Valarie Posted November 23, 2020 Report Share Posted November 23, 2020 I have a Duncan es820-2 kiln, I am new to ceramics and tried my first firing over the weekend. I had bisque ware I set the safety timer to 8 hours and set the firing switches to High. I put a pyrometric bar 05 in the kiln sitter . The kiln shut off after 3 hours , the bar did melt , but the cones that I set on the top shelve (04*05*06) also melted strangely. The 05 bent over correctly but the 06 bent completely over?? So. I tried again the next day, only I set the switches to medium low and timer for 8 hrs. Again the kiln shut off after three hours. I haven't opened it yet but I am not hopeful . Any suggestions ? What am I doing wrong?? Besides Paragon does anyone else sell replacement parts for these kilns. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted November 23, 2020 Report Share Posted November 23, 2020 55 minutes ago, glazed and confused said: I have a Duncan es820-2 kiln, I am new to ceramics and tried my first firing over the weekend. I had bisque ware I set the safety timer to 8 hours and set the firing switches to High. I put a pyrometric bar 05 in the kiln sitter . The kiln shut off after 3 hours , the bar did melt , but the cones that I set on the top shelve (04*05*06) also melted strangely. The 05 bent over correctly but the 06 bent completely over?? So. I tried again the next day, only I set the switches to medium low and timer for 8 hrs. Again the kiln shut off after three hours. I haven't opened it yet but I am not hopeful . Any suggestions ? What am I doing wrong?? Besides Paragon does anyone else sell replacement parts for these kilns. Thanks I've attached the manual for this kiln. Take a look at page 13, which has the firing instructions. 3 hours is fast, and likely happening because you're gone straight to High instead of working up from Low. As for the cones, it sounds like everything worked as it should. 06 will melt before 05, so it should be completely over if 05 was perfect. Think of the '0' as a negative sign, so 06 is a lower temp than 05, just like -6 is colder than -5. There are very few kiln parts that are specific so kilns- all of the switches are stock parts that you can find on the internet, Euclids.com will be able to make elements for you, and Sitter parts are still available from most kiln suppliers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valarie Posted November 30, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2020 Thank you , That was my issue. What type of pyrometer can I use with this kiln? I would like to monitor the temp,so I can properly ramp the kiln up. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted November 30, 2020 Report Share Posted November 30, 2020 33 minutes ago, glazed and confused said: Thank you , That was my issue. What type of pyrometer can I use with this kiln? I would like to monitor the temp,so I can properly ramp the kiln up. Thanks Any inexpensive digital pyrometer will work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick White Posted November 30, 2020 Report Share Posted November 30, 2020 7 minutes ago, neilestrick said: Any inexpensive digital pyrometer will work. To add to that, buy one from your favorite ceramic supplier (or one of the usual suspects of online ceramic stores). In addition to the pyrometer itself, you will need a ceramic grade thermocouple. The included thermocouple with many inexpensive pyrometers is a little plastic coated nub that might be good for checking the temperature of a bowl of mashed potatoes, but useless in a kiln. Some of the ones from a ceramic supplier will include a proper thermocouple, while the ceramic grade thermocouple is an accessory purchase with others, but at least a ceramic supplier will have them. The big river in south america dot com has lots of cheap pyrometers, of course, but you're on your own as to what else you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted November 30, 2020 Report Share Posted November 30, 2020 Get a type K thermocouple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted November 30, 2020 Report Share Posted November 30, 2020 Neil is right but just to add common for kilns is 8 guage to withstand the temperature. K is one of the most common types and small gauge K often come with meters and are not suitable for high temp. However, if the meter reads type K, any type K will work. Good idea to get a holder and a bit of thermocouple wire (type K wire) and connectors to run to your meter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted November 30, 2020 Report Share Posted November 30, 2020 Sorry, I made an assumption that they would get a pyrometer that was appropriate for the temps that kilns work at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted December 1, 2020 Report Share Posted December 1, 2020 No, I thought you were spot on, just pointing out any meter capable of reading type k thermocouples will work and any type k will measure the range but gauge is the part not to get wrong for longevity as well as don’t forget the holder and wire. Lots of vom’s come with k type readers built in and usually a light gauge thermocouple as described as burning up above. Generally perfectly fine to just buy a heavier gauge thermocouple for the use and the meter will read it fine providing it will go four digits. Type k output is consistent across all gauges of probes. It’s part of simplicity and accuracy of thermocouples. I thought your suggestion was good actually Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dikka Rian Posted July 20, 2021 Report Share Posted July 20, 2021 Can this kiln fire to temperatures above cones 04 - 06? specifically, can it do cone 6 firings? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted July 20, 2021 Report Share Posted July 20, 2021 (edited) @Dikka Rian The electrical information tag should be stamped with a maximum firing temperature. For longevity reasons folks firing to cone 6 generally make sure their kiln goes to cone 10 ( 2345f) if your kiln is marked cone 8 (2280 f) then it will fire to cone 6 but the wear on the elements will shorten their life. Take a look at the equipment tag and tell us the info on it or post a clear picture of it. Edited July 20, 2021 by Bill Kielb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Leigh Posted May 4, 2023 Report Share Posted May 4, 2023 On 11/23/2020 at 11:12 AM, neilestrick said: I've attached the manual for this kiln. Take a look at page 13, which has the firing instructions. 3 hours is fast, and likely happening because you're gone straight to High instead of working up from Low. As for the cones, it sounds like everything worked as it should. 06 will melt before 05, so it should be completely over if 05 was perfect. Think of the '0' as a negative sign, so 06 is a lower temp than 05, just like -6 is colder than -5. There are very few kiln parts that are specific so kilns- all of the switches are stock parts that you can find on the internet, Euclids.com will be able to make elements for you, and Sitter parts are still available from most kiln suppliers. Where did you attach the manual - I don't see it but I'm new to the forum so might be missing something. I'm thinking about purchasing one and would like to look at the manual first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hulk Posted May 4, 2023 Report Share Posted May 4, 2023 (edited) Hi Morgan, Welcome to the Forum! I'm not seeing the attachment either. This link might get you started; there's es/dk 820* wiring and parts diagrams, Appendix B, starting on page 15.6 Note the revision history, last updated April 1985Duncan_Kiln_Service_Manual.pdf (aakilns.com.au) See alsoLinks To Kiln Manuals, Wiring Diagrams, Repair Parts, Elements, Etc. - Equipment Use and Repair - Ceramic Arts Daily Communit ...scroll down to the Duncan entry; on the Paragon site, select the "Duncan Kiln Instructions" filter ...where you may then get the .pdf that Dick White references, below Edited May 4, 2023 by Hulk See also the listing thread Neil has put together ...to find what Dick White has posted! Bill Kielb 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick White Posted May 4, 2023 Report Share Posted May 4, 2023 ... another link from the Paragon website. Paragon bought the Duncan line when they went out of business. https://eadn-wc04-7751283.nxedge.io/wp-content/uploads/LX851_Duncan_Energy_Saver_Owner_Manual.pdf dw Bill Kielb and Hulk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted May 4, 2023 Report Share Posted May 4, 2023 5 hours ago, Morgan Leigh said: Where did you attach the manual - I don't see it but I'm new to the forum so might be missing something. I'm thinking about purchasing one and would like to look at the manual first. I had to clear out some of my files and it looks like that's one that got wiped out. You can find all Duncan manuals HERE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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