Paragon Switch Operated Ceramic Kiln Instruction
Contents
1. MODEL LT 3K Mi ka C M MEE eT MI ng STATED W P DAWSON ING 300 THOR PLACE BACA CA Pakit UR PAT WS aaam MET Ame hans eae INTRODUCTION Thank you for purchasing a Paragon kiln We are confident that the kiln will give you many years of relax ation and creative enjoyment provided you read and follow the manuals Though you may be excited to fire your kiln first read the manuals that came with your kiln The more you know about your kiln the more you will enjoy it This manual covers the kiln switches and the Orton Auto Cone automatic shutoff Before you read this manual read Paragon Ceramic Kiln Instruction and Service Manual and Safe Installation of the Elec tric Kiln which are also shipped with your new kiln Please contact the factory if you do not have copies You can also download them at www paragonweb com Select Support and then Instruction Manuals from the drop menu The manuals are listed alphabetically Also go to www paragonweb com and select Products then Books amp DVDs from the drop menu The books we recommend will enhance your kiln experience At www paragonweb com you will also find online videos for many of the procedures shown in this manual As you read each section you can go online to watch an actual demonstration from your computer Throughout the manual you will find photos of the Dawson Kiln Sitter These photos also apply to the Orton2. f i screws may fall out the front of the Kiln Sitter un 6 Wipe the pencil eraser particles and dirt from the less you hold them in place while you remove the contacts Reassemble the Kiln Sitter making sure nuts Or place a piece of tape over the Kiln Sitter all the washers are back where they belong front to hold the screws 7 Arrange the wires inside the switch box so that when the Kiln Sitter is in place no wire is touching the kiln case or Kiln Sitter porcelain tube Rein stall the switch box Look at your wiring diagram to see which elements are controlled by each switch You can download the kiln s wiring diagram at www paragonweb com Select Support then Kiln Wiring Diagrams from the drop menu If the elements to a particular switch are not firing check those elements and the wiring to the switch See the kiln main tenance section of Paragon Ceramic Kiln Instruction amp Service Manual to check an element If the wiring and elements are good replace the switch Note If push on terminals do not have a snug fit gently squeeze the end of the terminal with pli 23 ers If the push on terminal is damaged from ex cessive heat replace the wire and terminal 1 Pull off the switch knob with fingertips Some switch knobs are held in place bya setscrew on the side of the knob If knob won t come off when you pull it check to see if a set screw is secur ing it to the shaft 2 Disconnect the powe
3. You could also leave the kiln on low for a longer period at the beginning of the fir ing It is better though to dry the ware thoroughly before placing it inside the kiln Leave the top peephole plug out This allows moisture to exit the kiln through the peephole instead of through the Kiln Sitter tube But if you use the Orton down draft Vent Master keep all peephole plugs inserted throughout the firing Leave the Vent Master on during both firing 17 and cooling If you turn the Vent Master off when the kiln fires to maturity moisture can build up inside the Kiln Sitter tube as the kiln cools If the Kiln Sitter tube corrodes even though you use a Vent Master make sure that you have enough negative pressure inside the kiln Orton recommends holding a match above one of the air intake holes in the lid The air flowing into the hole should pull the flame toward the hole Cones Break In The Kiln Sitter Probable Causes E Hairline cracks in cones Too much pressure against cone M Fast firing E Kiln Sitter is out of adjustment When handled roughly cones develop hairline cracks which can break during firing This is the most common reason for cone breakage in the Kiln Sitter The Kiln Sitter sensing rod binding at the pivot point can exert too much pressure against the cone Binding of the rod can be due to glaze buildup inside the porcelain tube Make sure the sensing rod can pivot freely The cone has a number
4. Auto Cone which has replaced the Dawson Kiln Sitter Orton the company that makes pyro metric cones began making the Auto Cone in 2009 The Auto Cone is Orton s version of the Kiln Sitter To avoid confusion we refer to the Auto Cone as the Kiln Sitter throughout this manual Even though your Paragon kiln has an Orton Auto Cone automatic shut off check the kiln at the ex pected shut off time The Kiln Sitter is reliable but since it is a mechanical device it can malfunction and overfire the kiln The warranty on your kiln does not cover damage from overfiring regardless of the circumstances It is the operator s responsibility to make sure the kiln turns off when the firing is com pleted Never leave your kiln unattended near the end of the firing Check your new kiln frequently during the first few firings and note the color change inside the kiln After awhile you can learn to estimate with considerable accuracy when the kiln is about to shut off just by ob serving the color If you call us about your kiln please have the model number part number P N and voltage from the kiln s electrical data plate handy The plate is attached to the side of the switch box Write that infor mation on the cover of the manual for quick reference Do not be concerned that your kiln makes a clicking sound during firing Infinite control switches click as they cycle on and off until m4 turned to high The sound is normal Special than
