nsmheralds@netzero.net on sun 18 dec 05
Greetings unto the list. An associate of mine has an old Skutt kiln. S=
he told me what model, but I've forgotten. It's a small kiln, maybe 16"=
ID x 18" deep. It has a kiln sitter and manual temp. controls on two e=
lement sets. Here's the problem:
When a witness cone is in place and the breaker switch likewise in place=
, the reset button won't stay in when pressed. If I hold it in, the pow=
er light (that is, the light that is on when the kiln is sending power t=
o the elements) lights, but no heat comes from the elements. What does =
this mean? She called Skutt and the person to whom she spoke said it wa=
s something with the small arm that interacts with the witness cone and =
trips the safety switch when the cone bends. I thought I'd post this to=
the list in case anyone has had a similar problem recently enough to gi=
ve any useful advice. She wants to avoid buying parts if those parts ar=
en't the problem or if there's something else that would summarily fry s=
aid new parts. (Kind of like me and cars: gee, it could be half a doze=
n things, let's buy $1000 worth of parts just to find out that the probl=
em was with this piddly little $30 part whose failure fried these two or=
three other $60 parts...)
=
Nathan Miller
Thistillium Pottery
Newberg, OR
=
William & Susan Schran User on sun 18 dec 05
On 12/18/05 2:21 AM, "nsmheralds@netzero.net"
wrote:
> When a witness cone is in place and the breaker switch likewise in place,=
the
> reset button won't stay in when pressed. If I hold it in, the power ligh=
t
> (that is, the light that is on when the kiln is sending power to the elem=
ents)
> lights, but no heat comes from the elements. What does this mean?
A quick search of the Dawson Kilnsitter web site reveals this:
"I can't engage the plunger button on my KilnSitter=AE.
For Models LT-3 and LT-3K, the plunger button will not engage when the time=
r
knob is resting in the "OFF" position. Turn the knob to a higher setting,
then try again.
In other cases, foreign material or corrosion sometimes prevents the cam or
lock assembly from moving to engage the slot in the plunger button. For "LT=
"
models, move the timer knob beyond the 20-hour mark while at the same time
pressing the plunger button. This will ordinarily force the cam into the
slot of the button. Then manually release the weight to make sure the cam
properly disengages the button. If this procedure isn't effective, or the
KilnSitter=AE is a Model "P" or "K" (no timer), remove the face plate and
clean or replace the cam or lock assembly. Be sure there is no corrosion or
other contamination of the surfaces, and also check that the faceplate is
not bent. If there is any question about the condition of these parts, it's
good practice to simply replace them."
I've often found going to the manufacturer's web site, an answer can be
found, or at least head one in the right direction.
-- William "Bill" Schran
Fredericksburg, Virginia
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu
Bonnie Staffel on mon 19 dec 05
I believe we are dealing with incorrect words to describe the problem.
Witness cones are the large cones placed independently on the shelves of
the kiln. I think you are talking about the Kiln Setter. If there is a
timer on the Setter Box in front, you have to turn it up to the required
amount of time plus a little, then the switch button will stay in. The
cone in the Kiln Setter is a small cone which is made for that piece of
equipment. The timer is there to prevent an over fire in case the cone
doesn't bend and the rod doesn't trip the breaker.
If this is not the case, then my suggestions will not apply.
Original Message:
Greetings unto the list. An associate of mine has an old Skutt kiln.
S= he told me what model, but I've forgotten. It's a small kiln, maybe
16"= ID x 18" deep. It has a kiln sitter and manual temp. controls on
two e= lement sets. Here's the problem: When a witness cone is in place
and the breaker switch likewise in place= , the reset button won't stay
in when pressed. If I hold it in, the pow= er light (that is, the light
that is on when the kiln is sending power t= o the elements) lights, but
no heat comes from the elements. What does = this mean? She called
Skutt and the person to whom she spoke said it wa= s something with the
small arm that interacts with the witness cone and = trips the safety
switch when the cone bends. I thought I'd post this to= the list in
case anyone has had a similar problem recently enough to gi= ve any
useful advice. She wants to avoid buying parts if those parts ar= en't
the problem or if there's something else that would summarily fry s= aid
new parts. (Kind of like me and cars: gee, it could be half a doze= n
things, let's buy $1000 worth of parts just to find out that the probl=
em was with this piddly little $30 part whose failure fried these two
or= three other $60 parts...) =
Nathan Miller
Thistillium Pottery
Newberg, OR
Regards,
Bonnie Staffel
http://webpages.charter.net/bstaffel/
DVD Throwing with Coils and Slabs
DVD Beginning Processes
Charter Member Potters Council
Arnold Howard on mon 19 dec 05
----- Original Message -----
From: "nsmheralds@netzero.net"
When a witness cone is in place and the breaker switch likewise in place,
the reset button won't stay in when pressed.
---------------------
If you look at the back of the Kiln Sitter faceplate, you will see a small
spring attached to a locking slide. The spring pulls the locking slide
downward so that it engages in the groove on the Kiln Sitter button. If the
slide doesn't engage, the button won't stay pressed in.
That spring has very little tension. The smallest resistance will prevent
the spring from pulling the locking slide downward.
The most common reason the locking slide doesn't engage is that one of the
wires in the switch box is interfering with the locking slide. If you ever
replace an element and remove the switch box, you should be aware that wires
can interfere with the movement of the locking slide.
If the spring breaks, the locking slide won't engage. But that is rare.
Sometimes the spring will rust and become weak.
Dust and corrosion can prevent the locking slide from moving freely.
Sincerely,
Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com
| |
|
