Guest Posted October 26, 2016 Report Share Posted October 26, 2016 Hello Folks, My wife and I just finished a 6-week pottery class and we enjoyed it thoroughly. We plan on building a studio and continue taking classes as they become available. I came across a Duncan EA820-2 kiln for $200 that looked brand new. Not a single cracked brick and none of the elements are sagging. I did turn on the kiln and the elements warmed up. It came with 2 full shelves, 2 half shelves, and 9 silts. It was missing the peephole plugs and I just ordered replacements. Looking at the plate on the kiln I see that it requires 24amps. Looking at the plug I see its a 50amp plug which makes me think I might need a 240v 50amp outlet. As luck would have it I already have a 240v 30amp installed outlet and its even located next to a window for venting. I'm thinking I should be okay if I just change out the plug. Any thoughts? is this a good idea? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted October 26, 2016 Report Share Posted October 26, 2016 Many kiln companies use 50 amp cords and plugs on their kilns just so they don't have to inventory multiple sizes. Keep the 30 amp wiring and just change the outlet to match the plug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 26, 2016 Report Share Posted October 26, 2016 Thanks Neil Its an old kiln and the outlet that matches the plug on the kiln has been depreciated (no longer made). I'm sure if I look around enough I can find a matching outlet but it would be easier to just replace the plug. I see you are a Kiln repair tech, I hope you wouldn't mind if a ask another question or two. The manual reads that I should keep the kiln 10" away from any flammable material. The wall is cement block so that isn't a problem but there is a wood floor. The stand for the kiln is 8" tall. I was thinking of placing a sheet Durock, that is used for free standing wood stoves, on the floor then 2" thick cement blocks under the stand. Is this enough of a shield or should I build it thicker? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted October 26, 2016 Report Share Posted October 26, 2016 I generally recommend 18 inches from anything flammable, but 10" from a block wall will be fine. Put down two layers of cement board and you'll be good to go. The only issue you may have with changing the plug is that if the cord is 50 amp you may have a hard time fitting it into the plug assembly. In that case you should change out the whole cord for a 30 amp setup. Ideally you want to use 105C/220F cord, not the lower rated stuff they sell at the hardware store. I usually use the SEOW type cords they sell at McMaster-Carr. Just get the plug at the hardware store- they're expensive from McMaster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 26, 2016 Report Share Posted October 26, 2016 Thanks again Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted October 27, 2016 Report Share Posted October 27, 2016 Look for that old outlet on say e-bay. Or stop by a larger electrical contractors business as they keep boxes of that older stuff sometime -I have just such a box myself from my friend in that business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 27, 2016 Report Share Posted October 27, 2016 My concern is the wiring is rated for 30amps, its not really a good idea to install a 50amp outlet with 30amp wiring. I found a plug on Amazon that can be converted to either 30 or 50 amps, hopefully it can handle the 50amp cord. I'll found out when the plug comes in. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted October 27, 2016 Report Share Posted October 27, 2016 There's no problem with installing a plug that is rated higher than the wiring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 27, 2016 Report Share Posted October 27, 2016 Yes you are right Neil. My thinking is this: down the road if someone other than me decided to plug in a 50amp box in a 50amp outlet with a 30amp breaker then wonder why things are not going as expected. At least with a 30amp outlet they have to think first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted October 27, 2016 Report Share Posted October 27, 2016 True. Good thinking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 5, 2016 Report Share Posted November 5, 2016 I got everything wired up, tested and let the kiln heat up for about 20 minutes. I have two layers of Durock on the floor. So far so good. Now I want to do a bisque test firing. I'm thinking while I'm at it I might as well make some sample tiles to glaze on the next test. 1) I'm going to make some clay stripes about 1" x 2" or so. I plan on curling the end something like a fish hook or maybe an L. I'm thinking when I fire the glaze its going to look different on the side as opposed to the bottom. The person I purchased the kiln from said she ran the kiln on low for an hour and then medium for an hour. Next she plugged in the peepholes and lid vent and switched it to HI for bisque and Hi Fire for glaze. The lid was closed the whole time. This kiln has a sitter and a timer and is 3 cubic foot in size. I'll be firing to ^04. I know the timer is a backup in case the sitter goofs up for some reason 2) How long to set the timer? I'm I going in the right direction? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted November 6, 2016 Report Share Posted November 6, 2016 If the kiln does not have a direct vent, leave the top peep hole open. You'll just have to fire to figure out how long to set the timer. Set it high, like 15 hours, and do the math when the cone drops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 6, 2016 Report Share Posted November 6, 2016 Thanks Neil The kiln doesn't have a direct vent and I didn't know that I should keep the vent open. Thanks for mentioning that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mardas Posted August 9, 2020 Report Share Posted August 9, 2020 Does anyone have a Duncan dk820x-2 Manuela> I am very new to this and have a kiln i would like to educate myself first before using. Thanks Marie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mardas Posted August 9, 2020 Report Share Posted August 9, 2020 Does anyone have a Duncan dk820x-2 Manuela> I am very new to this and have a kiln i would like to educate myself first before using. Thanks Marie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mardas Posted August 9, 2020 Report Share Posted August 9, 2020 Does anyone have a Duncan dk820x-2 Manual > I am very new to this and have a kiln i would like to educate myself first before using. Thanks Marie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dntnceramics Posted January 9, 2021 Report Share Posted January 9, 2021 Has anyone had the lid catch fire, or start to smoke? I have just purchased one of these kilns in great shape, I went to test fire it, I had shut the lid about an hour into the firing but with the top peep hole closed as well and started seeing smoke, and black burn marks on the top/outside after 10+ minutes. It isn't a brick lid, it looks like its softer, maybe made with ceramic fiber or insulation of some sort. Would the bad ventilation (having both holes covered and lid closed) cause this to happen? If I close the lid after the two hour mark and uncover the top hole, I feel it would still get too hot and cause the lid to start smoking again. Any help or tips? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted January 9, 2021 Report Share Posted January 9, 2021 It may very well be a fiber lid. They did use those on some of their models. A kiln should never smoke, though. Did you vacuum out the kiln before you fired it? Any sawdust or anything like that in the element grooves? Was the kiln empty? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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