CINDI ANDERSON on thu 22 nov 01
I really don't see what programmable kilns has to do with elements wearing out.
Sounds to me like you have two different things going on. I don't know what's
going on with your controller, but mine has never given me a bit of trouble and I
wouldn't fire without an electronic controller. L&L does recommend heavy duty
elements for Cone 6 firings and above, but I still wouldn't think your elements
would be worn out so soon if you only sometimes fire to Cone 6. I'm guessing even
20 times to Cone 6 is too many without the heavy duty elements, the elements get
marginal, and then the program is giving your errors. I would ask them about
this..
Cindi
Fremont, CA
Kim Lemonakis wrote:
> Wow,
> I was happy to see that I am not the only person on earth having problems
> with the electronic controller. I have to Dyna Kilns that aren't even a year
> old and the kilns stopped getting to cone 6 (about 7 months after
> purchasing). I have been on the phone with the support person that happens to
> be a nice guy but can't understand why I am struggling. He said it's the
> elements so I took om reading and they were weak but still had a lot of life
> left in them. I want to by pass that program that keeps sending the error
> code, he said you do the varied firing program.
> Well, if I had it to do over I would never had bought these programmable
> kilns. Kiln element should last longer than 7 months. I only fired to cone 6
> once a week and use it for low fire all the rest of the time.
>
> Thanks
> Kim Lemonakis Orlando Florida
Arnolds Home Improvements on thu 22 nov 01
Kim
I had very same problem with my L&L. Was told the same thing
elements so I changed them. I am a hobby potter so my kiln was fired less
than yours. I too thought the elements should perform better than that. I
had even paid the extra cost and ordered heavy duty ones.
Gene Arnold
mudduck@advi.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Kim Lemonakis
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Date: Thursday, November 22, 2001 7:30 PM
Subject: L&L Kiln Problems
>Wow,
>I was happy to see that I am not the only person on earth having problems
>with the electronic controller. I have to Dyna Kilns that aren't even a
year
>old and the kilns stopped getting to cone 6 (about 7 months after
>purchasing). I have been on the phone with the support person that happens
to
>be a nice guy but can't understand why I am struggling. He said it's the
>elements so I took om reading and they were weak but still had a lot of
life
>left in them. I want to by pass that program that keeps sending the error
>code, he said you do the varied firing program.
>Well, if I had it to do over I would never had bought these programmable
>kilns. Kiln element should last longer than 7 months. I only fired to cone
6
>once a week and use it for low fire all the rest of the time.
>Well, I guess I am going to really have to work on reading the directions
>again to understand how to use the varied firing to by pass the other
>programs. I 'd like to hear if anyone else has or is struggling with these
>kilns.
>Thanks
>Kim Lemonakis Orlando Florida
>
>___________________________________________________________________________
___
>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.
>
vince pitelka on thu 22 nov 01
> I had very same problem with my L&L. Was told the same thing
> elements so I changed them. I am a hobby potter so my kiln was fired less
> than yours. I too thought the elements should perform better than that. I
> had even paid the extra cost and ordered heavy duty ones.
We have two L&L J-230s, which we use exclusively for bisque and low-fire,
and we love them. We do not use them at all for midrange firing. I think
this gets back to the problems of a 2.5" wall. The elements simply have to
work a lot harder to get to cone 6. Personally, I do not think that a kiln
with a 2.5" wall is really appropriate for cone 6 firing. The more
insulation (within reason), the less work the elements have to do. With all
the toploader electric kilns available that have either 2.5" of IFB and a
layer of fiber, or preferably 3" of IFB with a layer of fiber, there is
little reason to use a kiln with a plain ol' 2.5" wall for midrange firing,
even with the heavy-duty elements.
Best wishes -
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
Home - vpitelka@dtccom.net
615/597-5376
Work - wpitelka@tntech.edu
615/597-6801 ext. 111, fax 615/597-6803
http://www.craftcenter.tntech.edu/
Kim Lemonakis on thu 22 nov 01
Wow,
I was happy to see that I am not the only person on earth having problems
with the electronic controller. I have to Dyna Kilns that aren't even a year
old and the kilns stopped getting to cone 6 (about 7 months after
purchasing). I have been on the phone with the support person that happens to
be a nice guy but can't understand why I am struggling. He said it's the
elements so I took om reading and they were weak but still had a lot of life
left in them. I want to by pass that program that keeps sending the error
code, he said you do the varied firing program.
