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| Tips, Techniques, and Questions -- Technical questions or tips |
2008-11-04, 10:29am
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I'm a lilac!
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Join Date: Jun 09, 2005
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 8,793
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Oh please please please kiln help?
Last week, as I posted about here: http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/sh...52#post2175152 my FuseBox kiln had a meltdown. I caught it at about 1600 and turned it off, unplugged it, and let it cool completely before moving it. It seemed like a pretty classic case of a relay gone bad, so I replaced the relay, patched the brick that I had to chip out, and thought I would be on my merry way, right? Wrong. 
The elements won't come on. They are in quartz tubes, so I might be wrong, but as far as I can tell they look good and not burned-out. I am not sure what my next step is... perhaps I installed the relay wrong? I don't think so. There is a small white tube-thing on one of the wires that looks like a fuse, I'm wondering if I should look at replacing that, or if I should just replace the elements (there are four so this could get expensive) and see if that does the trick.
I need this kiln for my livelihood and cannot currently afford to replace it, so I am really hoping to be able to repair it myself and would be grateful for any help or tips.
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-Kalera
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2008-11-04, 10:51am
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Dec 31, 2005
Location: Corpus Christi
Posts: 508
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Kalera,
I know nothing about the insides of you kiln, but how I start troubleshooting such problems is with some basic testing. If you have a multimeter with a continuity tester, disconnect both ends of one of the elements and see if you have continuity. If you do, hook it back up and move to the next element. If there is a bad element, you will be able to isolate it. If there is a bad one, and if they are wired in series, you found your problem.
All I can offer is a start.
Steve
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Steve & Susie Wright
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2008-11-04, 11:03am
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I'm a lilac!
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Join Date: Jun 09, 2005
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 8,793
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Thanks Steve, I guess I need to make a run to Radio Shack. 
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-Kalera
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2008-11-04, 12:21pm
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Ass-kicking Cephalopod
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Join Date: Jun 19, 2006
Location: Duh, Squidville
Posts: 9,523
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If your pyrometer displaying the correct temp when it is just sitting after being turned on?
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DOG is my co-pilot
Cricket w/two 5 lpm oxycons - and sometimes a Minor.
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2008-11-04, 12:40pm
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I'm a lilac!
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Join Date: Jun 09, 2005
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 8,793
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Yes, it is.
Also, I can hear the relay clicking "on" when the controller changes the set point to 968, and I talked to Mike at Glass Hive, and he thinks the elements are fried. Going to replace those next, and if that's not it... well, there's a guy in town who does repairs, so we'll see.
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-Kalera
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2008-11-04, 12:43pm
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A True Woofer
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Join Date: Jun 13, 2005
Location: the land of nod
Posts: 3,895
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I hope you get it fixed soon, Kalera.
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Ellen
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2008-11-04, 12:46pm
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da General
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Join Date: Oct 05, 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 13,002
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I was going to suggest that you gave Mike a call . . . glad you did. He is da bestest!
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Hayley
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2008-11-04, 12:50pm
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I'm a lilac!
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Join Date: Jun 09, 2005
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 8,793
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Thanks guys! Now I just need one of these people who sells elements to CALL ME BACK! 
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-Kalera
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2008-11-04, 3:05pm
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old fart
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Join Date: Apr 18, 2006
Location: st paul mn
Posts: 778
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use a volt ohm meter to measure the resistance across you elements. they should measure 10 to 15 ohm range. if they have no resistance, here is the best place to get elements. just tell them which kiln you have.
http://www.duralite.com/
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Mark Wilson
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2008-11-04, 3:44pm
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I'm a lilac!
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Join Date: Jun 09, 2005
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 8,793
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Thanks Mark!
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-Kalera
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2008-11-04, 3:55pm
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Martyrs don't bitch.
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Join Date: Jun 13, 2005
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 5,142
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When my relay went bad, my element went with it.
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If I can't eat it, or live in it, I'm not buying it!
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< - Click for Etsy Shop
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2008-11-04, 6:57pm
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I'm a lilac!
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Join Date: Jun 09, 2005
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 8,793
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Now the hurdle seems to be finding elements for an obscure, odd-sized kiln that is no longer being made...
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-Kalera
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2008-11-16, 7:27am
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 11, 2005
Location: albany ny area
Posts: 428
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Quote:
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Now the hurdle seems to be finding elements for an obscure, odd-sized kiln that is no longer being made...
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If you can't find a replacement element I may be able to help you If you can find out how many amps your kiln uses and the voltage and how many sets of elements it has. We can go from there and figure out a suitable replacement element to meet the specs.
