Fred Y Posted February 25 Report Share Posted February 25 Hello, I recently purchased a used "Duncan - The Teacher" kiln for my daughter and I cannot get it to work. I am powering it with a NEMA plug and 8/3 wire to a 40 amp breaker [unit is rated at 2700 amps]. It is only 8' from the breaker panel. I have tested the outlet and it has power. Can anyone advise me with this problem? Thank you, Fred Y. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted February 25 Report Share Posted February 25 Fred can you post a picture of the kiln information tag, 2700 amps definitely a wrong number. Also could you post a picture of the plug you are using and the front of the kiln showing all the control knobs in the picture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Y Posted February 25 Author Report Share Posted February 25 Thank you for your reply Bill. Four photos are attached. And you are right- my mistake - it's 5,760 watts and 24 amps. Any help you can offer is terrific. Fred Y. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted February 25 Report Share Posted February 25 (edited) Thanks! Your maintenance manual here https://aakilns.com.au/pdf/Duncan_Kiln_Service_Manual.pdf but if you have never fired a manual kiln, there are some steps to learn and detailed in the operating manual below. This is a 24 amp kiln and the manufacture specifies 30 amp breaker, 40 amps is too large per the manufacture and North American Code.so this should really be protected with a 30 amp breaker Page 58 of 75 in the maintenance manual, bottom right corner of the electrical drawing show amperage, wire size and breaker This is a manual kiln that requires the safety countdown timer be set for some period greater than the time it will take to fire. So if the firing is expected to take 8 hours, the timer must be set to something greater such as 9 hours. It is for safety and if it is on or reaches zero your kiln will shut off. Did you set the timer for something greater than zero when you tested? The kiln sitter to be activated using an appropriate cone and then arming it by depressing the plunger Page 7 and Page 28 -33 Did you place a cone in the sittter and depress the plunger? Finally the two knobs are turned up gradually throughout the firing (they are know as infinite switches )such as two hours on low, two hours on medium and finally to high until the kiln sitter shuts off the kiln. Page 21 - 24 The manual above provides maintenance for all the components, operating this kiln is better described here https://eadn-wc04-7751283.nxedge.io/wp-content/uploads/LX851_Duncan_Energy_Saver_Owner_Manual.pdf Last note, this kiln is rated to cone 8 if firing to cone 6 routinely you will get a moderate number of cone 6 firings before the elements will need replacement. Cone 10 rated kilns provide considerably more firings before element replacement when routinely fired to cone 6. The maintenance manual has element resistance measurements listed. If the elements have risen by 10% in resistance, it’s time for replacement to make cone 6 temperatures. Edited February 25 by Bill Kielb Rae Reich, Fred Y and Hulk 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted February 25 Report Share Posted February 25 You need a timer knob as yours is missing as well. Hulk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Y Posted February 25 Author Report Share Posted February 25 10 hours ago, Bill Kielb said: Thanks! Your maintenance manual here https://aakilns.com.au/pdf/Duncan_Kiln_Service_Manual.pdf but if you have never fired a manual kiln, there are some steps to learn and detailed in the operating manual below. This is a 24 amp kiln and the manufacture specifies 30 amp breaker, 40 amps is too large per the manufacture and North American Code.so this should really be protected with a 30 amp breaker Page 58 of 75 in the maintenance manual, bottom right corner of the electrical drawing show amperage, wire size and breaker This is a manual kiln that requires the safety countdown timer be set for some period greater than the time it will take to fire. So if the firing is expected to take 8 hours, the timer must be set to something greater such as 9 hours. It is for safety and if it is on or reaches zero your kiln will shut off. Did you set the timer for something greater than zero when you tested? The kiln sitter to be activated using an appropriate cone and then arming it by depressing the plunger Page 7 and Page 28 -33 Did you place a cone in the sittter and depress the plunger? Finally the two knobs are turned up gradually throughout the firing (they are know as infinite switches )such as two hours on low, two hours on medium and finally to high until the kiln sitter shuts off the kiln. Page 21 - 24 The manual above provides maintenance for all the components, operating this kiln is better described here https://eadn-wc04-7751283.nxedge.io/wp-content/uploads/LX851_Duncan_Energy_Saver_Owner_Manual.pdf Last note, this kiln is rated to cone 8 if firing to cone 6 routinely you will get a moderate number of cone 6 firings before the elements will need replacement. Cone 10 rated kilns provide considerably more firings before element replacement when routinely fired to cone 6. The maintenance manual has element resistance measurements listed. If the elements have risen by 10% in resistance, it’s time for replacement to make cone 6 temperatures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Y Posted February 25 Author Report Share Posted February 25 Thanks again Bill! Your knowledge base is impressive. I will read thru your advice thoroughly. It seems this kiln requires some study in it's use. I have printed out both manuals. Fred Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Y Posted February 25 Author Report Share Posted February 25 9 hours ago, Mark C. said: You need a timer knob as yours is missing as well. Yes! We discovered that after purchase. Local hardware store may have one that fits... Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted February 25 Report Share Posted February 25 3 minutes ago, Fred Y said: Yes! We discovered that after purchase. Local hardware store may have one that fits... Thanks. It's not just a knob. It's specific to the Sitter, as it has a piece on it that triggers the shutoff. Google 'kiln sitter timer knob' for sources. Bill Kielb, Rae Reich and Fred Y 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Y Posted February 28 Author Report Share Posted February 28 Hi again Neil, Mark, Bill, Thank you all for your advise with my Duncan Kiln situation. We have discovered that the LT 3K Dawson Control Panel/sitter is not old, and need replacing. I have a new thought... the actual Kiln body is in great shape [bricks, coils, top, etc.]. I have contacted Skutt Corp. Technical Dept. about the possibility of replacing the entire control unit with their new, Skutt Kilnmaster Touch Screen controller. They have videos on their website explaining retrofitting that unit to non Skutt Kilns. IF that were possible [I havent heard from them yet] it would be a very cost-effective way to have a virtually new and safe kiln. I paid $400.00 for the Duncan Kiln with the Dawson Controller. The Skutt Touch Screen unit is about $600.00. We have a friend with that Skutt Touchscreen and [attached to a new Skutt Kiln] she raves about it. Any thoughts still appreciated! Fred ps: I've attached 2 photos of the insides of the kiln... Bill Kielb 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Y Posted February 28 Author Report Share Posted February 28 Sorry - TYPO in the second sentence! It is old! Fred Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted February 28 Report Share Posted February 28 39 minutes ago, Fred Y said: ps: I've attached 2 photos of the insides of the kiln... Just my opinion, I would do it in a heartbeat. The Genesis controller by Bartlett controls is also a possibility. Bartlett has made these digital controls for most manufactures here in the states for many years and might actually make the controller for Skutt to their programming requirements. I am super comfortable with the components, wiring, electrical and thermal design though. Not insurmountable, but with thought and careful construction very doable IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted February 28 Report Share Posted February 28 3 hours ago, Fred Y said: The Skutt Touch Screen unit is about $600.00. The touch screen itself is about $600 as a retrofit for their old digital controller, but you would need an entire control box assembly which will cost about $1250 plus shipping. It would replace the entire cream control box on your kiln. A Skutt KMT822 box may fit your kiln, but it would probably need to be wired up like a KMT818 since your kiln has two zones and the 822 has 3. Your Kiln Sitter looks to be in very good condition other than the missing knob, so it may work just fine. Age isn't such an issue with kilns as much as usage. Yours looks to have had very little use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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