Old Kiln Question?

Check out the rampmaster from Evenheat, which I like, and JK controllers from Lani in CA, his are nice also, either will cost you $500 bucks minimum, but both are realiable, and it sure does make bending glass easy. I dry molds at night and bend during the day, and get 3 firings a day on each kiln, while I do other things.

If they both draw the same amount of electricity - current/amp/watts you might be able to get a stand alone controller and be able to use it on either one (not at the same time). With a stand alone controller you just plug the kiln into the side of the controller. Hope this makes sense, I'm tired.

On retrofitting an old kiln: I did that stand alone controller and retrofit both of my kilns. My thinking being, if the controller outlives the kiln, I can use it on another, with much less hastle that it would be to re-attach a "factory mounted" version on a new kiln. Also when you have a mounted controller, it lives in a hot environment. Heat is bad for electronics. A stand alone runs cooler. So even if you buy a new kiln it is best to get a cheep kiln with just an on/off switch, and retrofit a stand alone electronic controller On buying a new kiln with controller:

If you buy a new kiln with a controller, you don't get the controller for free. The price increase for getting a kiln with a factory mounted controller is almost the same as buying an unmodified kiln, and a stand alone controller purchases separately. And if you like your kilns, why shove them in a corner, just because there is a new kiln in town. Once you get a controller, your other non controlled kilns will end up a coffee tables.

Now what controller to buy. Well ask around, there is about 4 different ways to go I think. I like 12 button Bartlet controllers (RTC1000) but the

3 button bartlet may suit your needs. Ask around about other controllers. If you want specifics on how I decided, and how it's done email me privately. I would have to mention my supplier, and that's kind of a no-no here. snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com Liam

I would have to mention my supplier, and that's kind of a no-no

Really? Why is that, did I miss something in the FAQ on that? Admittedly, I haven't read them in a very long time.

Know what I think?

I think if there is somebody good out there that takes care of their customers , ie us "demanding" glass artisans, then we should tell each other about them, not necessarily an advertisement, or endorsement,(I'd want to be paid for that!!) but a mention of the experience, good or bad, wouldn't be a bad thing.

and I've never tried the Bartlett controllers, nor studied them.

Agreed. A customer's opinion about a supplier is *not* spam, and is certainly on-topic. This is subject to abuse in some groups where people create sock puppets to plug their stuff, but I can't see someone targeting such a low-volume group for that kind of stuff.

Mike Beede

I build my own controllers, kilns too. If your kilns are the plug-in type, you can easily run them both, at separate times, from a single controller. If they're hard wired, it's a little more complicated but can be done. If they are different amperages, you size it for the larger and it can also run the smaller one.

I believe Mike Aurelius also sells controllers.

You could maybe check out the controller section at Centre DeVerre. Or call and talk to Marty. I've got an old kiln with a kiln sitter and a low/med/high knob. Not even a pyrometer. Got it a month or two ago and it was too good a deal to pass up. lol I haven't done the retro-fit thing yet, but was thinking about giving them a call. I've heard good things.

Thanks folks.... please feel free to post any links to suppliers you may have. It's not spam at all.

It is easy to add control to a kiln. One way of getting some info is on this page

of my site.Nothing for sale.

i have 2 old kilns that i can alternately plug into the controller mounted on the wall behind the kilns. Once i have completed one firing, i unplug that kiln and plug the second one in while the first one cools the final stage. i use a touch and fire but there are lots of good ones out there.m

Mike,

Another great page on a great site. Have you ever thought of publishing?

I drive my controllers with a CAL9500P ramp/soak and use a CAL9900 single setpoint controller as a redundant overtemp protection. I use a 2 pole mechanical contactor that can break the circuit via the alarm settings on either the 9500P, 9900, or a manual switch on the front of the box. I've been happy with SSR control but have heard great things about the SCR's. I also use a large heat sink and cooling fan.

The CAL product has a 3 year warranty and the only drawback I have found is that I can't advance one segment by pushing a single button. I can accomplish the same thing, just a few more buttons to push.

I use a Cal 9400 for kiln control. It drives an SSR capable of handling

25A and 240V. The heat s>Mike Firth wrote:

Probably not needed, but I've got plenty of them and it does get quite hot in the summer.

One further point on SSRs - I have found from bitter experience that when they do fail, they fail short circuit - so I would always recommend some overtemperature cut-off backup system if you want to leave the kiln to fire unattended. I have seen a whole kiln load of drinking glasses melt down to a

3" slab in the bottom of the kiln - not a pretty sight....

Dave .

Hey that's the dude I was talking about. I like the controller, and customer service is excellent. I bought two - 12 button controllers from him and they are easy to program, install and use. He builds them himself so he can fix any problems, and get you set up in no time. Set up took me

30 minutes. Read the manual in 15 minutes and fired 2 loads the same day.

He sells 2 different controllers for glass; 3button and 12button

3 button should suit your needs unless you want more than 8 segments. That has never come up with me, but it might if your kiln casting. Liam.