Brad Sondahl on sat 29 jan 05
There are two issues with this: Infinite switches aren't rated for as
much amperage as the 3 ways, so they may not work with your kiln.
I started out with a Crusader kiln with 6 infinite switches, one for
each element (made it easy to know which element/connector had burned
out). The three ways are usually used with pairs of elements.
"Burned out" brings up the second issue: infinite switches are
continually switching on and off (except in the High position). You can
see the little arc each time they do it through the side. This feature
makes them more prone to burning out than the 3 position switches. This
is only noticable over years of use.
I switched from my Crusader to a Crucible (made by Seattle Pottery), and
figured I wouldn't like the 3 position switches, but they've been reliable.
I don't believe in babying kilns either up or down (except avoiding too
fast bisque, as Mel has pointed out). But the same results could
probably be achieved with the 3 position switches, or by only using some
of the bottom ones to slowly upramp or fire down. I specify the bottom
ones, because most electric kilns are cooler in the bottom, and if
there's extra heat there it will rise by convection.
Brad Sondahl
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For original art, music, pottery, and literature, and my new pottery how to DVD visit my homepage
http://sondahl.com
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