Joanne L. Van Bezooyen on tue 25 jan 00
What could be wrong with my electric kiln? It only gets to an orange
hot....used to fire quickly to cone 6.....7 hours or so. It is now 15
hours and not getting much hotter. I put the paper pieces in the
elements and turned it on and they all burned. Three smoked
quikcly....3 more a few minutes later....the rest took longer....but
they all worked. Can anyone give me some suggestions on
possibilities? It's had this problem the last 4 times I've fired it.
Thanks..
Joanne in Tucson
Cindy Strnad on wed 26 jan 00
Joanne,
Just because your elements function doesn't mean you shouldn't replace them.
Elements lose their original spunk pretty quickly, and then coast along
through middle age, until one day . . . .
Since your kiln has a history of working properly at its current location
and on its current power source, I'm guessing it needs a new set of
elements. Call Euclid's. (my personal bias) They'll get you just what you
need, quickly, and for less money. Their number is 1-800-296-5456. If you
have questions, they also have technical assistance available, no extra
charge, and they really care whether your kiln works or not.
Cindy Strnad
Earthen Vessels Pottery
Custer, SD
GSM_ENT on wed 26 jan 00
Hi Joanne:
Happy New Year!!!
Several factors affect firing:
1. Low voltage
2. Loose electrical connection
3. Bad Switch
4. Worn out heating elements
The correct form to check the heating elements is by measuring their
resistance (in Ohms) and comparing it to their value when new. The
manufacturer can provide you with the "when new" resistance value (measured
in Ohms).
Just because the heating elements heat up or turn to a color does not mean
that they can produce the required watts or heat.
I would suggest to have a kiln technician check it for you.
If you would like to do it yourself I would suggest to take a Kiln Repair
Seminar. Paragon Industries has one on March 3 and 4, 2000. For more info.
please call 1-800-876-4328.
Manuel R A "Tony" Diaz Rodriguez
MAJ., US Army (Ret.)
Master Kiln Repair Technician
----- Original Message -----
From: Joanne L. Van Bezooyen
To:
Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2000 10:25 AM
Subject: electric kiln not hot
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> What could be wrong with my electric kiln? It only gets to an orange
> hot....used to fire quickly to cone 6.....7 hours or so. It is now 15
> hours and not getting much hotter. I put the paper pieces in the
> elements and turned it on and they all burned. Three smoked
> quikcly....3 more a few minutes later....the rest took longer....but
> they all worked. Can anyone give me some suggestions on
> possibilities? It's had this problem the last 4 times I've fired it.
> Thanks..
> Joanne in Tucson
Reg Wearley on wed 26 jan 00
Hi Joanne,
There are two things to consider here. First you
will have make sure that you are getting the proper
voltage to your kiln. Check to see that both fuses
or breakers (one for each 110 volt leg) are in
good order. You may have to have some help here. If
they are OK then you may well have a set of 'tired
elements'. As elements in a kiln are used they are
oxidized and also are reacting with the sometimes
caustic atmosphere found in there. With increased
useage the element becomes less and less able to do
the job you need it to do. If that is the case you
are probably going to have to replace all the
elements in your kiln. To make sure, contact the
service department of your kiln manufacture and
get the proper number of "ohms of resistance" for
each element (each one will be the same). Then
you will have to get an electrician to come in and,
by isolatiing each element, determine the resistance,
in ohms, of each one. He will have to use a digital
ohmmeter to do this. You will then know how many
have to be replaced. My experience is that if you
have to replace more than one-replace them all!!!
Hope this helps solve your problem. -Reg
--- "Joanne L. Van Bezooyen"
wrote:
> ----------------------------Original
> message----------------------------
> What could be wrong with my electric kiln? It only
> gets to an orange
> hot....used to fire quickly to cone 6.....7 hours or
> so. It is now 15
> hours and not getting much hotter. I put the paper
> pieces in the
> elements and turned it on and they all burned.
> Three smoked
> quikcly....3 more a few minutes later....the rest
> took longer....but
> they all worked. Can anyone give me some
> suggestions on
> possibilities? It's had this problem the last 4
> times I've fired it.
> Thanks..
> Joanne in Tucson
>
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David Woodin on thu 27 jan 00
Most electricians don't want to work on kilns. Try www.euclids.com they have
a list of repairmen, the one in Tucson is Ceramics of Tucson 520-747-2515
David
GSM_ENT on fri 28 jan 00
Hi David:
Happy New Year!!!!!
You are correct, most electricians (specially if they are properly licensed)
do not want to work on kilns. This is because of the legal liability. The
same happens with Kiln Repair Technicians that if they are NOT properly
licensed electricians they will not work on connecting (laying out the
electrical wiring) a kiln.
Kilns no not behave like any other electrical appliance, you must know what
your are doing or you could end up burning a house or a shop.
By calling the company who made your kiln they will provide you with the
information on qualified technicians in your area. Most kiln companies hold
seminars or classes for this purpose.
Regards,
Manuel R A "Tony" Diaz Rodriguez
MAJ., US Army (Ret.)
Master Kiln Technician
Multi-Company Qualified
----- Original Message -----
From: David Woodin
To:
Sent: Thursday, January 27, 2000 11:50 AM
Subject: Re: electric kiln not hot
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Most electricians don't want to work on kilns. Try www.euclids.com they
have
> a list of repairmen, the one in Tucson is Ceramics of Tucson 520-747-2515
> David
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