get the contact information and give them a
>call. I have talked with them and they will refurbish the control board=
=3D
>for you for less than the price of a new one. This is your best bet. If=
=3D
>you get a used one from somewhere - you may well regret it in short
>order. Get the refurb from Orton. You will be way ahead of the game.
>
>
>Regards,
>
>John Rodgers
>
>John Rodgers
>Clayartist and Moldmaker
>88'GL VW Bus Driver
>Chelsea, AL
>Http://www.moldhaus.com
>
>
>On 7/2/2011 10:23 PM, Fadra Hepner wrote:
>> Hello everyone,
>> I am a teacher and potter (when I can;) and was hoping to get some adv=
=3D
ice
from you all..
>> I have acquired a used Paragon and am hoping to get it running with
minimal cost...I've contacted a kiln guru at Paragon for assistance and a=
=3D
m
hoping you all may have a better option than the $385 replacement control=
=3D
box-ugh...
>>
>> Here's the scenario:
>> The brick and interior of the kiln look great. The fuse is good and th=
=3D
ere
is ample power coming from the receptacle.
>> The control box continues to read PF (power failure) and I can't get i=
=3D
t
into idle mode. The wires in the control box appear to be in good shape.=
=3D
=3D20
The connection strap from the keypad to the control box was brittle when =
=3D
I
took it apart (corrosion on outside of box made me think there was corros=
=3D
ion
under the buttons).
>> I'm *hoping* that just they keypad can be replaced and not the whole
control box (they do come apart..)
>>
>> I was also wondering if
>> a) anyone knew of used PARTS for kilns..(I know this is a long shot, b=
=3D
ut...)
>> b) this control box and thermocouple could be replaced with a kiln sit=
=3D
ter
and knob or toggle controls from another kiln..
>>
>> Any advice would be appreciated.
>> Thanks!
>> Fadra in Missouri
>>
>>
John Rodgers on sun 3 jul 11
I hope it works out for you. I am suspicious of the PF you get on the
screen. There may well be something wrong, but I suspect that the PF is
there because something is not set right, not because of a fault in the
computer.
Good luck.
John
John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com
On 7/3/2011 3:39 PM, Fadra Hepner wrote:
> On Sat, 2 Jul 2011 23:47:06 -0500, John Rodgers wrote:
>
> Thank you everyone for such great advice! (John, I've excerpted portions=
of
> your reply to keep it shorter-hope you don't mind!)
>
> I had already removed the control board before posting and am not
> intimidated by changing it out, just the cost... Here's more background:
> I am not a production potter, and only have much time at all for clay
> throughout the summer, so maximum efficiency is not my top priority.
>
> I already have a fully functional Evenheat 6320XL toggle switch with
> extender ring. It takes me forever to fill it up and the Paragon TNF82 i=
s a
> smaller kiln that I would be able to turn things over faster when needed.
> This is the only reason I would be switching to it.
>
> The bricks are in FABULOUS condition, Thermocouple APPEARS to be in great
> shape, elements are tight and don't seem brittle, so it *seems* that the
> best option at this point is to call Orton and ask about the refurb.
> controller. I can't justify spending more than $200 as I already have a
> working kiln and put spent $200 for it.(this one would be sold if I can g=
et
> it going..) If anyone has a better
> idea, I'm all ears. Otherwise, I'll let you know how it goes!
>
> thank you all again!
> Fadra
> in Missouri
>
>
> Excerpts from John's response:
>
>> Go here and download the PDF of instructions for the kiln controller....=
....
>>
>> http://www.paragonweb.com/ManualInfo.cfm?CID=3D66
>>
>> It may give you clues as to how to get it out of the PF mode. Also -
>> there are trouble shooting instructions to help you isolate the problem.
>>
>>
>>
>> The keypad/control board was, the last time I heard - made by Orton.
>> Visit the Orton website and get the contact information and give them a
>> call. I have talked with them and they will refurbish the control board
>> for you for less than the price of a new one. This is your best bet. If
>> you get a used one from somewhere - you may well regret it in short
>> order. Get the refurb from Orton. You will be way ahead of the game.
