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envirovent 2

updated sat 16 dec 06

 

Judy Shreve on thu 14 dec 06


My Christmas present to me was an EnviroVent2 for my Skutt-1027-3. It has
a computer controller and I also bought the Link which lets me hook up the
Vent to my controller -- so I can program when to run the vent. And
that's my question -- when do I run that vent!?

I'm just recently happy with all my glazes and all the tweaks in the
ramp/hold firing schedule as in Ron & John's MC6 glazes. So now what
changes should I expect with my schedules & the venting system? When
should I program the vent to run and when should it shut off -- in a
general sense? I know I'll have to adjust the firing/venting times for my
clay body & glazes.
Thanks.

Judy Shreve
Mountain House Studios
Alpharetta GA

John Hesselberth on thu 14 dec 06


On Dec 14, 2006, at 3:51 PM, Judy Shreve wrote:

> My Christmas present to me was an EnviroVent2 for my Skutt-1027-3.
> It has
> a computer controller and I also bought the Link which lets me hook
> up the
> Vent to my controller -- so I can program when to run the vent. And
> that's my question -- when do I run that vent!? When
> should I program the vent to run and when should it shut off -- in a
> general sense? I know I'll have to adjust the firing/venting times
> for my
> clay body & glazes.
>
Hi Judy,

I'm going to give one of those "it depends" answers. If your vent
blower is mounted underneath the kiln I would leave it running most
of the time or at least until the kiln has cooled down to 1000F or
below. Otherwise, the heat from the kiln may shorten the life of your
vent motor and bearings.

If the vent blower is mounted of the wall or away a bit from the
kiln, I would turn it off when the controlled cooling has started or
about 1900F on the down side if you don't do controlled cooling. Once
you have passed peak temperature and have started down in temperature
there are very little, if any, fumes being given off that need
venting. But I am a belt and suspenders kind of guy when it comes to
kilns so I leave the vent fan on a couple or three hundred degrees
below peak.

Regards,

John

Judy Shreve on fri 15 dec 06


John, Thanks for your reply. The EnviroVent '2' is designed to mount on
the wall moving it away from the heat & protecting the kiln from motor
vibrations. It's Skutt's second generation (new) design. It can also
vent 2 kilns at the same time.

But by using the vent, aren't the kiln temps more even throughout? So
should I hold at peak temp for a little less time? Or does the vent
affect the hold temp at all?

Right now -- before the vent -- the ^6 bend is perfect only on the middle
shelf. I follow your suggested ramp/hold (cooling cycle) and my glazes
are looking good! I'm installing the vent this weekend & I don't want
things to change. But I don't want anymore fumes! I know -- 'test, test,
test.'

Judy Shreve
Mountain House Studios
Alpharetta GA

Erik Harmon on fri 15 dec 06


Just out of curiosty how much is this wall mounted envirovent. I always thaought the original was way over priced. Erik

Judy Shreve wrote: John, Thanks for your reply. The EnviroVent '2' is designed to mount on
the wall moving it away from the heat & protecting the kiln from motor
vibrations. It's Skutt's second generation (new) design. It can also
vent 2 kilns at the same time.

But by using the vent, aren't the kiln temps more even throughout? So
should I hold at peak temp for a little less time? Or does the vent
affect the hold temp at all?

Right now -- before the vent -- the ^6 bend is perfect only on the middle
shelf. I follow your suggested ramp/hold (cooling cycle) and my glazes
are looking good! I'm installing the vent this weekend & I don't want
things to change. But I don't want anymore fumes! I know -- 'test, test,
test.'

Judy Shreve
Mountain House Studios
Alpharetta GA

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Judy Shreve on fri 15 dec 06


Erik -- These vents are expensive, but shop around. I found the best
price at Bennett's Pottery in Ocoee, FL 34761 - (800) 432-0074.

Judy Shreve
Mountain House Studios
Alpharetta GA

John Hesselberth on fri 15 dec 06


On Dec 15, 2006, at 8:07 AM, Judy Shreve wrote:

> So
> should I hold at peak temp for a little less time? Or does the vent
> affect the hold temp at all?
Hi Judy,

Yes the vent will help even things out but there is more than evening
out that happens during the hold or soak. Temperature through the
thickness of the pot walls (or that rare 'door stop' bottom) also
evens out and that won't be much affected by the vent. I would not
change the soak time. But follow the firing with cones--they will
tell you what to do.

Regards,

John