Diane G. Echlin on sun 25 jun 00
Hey folks,
It's Sunday, and no one's home at Skutt, so I thought I'd pose a
question to the group before finding out what the "experts" (hah!) say.
I have a Skutt KM 1027 kiln, the one with the computerized controls.
Have finally determined that I have 208 volts coming into my plug and my
kiln needs 240. It will cost me $375 US to have an electrician install
a booster to the breakers to get the needed power. Also, I am an
"associate" (read, peon) at a co-op studio that is always on the
financial edge, and several other members have offered to contribute to
pay a share of the cost. Here's my question. Is it advisable (or not)
to rewire the kiln to 208? Would I need different elements? Is it
possible to do this to a computerized kiln? Is it a great hassle? My
worry is that if I leave the studio for any reason, and I have paid the
electrician to do the work to the panel, I lose my investment. On the
other hand, I have this great kiln that I don't want to screw up. The
issue is less about money for me, and more about what is the most
logical thing to do. Not that money isn't an issue at all, it just
isn't the primary one. Hassle is a big factor, too, and I am inclined
to sacrifice a little $$$ to have a kiln working properly in the
shortest amount of time. Oh, and I have to decide by Wednesday, because
it's taken me 4 weeks (yes, 4 WEEKS!) just to get an electrician to even
call me back! And he's coming Wednesday if I go with the Booster thing.
Thank you in advance for your help! I love this forum!
Di, in Connecticut
Sheron Roberts on sun 25 jun 00
Diane,
I have the good fortune of having a
husband who can do just about
anything when it comes to wiring
and electricity. He has even learned
by taking instruction from the guys
at Skutt via the telephone,=20
how to repair burnt wires
in the KilnMaster controller.
He isn't here right
now, (at work) so I can't ask him
anything. But I do know that I have
the same kiln you do Skutt 1027KM
and he installed a separate little
panel box with the proper breaker
dedicated to the kiln. In other words
it is on its own circuit. I would think
that it would be simpler to do something
like that, than try to rewire a kiln. But
that is just my opinion. I am sure there
are some "wired" guys on the list who
may have a better answer.
My husband is in the process of installing
a 3 ton A/C in the studio(I gave up on trying
to beat the heat). He had to install a larger
breaker in the main panel box for this unit,
as well as run heavier wire. All this is separate
from the kiln.
Sheron in NC (lurking inside today out of
the humidity)
Marcia Selsor on sun 25 jun 00
Diane,
I don't know about a booster BUT when we ordered a new kiln from Seattle
pottery it was imporatnt to know if we had 208 or 240 going to the plug.
They said it would not hit temperature if it were the wrong set up for
the kiln's design requirements. That's all I can tell you.
Marcia
"Diane G. Echlin" wrote:
>
> Hey folks,
> It's Sunday, and no one's home at Skutt, so I thought I'd pose a
> question to the group before finding out what the "experts" (hah!) say.
> I have a Skutt KM 1027 kiln, the one with the computerized controls.
> Have finally determined that I have 208 volts coming into my plug and my
> kiln needs 240. It will cost me $375 US to have an electrician install
> a booster to the breakers to get the needed power. Also, I am an
> "associate" (read, peon) at a co-op studio that is always on the
> financial edge, and several other members have offered to contribute to
> pay a share of the cost. Here's my question. Is it advisable (or not)
> to rewire the kiln to 208? Would I need different elements? Is it
> possible to do this to a computerized kiln? Is it a great hassle? My
> worry is that if I leave the studio for any reason, and I have paid the
> electrician to do the work to the panel, I lose my investment. On the
> other hand, I have this great kiln that I don't want to screw up. The
> issue is less about money for me, and more about what is the most
> logical thing to do. Not that money isn't an issue at all, it just
> isn't the primary one. Hassle is a big factor, too, and I am inclined
> to sacrifice a little $$$ to have a kiln working properly in the
> shortest amount of time. Oh, and I have to decide by Wednesday, because
> it's taken me 4 weeks (yes, 4 WEEKS!) just to get an electrician to even
> call me back! And he's coming Wednesday if I go with the Booster thing.
