Ivy Glasgow on wed 5 jul 06
Hi, I am hoping someone on the list can help me isolate the problem
with my kiln.
I have an older Paragon SNF-24 kiln, which has been working well, but
recently the lower part of the kiln has been extremely underfired. I
suspected that an element(s) was burned out. I used an electric
multimeter to measure the resistance across each element and found
each one to meet spec, whether 3 ohms or 5 ohms. I tested for
continuity from switch to element, from element to element, and back
to the switch, and found no break.
With the way that the Paragon kiln is set up, each switch controls
every third element. So there are no 'zones' like in some kilns... I
would expect that if a switch or whole circuit was out, the whole kiln
would underfire? I confess I don't completely understand the
electrical diagram... If one element is out completely, does this
knock out the whole circuit? Or is it like Christmas lights, where one
can burn out, but the rest of the string stays lit?
I am not sure what to look at next. Any suggestions would be greatly
appreciated.
Thanks,
Ivy G.
Taylor Hendrix on thu 6 jul 06
Hey Ivy,
I know there's a song there 'cause my father-in-law sings it all the time...
Anyway,
Have you checked the timer on that switch. I'm going by the diagram
on Paragonweb (the one with 3 and 5 ohm elements but there is another
diagram for the same model number you gave) and I don't have any
real-world experience with either this switch or this kiln, but it is
possible that the elements are fine but the switch is 'off' due to the
timer, perhaps? I'm sure Arnold will explain that one to me.
As far as all elements going out if one is broken...no, the way the
diagram is drawn, each element set (four elements) has it's own switch
and the switch gets its power right from the sitter. That is 8, count
'em 8, connections excluding the connections to the switch. Did you
check continuity all the way down the line? All those connections
need to be checked.
If you don't already have a spare timmer switch, you could get one and
replace that bottom one. Always good to have an extra switch on hand.
Run through a switch test with your v meter if you have the
proceedure. Arnold could help you there as well.
Arnold is cool.
Taylor, in Rockport TX
On 7/5/06, Ivy Glasgow wrote:
> Hi, I am hoping someone on the list can help me isolate the problem
> with my kiln.
> I have an older Paragon SNF-24 kiln, which has been working well, but
> recently the lower part of the kiln has been extremely underfired. I
> suspected that an element(s) was burned out. I used an electric
> multimeter to measure the resistance across each element and found
> each one to meet spec, whether 3 ohms or 5 ohms. I tested for
> continuity from switch to element, from element to element, and back
> to the switch, and found no break.
> With the way that the Paragon kiln is set up, each switch controls
> every third element. So there are no 'zones' like in some kilns... I
> would expect that if a switch or whole circuit was out, the whole kiln
> would underfire? I confess I don't completely understand the
> electrical diagram... If one element is out completely, does this
> knock out the whole circuit? Or is it like Christmas lights, where one
> can burn out, but the rest of the string stays lit?
> I am not sure what to look at next. Any suggestions would be greatly
> appreciated.
> Thanks,
> Ivy G.
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