5. Limit Timer Clock Does Not Operate Probable Causes MODEL LTK M One of the wires that con a nects the clock motor to eri PT un oe the power has burned out E The timer motor is burned out The Kiln Sitter Plunger Button Won t Stay Pressed In Probable Causes E The Limit Timer is set to 0 E Something is obstructing the locking slide E The locking slide is rusted or dirty E The spring for the locking slide is broken A wire may be in the way of the Kiln Sitter plunger mechanism preventing it from locking in the on position Sometimes heat causes a wire to move inside the switch box Something may have fallen into the switch box and is interfering with the plunger a matchstick a piece of dried clay a lost screw If anything lodges where the con tact blocks come together the plunger will not stay locked on The locking catch is rusted or has material stuck to it To free the catch try rotating the Limit Timer knob past 20 hours while pressing the Kiln Sitter plunger The Kiln Sitter Plunger Overheats If the Kiln Sitter overheats the white plastic plunger can get so hot that it melts Ways to prevent this 1 Make sure the high temperature washer on the porcelain tube is pressed against the firebrick kiln wall A spring wire retainer keeps the washer in place This helps prevent heat from escaping the kiln 2 Check the wires that are connected to the Kiln Sit ter contact block If they a
6. adjust the guide plate is to loosen the screws so that they barely hold the guide plate in place Then gently nudge the plate sideways If you loosen the screws completely the Release Claw Adjustment guide plate is more difficult to adjust After you have adjusted the trig ger height check the amount of play between the trigger and the release claw Raise the weight and lower the 2 After the rod is centered securely tighten guide plate screws 3 Test the full travel of the actuating rod Watch the release claw over the trigger Look actuating rod inside the kiln as you move the re at the Kiln Sitter from the side to lease claw up and down The actuating rod check the play between the trigger should be free to move within the tube without and the release claw It should be touching the sides 1 16 2 mm To adjust loosen the If the rod does not fall freely to the bottom of the tube setscrew on top of the release claw check the guide plate to see that its slot is parallel to the direction of travel of the release claw If not straighten the guide plate and readjust rod centering Be sure to retighten the two screws securely Ben slew ar sb cmt _ Pam tr pee sr R nan se RA I Note As the Kiln Sitter develops wear the actu ating rod may no longer fall freely within the tube This is usually caused bya corroded tube assem bly Replace the tube Trigger Adjustment 1 Inside the ki
7. but it should never feel hot Middle Elements Do Not Glow Red The middle elements in most Paragon kilns do not glow as bright as the top and bottom elements Do not be concerned as long as the kiln is firing properly 16 Kiln Heats Unevenly You can increase heat in a section of the kiln by loading that section lighter lower heat by loading heavier In crease mass to lower temperature decrease mass to raise temperature Fire the kiln more slowly Slow firing gives the heat time to even out inside the firing chamber Infinite Control Switch Wears Out Prematurely The infinite control switch makes a clicking noise dur ing operation This is the sound of a bimetallic timer turning the elements on or off to control the firing rate When the switch is about to fail it sometimes makes a faint popping instead of a clicking noise This is a sign to order a new switch Probable Causes E New elements are higher amperage than the kiln was designed for E Push on connectors are loose M The kiln s heat shield is missing A 120 volt switch is installed on a 240 volt kiln E The kiln room is too hot Loose connectors over heat the switch by creating a tiny electrical arc inside the connector The kiln s heat shield is a sheet metal channel that helps guide heat away from the switch box The heat shield is under the porcelain insulators of most kilns 120 volt and 240 volt switches look the same the volt age is printed on the
