elark1@VERIZON.NET on wed 31 mar 04
just fiunished a prblem with my kiln controller. i have a cone art kiln (7 cu. ft) and added on a kiln controller about 2 1/2 years ago. i worked well and gave me no trouble. i was able to ramp up at a desired speed and then cool slowly just as i wanted. but recently i found it wsn't coming up to temperature. upon listening to the clicking sound i heard it getting more and more muffled. i called orton who manufactures the auto-fire and found out that the relays had gone. i fore about two to three times per week and was suprised that it took two and a half years to burn out. fortunately this is an add on unit and i was able to remove it and ship it back for repairs, and continue to fire the old fashioned way. it was not very costly in dollars but high in frustration and time lost. has anybody else found that the relays go in such a short time. and is there anything that can be done to extend the lifetime of the relay switches. now that i have them back i can go to fire again.....but i am off to california for a month's vacation so i hope to read mels' book and just chill or rather warm up after a long hard winter.
eleanor arkowitz,hanover, n.h.
Roger Korn on thu 1 apr 04
This sounds like pretty good lifespan for those relays. They are very easy to change, and not expensive. Fear not: UNPLUG THE KILN and open the Chamber of Secrets (controller) and take a look.
Your alternatives are to use solid state relays (no reassuring click, almost infinite life, but tend to fail ON, which can be a worry) or industrial mercury-displacement relays ($$$). Me, I'd just keep some spare relays on the shelf and replace as required, since the 'alternatives' require modifications to the controller.
Hope this helps,
Roger Korn
You wrote:
just fiunished a prblem with my kiln controller. i have a cone art
kiln (7 cu. ft) and added on a kiln controller about 2 1/2 years
ago. i worked well and gave me no trouble. i was able to ramp up at
a desired speed and then cool slowly just as i wanted. but recently
i found it wsn't coming up to temperature. upon listening to the
clicking sound i heard it getting more and more muffled. i called
orton who manufactures the auto-fire and found out that the relays
had gone. i fore about two to three times per week and was suprised
that it took two and a half years to burn out. fortunately this is
an add on unit and i was able to remove it and ship it back for
repairs, and continue to fire the old fashioned way. it was not very
costly in dollars but high in frustration and time lost. has anybody
else found that the relays go in such a short time. and is there
anything that can be done to extend the lifetime of the relay
switches. now that i have them back i can go to fire agai
n.....but i am off to california for a month's vacation so i hope to
read mels' book and just chill or rather warm up after a long hard
winter.
eleanor arkowitz,hanover, n.h.
--
McKay Creek Ceramics
In OR: PO Box 436
North Plains, OR 97133
503-647-5464
In AZ: PO Box 463 <--I'm here
Rimrock, AZ 86335
928-567-5699
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