Well, if I had it to do over I would never had bought these programmable
kilns. Kiln element should last longer than 7 months. I only fired to cone 6
once a week and use it for low fire all the rest of the time.
Well, I guess I am going to really have to work on reading the directions
again to understand how to use the varied firing to by pass the other
programs. I 'd like to hear if anyone else has or is struggling with these
kilns.
Thanks
Kim Lemonakis Orlando Florida
Frank Gaydos on fri 23 nov 01
Dear Kim,
I'm finding the weakest link with these kilns is the thermocouple probes.
When they get corroded after some firings they cease to function properly.
Also, they stick in the kiln like sore thumbs waiting for the careless to
thump them with a kiln shelf and presto, the kiln is dead till you replace
it. The learning curve can be quite expensive.
They can be a work saver, and are appreciated but, at what price.
Frank Gaydos
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kim Lemonakis"
Sent: Thursday, November 22, 2001 1:56 PM
Subject: L&L Kiln Problems
> Wow,
> I was happy to see that I am not the only person on earth having problems
> with the electronic controller. I have to Dyna Kilns that aren't even a
year
> old and the kilns stopped getting to cone 6 (about 7 months after
> purchasing). I have been on the phone with the support person that happens
to
> be a nice guy but can't understand why I am struggling. He said it's the
> elements so I took om reading and they were weak but still had a lot of
life
> left in them. I want to by pass that program that keeps sending the error
> code, he said you do the varied firing program.
> Well, if I had it to do over I would never had bought these programmable
> kilns. Kiln element should last longer than 7 months. I only fired to cone
6
> once a week and use it for low fire all the rest of the time.
> Well, I guess I am going to really have to work on reading the directions
> again to understand how to use the varied firing to by pass the other
> programs. I 'd like to hear if anyone else has or is struggling with these
> kilns.
> Thanks
> Kim Lemonakis Orlando Florida
>
Roger Korn on fri 23 nov 01
Vince,
You've got this exactly right. I regularly turn thin-wall (2.5 and 3 inch IFB)
kilns into mid-range kilns by going to 2 switches that can handle 20 amps each
instead of the two 15 amp "infinite heat" controllers and replacing the 16 ohm
elements with heavier 12 ohm hand wound elements. (email me off-list if you want to
know how I wind elements - you ain't gonna' believe it). Inefficient as hell, plus
you now need a 40 amp circuit (2 x 20 amps) instead of a 30 amp (2 x 15 amps)
circuit, but it gets to ^6 quickly and keeps the studio nice and warm .
Roger Korn
McKay Creek Ceramics
In AZ: 928-567-5699 <-
In OR: 503-647-5464
vince pitelka wrote:
> > I had very same problem with my L&L. Was told the same thing
> > elements so I changed them. I am a hobby potter so my kiln was fired less
> > than yours. I too thought the elements should perform better than that. I
> > had even paid the extra cost and ordered heavy duty ones.
>
> We have two L&L J-230s, which we use exclusively for bisque and low-fire,
> and we love them. We do not use them at all for midrange firing. I think
> this gets back to the problems of a 2.5" wall. The elements simply have to
> work a lot harder to get to cone 6. Personally, I do not think that a kiln
> with a 2.5" wall is really appropriate for cone 6 firing. The more
> insulation (within reason), the less work the elements have to do. With all
> the toploader electric kilns available that have either 2.5" of IFB and a
> layer of fiber, or preferably 3" of IFB with a layer of fiber, there is
> little reason to use a kiln with a plain ol' 2.5" wall for midrange firing,
> even with the heavy-duty elements.
> Best wishes -
> - Vince
>
> Vince Pitelka
> Appalachian Center for Crafts
> Tennessee Technological University
> 1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
> Home - vpitelka@dtccom.net
> 615/597-5376
> Work - wpitelka@tntech.edu
> 615/597-6801 ext. 111, fax 615/597-6803
> http://www.craftcenter.tntech.edu/
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> 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.
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