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Kiln

Hi all My wife has a kiln from Alasdair Kettles at Milnathort, Scotland, she's had it for about 13 years. Not used for a few years and wants to get into it again. Trouble is we can't find the operating instructions, the kiln has two rotary dials one of which has temp markings and the other says % input, there is also a toggle switch with two settings soak and cut-off. The temp ok and the soak/cut-off we think we can remember, although I seem to think that the switch had to be clicked one way and back the other for something. The main thing we can't remember is the % input dial, no idea how to use it. Can anyone help? I've sent an email to AG Kettles but as yet no response. If any one has the instructions for this type of kiln we would be most grateful for a copy. I can be emailed at normanbrooks@(nospam)fsmail.net, please just remove the nospam and brackets. Many regards Norman

Reply to
normanbrooks
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I can't help with an instruction book, but the dial marked % would be to control the percentage of full power applied to the elements, and thus control the temperature rise. For example to get a slow rise for a bisque, you might set the dial to 20% for the first three hours, then up to 40% for two hours, etc, etc. You would need a pyrometer to check to temperature rise and set your schedule accordingly. The cut-off/soak switch allows the kiln to either stop firing when the set temp is reached (cut-off) or hold at the set temperature indefinitely (soak). You may need to click to switch to soak then back to cut-off when starting the kiln to get it going.

Reply to
David Coggins

Dear Norman,

You set up the firing with the switch set to "Soak". Dialling in the initial percentage of heat input, and the temperature you want the firing to finish at. If you want to end the firing with a period of soaking, leave the switch in that position, however the majority of the firings done don't require that, so once the power is witched on, turn the switch to "Cut Off". From then on all you have to do is increase the heat percentage in stages according to the needs of the firing.

That type of Kiln control is now obsolete, as it has been superseded but seriously more efficient programmable controllers.

Steve

Reply to
STEPHEN MILLS

Many thanks for the replies, it's much as I seemed to remember. The only thing really throwing me was the % input dial, I had thought that was how it was used, I just couldn't figure why you wouldn't just turn up the temp when required. Regards Norman

Reply to
normanbrooks

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