MERL Posted December 31, 2015 Report Share Posted December 31, 2015 I fired (04) my kiln last night (Skutt KS Manual) and everything went fine. It did cut off at the appropriate time, BUT the sitter switch did not fall. (Which is weird.) The timer still had 3 hours left and the breaker was not blown. When I tried to test and see if the kiln could be turned back on this morning, it won't respond at all. No lights, no noise, nothing. I just put new elements in the kiln in the fall. I don't know a lot about the electrical or "how it works" of kilns, so anyone with ideas or advice will be a great help and much appreciated. Thank You! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted December 31, 2015 Report Share Posted December 31, 2015 totally not a tech person. without an answer, more questions. why are you trying to turn it back on? is the kiln still hot? have you opened it? are you trying to refire? why did it turn off? it sounds as if the sitter is in control, i think. which would mean you have to look inside and see what happened to prevent the weight from falling and turning it off. after it is open and you can see what happened, call Skutt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MERL Posted December 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2015 I was trying to turn it back on, to see if it would; since it cut off without timer or weight. The kiln is still hot, cut off around 2am. I have not opened it. It's still too hot. I am not trying to re-fire at the moment, just simply trying to see if the kiln was operable, since it shut off for no real reason. I have no idea why it turned off; seeing as the weight did not drop and the timer still had 3 hours left. I am just dumbfounded by the whole thing. I am waiting until it cools to check the inside. I'm sure I'll end up having to call a professional. Just wondered if anyone had ever had this happen to their kiln and what the issue may have been while I wait. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Bridge Pottery Posted December 31, 2015 Report Share Posted December 31, 2015 If none of your switches went to turn it off it sounds like something might have broken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MERL Posted December 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2015 @ High Bridge Pottery Okay. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronfire Posted December 31, 2015 Report Share Posted December 31, 2015 Sounds like the main switch could need replacing or a connection in the power line has burned through. Get a voltmeter to check any electrical problems. Where are you located? There might be a member close that can stop by for help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEP Posted December 31, 2015 Report Share Posted December 31, 2015 Is there a fuse on your kiln? Not referring to the breaker box, but rather some kilns have their own fuses that will trigger during a power surge, or other similar event. If your kiln has a fuse that triggered, it would explain the behavior. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MERL Posted December 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2015 Thank you Ronfire and GEP. I will check on these. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted December 31, 2015 Report Share Posted December 31, 2015 Is the breaker tripped?That means the switch is in the 1/2 way position on breaker? if the push button is still on and cone sitter has not tripped and switches are on then its in the supply side most likely downstream of kiln-breakers come 1st or toasted wires or melted parts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted December 31, 2015 Report Share Posted December 31, 2015 Go to the meter box and see what that looks like, poss. the kiln breaker there has flicked off for some reason. Is the timer in your kiln, or is it a separate device situated in line? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MERL Posted January 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 Thank you everyone for the feedback and help! Problem solved! There was an old/loose wire inside the plug for the wall outlet that had done some minor melting of the plastic and was not connecting enough to carry power. We replaced the plug and the kiln is up and running again. Just glad it wasn't worse! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted January 4, 2016 Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 Did you check the wires, too? Often when a plug melts out, the wires feeding it also sustain some damage. If they are crispy at all, they should be replaced. Also check the plug and power cord on the kiln. Sometimes bad things work their way down the line and do damage in more than one spot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MERL Posted January 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 We did check and cut away damaged wire. Is this what I should have done? Anything additional? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Since you found some loose connections all connections should be examined to be on the safe side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No Longer Member Posted January 14, 2016 Report Share Posted January 14, 2016 Since you found some loose connections all connections should be examined to be on the safe side. Especially if you are firing a sitter kiln at 2 AM while you are sleeping. I use them but only during waking hours. I don't put a lot of faith in Rube Goldberg from keeping my wife's studio from burning down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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