Mbrand27 Posted April 29 Report Share Posted April 29 I’m in over my head. I have a very old paragon kiln. I had used it for years, successfully. The elements had been changed, and then the kiln was only used a couple times after that. In one of those firings, a piece or two exploded. I’m trying to use this again after 3 years of no use, and the only thing that turns on is the light. The elements used to hum immediately after being turned on, there is no hum, or glow. I’ve done a visual inspection with tweezers for anything in the elements. I was able to get fresh wires, connecting the switch to the elements, and swapped those out. I’ve talked a bit to paragon customer service, and it’s going to be a huge pain for me to replace the switch with an “infinite relay”, which is what Paragon recommends because they no longer make/sell the switch. My problem is, this is a 17 amp kiln, and the 120V infinite relay they recommend me swapping the switch out for, with an entirely different wiring to go with it, can only handle 15 amps. This was barely getting to cone 6 before. I’m fine with cone 5, but I’m doubtful 15 amps will cut it. Before I go this route, any advice?! I kinda hate the idea of changing out the elements again, but if sitting for three years or having bits of exploded ceramics are why this isn’t working, I’d rather do that than replace a switch that may not be broken. I suspect it still works because the light is on. I’m afraid to take the elements out and inspect that way because I am sure I will break one. Thank to anyone who can advise, Missy I will try to add pictures in the comments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted April 30 Report Share Posted April 30 It will pull 17 amp regardless of which switch is in there. The elements determine how many amps the kiln pulls. The issue is that we don't want to run 17 amps through a 15 amp switch. What model is the kiln? How many element does it have? Post some pics of the current switch, the serial plate, and also open up the control box (unplug the kiln first) and takes some pics so we can see how it's wired. If the switch is indeed dead, there may be other options depending on how it's set up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denice Posted April 30 Report Share Posted April 30 You might also include your firing schedule, moisture in your piece is usually the cause of pots exploding or firing to fast. Denice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterH Posted April 30 Report Share Posted April 30 (edited) On 4/29/2024 at 11:26 PM, Mbrand27 said: My problem is, this is a 17 amp kiln, and the 120V infinite relay they recommend Idle thoughts while are are waiting for details of the kiln. If it's a 120V 17A Paragon they seem thin on the ground, see P5 of ... https://eadn-wc04-7751283.nxedge.io/wp-content/uploads/IM5-A-and-B-Paragon-Inst-Man-Jan2017.pdf Possibly relevant. https://eadn-wc04-7751283.nxedge.io/wp-content/uploads/A-11-9B.pdf https://www.theceramicshop.com/product/9663/paragon-a-11-9b-element-120v/ What mains supply do you have, and is 240V available? (Series wired with a 240v infinite switch would halve the current.) Edited May 1 by PeterH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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