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2008-11-16, 8:25am
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Tinder Bloom Studio
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Join Date: Nov 08, 2006
Location: NE Ohio
Posts: 939
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We ordered custom elements from a guy in Oregon when we were building our big kiln. Hubby has his number if he's still in business. They were very reasonable.
I'll check when he wakes up if we still have the contact info.
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~~Suzanne~~
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2008-11-16, 8:27am
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Happiness is....
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Join Date: Nov 21, 2005
Location: MI.
Posts: 1,110
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when I replaced my element, I took it apart and took the element to a local factory and the guy just gave me the same diameter and length that I needed...He knew his stuff though, I didn't....
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Karen
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A Crickett and 2 5lp oxycons
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2008-11-16, 8:41am
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 14, 2005
Location: Woodburn, OR
Posts: 1,854
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Kalera
Is it a E.K. Miller kiln? If so I have one I'm not using any more you can have. I wanted a new one so this is just sitting on the floor not being used. It was working great a few weeks ago. We are pretty close to each other, If you wanted to pick it up here just let me know when.
Liz R
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MADE IN THE U.S.A.
Lead me not into temptation, Oh hell follow me I know a short cut
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2008-11-17, 12:09am
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I'm a lilac!
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Join Date: Jun 09, 2005
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 8,793
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Wow you guys, THANK YOU!
Liz, are you serious? Because, WHOA. That's an awesome offer! I will take you up on it, but you have to let me do something for you too! Thank you!!!
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-Kalera
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2008-11-17, 5:46am
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Resident hippie
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Join Date: Mar 06, 2008
Location: Co Dublin Ireland
Posts: 2,733
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Anna
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Have FUN!!!!! It's not about perfection..... Leslie - [not so] Crazy Woman
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2008-11-17, 6:55am
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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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Quote:
Originally Posted by Abacus Beads
Kalera
Is it a E.K. Miller kiln? If so I have one I'm not using any more you can have. I wanted a new one so this is just sitting on the floor not being used. It was working great a few weeks ago. We are pretty close to each other, If you wanted to pick it up here just let me know when.
Liz R
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You rock Liz 
you are on my coooool people list
Mike
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NEED A GOOD KILN ? CALL ME 541-961-6978
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When you tell lie's about someone, well you get what you get.
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2008-11-17, 8:10am
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 14, 2005
Location: Woodburn, OR
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Kalera
YES I was totaly serious. I just bought a new one from Mike( Hi Mike!)and I love it. I also have a backup kiln beside this EK Millier fuse box kiln so if you can use it I'd be happy to give it to you. PM me for my phone number so we can set this up OK
Liz R
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MADE IN THE U.S.A.
Lead me not into temptation, Oh hell follow me I know a short cut
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2008-11-17, 8:16am
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Biscuit Lover
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Join Date: Aug 30, 2005
Posts: 292
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Very sweet, Liz. This way Kalera will have extra parts, too. Excellent.
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2008-11-17, 9:38am
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I'm a lilac!
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Join Date: Jun 09, 2005
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 8,793
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Liz, you are completely awesome. I am crying happy tears!
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-Kalera
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2008-11-17, 3:41pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jan 07, 2008
Location: Gloucestershire, UK
Posts: 714
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This thread has just given me the warm fuzzies.... what a lovely lady you are Liz...
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2008-11-17, 3:49pm
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aka Spawn Of Flame
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Join Date: Jun 16, 2005
Location: Northeast Ohio
Posts: 2,158
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Wow that's sweet!
I don't know what I'll do when my EK Miller kiln dies. cry, I guess. Is it possible to be in love with a kiln?
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Rose --
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2008-11-17, 5:19pm
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Fancy Mammal
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Join Date: Jan 07, 2006
Location: California
Posts: 986
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Yup, warm LE fuzzies~
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~ Shelby ~
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2008-11-17, 8:32pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 14, 2005
Location: Woodburn, OR
Posts: 1,854
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I never could really appreciate the E.K.Miller kiln. The top was so hefty that it would unbalance the whole kiln when you wanted to open the top. Talk about cumberson!Well I hope it works out for Kelara and if nothing else she can use this for a "parts" kiln.
Liz R
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MADE IN THE U.S.A.
Lead me not into temptation, Oh hell follow me I know a short cut
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2008-11-21, 11:03am
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I'm a lilac!
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Join Date: Jun 09, 2005
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 8,793
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It is a lifesaver! Thank you sooooo much Liz, I am beyond grateful, and I don't mind the topheaviness because I never life the whole top. 
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-Kalera
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