Skutt Kiln Rebuild

[Wilboy64]

Hello all,

I just picked up a Skutt Kiln KM-1027-3 that is a 208 volt single phase that is very tired. I was hoping to breath new life into it but I am having second thoughts. I am asking for your comments.

The first thing I want to do is to bench test the Electronic controller with it not connetected to the elements to see if the keypad and controller will work. One of my concerns is that I will be changing to 240 sinlge pase instead of 208. In talking with Skutt support they tell me that an element replacement is all that is required o convert. I just wonder if anyone has tried this without changing the little control transformer? I only see one part number for the transformer in all the part listings by Skutt. I think their part number is #1518 if I look at it correctly. I can see the output on the transformer increasing by stepping up the input and wonder will the controll panel stand the change or be toasted?????

Th reasoning for the above is I do not want to buy $300 in elements and have a controller that is not happy. Last about 90%of the brick have no lip that holds the element inplace. The ledge is still there. I guess with the years of use they have just burt off. (3 inch brick),I know you can use pins to hold elements but is it worth pinning to that extent or is it even worth replacing that may bricks? Has anyone ever sanded deeper to make new grooves? How about repairing the ledge with new refractory cement?

I am a very skilled person in most mechanical ean electrical trades and hate to be defeated by someting made by man. If I can figure a way to repair I would never replace. Thanks for your thoughts.