Lisa Williams on mon 30 dec 02
Hello all -
Recently I bought a very used L&L J230 kiln with a kiln sitter and infinity
switches. It looks really ugly, but seems pretty solid. The brick inside
looks okay (used, but intact), the lid looks pretty tired. It is now hooked
up (thanks to the electrician). I attempted to fire (^6) this weekend and
after 14 hours it had not even reached ^4.
My old kiln had just the lo-med-high switches and 2 sections - pretty easy to
figure out. I am not sure what to do with 3 sections and the infinity
switches.
Could it be the elements? If so, now I really am intimidated! I am afraid I
am going to have to learn how to replace them! (I am a big chicken!)
I am afraid I may have bought a lemon - but I bought it for next to nothing
so it is not the end of the world. I guess if I need to take it apart and
experiment it would not be a tremendous loss. I guess my problem is that I
don't want to sink a bunch of money into fixing it if it is not going to be
worth it. I would love a new one (my first kiln was free, this one was
almost free), I have been saving.........but do I spend the money I was
saving for a new one on repairs......decisions, decisions!
Any help, suggestions, etc is much appreciated.
Lisa in NC
claybair on mon 30 dec 02
Lisa,
Contact L&L
http://www.hotkilns.com/
They will be very helpful.
Gayle Bair
Bainbridge Island, WA
http://claybair.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Lisa Williams
Hello all -
Recently I bought a very used L&L J230 kiln with a kiln sitter and infinity
switches. It looks really ugly, but seems pretty solid. The brick inside
looks okay (used, but intact), the lid looks pretty tired. It is now hooked
up (thanks to the electrician). I attempted to fire (^6) this weekend and
after 14 hours it had not even reached ^4.
My old kiln had just the lo-med-high switches and 2 sections - pretty easy
to
figure out. I am not sure what to do with 3 sections and the infinity
switches.
Could it be the elements? If so, now I really am intimidated! I am afraid
I
am going to have to learn how to replace them! (I am a big chicken!)
I am afraid I may have bought a lemon - but I bought it for next to nothing
so it is not the end of the world. I guess if I need to take it apart and
experiment it would not be a tremendous loss. I guess my problem is that I
don't want to sink a bunch of money into fixing it if it is not going to be
worth it. I would love a new one (my first kiln was free, this one was
almost free), I have been saving.........but do I spend the money I was
saving for a new one on repairs......decisions, decisions!
Any help, suggestions, etc is much appreciated.
william schran on mon 30 dec 02
Lisa in NC asked about her used L&L J230 not reaching temperature
after an extended period of time.
Lisa, I've had and worked with several L&L's and have replaced just
about everything that can be replaced on them. Changing the elements
compared to most other kilns is much easier due to the element
holders which do not require pins to hold the elements in place. It's
easy to remove & replace without damaging the firebrick. Just make
sure you cut the circuit, unplug the kiln and change one element at a
time. It's also a good idea to have a heavy duty pair of wire cutters
to cut the element pigtails and some WD40 to spray on any rusted nuts
or bolts.
I would have the electrician check your line voltage to make certain
you're getting 240 volts. If you're only getting 208 volts, you may
never reach your desired temperature with 240 volt elements. If you
got the kiln without any records (last time elements were changed, if
ever, how many firings, etc.), you may very well need to replace the
elements. I have ordered elements from both L&L and Euclids. Both
have performed about the same over the same period of time.
If you do decide to replace the elements (gonna run you about
$225-$250 for the elements) and have questions, feel free to ask "off
line".
Bill
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