Honeyhas6
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We came across a brand new Skutt KS 1027 3 phase. My husband is converting it to single phase. It will be used in basement but I do not want to leave doors open when firing.
My question, since I have an electrical savvy husband. Can he DIY a venting system from standard vent materials? Has anyone done this? He thinks he has most the materials needed but doesn't know about the size hole etc.
We have a pipe vent going outside the house now, in basement. (old down draft stove vent before remodel) He planned to use it. He also pulled a great exhaust fan from a remodel job he finished. He planned to install exhaust fan overhead of kiln to assist w/fumes/heat. Cement block walls around kiln.
He could probably figure it out but I thought I would ask if someone has done this before.
TIA-
Yes, many have done it. The secret (if there is any) is they really only withdraw a very tiny amount of kiln air (which is all that is needed) which is mixed mostly with room air so the fan and piping can never overheat. The hole drilled into the kiln is on the order of one or two 1/4” holes, so fairly small and can be plugged up easily with ordinary kiln patch if you ever have a reason.
Here is an old video of me doing it and comparing the result with a manufactured system. https://youtu.be/etpa2Pc9Hug. Please note we added a vent above the kiln just to eliminate wax smell which downdrafts don’t capture. This allowed us to use a fan that cools itself. If you use a similar fan, or really any fan for that matter, you will need to make sure it has enough room air to keep itself cool. No more than approx. 110 degrees
My guess - he will find it easy.
If you desire to remove the heat produced by the kiln as well, he will need to design on the order of 400-600 cfm with a hood above to remove most of it. At that point you will likely need to ensure you have sufficient makeup air from outdoors as well.
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Thank you Bill Kielb. This is exactly what he needed to know. He hated to spend almost $200 and he figured he had everything to do it.
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Fast forward thru the summer. Finally finished the studio space and kiln is almost ready to go. (New Skutt 1027 converted from 3 phase to single and hardwired into power)
Kiln is now 19" - 20" from wall (rolls forward to be loaded) , venting (clothes dryer type) is attached to bottom of kiln and about 4' high, on the wall he mounted a blower. (blower is 190 cfm) Apologies if I'm not explaining this correctly.
Overhead is an exhaust fan vented outside to back of home. (not sure the size of exhaust fan is.. orig. over a 6 burner gas stove.)
He drilled 3 small holes in center bottom of kiln to attach venting and 3 single small holes around lid of kiln (according to Skutt)
My questions - He opened approx. 1 1/2" hole in tube going to blower to allow enough air circulation. (said if it isn't pulling enough fresh air, it could burn up the blower)
~~Does he need to add another hole to allow fresh air to flow into blower tubing? (not photo #1 w/hole circled)
Photo #2, you see the blower mounted about 4' high, going back into the exhaust to be pulled outside via the overhead exhaust.
~~ Question #2, the cord to blower is hanging down and that seems odd to me. Will the heat from the kiln damage it? He said he could replace it w/a switch mounted on the wall if I want. Photo #3 shows the cord hanging down.
Photo # 4 shows the overhead exhaust (front view) Please, if you see anything we are not doing or should change, speak up. We did the match test over one of the top holes in kiln and it it definitely pulling air.
TIA
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