The Allens on thu 29 oct 98
I need help. I've never had a problem with the elements in my new (first) =
Skutt
kiln until I got an error 1 message and shutdown before getting to =
temperature
the other day. The error 1 message means the rise in temperature was too =
slow
and the manual lists one of the possible problems as being a bad element.
What's the best way to check them?
PS: I'd rather not electrocute myself in the process=21
Thanks in advance,
Carla Allen
ridgerun=40scrtc.blue.net
Barney Adams on sat 31 oct 98
I had the same thing happen with my Skutt. Looking inside the kiln with power to
elements revealed one bank of elements not glowing. Removing the screws for the
controller to swing away (unplug the kiln before doing this) check for burnt are
arounf the spade lugs that connect your elements to the terminal block. This was
problem. The crimp connections contain some resistance and the thermal runaway
eats away the current required for the elements and eventually the connection
burns through. Radio Shack has replacement lugs. Try to get good compression
against the wire when you replace the lug. If this is'nt the problem and
you dont feel confident around electricity it is much safer to call a repair man
Barney
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I need help. I've never had a problem with the elements in my new (first) Sku
> kiln until I got an error 1 message and shutdown before getting to temperature
> the other day. The error 1 message means the rise in temperature was too slow
> and the manual lists one of the possible problems as being a bad element.
> What's the best way to check them?
> PS: I'd rather not electrocute myself in the process!
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Carla Allen
> ridgerun@scrtc.blue.net
>
Frank Tucker on sun 1 nov 98
At 04:50 PM 10/29/98 EST, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I need help. I've never had a problem with the elements in my new (first)
Skutt
>kiln until I got an error 1 message and shutdown before getting to
temperature
>the other day. The error 1 message means the rise in temperature was too slow
>and the manual lists one of the possible problems as being a bad element.
>What's the best way to check them?
>PS: I'd rather not electrocute myself in the process!
>
>Thanks in advance,
>Carla Allen
>ridgerun@scrtc.blue.net
>
>
Dear Carla,
Yes, the ERR1 message means that the kiln could not keep up to the
programmed rate of increase of temperature; and yes, it may mean trouble
with elements, however, it may not.
If it has been an unreasonable amount of time since the elements were
installed (say less than 100 firings), then you should also consider the
other possibilities. Could you have had lower voltage for some reason that
day, or was the load perhaps substantially denser than normal? Think of
any reason that would have slowed down the firing.
If these possibilities are not a consideration, then figure out how many
firings you've had, and whether or not they have started taking longer. As
elements age they will put out less wattage, and even though they may not
actually be broken they will take longer to heat up the kiln, and
eventually need to be replaced.
If the firing was suddenly longer than previous ones, or you have evidence
that it was uneven, then consider the possibility of a broken element. The
simplest test is to turn the kiln on high, and after a few minutes, take a
small piece of paper and touch each element with it. The paper should
begin to smoulder within a few seconds. If the paper does not begin to
burn, then that element is not part of a complete circuit and further
investigation will determine whether the problem is the element itself, or
perhaps a piece of lead wire, connector, or relay.
Let me know if I can be of further help.
Michael Leonard
Tucker's Pottery Supplies
tuckers@passport.ca
John Jensen on sun 1 nov 98
>the other day. The error 1 message means the rise in temperature was too slow
>and the manual lists one of the possible problems as being a bad element.
>
I'd suggest you call Scutt and talk to their technical people. There are a
lot of places where there could be a problem. A good voltage/ohm meter is
of great importance. The danger of electrocution is certainly great in
dealing with open circuitry.
If the kiln is new I would suspect the connection at the box..
John Jensen in Annapolis
Dennis McAvoy on sun 1 nov 98
We check our elements by turning the empty kiln on high for about an hour and
then crack the lid (wear gloves) and see which element(s) are not red.
Dennis
Smoky Mountain Pottery
David Woodin Set Clayart Digest on mon 2 nov 98
Replacement connectors and lugs for kilns are meant for high temperature
application and Radio Shack and hardware stores only have the type meant for
105 deg C. A good source is Euclids.
The Kiln Gods on tue 3 nov 98
Hi Carla,
Most of the time, an Err 1 message indicates burnt out elements or burnt
out relays.
I could also be low voltage, aged elements, wires burned off, burnt
connections, faulty components or programming error.
If you have switches on your kiln (some manufactures offer this feature)
were they all set to the "high" position?
We had a customer last week that had a kiln-sitter & a controller on the
kiln. She got an Err 1 message. She had forgotten to push in the
kiln-sitter button.
You should first check to see if all of your elements are glowing or,
preferably, check how many amps the kiln is drawing. I would advise against
touching a piece paper on each element, for obvious reasons...burning
yourself & electrocution.
Let me know how else I can help,
Chris @
Euclid's Kilns and Elements
1-800-296-5456
Web Site: http://www.euclids.com
E-Mail: mail@euclids.com
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