Tam U. Posted June 12, 2018 Report Share Posted June 12, 2018 Hello. I may have an opportunity to upgrade my old Bentrup TC66 controller and I'm now choosing between a Stafford ST315B, with 1 ramp + 1 soak per segment, or the ST316B with 2 ramps + 1 soak per segment. What are the benefits of having 2 ramps in a segment, assuming I will not be soaking the intermediate temperature before proceeding to the next segment? I mean, I can always input the second ramp as a separate segment, right? Or am I missing something? So if I choose the ST315B, my simple schedule will look like this: Segment 1: Ramp of 100C/h to 600C (end of segment 1) --don't need to soak Segment 2: Ramp of 150C/h to 1200C, then hold for xx min/hours --end-- If I choose ST316B, it would be like this: Segment 1: Ramp1 of 100C/h to 600C, Ramp2 of 150C/h to 1200C, then soak (since every end of segment has soak function) --end-- Naturally, the higher model will have more functionality but apart from having 1 segment vs 2 when programming the controller, what are the benefits I'm not realising? Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted June 12, 2018 Report Share Posted June 12, 2018 How many segments can you program? Many potters would have a more gentle 1st segment. Then 100C/hr to 600 Then 150 C poss to close to final temp Then a slow down to final temp. And a soak. That would be a glaze firing schedule which would be altered according to contents of kiln.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tam U. Posted June 12, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2018 Hi Babs. Both controllers are capable of doing 1-9 segments, their only difference really is the higher end being capable of 2 ramps per segment. This is where I can't seem to find value in inputting ramp 2 when there's always the option of inputting it as another segment as long as I get to the target temp anyway. I suppose it would look like an "organised" program, grouping your ramps and all? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted June 13, 2018 Report Share Posted June 13, 2018 I can't see the value of having 2 ramps per segment. 9 segments is usually more than enough for most situations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tam U. Posted June 13, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2018 Thank you Neilestrick. I will most definitely opt for the ST315B! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted June 13, 2018 Report Share Posted June 13, 2018 Sure , agree with Neil totally. Look at some firing schedules posted in these forums. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tam U. Posted June 13, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2018 Thank you Babs, will do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Throws Pots Posted June 14, 2018 Report Share Posted June 14, 2018 To mimic the effect of two ramps per segment just set the hold for segment 1 as 0:00. Like others have said, there's no real benefit of having two ramps in a segment if you have 9 segments available. Seg1: 100C/h to 600C; no hold Seg 2: 150C/h to 1200C; then hold for xx min/hours is the same as Seg1: R1 100C/h to 600C; R2 150C/h to 1200C; then hold for xx min/hours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tam U. Posted June 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2018 Makes total sense Chris, thank you. I've now placed the order for the ST315B and really looking forward to testing my new firing schedules! --Tam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.