>
> Thank you in advance for your help! I love this forum!
> Di, in Connecticut
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
--
Marcia Selsor
selsor@imt.net
http://www.imt.net/~mjbmls
http://www.imt.net/~mjbmls/spain99.html
http://www.silverhawk.com/ex99/selsor/welcome.html
Barry Carpenter on sun 25 jun 00
"Diane G. Echlin" wrote:
> Hey folks,
> It's Sunday, and no one's home at Skutt, so I thought I'd pose a
> question to the group before finding out what the "experts" (hah!) say.
> I have a Skutt KM 1027 kiln, the one with the computerized controls.
> Have finally determined that I have 208 volts coming into my plug and my
> kiln needs 240. It will cost me $375 US to have an electrician install
> a booster to the breakers to get the needed power. Also, I am an
> "associate" (read, peon) at a co-op studio that is always on the
> financial edge, and several other members have offered to contribute to
> pay a share of the cost. Here's my question. Is it advisable (or not)
> to rewire the kiln to 208? Would I need different elements? Is it
> possible to do this to a computerized kiln? Is it a great hassle? My
> worry is that if I leave the studio for any reason, and I have paid the
> electrician to do the work to the panel, I lose my investment. On the
> other hand, I have this great kiln that I don't want to screw up. The
> issue is less about money for me, and more about what is the most
> logical thing to do. Not that money isn't an issue at all, it just
> isn't the primary one. Hassle is a big factor, too, and I am inclined
> to sacrifice a little $$$ to have a kiln working properly in the
> shortest amount of time. Oh, and I have to decide by Wednesday, because
> it's taken me 4 weeks (yes, 4 WEEKS!) just to get an electrician to even
> call me back! And he's coming Wednesday if I go with the Booster thing.
>
> Thank you in advance for your help! I love this forum!
> Di, in Connecticut
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Di,
What are the symptoms that lead you to believe it's a voltage problem? Have
you talked to Skutt directly?? Before you get the electrician in there or try and
modify your kiln, call Skutt and ask to speak with Perry Piero. I'm the tech at
Louisiana State University and I've found him to be very helpful in regards to any
questions I've had about their kilns.
good luck!
B Carpenter
Diane G. Echlin on mon 26 jun 00
Sheron, Can I rent your husband for a weekend? ;)~ I think I'm going to go with
the booster idea because my 6 other studio mates have agreed to pay equal shares to
do it. divided 7 ways it doesn't come out to too much. Thanks for your note!
Sheron Roberts wrote:
> Diane,
> I have the good fortune of having a
> husband who can do just about
> anything when it comes to wiring
> and electricity. He has even learned
> by taking instruction from the guys
> at Skutt via the telephone,
> how to repair burnt wires
> in the KilnMaster controller.
> He isn't here right
> now, (at work) so I can't ask him
> anything. But I do know that I have
> the same kiln you do Skutt 1027KM
> and he installed a separate little
> panel box with the proper breaker
> dedicated to the kiln. In other words
> it is on its own circuit. I would think
> that it would be simpler to do something
> like that, than try to rewire a kiln. But
> that is just my opinion. I am sure there
> are some "wired" guys on the list who
> may have a better answer.
>
> My husband is in the process of installing
> a 3 ton A/C in the studio(I gave up on trying
> to beat the heat). He had to install a larger
> breaker in the main panel box for this unit,
> as well as run heavier wire. All this is separate
> from the kiln.
> Sheron in NC (lurking inside today out of
> the humidity)
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
chris@euclids.com on mon 26 jun 00
> Have finally determined that I have 208 volts coming into my plug and my
> kiln needs 240. It will cost me $375 US to have an electrician install
> a booster to the breakers to get the needed power
Hi Di,
It is cheaper, & more educational, to change the elements & whatever else
necessary.
It is less work to pay an electrician to install a transformer (booster).
If you change the elements to 208 volts, then the amperage will increase
(more power flowing through the wires). Because of the increased amperage,
some parts (kiln cable, breaker, ect...)would need to be upgraded to
accomodate the increase.
Good luck,
chris
chris@euclids.com
www.euclids.com
800-296-5456
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