Arnold Howard on mon 9 oct 06
Skutt uses "tuned" elements on many of their kilns. This is
a design that improves heat distribution without using
three-zone control.
The top and bottom elements glow earlier than the center
elements, because the top and bottom elements draw more
energy than the center ones. (The lid and bottom of a kiln
are more difficult to heat than the sidewalls, where the
elements are located.)
So when you check the glow of the elements, turn off the
room lights. Then it will be easier to see the center
elements, which glow more faintly. Or wait longer until the
center elements begin to glow brighter.
When you replace a set of tuned elements, by the way, be
sure not to mix them up. Reversing a top or bottom element
with a center element will cause the kiln to fire unevenly.
Besides using tuned elements, another way to improve heat
distribution in a digital kiln is with three-zone control.
Paragon doesn't sell many three-zone kilns, and I don't
think Skutt does either, because three-zone requires three
thermocouples instead of one. So there are three times as
many thermocouples to maintain. Problems with a three-zone
kiln are also more difficult
to diagnose, such as when a thermocouple begins to drift.
Sincerely,
Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Pamela Regentin"
I would be concerned about the fact that all the elements
glowed orange except the middle ones. That indicates a
disruption in the circuit.
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