Christena Schafale on tue 8 jul 03
I just replaced my Envirovent (after the 2nd fan in 4 years died) with an
L&L kiln vent. This unit has an adjustment that controls the amount of air
being pulled through the kiln. If anyone else has one of these vents,
could you comment on how you have used this and what setting has worked
best? I have a 7 cu ft kiln, and I was thinking that I would start out
with leaving it adjusted for maximum venting to start with, and then going
from there depending on results. I'm looking for good airflow without
causing cold spots at the top of the kiln.
Holding a lighted match over the intake holes on the top of the kiln, I see
the flame being pulled downward about the same as I did with the
Envirovent, so I don't have the impression that I'm getting any more
venting, even though this fan is supposed to be more powerful. Anyone have
experience to share?
Light One Candle Pottery
209 N Woodrow St
Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
(919) 567-1098
candle@intrex.net
www.lightonecandle.com
Clayart Spring Gallery: www.lightonecandle.com/clayartgallery.html
william schran on wed 9 jul 03
Christena wrote: < If anyone else has one of these vents,
could you comment on how you have used this and what setting has worked
best?>
Does this L&L vent have the motor attached to the hose away from the
kiln? I think I looked at an L&L vent and decided to get the Bailey's
vent because it didn't require drilling holes in the lid. The exhaust
hose is attached to the wall near the bottom of the kiln with a
slight air gap at the attachment point. This draws in some exterior
air that seems to cool what comes out of the kiln. The motor is
mounted away from the kiln which also keeps it cooler.
I would think you'd want to draw more air from the kiln during early
stages when water vapor is released and later, when organics are
burning out.
Bill
Christena Schafale on wed 9 jul 03
Bill,
You are right about the fact that the L&L is wall-mounted. It can draw
from either the side or the bottom of the kiln -- mine is at the bottom
because I already had the holes from the Envirovent. (I got the L&L
instead of the Bailey partly because I already had holes in the top and
bottom of the kiln and didn't want to put another hole in the side.) The
duct is attached to a "collection box" under the kiln. This box has a hole
in the side which can be opened to varying degrees to allow varying amounts
of room air to mix with what is being drawn from the kiln. What I am
trying to figure out is how much, if at all, I should open that hole. You
make a good point that it might be important to open it at least a little,
in order to cool the exhaust gases somewhat before they get to the
blower. It's pretty inconvenient to reach, being under the kiln, so my
guess is that, once I get it set, it will be staying that way for awhile.
Chris
At 09:39 AM 7/9/03 -0400, you wrote:
>Christena wrote: < If anyone else has one of these vents,
>could you comment on how you have used this and what setting has worked
>best?>
>
>Does this L&L vent have the motor attached to the hose away from the
>kiln? I think I looked at an L&L vent and decided to get the Bailey's
>vent because it didn't require drilling holes in the lid. The exhaust
>hose is attached to the wall near the bottom of the kiln with a
>slight air gap at the attachment point. This draws in some exterior
>air that seems to cool what comes out of the kiln. The motor is
>mounted away from the kiln which also keeps it cooler.
>I would think you'd want to draw more air from the kiln during early
>stages when water vapor is released and later, when organics are
>burning out.
>Bill
>
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Maurice Weitman on wed 9 jul 03
Hello, Christena,
Since I didn't see anyone else jump in, here's how I understand it.
Due to the wide variety of "tightness" of kilns, there's no
universally correct setting.
I think one wants as little outside air being introduced into the
kiln as possible while maintaining a slight negative pressure within
so that gasses do not seep through the cracks into your room.
So "good airflow" through the kiln is not necessary, and might even
be undesirable. I would test your setup with something that will
produce smoke in the kiln and adjust the amount of suction to the
lowest amount that does not allow smoke to escape. I don't think a
vent such as the two you mention can take out enough air with the lid
cracked open, but if you keep peep holes open routinely, you might
want to account for that in your test.
To keep the exhaust pipe and motor cool, you'd want to mix in as much
room air as needed.
I've only adjusted and used these on newer kilns. You and others
will know better than I about your kiln's condition and the
difference older, and therefore possibly leakier bricks might make,
but in a fairly new, tight kiln, it's a pretty minimal amount of
pressure to keep smoke and nasties from getting into the room.
I hope that helps.
Regards,
Maurice
At 5:02 PM -0400 on 7/8/03, Christena Schafale wrote:
>I just replaced my Envirovent (after the 2nd fan in 4 years died) with an
>L&L kiln vent. This unit has an adjustment that controls the amount of air
>being pulled through the kiln. If anyone else has one of these vents,
>could you comment on how you have used this and what setting has worked
>best? I have a 7 cu ft kiln, and I was thinking that I would start out
>with leaving it adjusted for maximum venting to start with, and then going
>from there depending on results. I'm looking for good airflow without
>causing cold spots at the top of the kiln.
>
>Holding a lighted match over the intake holes on the top of the kiln, I see
>the flame being pulled downward about the same as I did with the
>Envirovent, so I don't have the impression that I'm getting any more
>venting, even though this fan is supposed to be more powerful. Anyone have
>experience to share?
Stephen J Lewicki on mon 14 jul 03
For all who would like to see what we say in our Vent-Sure downdraft vent
instructions about this issue please go to http://www.hotkilns.com/ventsure-
instruct.pdf.
Thanks,
Stephen Lewicki
President
L&L Kiln Mfg., Inc.
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