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Tips, Techniques, and Questions -- Technical questions or tips |
2015-05-07, 2:27pm
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Aug 10, 2010
Posts: 4
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Orton controller issue
I have a Paragon Bluebird XL kiln purchased December 2012. Despite only being fired a few dozen times, the controller has quit working. Warranty was only one year. I've been told the new controller is $272 U.S. The kiln itself was $950 so the cost of the controller is a significant amount. Has anyone else experienced problems with the Orton Sentry Xpress controller? I am so disappointed and upset with this kiln that I thought was a good brand. Can we really expect to have to replace an almost $300 part every two years? I need to know if it's even worth fixing if this is a common and ongoing issue.
So sad I could cry! Any input would be greatly appreciated.
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2015-05-07, 2:36pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Aug 31, 2006
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 2,210
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I had to replace the Orton controller in my Chili Pepper, but it was still under warranty. They sent me one and then Orton walked me through replacement over the phone. You may want to call Orton directly rather than Paragon.
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Kathy
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2015-05-07, 4:02pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 14, 2006
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 2,366
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Are you sure the controller has to be replaced, rather than just repaired? I hope it's something as simple as replacing a relay, rather than the whole thing being toast! Good luck.
Mimi
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2015-05-07, 10:00pm
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Phill
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Join Date: Mar 21, 2009
Location: Winnebago, MN
Posts: 2,489
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Aye, I would get with the maker and see if they can help you locate the problem down to the part.
I don't know if these things have fuses inside them but it sure would suck dirty brown swamp water to find out that a two dollar fuse was the only problem, ( well that and a lighting strike two miles away that took out the fuse).
It doesn't hurt to put these machines on a surge protector these days.
I think I have most of the technical stuff in the house on a surge system of one sort or another and I am thinking of getting a "whole house protection unit".
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2015-05-08, 7:03am
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Cheesehead Packer lover
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Join Date: Jun 27, 2005
Location: Frozen Tundra
Posts: 652
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I have 2 kilns with Orton controllers and whenever I have a problem, I just call Jen-Ken and they can answer your questions. They are so helpful and have talked us through any problems. The only thing I have had to replace was the relay and my brick kiln is 11 years old. I don't think it matters that your kiln isn't a Jen-Ken, they fix controllers too.
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2015-05-10, 11:14am
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KILN BUILDIN FOOL
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Join Date: Jun 14, 2005
Location: OREGON COAST
Posts: 1,738
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What is it doing ?
Mike
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2015-05-10, 6:00pm
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Member
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Join Date: May 06, 2013
Location: Northeast Georgia, USA
Posts: 58
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I don't have an Orton controller (built two of my own using Auber digital units), but I agree, we need to know more about what it's doing and what you've tried. My Aubers (not dissing the company) "go stupid" every once in a while and do things like reading 2000+ degrees when the kiln's actually at 70F. I unplug, check all the programmable parameters, and so far I've been able to get them to start working again just by messing around. I know you don't have as much access to programming with the Orton's, but it would help to know more about what it's doing. As others have said, if it's just a relay that's dead that might be something you could replace with Orton's help.
Building my own was a challenge, but it did give me an understanding of the components. Of course there are days when I'm tempted to chuck it and buy a commercial unit.
Steve
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2015-05-12, 1:50pm
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Aug 10, 2010
Posts: 4
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Controller issue
Thank you all for your helpful hints. As an update, I returned the controller to Orton for testing after the Paragon people took us through testing the various other kiln components and concluded it was the controller. I received an email from Orton today saying they tested the controller and it's fine! So basically I'm back to square one with a non-operational two and half year old kiln
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2015-05-12, 2:55pm
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Phill
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Join Date: Mar 21, 2009
Location: Winnebago, MN
Posts: 2,489
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Frack !
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2015-05-12, 3:32pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 14, 2006
Location: Northern Virginia
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Could it be something as basic as the thermocouple? Did that go back with the controller to Orton? did Paragon have you check the connection between the two?
Mimi
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2015-05-14, 5:49pm
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Aug 10, 2010
Posts: 4
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Latest headache:(
So Orton ships the controller back to me by UPS which I paid by ViSA $21 shipping. The delivery person tells me I owe an additional $57 duty and taxes!!! I refused to pay. I now have to argue my case to the government I guess so I may never get my controller back. Unfreakin' believable! The package even says "repair" and I spoke to three different people and explained it was returned for repair (which it didn't need) and that it wasn't new, no, I didn't buy it, no it wasn't a replacement and on and on. When I bought the kiln from the U.S. I paid duty and taxes, so why would I have to pay again on a part I returned for repair!? And seriously, $57???? What tax rate are they charging me? Sheesh! Time for a glass of wine. Sorry for the rant.
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2015-05-15, 7:08pm
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Phill
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Join Date: Mar 21, 2009
Location: Winnebago, MN
Posts: 2,489
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Double Frack!!!
Who did you piss off in a past life?
Any chance you have the receipt as well as the correspondence between you and the repair lace?
Where are you anyway. I want to make sure I don't move there.
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2015-05-15, 7:51pm
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Aug 10, 2010
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Orton controller
I live in Ontario, Canada.
Good news today though, I got my controller back!!! A kind gentleman named Jim from Orton phoned UPS and pleaded my case and lo and behold UPS phoned me this morning to say I could come and pick up my package with no additional charges! Yay!
So we'll try reinstalling it this weekend and see if we can figure out what is actually wrong with the kiln.
The repairman who was here fixing my stove (yes! I have terrible luck with anything electronic and I can often put out streetlights just by walking past! Seriously!) suggested it could be a funky toggle switch so we'll check that out too. Wish me luck
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2015-05-15, 9:31pm
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Phill
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Join Date: Mar 21, 2009
Location: Winnebago, MN
Posts: 2,489
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Well at least Orton was able to make it happen.
Good luck with the trouble shooting.
Look at the power cord at the plug end and where it goes into the kiln. Power cords can get flexed enough to break inside the cord but look fine outside. If working it back and forth gets it to start and stop then that will be something to get fixed.
Let me know if you need help tracking this down although I would have thought the Orton folks would have run through most of the possibilities before you sent it in.
As a 17 year electronics tech for the Navy I can troubleshoot problems through the keyboard if you want.
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2015-05-16, 5:16am
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Aug 31, 2006
Location: Knoxville, TN
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Hooray for Orton!
There are not many moving parts to a kiln, so I think now that the controller is deemed good you have the most expensive part eliminated. Good luck!
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Kathy
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2015-05-29, 9:21am
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Member
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Join Date: Jun 13, 2007
Posts: 43
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Tlyn, I'm sorry the BlueBird XL is not operating correctly. I hate to hear about the frustration you've gone through.
Please describe the problem. Did you get error messages on the controller? Also, feel free to send me an email.
Sincerely,
Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com
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2015-05-29, 9:23am
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Member
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Join Date: Jun 13, 2007
Posts: 43
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2xMI
Could it be something as basic as the thermocouple? Did that go back with the controller to Orton? did Paragon have you check the connection between the two?
Mimi
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Mimi, the problem could very well be a faulty thermocouple. I will be happy to send out a new one at no charge for the BlueBird XL in question.
Sincerely,
Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com
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