Babs Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 my new kiln has jusr been delivered, not out of the bubblewrap yet. However as my supplier was also squeezing in some underglaze I was waiting for , I took out a couple of little boxes from under the kiln. I had ordered a kiln with a Harco controller attached to the kiln. there was a choice of controller a Harco or SHi something. In one of the boxes there was a free standing, well it isn't attached, but 4 pronged plug Stafford controller... Now before I ring the dealer, does anyone know both to compare the quality for me? On the outside of the bubblewrap is the label...kiln with Stafford Controller... I live on an Island, I have left the delivery of this kiln for a few weeks as I was away initially and then up to my eyeballs with no time to prepare for the delivery. From factory to dealer then to me on Island, nearly $1000 freight so.... Advice on the quality of the cocntrollers would be good. Advice on whether to go further with this would be good. Harco Type r thermocouple, over $2000 here, but haven't isolated the price from the quote yet, but in that ballpark. Babs, bit anxious about the whole thing.. Not contacted by factory or dealer re. different controller to what was ordered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 not offering help, just empathy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Bridge Pottery Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 I would ring the factory, either it is an OK replacement or you need a swap me thinks. Pain in the erse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyK Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 I agree with Joel. Call the factory to find out why the substitution for something you originally ordered. In most cases, if the order as delivered is incorrect, the factory will pay for the return of the incorrect item. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chilly Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 I know nothing about Harco. I have a Stafford ST315 and love it. We have an IPCO 3000 at the centre and it's OK, but I have to give it my full attention when setting it up. To me, it's not intuitive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted November 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 thanks all, I'll ring today hoping it's not a poor substitute after paying a lot to get what I thought a good one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted November 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 Chilly, ST315B here even though they sent the manual for ST315A. Haven't read up on this or been able to contact factory people yet.. Can you fire up and down? Can you pause without stopping the firing and enter new data at any time during the programme entered? Seem to be able to do this with Harco if you're lucky enough to have received what you purchased. Harco seems to relate numbers entered to cones, ST doesn't seem to have that discernment. Still need to purchase a separate timer/sitter for this kiln. Sorry to go on but disappointed with the dilemma. I think if I pusjh for it, the Harco plug will not fit into the Staffordshire socket in the Kiln... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chilly Posted November 15, 2015 Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 Chilly, ST315B here even though they sent the manual for ST315A. Haven't read up on this or been able to contact factory people yet.. Can you fire up and down? Can you pause without stopping the firing and enter new data at any time during the programme entered? Seem to be able to do this with Harco if you're lucky enough to have received what you purchased. Harco seems to relate numbers entered to cones, ST doesn't seem to have that discernment. Still need to purchase a separate timer/sitter for this kiln. Sorry to go on but disappointed with the dilemma. I think if I pusjh for it, the Harco plug will not fit into the Staffordshire socket in the Kiln... Hi Babs I've looked up but can't find any reference to a B model. My User Handbook only says it is a ST315. Looking on the web, all current models seem to be As, with 312 - 316 and difference being number of steps. From memory, and then checking the handbook, the answers to your questions are: Can you fire up and down? - YES Can you pause without stopping the firing - YES and enter new data at any time during the programme entered - YES Harco seems to relate numbers entered to cones, ST doesn't seem to have that discernment - TEMPERATURES ONLY separate timer/sitter for this kiln - WHY? Staffordshire socket - MINE IS HARD WIRED Good Luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterH Posted November 15, 2015 Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 Purely web browsing... In the UK Potterycrafts advertise the ST315, but in the associated video the controller is clearly marked ST315A It looks like the manufacturer's web site is at http://staffordinstruments.co.uk/ and I cannot find any references to a ST315B on it. Although it does mention cable options. The web page for the ST315A seems to be http://staffordinstruments.mybigcommerce.com/st315a-kiln-temperature-controller/ and it contains downloads for the Datasheet, User Manual and Installation Instructions. You might want to look at the bottom RH corner of p3 of the Installation Instructions, as it mentions a a yellow warning label which the indicates factory configuration options. BTW a ST315B is advertised here, but I didn't notice any differences mentioned. http://www.ulsterceramicspotterysupplies.co.uk/catalog2/product_info.php/code-7421-st315b-stafford-controller-p-1944 I have seen pictures where the case clearly shows ST315, and others where it shows ST315A. Does yours show 315B? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted November 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 Chilly, ST315B here even though they sent the manual for ST315A. Haven't read up on this or been able to contact factory people yet.. Can you fire up and down? Can you pause without stopping the firing and enter new data at any time during the programme entered? Seem to be able to do this with Harco if you're lucky enough to have received what you purchased. Harco seems to relate numbers entered to cones, ST doesn't seem to have that discernment. Still need to purchase a separate timer/sitter for this kiln. Sorry to go on but disappointed with the dilemma. I think if I pusjh for it, the Harco plug will not fit into the Staffordshire socket in the Kiln... Hi Babs I've looked up but can't find any reference to a B model. My User Handbook only says it is a ST315. Looking on the web, all current models seem to be As, with 312 - 316 and difference being number of steps. From memory, and then checking the handbook, the answers to your questions are: Can you fire up and down? - YES Can you pause without stopping the firing - YES and enter new data at any time during the programme entered - YES Harco seems to relate numbers entered to cones, ST doesn't seem to have that discernment - TEMPERATURES ONLY separate timer/sitter for this kiln - WHY? Staffordshire socket - MINE IS HARD WIRED Good Luck chilly thanks, I want a timer/sitter to cut out in the case that the programmer fails to do so. I.e If I know my firing takes 10 hours, I would normally set my timer to 1o.5hours so the kiln will be shut down even if the programmer/sitter were to malfunction. The ST315B plugs in to a 4 pronged socket... maybe this is where the B comes in. Goes without saying I ordered a programmer which was hardwired in. Purely web browsing... In the UK Potterycrafts advertise the ST315, but in the associated video the controller is clearly marked ST315A It looks like the manufacturer's web site is at http://staffordinstruments.co.uk/ and I cannot find any references to a ST315B on it. Although it does mention cable options. The web page for the ST315A seems to be http://staffordinstruments.mybigcommerce.com/st315a-kiln-temperature-controller/ and it contains downloads for the Datasheet, User Manual and Installation Instructions. You might want to look at the bottom RH corner of p3 of the Installation Instructions, as it mentions a a yellow warning label which the indicates factory configuration options. BTW a ST315B is advertised here, but I didn't notice any differences mentioned. http://www.ulsterceramicspotterysupplies.co.uk/catalog2/product_info.php/code-7421-st315b-stafford-controller-p-1944 I have seen pictures where the case clearly shows ST315, and others where it shows ST315A. Does yours show 315B? Thanks so much. It clearly states ST315B , and from reading your post, I think it is perhaps the cable option, which of course I did not order. I guess I'll get used to anything...... Wondering in the quality difference between the HARCO and the Stafford. Can contact the dealer tomorrow. Thanks so much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.