Kathleen Gordon on thu 8 jun 06
yesterday i had two kiln loads of bisque.....so i got the second kiln
all loaded and ready to go when the first one shut off... but after
flipping the switch for the second one to start... it's temp did not
rise .... i checked the most obvious thing the kiln sitter and the
button would not go in or stay in... so the kiln will not run....it
is only a back up since i have a computer controller(both skutt...
kilns 1027) this happened once before on this old workhorse kiln and
i took the thing apart -put it in my car and took it to a tech...
naturally when he tried it .. it worked fine... so do i take it apart
and take it for a ride around the block? or is there a better way to
solve this problem... maybe disconnect the thing permanently?
any ideas out there? if so thanks so much ....
"if things seem under control you are not going fast enough"
mario andretti
kathleen gordon
650-328-9164
Maurice Weitman on fri 9 jun 06
At 21:35 -0700 on 6/8/06, Kathleen Gordon wrote:
>yesterday i had two kiln loads of bisque.....so i got the second kiln
>all loaded and ready to go when the first one shut off... but after
>flipping the switch for the second one to start... it's temp did not
>rise .... i checked the most obvious thing the kiln sitter and the
>button would not go in or stay in... so the kiln will not run....it
>is only a back up since i have a computer controller(both skutt...
>kilns 1027) this happened once before on this old workhorse kiln and
>i took the thing apart -put it in my car and took it to a tech...
>naturally when he tried it .. it worked fine... so do i take it apart
>and take it for a ride around the block? or is there a better way to
>solve this problem... maybe disconnect the thing permanently?
>any ideas out there? if so thanks so much ....
Hello, Kathleen,
It's possible that you can adjust/clean the parts=20
that may be causing the problem. Have you got=20
the kiln sitter adjustment gauge (about the size=20
of a nickel with notches) that came with the=20
kiln? You might have to replace a part or two.
Dawson's support web page is at: .
It has a FAQ list, links to manuals for their=20
products, and their phone number. They're nice,=20
helpful people.
The FAQ includes this:
3. I can't engage the plunger button on my KilnSitter=AE.
=46or Models LT-3 and LT-3K, the plunger button=20
will not engage when the timer knob is resting in=20
the "OFF" position. Turn the knob to a higher=20
setting, then try again.
In other cases, foreign material or corrosion=20
sometimes prevents the cam or lock assembly from=20
moving to engage the slot in the plunger button.=20
=46or "LT" models, move the timer knob beyond the=20
20-hour mark while at the same time pressing the=20
plunger button. This will ordinarily force the=20
cam into the slot of the button. Then manually=20
release the weight to make sure the cam properly=20
disengages the button. If this procedure isn't=20
effective, or the KilnSitter=AE is a Model "P" or=20
"K" (no timer), remove the face plate and clean=20
or replace the cam or lock assembly. Be sure=20
there is no corrosion or other contamination of=20
the surfaces, and also check that the faceplate=20
is not bent. If there is any question about the=20
condition of these parts, it's good practice to=20
simply replace them.
You might also want to call Skutt's techs. They're also nice and helpful.
Good luck!
Regards,
Maurice
Arnold Howard on fri 9 jun 06
From: "Kathleen Gordon"
.... i checked the most obvious thing the kiln sitter and
the
> button would not go in or stay in... so the kiln will not
> run
Reasons the Kiln Sitter plunger doesn't stay locked on:
1) The plunger will not stay in unless you have time on the
Limit Timer clock. If you have time on the clock, the Limit
Timer may be burned up.
2) A wire may be in the way of the Kiln Sitter plunger
mechanism, preventing it from locking in the on position.
Sometimes heat causes a wire to move inside the switch box.
3) Something has fallen into the switch box and is
interfering with the plunger: a match stick, a piece of
dried clay, a screw. If anything lodges where the contact
blocks come together, the plunger will not stay locked on.
4) The locking catch is rusted or has material stuck to it.
5) The spring for the latch is broken.
Sincerely,
Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com
Taylor Hendrix on fri 9 jun 06
Hey Arnold and Kathleen,
Arnold, does the timer have to be functional to still use the sitter?
I'm pretty sure that as long as you don't have the knob turned to zero
time, the locking cam (or whatever that thing is called) will still
engage the plunger and the counter weight can still release the cam.
Just don't rely on the timer back up.
Make sure when you push in the plunger, that it freely travels its
full length. The edge of the plunger you push in should just stop at
the face plate or a tad further in. Anything less and Arnold's fallen
debris is a real possibility.
Those little springs for the locking cam are delicate little flowers
and yours could very well be kaput. BTW, anyone know what that type
of spring is called? Not leaf. Phil? Kathleen, if you take apart
the sitter check that the locking cam can freely travel from the
locked position to the release position. Perhaps the surfaces of the
metal have oxidize and this is binding its travel somewhat.
Taylor in Rockport TX
On 6/9/06, Arnold Howard wrote:
...
> 1) The plunger will not stay in unless you have time on the
> Limit Timer clock. If you have time on the clock, the Limit
> Timer may be burned up.
...
> 5) The spring for the latch is broken.
...
Lynn Goodman Porcelain Pottery on fri 9 jun 06
I wouldn't disconnect it. I have a manual kiln with a kiln sitter/timer
and a controller that I added on. I know too many potters that had
melt-downs because they trusted the automatic controller on their
kilns. I use all my back up and I still make sure that I am around for
the end of the firing (just in case!).
Anyway, your kiln sitter may just need cleaning. If you are firing
something that fumes a lot, it can build up in unexpected places, such
as external controls. You may also be able to replace a faulty part
instead of replacing the whole thing. (Although, if it's old, this may
just be a warning of other problems to come, and it may be time to
replace.)
Lynn
On Jun 9, 2006, at 12:35 AM, Kathleen Gordon wrote:
> yesterday i had two kiln loads of bisque.....so i got the second kiln
> all loaded and ready to go when the first one shut off... but after
> flipping the switch for the second one to start... it's temp did not
> rise .... i checked the most obvious thing the kiln sitter and the
> button would not go in or stay in... so the kiln will not run....it
> is only a back up since i have a computer controller(both skutt...
> kilns 1027) this happened once before on this old workhorse kiln and
> i took the thing apart -put it in my car and took it to a tech...
> naturally when he tried it .. it worked fine... so do i take it apart
> and take it for a ride around the block? or is there a better way to
> solve this problem... maybe disconnect the thing permanently?
> any ideas out there? if so thanks so much ....
>
>
> "if things seem under control you are not going fast enough"
> mario andretti
>
> kathleen gordon
> 650-328-9164
>
> _______________________________________________________________________
> _______
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>
>
Lynn Goodman
Fine Porcelain Pottery
548 Court St.
Brooklyn, NY 11231
718-858-6920
Cell 347-526-9805
www.lynngoodmanporcelain.com
Arnold Howard on mon 12 jun 06
From: "Taylor Hendrix"
> Arnold, does the timer have to be functional to still use
> the sitter?
> I'm pretty sure that as long as you don't have the knob
> turned to zero
> time, the locking cam (or whatever that thing is called)
> will still
> engage the plunger and the counter weight can still
> release the cam.
> Just don't rely on the timer back up.
Taylor, thanks for the correction.
Sincerely,
Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com
| |
|
