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groaning kiln

updated tue 16 nov 10

 

Kathy Forer on sun 14 nov 10


All switches were flipped to high by 5pm last night. I was hoping to shut t=
h=3D
e kiln down by midnight at least but it's still chugging away and a mere 13=
6=3D
0 now, rise from 1200 at 2am.=3D20

The kiln sitter popped at 900 (as it had done the first time) so I'm on man=
u=3D
al reading the digital thermometer with cone backup.=3D20

18" econokiln bought used, probably 30-40 years old. I Initially rewired th=
e=3D
controller box (with the help of a computer engineer friend) as there were=
o=3D
ld wires and bad connections. The first firing was timely.=3D20

Where do I start getting things running properly now? Replace elements? Rel=
a=3D
ys?=3D20

Thanks!


Kathy Forer

Kathy Forer on sun 14 nov 10


Oops oops! It was all centigrade which is how I usually fire. My mind just =
f=3D
lipped the Fahrenheit switch. I'll know tomorrow whether my bisque 06 survi=
v=3D
es to cone 10!

Kathy

On Nov 14, 2010, at 9:53 AM, Kathy Forer wrote:

> All switches were flipped to high by 5pm last night. I was hoping to shut=
t=3D
he kiln down by midnight at least but it's still chugging away and a mere 1=
3=3D
60 now, rise from 1200 at 2am.=3D20
>=3D20
> The kiln sitter popped at 900 (as it had done the first time) so I'm on m=
a=3D
nual reading the digital thermometer with cone backup.=3D20
>=3D20
> 18" econokiln bought used, probably 30-40 years old. I Initially rewired =
t=3D
he controller box (with the help of a computer engineer friend) as there we=
r=3D
e old wires and bad connections. The first firing was timely.=3D20
>=3D20
> Where do I start getting things running properly now? Replace elements? R=
e=3D
lays?=3D20
>=3D20
> Thanks!
>=3D20
>=3D20
> Kathy Forer
>=3D20

Kathy Forer on sun 14 nov 10


On Nov 14, 2010, at 3:13 PM, William & Susan Schran User =
w=3D
rote:

> If none are broken:
> Go to L&L web site: www.hotkilns.com
> Then support> PDF Library and Instruction Manuals>scroll down to "Old J
> series Econo-kiln Literature" and see if there is a resistance/ohm readin=
g=3D

> for the elements in your model. If the reading is way off the reading for
> new elements, then that is what you need.

This seems like something very useful to know how to do.=3D20

> Mine is JX18, 18" diam x 27" high.
> I used to fire crystalline glazes in this kiln, going from start to ^6 in=
4=3D

> hours!! So I know this kiln is capable of firing very fast.

As I found out today!

Kathy


>=3D20

William & Susan Schran User on sun 14 nov 10


On 11/14/10 9:53 AM, "Kathy Forer" wrote:

> 18" econokiln bought used, probably 30-40 years old. I Initially rewired =
the
> controller box (with the help of a computer engineer friend) as there wer=
e old
> wires and bad connections. The first firing was timely.
> Where do I start getting things running properly now? Replace elements?
> Relays?

Kathy,
I have an older L&L econokiln, 18" diam.
No relay's in this kiln, just infinite switches.
I had one switch infinite switch fail in 5 of these kilns, so not often, bu=
t
does happen.
When kiln is empty, turn all switches to "HI", wait a few minutes, then
carefully lift the lid and see if all elements are beginning to glow, at
least at the corners, then you can see if any are broken.
If none are broken:
Go to L&L web site: www.hotkilns.com
Then support> PDF Library and Instruction Manuals>scroll down to "Old J
series Econo-kiln Literature" and see if there is a resistance/ohm reading
for the elements in your model. If the reading is way off the reading for
new elements, then that is what you need.

Mine is JX18, 18" diam x 27" high.
I used to fire crystalline glazes in this kiln, going from start to ^6 in 4
hours!! So I know this kiln is capable of firing very fast.

Bill

--
William "Bill" Schran
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu
http://www.creativecreekartisans.com

Kathy Forer on sun 14 nov 10


Okay. I'm ditzy!

And two, I disregarded procedure by not checking the peephole cones. I was =
m=3D
ore concerned with closing them to raise the temperature.=3D20

I'm delighted this little kiln can do what it did!


Kathy Forer