kiln trouble AIM 84BD with Fuji controller

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kellyK 21 years ago

I have an AIM 84BD with a Fuji PXV-3 ramp/soak control. I've had it for about 3.5 years. It has suddenly turned on me! First it began (about 2 firings ago) to briefly buzz (like a door buzzer) for about 4-6 seconds when it kicked into heat cycle to maintain 1500F. Since it did it's think ok, I used it again, with the same buzzing, which seemed to diminish/stop as it fired (for about 2 hours). Now I wonder if it wasn't suiciding (with my ignorant assistance) -- today I turned it on, and it buzzes at a lower volume continuously, gets to around 600F, then s l o w l y the display rises at 1 degree every 3-4 seconds. At that rate, my glass will be ready next week.... The coils, while clearly heating, never get 'orange' as they're supposed to, or perhaps I don't have the patience to wait until they do...I just swear and switch the thing off.

Any suggestions for treating the patient? I can't afford a replacement right now.

Glasslady Kelly

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Michele Blank 21 years ago

The solution is elementary my dear! probably needs new elements. Kiln doctor, Euclids elements, a few others come to mind as sources. The heat causes the coils to get brittles after a bit, mine used to sag, then break. But i'm sure someone else may have another idea??? m

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Dan 21 years ago

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Javahut 21 years ago

Sounds like the relays to me, if the elements glow at all, its not them, but if it is faint something, (weak connection? ) the relays are it, basing that on what you have said. they are and inexpensive repair, comparatively, and not difficult to do.

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kellyK 21 years ago

Thanks, all, for the information - I will accept that it is the relays, and go a-hunting someone in the area who can fix/replace them. Hopefully I won't have to travel to Chicago...

Kelly (in east-central Illinois)

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Javahut 21 years ago

Go to kiln Dr. here, http://216.216.92.11/profile/default.cfm?content=4030000 be specific aboutyour model and controller, and I bet you get help. DO NOT hire it out, itis too easy to do.

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Javahut 21 years ago

That last post was little too quick, and the wrong link, sorry about that...your kiln is a little smaller than what they are used to..let's see if I can find the right one...

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check here and call them , see if they canhelp, nice folks when I last needed something.

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Moonraker 21 years ago

Chances are that you could order the relays from

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and do the repair yourself.

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nJb 21 years ago

How am I sposta write off my trip if I can't change your relays? ;)

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Javahut 21 years ago

. DO NOT hire it out, it

Dude, she's in IL, you are in Utah, and I bet if she called AIM they would talk her through it on the phone. I just looked up her kiln on their web site and it is a little bitty thing, probably only has one!

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nJb 21 years ago

I was talking about *your* relays. Why on earth would I want to go to Illinois?

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kellyK 21 years ago

Unfortunately, they only deal with businesses.

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Charles Spitzer 21 years ago

for walkin. you can buy through the mail without being a business. also try mcmaster-carr.

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Al Hooton 21 years ago

Many kiln controllers use Potter & Brumfield / Tyco power relays. If this is the case for the controller in question, it would be *far* cheaper to purchase the relays from Digi-Key:

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-Al

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Mike Firth 21 years ago

When the internet became popular, they changed their name:

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(the other one works) If they ask you for a company name, and you don't have one yet, take your initials and add the word enterprises as "MF Enterprises" Pay sales taxes (which you have to do anyway on stuff you don't resell) and use a credit card.

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Javahut 21 years ago

OOOOHHHHH!

Mine are dandy, just changed them both, well one then a week or so later the other one let me know it was old too. Nothing like a kiln locked "on" with a bad relay....

u coming this way soon?

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nJb 21 years ago

Probably not this summer, but that could change.

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kiln trouble AIM 84BD with Fuji controller

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