>>
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> John Rodgers
>>
>> John Rodgers
>> Clayartist and Moldmaker
>> 88'GL VW Bus Driver
>> Chelsea, AL
>> Http://www.moldhaus.com
>>
>>
>> On 7/2/2011 10:23 PM, Fadra Hepner wrote:
>>> Hello everyone,
>>> I am a teacher and potter (when I can;) and was hoping to get some advi=
ce
> from you all..
>>> I have acquired a used Paragon and am hoping to get it running with
> minimal cost...I've contacted a kiln guru at Paragon for assistance and a=
m
> hoping you all may have a better option than the $385 replacement control
> box-ugh...
>>> Here's the scenario:
>>> The brick and interior of the kiln look great. The fuse is good and the=
re
> is ample power coming from the receptacle.
>>> The control box continues to read PF (power failure) and I can't get it
> into idle mode. The wires in the control box appear to be in good shape.
> The connection strap from the keypad to the control box was brittle when =
I
> took it apart (corrosion on outside of box made me think there was corros=
ion
> under the buttons).
>>> I'm *hoping* that just they keypad can be replaced and not the whole
> control box (they do come apart..)
>>> I was also wondering if
>>> a) anyone knew of used PARTS for kilns..(I know this is a long shot, bu=
t...)
>>> b) this control box and thermocouple could be replaced with a kiln sitt=
er
> and knob or toggle controls from another kiln..
>>> Any advice would be appreciated.
>>> Thanks!
>>> Fadra in Missouri
>>>
>>>
>
John Post on mon 4 jul 11
Hi Fadra,
I prefer computer controlled kilns over manual kilns because it allows
for slow-cooling of glazes.
On e-bay there is a seller named Vulcan-Kilns that makes wall mounted
controllers. I own two of them. I have one that runs on 110v and one
that runs on 220v. The nice thing about wall mounted controllers is
that you can use them on more than one kiln.
When I get a used electric kiln that has a kiln sitter and limit timer
on it, I open up the control box and remove those parts. I then hook
up the power directly to the switches in the kiln. I do this so that
the wall mounted controller turns the kiln on and off in accordance
with the firing profile I have programmed. All the switches on the
kiln are always set to on and full power allowing the controller to do
its job.
I only fire an electric kiln manually if I am stuck with one at one of
the schools I teach at during the year. I can't imagine firing my
electric kilns without a computer controller as my glazes are totally
dependent on the slow cooling. In the past, I have mimicked slow
cooling in a manual kiln, but it requires much more of my time
attending the kiln.
John Post
Sterling Heights, Michigan
http://www.johnpost.us
Follow me on Twitter
https://twitter.com/UCSArtTeacher
> I can't justify spending more than $200 as I already have a
> working kiln and put spent $200 for it.(this one would be sold if I
> can get
> it going..) If anyone has a better
> idea, I'm all ears. Otherwise, I'll let you know how it goes!
>
> thank you all again!
> Fadra
> in Missouri
>
Arnold Howard on tue 5 jul 11
On 7/2/2011 10:23 PM, Fadra Hepner wrote:
> I have acquired a used Paragon and am hoping to get it running with minim=
al cost...I've contacted a kiln guru at Paragon for assistance and am hopin=
g you all may have a better option than the $385 replacement control box-ug=
h...
Fadra, the DTC 600C controller was made by Bartlett Instruments. It
replaced our DTC 100C in 1992.
Check the voltage from the transformer to the controller. It should be
24 volts AC. Low voltage can cause the PF message.
Make sure the wires are firmly attached to the relays. A disconnected
relay wire that touches ground can cause the PF message.
A quote from the DTC 600C manual: "Sometimes corrosion on the kiln's
cord plug or wall receptacle will cause a PF display. Pull the plug from
the wall receptacle and slide it back in several times to remove the
corrosion. A loose wall receptacle screw or loose circuit breaker screw
can also cause a PF display.
"Replace transformer if the wall receptacle voltage and switch box
wiring are okay."
If the PF message won't go away, call Bartlett Instruments
(319-372-8366) and ask if they could check the board for you. They might
even be able to repair it for a nominal fee.
Sincerely,
Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com
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