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Wacky Kiln


Marko

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Well, once again my kiln hates me. I have been going crazy trying to get my kiln to fire correctly. I have changed nearly every component of my Duncan DA1029N. New elements, new timers, relays switches, power controller and wires. And the 240v power cable. I checked my power outlet and it's got 240v. The only part I didn't replace yet is the infinite switches. And that's because Paragon said they are not stocking anymore Duncan parts. They are phasing Duncans out.  I have triple check my wiring from the schematic and I done good (my electronics courses in the Army became useful). 

 

Anyway, I have fired 2- ^6 loads. Full load the first time, with witness SSB cones 5,6,7. on the first load the bottom cones went flat. The middle was perfect. The top bent ^5 at about 35 degrees. Cone 6 & 7, no change.

 

So, since half my load was good, I refired the top half. Half load, ^6, witness SSB cones. The bottom ^6 was perfect, The middle ^6 was 90°, but ^5 was perfect. The top shelf was to about the 3/4 level of the kiln. ^6 was 45° and ^5 was touching with a slight bend at the tip. 

 

The last firing was acceptable. Meaning no crazing, craters or pinholes. The glaze was beautiful. 

 

Oh, and I checked amps on the power cord. the amps went to 50 during the last hour. It was a gradual increase. And yes, all my peek holes were closed. I even added kaowool, Marcia gave me around the whole lid circumference. 

 

Should I get a new kiln? Not that I can afford one.

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There probably isn't anything wrong with your kiln. Kilns lose heat out the floor and lid. The sitter only measures heat work in the middle of the kiln. There will always be inconsistent heating throughout the kiln, so you have to load it in a way that deals with that. If an area is running cold, pack it looser there. If it's running hot in a specific area then pack it tighter there. If you can get the whole thing within 1/2 a cone then you're good.

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Having a non zone kiln you will need to load certain glazes in the spots that they do well as to temps.Sounds like your top is cool so put glazes that work well as cool there.

Duncan is an old brand that is phased out. You can make it work as Neil said by loading it right and working with glazes that have some range.

My gas kilns never fire the same cone everywhere I have just learned where the cool spots are and put cool glazes there.

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