Osso Posted September 4, 2021 Report Share Posted September 4, 2021 Hi all! I JUST replaced all the elements in my skutt 818. One of them burnt at the connector, which now makes the kiln fire too long (not up to temp) and the pigtail broke off so now it's too short. Is there any way to fix this without replacing the entire element again? I've done maybe ten firings with this brand new set of elements. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted September 5, 2021 Report Share Posted September 5, 2021 If it burned out at the connector then you may not have had it crimped well. Make sure you're using a proper crimping tool, not just a pair of pliers. If there's not enough pigtail to get a connector onto then you'll have to replace the element. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted September 5, 2021 Report Share Posted September 5, 2021 5 hours ago, Osso said: . Is there any way to fix this without replacing the entire element again? I've done maybe ten firings with this brand new set of elements. If you are handy with a torch you can heat up and unwind some element to extend your pigtail, (It needs to be glowing red, so careful!) but really they ought to be doubled over or folded back on themselves at the end and this will reduce the length of the element ever so slightly so ONLY a temporary fix even done well. Neil is correct, get some decent crimpers. A decent crimp takes lots of force and crimps so tightly that it will not burn off. You can find crimpers at big box stores but Amazon does have some very economical ratchet style (even Klein tools) that won’t release until enough pressure has been applied. A bit more goof proof. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted September 5, 2021 Report Share Posted September 5, 2021 Ratcheting crimpers aren't great for element connections. The connectors are too thick and hard, not like a regular wire terminal, and the crimper is kinda bulky. Get something like this, they work great and have nice cutters, too. There are cheaper versions out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted September 5, 2021 Report Share Posted September 5, 2021 3 minutes ago, neilestrick said: Get something like this, they work great and have nice cutters, too. There are cheaper versions out there. Whatever you get crimp it very tight. Single levers like these are fine but don’t give you the leverage of compound. My version of tight is likely different than yours as I am regularly tested at 110 lbs grip strength which is quite high ………. for other reasons. When I single lever crimp, I squeeze as tight as I can for a decent period of time. Ratchets won’t release until they have been squeezed enough, again they are a bit more goof proof, but single levers are fine as well. Squeeze tight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osso Posted September 5, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2021 Mine use this type of connection, not the crimped connection. I will be replacing the screw connection that looks a little burnt and replacing the element but I'm bummed. Do y'all think I should switch to the crimp connectors? The screw ones were on the kiln when I bought it and I like them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osso Posted September 5, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2021 I did just move cross country and the kiln came with. Probably the connections shook a little loose in transit. I'm going through to tighten up the rest of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted September 5, 2021 Report Share Posted September 5, 2021 54 minutes ago, Osso said: Do y'all think I should switch to the crimp connectors? The screw ones were on the kiln when I bought it and I like them. No, definitely don't switch to crimp connectors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osso Posted September 5, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2021 4 hours ago, neilestrick said: No, definitely don't switch to crimp connectors. Ha! Thank you. I like the screw ones but I think it was just not on tight enough. Waiting for new parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.