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controllers for any kiln

updated sun 10 mar 02

 

Nikki Simmons on fri 8 mar 02


Hi Clayart,

I am in the market for a kiln controller-been looking at websites and I
don't THINK I have seen the answer to my question.

Currently I have an old Knight that only has two switches. I am about to be
given two more Knights that are bigger and have three switches. I want to
buy a controller that I can put on any kiln I might ever have. I do not know
what issues are involved with switching the controller back and forth
between kilns.

I am assuming that the 2 switch Knight and 3 switch knight will draw
different amounts of juice, so does that change the physical setup of the
controller? Recently someone asked about putting a test kiln on her
controller, I think maybe I am asking the same question.

For what it is worth, I fire to cone 6 and I will most likely be putting
heavy duty elements in all the kilns. However what if the kilns do have
different kinds of elements?

Also are these kilns too old for this kind of adaptation (haven't ever
really looked at a new electric kiln setup).

Sincerely,
Nikki Simmons
nsimmons@mid-mo.net

Stephen J Lewicki on sat 9 mar 02


I would recommend looking at Orton and Dawson. I beleive they both have
control systems that you could plug your two different kilns into. You
might have to change the plug (or put a plug on if there isn't one) and of
course make the plugs the same. The trick is to size the power switching
device (contactor) in the control system for the highest amperage draw of
the largest kiln. the type of element is irrelevant.

Stephen J Lewicki
President
L&L Kiln Mfg.