Ron Collins on tue 19 jun 01
I have narrowed my kiln choices to 29wx18h. (additional heated ring =
future option if needed)
All rated cone10 with double layer walls (not sure on skutt)
Choices are Skutt computerized (that's the only choice in this size.)
L and L manual/kiln sitter-heavy duty elements with heated bottom-3" =
bricks
ConeArt manual/kiln sitter
My information:
I fire to 06-02 student work and currently mine, but want option for =
higher.
I will never do complicated crystalline glazing,etc and can never see =
the time when I will need a complicated firing schedule.
I know that I am "overbuying" and will have way more kiln power than I =
currently need.
I do not want, at this time, more than about 7 cu.ft because my students =
often are "passing through"
Money is a factor--shipping total will add about a thousand dollars to =
the cost, plus I have to order shelves too. (Too bad I can't bring my =
big Skutt in Texas back on the plane)
I am currently not making any money and this kiln is not a justifiable =
expense, in terms of it paying for itself over my current firing =
arrangement.
Questions:
1. During the rainy season, our power goes off almost daily in =
afternoon, or evening. How will this affect a computerized firing? I =
have not seen or used a computerized system. (so I fire mostly in the =
a.m.) and am leaning toward manual. =20
2. Electricity here is extremely expensive, and I am trying to get the =
most energy efficient and powerful model so that firings can get done =
and overwith quickly. Is this a basically correct assumption? =20
3. Given that I want straightforward glazing and firing, is the extra =
expense of a computer warranted? In otherwords, for the same money, do =
I want a computerized Skutt, or a manual/sitter ConeArt, or L and L?
I don't take anyone's word as gospel, but would like to hear different =
opinions. Thanks, Melinda
Arnold Howard on wed 20 jun 01
Paragon's Sentry computerized controller handles power failures as
follows:
1. After the power failure, the temperature in the kiln must be
above 212 deg. F. (100 deg. C). If the temperature is lower, the
kiln will not turn back on.
2. If the power fails during the final segment of a cone firing,
and the temperature drops 72 deg. F. (40 deg. C) while the power is
off, the kiln will not turn back on.
Except for the conditions above, the kiln will turn back on after a
power failure, the same as a manual-fire kiln with switches.
Arnold Howard
Paragon
--- Ron Collins wrote:
> Questions:
> 1. During the rainy season, our power goes off almost daily in
> afternoon, or evening. How will this affect a computerized
> firing? I have not seen or used a computerized system. (so I
> fire mostly in the a.m.) and am leaning toward manual.
Thanks, Melinda
>
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Christena Schafale on wed 20 jun 01
Melinda,
If you have unreliable power, I would definitely get the manual/sitter
model, both for ease of re-starting and because a power surge could easily
zap that expensive controller and leave you with no ability to use the kiln
at all.
Chris
At 10:21 AM 6/19/01 -0500, you wrote:
>I have narrowed my kiln choices to 29wx18h. (additional heated ring future
>option if needed)
>All rated cone10 with double layer walls (not sure on skutt)
>Choices are Skutt computerized (that's the only choice in this size.)
>L and L manual/kiln sitter-heavy duty elements with heated bottom-3" bricks
>ConeArt manual/kiln sitter
>
>My information:
>I fire to 06-02 student work and currently mine, but want option for higher.
>I will never do complicated crystalline glazing,etc and can never see the
>time when I will need a complicated firing schedule.
>I know that I am "overbuying" and will have way more kiln power than I
>currently need.
>I do not want, at this time, more than about 7 cu.ft because my students
>often are "passing through"
>Money is a factor--shipping total will add about a thousand dollars to the
>cost, plus I have to order shelves too. (Too bad I can't bring my big
>Skutt in Texas back on the plane)
>I am currently not making any money and this kiln is not a justifiable
>expense, in terms of it paying for itself over my current firing arrangement.
>Questions:
>1. During the rainy season, our power goes off almost daily in afternoon,
>or evening. How will this affect a computerized firing? I have not seen
>or used a computerized system. (so I fire mostly in the a.m.) and am
>leaning toward manual.
>2. Electricity here is extremely expensive, and I am trying to get the
>most energy efficient and powerful model so that firings can get done and
>overwith quickly. Is this a basically correct assumption?
>3. Given that I want straightforward glazing and firing, is the extra
>expense of a computer warranted? In otherwords, for the same money, do I
>want a computerized Skutt, or a manual/sitter ConeArt, or L and L?
>I don't take anyone's word as gospel, but would like to hear different
>opinions. Thanks, Melinda
>
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Consultation and Referral Specialist
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Heidrun Schmid on thu 21 jun 01
Melinda,
here in Bangkok, we have very uneven electricity supply. I used an electronic
control and it worked very well because my supplier fixed a kind of energy
equalizer between the electric supply from outside and the kiln/control. I do not
know the proper word for it. I am sure, you can get some advice about this machine
from your supplier? In 10 years I never had any problems, after this device had
been installed. I programmed the kiln to start at 22.00hrs and in the mornings I
could watch the final stages of the firing, very reliable!
2 weeks ago both my electric kilns "left" me! I felt so sad , I felt, I had lost
two good friends when they were loaded on the pick-up truck and taken to a friend's
place....We are moving back to Germany and I had been told, there would be no
service for the kilns as they where not purchased there. Good buy my generous
supplier in Thailand who fixed everything, no matter where it came from and where
it had been bought!
One thing is sure, I will be a silent member of this group also in Germany. One of
my daily enjoyable things. This is the most amazing groups I know of (but I am no
member of any others, so do not really know..). I want to thank all of you who are
so generous with advice. I will try to give something back to the group, once my
new kiln has been installed and I start experimenting with new clays and old glaze
recipes.
Heidrun Schmid
Bangkok/Thailand
Christena Schafale wrote:
> Melinda,
>
> If you have unreliable power, I would definitely get the manual/sitter
> model, both for ease of re-starting and because a power surge could easily
> zap that expensive controller and leave you with no ability to use the kiln
> at all.
>
> Chris
>
>
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