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Ftl Error Message


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I have a Paragon Caldera with the Sentry Xpress controller. I put the kiln on last night on a cone 6 program with a "slow" speed. When I checked this morning I had an FTL error message and it was held at 922 degrees centigrade (1691F). I restarted the program with a "fast" speed and it's currently up to 1039c (1902f) and seems fine.  Is there a reason why it would not be able to gain temp on the slow setting?  The kiln is about 18 months old, I replaced the thermacouple about 4 months ago.  I've been told it could be the relay or the elements need replacing, how would I know which?  Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks. 

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http://www.paragonweb.com/Kiln_Pointer.cfm?PID=58

 

http://www.paragonweb.com/Kiln_Pointer.cfm?PID=300

 

http://jessicagrayceramics.com/blog/?p=95

 

 

 

How long does cycle u programmed usually take?

What did you program in?

How was last firing?

Do you have a multi meter?

 

 

 

I'd call paragon. But not on Friday. Decent customer service/tech support. (But not as good as skutt...IMHO)

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I don't "program", I just use the built in cone programs on the sentry xpress. I use the Cone 6 program. Normally takes around 9-9½ hours on fast but lately I've noticed it's taking around 10-10½ hours, so definitely slowed down a bit. I rarely use the slow speed but last time I fired slow it completed. Last firing was only cone 05 and that went fine, the cone 6 before that completed fine too (on fast speed), it's just this slow firing that I've had trouble with.  A multi-meter is an ohm reader? No, I don't have one, but will buy one. 

 

I can't really call Paragon as I'm in the UK, would be really expensive to call the USA. 

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. Normally takes around 9-9½ hours on fast but lately I've noticed it's taking around 10-10½ hours, so definitely slowed down a bit.

 

I think you need new elements. If they are 18 months old, they've had a good life already.

 

Yes a multi-meter is an ohm-meter (to measure resistance) and also measures volts and amps. Very handy tool for a kiln owner. When you install the new elements, record the resistance value of the brand new elements. Then over time, you can keep track of how resistance drifts as the elements get older, and the resistance of elements that need replacing. In the future you will have a clear way to answer the question "do I need new elements?"

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Would the elements failing account for why I can fire to cone 6 on a fast speed but not on a slow speed?

 

I've just ordered an ohm meter and am enquiring as to where I can purchase replacement elements.  After doing some readings I'm thinking it's probably the elements too. I fire regularly, maybe a bisque firing once a month and cone 6 firings maybe twice a week, sometimes 3 times a week...so think I've definitely amounted to more than the average 100 firings. 

 

Is replacing the elements an easy job? I replaced the thermacouple by myself with no issues. 

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"FTL" error code means "Fired Too Long" Perhaps because your elements are dying, the slow program exceeded a time limit that is built into the controller? i.e. when the elements are healthier, the slow program will finish under the time limit. This is just a guess from me .... there are folks on this list who know a lot more about Paragon Kilns, so maybe somebody else could confirm this.

 

Changing elements is not hard to figure out, but it is labor-intensive. Make sure you have the right tools, and give yourself a whole afternoon to do it. If you can change thermocouples, you can do elements too.

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Looks like good advice from GEP. Here is a Paragon Sentry troubleshooter (not necessarily you model)

http://www.paragonweb.com/files/manuals/IM205_Sentry_Troubleshooter.pdf

... see p14 for

 

PROBLEM FTL / Firing Too Long
The temperature change is less than 27°F/15°C per hour and
the firing time is four hours longer than the current segment
was programmed to fire. This message can appear during
heating-up or cooling-down segments.

 

Was the firing too slow?
If FLT  appears well below the target temperature during a
heating-up segment, such as 1000°F for an 1800°F firing, you
probably have a burned out element or relay. See “Kiln fires
too slowly or will not reach temperature,†page 6.
 
Check for worn or burned out elements, defective relays, low
voltage and defective thermocouple.
 
 
Did FTL appear during a controlled
cooling?
If FLT appears during a cooling segment, it is usually be-
cause the segment was programmed to cool faster than the
kiln’s natural cooling ability. To avoid getting the FLT mes-
sage, program a slower cooling rate.
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I have a Paragon Caldera with the Sentry Xpress controller. I put the kiln on last night on a cone 6 program with a "slow" speed. When I checked this morning I had an FTL error message and it was held at 922 degrees centigrade (1691F). I restarted the program with a "fast" speed and it's currently up to 1039c (1902f) and seems fine.  Is there a reason why it would not be able to gain temp on the slow setting?  The kiln is about 18 months old, I replaced the thermocouple about 4 months ago.  I've been told it could be the relay or the elements need replacing, how would I know which?  Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks. 

You're right--a kiln with worn elements should have an easier time maintaining a slow firing than a fast firing. Perhaps the FTL appeared because the voltage was low during that particular firing. It is not unusual for the line voltage that is coming into your building to fluctuate.

 

Should you need to replace the elements, please use the newest element replacement instructions. We just recently revised the manual:

 

http://www.paragonweb.com/ManualInfo.cfm?CID=177

 

Let me know if you have questions. I have included my email address below.

 

Sincerely,

 

Arnold Howard

Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA

ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com

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