Amy Brenner on tue 1 apr 03
A few years ago I bought a kiln and Orton Autofire. I fired the kiln maybe
four times and then for several reasons didn't use it again. It is now
loaded to fire and when I went to start it I got a FAIL message which
according to the leaflet that came with it means the thermocoupling is no
good. It looks fine--not broken or corroded. I wonder if it has become
inactive from sitting unused so long, and if there is anything I can do to
get it working again. Does anyone know anything about this, please?
Arnold Howard on tue 1 apr 03
It is possible that the thermocouple was struck during the time that the
kiln was in storage. Here is a simple test, which works with most brands
of controllers:
1) Unplug. Remove the controller board.
2) Remove the 2 thermocouple wires from their connections on the back of
the board.
3) Cut a paperclip in half. Insert a u-shaped paperclip piece, or other
piece of wire, between the thermocouple connectors.
4) Plug in the kiln. If the board reads room temperature, replace the
thermocouple.
Sincerely,
Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P.
www.paragonweb.com
From: Amy Brenner
> A few years ago I bought a kiln and Orton Autofire. I fired the kiln
maybe
> four times and then for several reasons didn't use it again. It is
now
> loaded to fire and when I went to start it I got a FAIL message which
> according to the leaflet that came with it means the thermocoupling is
no
> good. It looks fine--not broken or corroded.
Kathi LeSueur on wed 2 apr 03
ABLM@AOL.COM wrote:
>A few years ago I bought a kiln and Orton Autofire. I fired the kiln maybe
>four times and then for several reasons didn't use it again. It is now
>loaded to fire and when I went to start it I got a FAIL message which
>according to the leaflet that came with it means the thermocoupling is no
>good. It looks fine--not broken or corroded. I wonder if it has become
>inactive from sitting unused so long, and if there is anything I can do to
>get it working again. Does anyone know anything about this, please?>>
>
You often can't see the damage to the thermocouple so if you are getting
a fail message, replace the unit. Also, having overfired a bisque with a
controller, I highly suggest you put in at least one standard cone
visable through a peephole and make sure that the kiln fires to the
temperature you want. Somehow, when they screw up they only overfire so
that the ware is useless rather than underfiring.
Kathi
>
>
>
>
Amy Brenner on wed 2 apr 03
I tried your paperclip suggestion and still get the FAIL message. I
also recleaned and sandpapered all the connections. Is this big trouble?
satschannen on wed 2 apr 03
Amy, I have the same Orton controller. Call Orton's service or go on
line ---I believe they have tech support with a quick turn around.
The phone will be your best bet and I suppose you have the
manual....the number should be right there. Good luck...
Fabienne Cassman on wed 2 apr 03
This would mean that your circuit is broken somewhere else. I would check all the connections and make sure there are no loose wires. Is there any other code flashing besides FAIL?
I also understand they have diagnostic routines, but I would suggest you call Orton and have them work with you. It would probably go a lot faster; it did for me when I had problems with something else.
http://www.ortonceramic.com/Firing/contact.control.html
Tel. +1-800-999-5442
Fabienne who just received her new t-couples from Orton UPS man is such a sweety; he always brings me what I need. Cute guy too ;)
>I tried your paperclip suggestion and still get the FAIL message. I
>also recleaned and sandpapered all the connections. Is this big
>trouble?
--
Fabienne http://www.milkywayceramics.com/
WARNING: I cannot be held responsible for the above
because my cats have apparently learned to type.
_,'| _.-''``-...___..--';)
/_ \'. __..-' , ,--...--'''
<\ .`--''' ` /'
`-';' ; ; ;
__...--'' ___...--_..' .;.'
(,__....----''' (,..--''
--
Arnold Howard on wed 2 apr 03
A FAIL reading on digital controllers I am familiar with means a
defective thermocouple. If you have inserted the paperclip at the
thermocouple leads on the back of the controller, and you still get a
FAIL message, the controller may be defective.
Sincerely,
Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P.
www.paragonweb.com
From: Amy Brenner
To:
> I tried your paperclip suggestion and still get the FAIL
message. I
> also recleaned and sandpapered all the connections. Is this big
trouble?
Amy Brenner on wed 2 apr 03
That's what I'm afraid of! Amy
Ron Roy on thu 3 apr 03
Hold a match to the end of the termocouple - if the tmperature raises in
the display it is an indication that it is still working - a good way to
check to see if you have the leads attached right when replacing the wire
at either end.
RR
>It is possible that the thermocouple was struck during the time that the
>kiln was in storage. Here is a simple test, which works with most brands
>of controllers:
>
>1) Unplug. Remove the controller board.
>
>2) Remove the 2 thermocouple wires from their connections on the back of
>the board.
>
>3) Cut a paperclip in half. Insert a u-shaped paperclip piece, or other
>piece of wire, between the thermocouple connectors.
>
>4) Plug in the kiln. If the board reads room temperature, replace the
>thermocouple.
>
>Sincerely,
>
>Arnold Howard
>Paragon Industries, L.P.
>www.paragonweb.com
Ron Roy
RR#4
15084 Little Lake Road
Brighton, Ontario
Canada
K0K 1H0
Phone: 613-475-9544
Fax: 613-475-3513
| |
|
