Ann Brink on mon 15 jul 02
Hi all,
I am going to get a digital pyrometer and am considering the Ultimax, for
about$100. If any of you have been using one, please let me know if you
like it or not. I fire mostly oxidation, and gas occasionally. I guess I
would get the one with 2 thermocouples, especially for the gas firings.
Thanks,
Ann Brink in CA....p.s. OR, if you want to recommend another brand in that
price range or somewhat more, I would be happy to hear about it.
don hunt on mon 15 jul 02
Since I am probably least qualified of all the pyromantics on the list, let me say
that digital pyrometers is weird beasts. Just to make the issue more confusing, I
installed a top probe and and bottom probe. Both are out of the flame path.
(Something I have found is important). But check this out. From 0-1600 the top is
slightly hotter, but at reduction the bottom probe says its hotter and the top
looks like its stalled but the bottom continues to rise normally. At the end the
bottom will say 2300 or so and the top will be barely over 2000. The cones,
however, say the top is hotter by about a cone or half a cone. Last firing, I
simply ignored the bottom probe before reduction and the top probe after
reduction. Result, best fire so far. Digital pyrometers is useful but they lie.
Maybe in about another 50 fires I will not use it at all.
Don Hunt
Ann Brink wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I am going to get a digital pyrometer and am considering the Ultimax, for
> about$100. If any of you have been using one, please let me know if you
> like it or not. I fire mostly oxidation, and gas occasionally. I guess I
> would get the one with 2 thermocouples, especially for the gas firings.
>
> Thanks,
> Ann Brink in CA....p.s. OR, if you want to recommend another brand in that
> price range or somewhat more, I would be happy to hear about it.
>
>
>
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Martin Howard on tue 16 jul 02
I find that the difference between top and bottom of my kiln varies from
firing to firing. It is an electric front loader, with pyrometers in the
upper part of the back wall.
It seems to vary according to the distances between the shelves.
If they are close together at the bottom then the bottom is hotter (or
experiences more heat work) than the top, according to the cones.
It's odd. But the results are OK, so I now just load up as ware becomes
available, and don't worry just where it goes in the kiln.
Martin Howard
Webbs Cottage Pottery
Woolpits Road, Great Saling
BRAINTREE, Essex CM7 5DZ
01371 850 423
martin@webbscottage.co.uk
http://www.webbscottage.co.uk
Updated 6th July 2002
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