DLHA on mon 30 mar 98
It has come time now for the art center I work at to replace a kiln. We are in
need of some opinions from this forum on the pros and cons of automated kiln
control systems. We currently are firing ^6 and doing a minimum of 150 firings
in the kiln we need replacing. Can you kind people give any suggestions for a
heavy duty kiln, 15 cubic feet or larger, electric, 27 or 36 in depth, up to
cone 8 or cone 10? Which would be best....10 step vs 6 step....simple program
options vs multiple options,,,,wall mounted controls vs control mounted on
kiln? What are common reoccuring problems with automated controls? Are there
options for manual control on automated systems? Can kilns with automated
controls accommodate heavier gauge coils? What distributor would you
recommend?
As you can see we have many questions and would appreciate any comments or
opinions that may help us make a wise decision. TIA
Marc Kiessling on tue 31 mar 98
Hi DLHA:
A few thoughts on some of the things you asked:
1.) "Wall mounted vs kiln mounted":
Kilns throw off heat.>>> Heat and electronics generally do not mix very well.
Kilns throw off electric and magnetic fields>>>>ditto
-Keeping the controller away from the heat and these fields does not seem
like a bad idea. A little more expensive thou to run the big cables from
the controller to the kiln, but worth it I think.
2.) "10 step vs 6 step":
Six seems like a lot, but then a student might want to play around with
crystal glazes. These glazes and lots of steps go hand-in-hand. I always
seem to want to program mine with one more step then I got. So go with the
10 if it's not much more money than a 6.
3.) "simple program options vs multiple options" / "options for manual
control on automated systems"
It's nice to have control over your firing. You control it rather than it
control you. Go with multiple options or "all the bells-and-whistles"
4.) "common reoccuring problems"
I've never had any problems with mine yet. If things go wrong, it tells you
more or less. It will shut the kiln off before it will do a melt down. I
set the thing, start it, and basically walk away. Come back to unload. I
love that. >>>> some would not.
***CAUTION**** Make sure the tip of your thermocouple is solidly inside the
kiln (and can not accidentally pull out), otherwise the controller will
sence the wrong temp and continue to try heating. Mine would sence this and
shut down after a short period (other, older makes might not).
I have a small 3.5 cu. ft. old manual kiln that I rewired to use with a
electonic controller that I built from parts. Bought the Skutt computer
(face plate & electronics) from a kiln supplier ($300.00 Can); purchased
the relays, transformer, wire, box , etc. from an electrical supplier
($200.00 Can) Total cost: $500.00 Canadian. If I would have bought the
Skutt stand alone unit (wall mount) it would have cost me $1000.00 (Can).
Saved a few bucks, learned a few things about controllers, took pride in
building it, and had some fun too boot. If I want another (larger) kiln in
the future, I can use the same controller to run both (one at a time thou).
Not so with the kiln mounted models.
Building it yourself>>>>Not for everyone, but it was for me.
Buy the best and most controller you can afford. You'll love it!!!!
Hope that helps some. If you need more help, please ask.
Regards,
_\\|//_
( - 0 - 0 - )
/--------oo0- (_) -0oo-------- Marc Kiessling
Victoria, B.C., Canada
crystal@smartt.com
\-------------------------------/
|| ||
oo0 0oo
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>It has come time now for the art center I work at to replace a kiln. We
are in
>need of some opinions from this forum on the pros and cons of automated kiln
>control systems. We currently are firing ^6 and doing a minimum of 150
firings
>in the kiln we need replacing. Can you kind people give any suggestions for a
>heavy duty kiln, 15 cubic feet or larger, electric, 27 or 36 in depth, up to
>cone 8 or cone 10? Which would be best....10 step vs 6 step....simple program
>options vs multiple options,,,,wall mounted controls vs control mounted on
>kiln? What are common reoccuring problems with automated controls? Are there
>options for manual control on automated systems? Can kilns with automated
>controls accommodate heavier gauge coils? What distributor would you
>recommend?
>
>As you can see we have many questions and would appreciate any comments or
>opinions that may help us make a wise decision. TIA
>
>
jjcat on wed 1 apr 98
DLHA,
Give us a call we would be happy to answer all your questions.
There are only a small handfull of manufactures which make a good
heavy duty electric kiln with excellent industrial quality controls.
A.R.T., Alpine, HED Industries, Unique/Pereny and one or two others.
Tel: 914-987-9589
Ask for Joe Catanzaro
jjcat
kilnray
At 09:14 AM 3/30/98 EST, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>It has come time now for the art center I work at to replace a kiln. We are in
>need of some opinions from this forum on the pros and cons of automated kiln
>control systems. We currently are firing ^6 and doing a minimum of 150 firings
>in the kiln we need replacing. Can you kind people give any suggestions for a
>heavy duty kiln, 15 cubic feet or larger, electric, 27 or 36 in depth, up to
>cone 8 or cone 10? Which would be best....10 step vs 6 step....simple program
>options vs multiple options,,,,wall mounted controls vs control mounted on
>kiln? What are common reoccuring problems with automated controls? Are there
>options for manual control on automated systems? Can kilns with automated
>controls accommodate heavier gauge coils? What distributor would you
>recommend?
>
>As you can see we have many questions and would appreciate any comments or
>opinions that may help us make a wise decision. TIA
>
>
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