Candise Flippin on sun 9 dec 01
Once upon a time (earlier this year)...
I too bought a new kiln (the first of its design to boot). Just asking for
a bleeding edge experience, and I know better but this was just the kiln
which met my specifications. She fired perfect the first time and then
started having mysterious controller errors every time there after.
Paragon sent me parts at no charge to replace to try to resolve this issue.
They were absolutely wonderful to me about the problem and vowed to do
whatever it took to resolve. I even had conversations with the controller
designer, to try to identify the cause. By this time there were other kilns
in studios, most without the problems but some beginning to have similar
issues. To make a long story between all of us the general cause and in my
case I determined the exact cause was determined. You can call it a design
issue if you like, but I think that would be unfair. Its one of those
things that where you just did not think of every possible circumstance that
could have come up. Paragon decided to ground the Controller for future
applications where someone would what to interface it to their computer.
Very forward thinking. This is not necessary for the functioning of the
unit. However, in my studio, where my telephone line is made possible by
making use of a system that plugs into an electrical outlet; and my
satellite dish receiver does the same thing, an interesting thing happens.
If the kiln is operating and the satellite company dials into the receiver
at the same time to communicate with the receiver, it sends signals that the
controller recognizes, also. These travel along the ground wire of the
electrical system (referred to as dirty power by the electrical folks). The
quick solution was to disconnect the ground wire from the controller.
Eventually, I will move the receiver off the electrical outlet phone jack to
a regular one. This can be caused by a lot of other things, also.
Moral: Kiln manufacturers can not always plan for every environment that
their product will be used in, but they usually give it their best shot.
The more complex kilns become, the harder it will be to troubleshoot their
problems. If your manufacturer is standing by you, try to work with them.
After all, satisfied customers sell a whole lot more products than
unsatisfied, and they know we talk to each other. This list is the perfect
example.
BTW: My Dragon XL is purring like a kitten. She fires even and perfect
every time now and I would buy another kiln from Paragon in a heartbeat. For
a peek at her (and me), we are scheduled to appear in the "Lynette Jennings
Design" Episode 166-Del Mar Oceanfront on the Discovery Channel this
Wednesday, 12-12 at 2:00pm (Check your local listings).
Humbly submitted, Candise in Vista, North of San Diego
Candise Flippin
http://www.fineartsculpture.com
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