just1victory Posted January 18, 2022 Report Share Posted January 18, 2022 I have a test kiln with a Bartlett controller, I haven't used it in months. When I turned it on, I get the red light on the side but no display. Temperature in the room is about 60F. Could it be that leaving the switch in the on position for so long (months) could have caused it? It's 120v, but the reason I couldn't use it because it would make the lights flicker, not great wiring in the house. Possibly a blown fuse? Hope I haven't destroyed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted January 18, 2022 Report Share Posted January 18, 2022 What brand/model kiln? Is there a fuse on the control box? There should be one. It could be that the fuse has come loose or the fuse is dead. Also possible that a connection has come loose or corroded during the down time. Those small 120v kilns typically require a 20 amp circuit with nothing else being used on the circuit while firing. Post a pic of the kiln serial plate that has the electrical information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
just1victory Posted January 18, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2022 It's an Olympic Doll E Kiln. Yes I pulled the fuse from the box and used the multimeter continuity setting on it, it beeps but the numbers jump up and down not sure if that's normal, first time using the meter. Thanks Neil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted January 19, 2022 Report Share Posted January 19, 2022 Unplug the kiln and open up the control box and see if any wires have come loose or connections corroded. Also check for continuity on the wires going into and out of the fuse holder with the fuse in place, just in case there's an issue with the fuse holder. Check for continuity on both sides of the power switch. If everything else looks good but there's no power to the controller, then it could be a bad transformer or ultimately the control board itself, although it would be rare for a board to completely die with no signs of life at all. Typically they act goofy when they go bad. To check the transformer you'll have to plug the kiln in and measure the voltage on the two wires going from the transformer to the controller. Should be around 24VAC. And yes, that kiln should be run on a 20 amp circuit, not a standard 15 amp circuit. Not sure why they put a 15 amp plug on a kiln that's supposed to run on a 20 amp circuit. Check your breaker box and see if you have any 20 amp circuits in your house. The garage may have one. 20 amp outlets have a slot that looks like a 'T'. Â Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
just1victory Posted January 19, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2022 Fuse and power switch have continuity, didn't notice any loose or corroded connections to them but found that the relay wires had some sketchy connections that my SO put there when swapping relays (pic) and thermocouple, don't think that would affect the board though? I don't have any of those kind of outlets in the basement so I'll have to haul it upstairs and plug it in there to check the transformer. Thanks-- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted January 19, 2022 Report Share Posted January 19, 2022 @just1victory Nothing on the relays should affect the board. To check power to the board you can plug it into a normal outlet. The board pulls very little power so it won't be an issue as long as you don't power up the elements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
just1victory Posted January 19, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2022 Good to know, it may save my back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
just1victory Posted January 19, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2022 Hope this doesn't post twice,hit submit and it disappeared lol. I wasn't able to get a reading in AC mode, could be because the tips on the leads are tiny and difficult to reach the ends in that tight space, or I could be using it wrong, will watch more vids to see if I can get it to work. Just to be sure, I'm supposed to take the reading while the kiln is plugged in but the power button is off? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted January 19, 2022 Report Share Posted January 19, 2022 56 minutes ago, just1victory said: Hope this doesn't post twice,hit submit and it disappeared lol. I wasn't able to get a reading in AC mode, could be because the tips on the leads are tiny and difficult to reach the ends in that tight space, or I could be using it wrong, will watch more vids to see if I can get it to work. Just to be sure, I'm supposed to take the reading while the kiln is plugged in but the power button is off? If the power button is what turns on the controller, then it should be on while testing. I'm assuming the wiring goes to the power button before it goes to the transformer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted January 19, 2022 Report Share Posted January 19, 2022 Suggest: Check that glass fuse in the picture as well. Power should go to the fuse then the switch then the controller. I see wires that are soldered and the wire to the back side of the fuse holder mysteriously taped. I would double check and make sure everything is connected well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted January 19, 2022 Report Share Posted January 19, 2022 Just to be clear, when you checked the fuse for continuity, you put a probe at each end of the fuse? Check for continuity between the terminals on the fuse holder, too, with the fuse in place. Sometimes they go bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
just1victory Posted January 20, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2022 I'll try again with the power on. I did check the fuse and the terminals inside like you describe, but I'll double check that too along with looking for loose connections. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NaNa3 Posted April 13, 2022 Report Share Posted April 13, 2022 I couldn't sign in with my old account for some reason, but wanted to follow up since you guys were so nice in responding. The controller started working again once the room temperature was at 55F, I think it may just have been cold. It could also have been the outlet was bad, I used an extension cord on the retry to a new outlet. Thanks again for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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