8. expected firing time Q What is the purpose of the Limit Timer A The Limit Timer is designed to prevent an overfire should the Kiln Sitter weight fail to drop The Limit Timer may be set for any period up to 20 hours If the firing will take more than 20 hours you can reset the knob at any time during the firing Caution Never set the Limit Timer beyond 20 hours This could result in an overfire should the Limit Timer motor stop running Q II turn the Limit Timer dial to 5 the Kiln Sit ter always shuts off at around 4 hours What Limit Timer settings should I use for greenware underglaze and glaze A If the Kiln Sitter shuts off at 4 hours turning the dial to 5 gives you a one hour margin of safety This means that after the cone bends and shuts the kiln off there is still one hour left on the Limit Timer If the Kiln Sitter cone fails to bend the kiln will continue to fire for another hour before the Limit Timer shuts it off We suggest setting the Limit Timer half way between 4 and 5 so that you have a 30 minute safety margin Keep a firing log book so you can estimate firing time for each type of ware The primary value of the Kiln Sitter is the convenience of relief from closely watching the large cones through the peepholes and the uniform firing that the Kiln Sitter gives from one firing to the next It is a mechanical device and cannot be considered fully automatic nor relieve the user from responsibility for damag
9. kiln around the actuat ing rod DO check the Kiln Sitter with pyrometric witness cones DO place the Kiln Sitter cone in the same position each time for the same firing results DO use a hotter cone for a hotter firing DO clean off old kiln wash from cone support holders and apply new before each firing DO check the Kiln Sitter adjustments often DO NOT use your kiln before you read and under stand this section DO NOT fire with the firing gauge in place DO NOT throw firing gauge away DO NOT load shelves and ware so close to the refrac tory tube that either would interfere with the drop of the actuating rod DO NOT put anything near your kiln sitter exterior that would keep the weight from dropping freely DO NOT let kiln wash get into the refractory tube or onto the cone or heating elements DO NOT adjust the trigger to control shut off point Adjust the shut off point by using cooler or hotter cones KILN SITTER PARTS IDENTIFICATION MODEL LT 3 nere Inbe Assorti 1 gt mar jy Kile Wale A to dIE Thick mje l CIUTAT EI HEKS GMP gt TORS ni MRT unz asi CHO wh WALES a AA wis ps ae i EHI PAE MODEL LT 3K FIRING GAUGE DE LIMIT TIMER KNOB CLAW SET Wind RELEASE CLAW TRIGGER WEIGHT Be 34 METAL SCREW Kiln Switches This section covers the switches on the S and SnF series kilns To find out which kiln you have please see the small black electrical data p
10. opens the circuit almost instantly Make sure no other appliances are used on the kiln s cir cuit Have an electrician check the circuit wire and breaker sizes If the breaker trips only once in awhile you may have a weak breaker that should be replaced Wire heats when an electric current passes through it If the same current passes through both a small wire and a large wire the smaller wire will reach a higher tempera ture A fuse uses this principle to protect the wiring in a building It has a small short wire of low melting temper ature metal connected in such a manner that all current passing through the circuit must also pass through the fuse A circuit breaker uses a tiny heating element to heat a thermostat which interrupts the current when the maximum safe amount is reached A loose or poor connection at the fuse or breaker will generate heat If the fuse or circuit breaker panel feels unusually warm have your electrician check for loose connections particularly at the center screw of the fuse socket even in a new fuse box Hot Plug Or Outlet If you smell burning plastic turn off the breaker im mediately Touch the wall receptacle faceplate If it feels hot replace the receptacle Replace the kiln cord if it has been damaged by heat Do not fire until repaired Note As the kiln fires it is a good habit to place your hand on the kiln s power cord to check the temperature It is okay if the cord is slightly warm
11. rate at each switch setting on your particular kiln The rate at those settings will be fairly repeatable If your S series kiln has more than one switch you can use them to help balance the heat in the kiln The top switch controls heating elements in the top half of the kiln the bottom switch controls heating elements in the bottom half If your kiln has three switches the middle switch controls elements in the middle of the kiln To add more heat to a section of the kiln turn the switch for that section to a higher position sooner than the other switches 12 S Series Firing Schedules These firing schedules are only suggestions You will need to test fire your kiln to find the schedule best suited for your ware Most S Series kilns also have a gen eral purpose firing schedule printed on the front of the kiln s switch box Decals 1 Prop the lid in the vented position and remove the peephole plug s Turn switch es to MIN for 45 minutes or until moisture no longer appears on a mir ror held near the lid Mois ture indicates that steam is still coming out of the kiln 2 Turn switch es to MAX High Close the lid from the vented position and insert the plug in the bottom peephole Low Fire Greenware and Glaze 1 Prop the lid in the vented position and remove the peephole plug s Turn switch es to MIN for 2 hours or until moisture no longer appears on a mirror held near the lid Moisture i
12. switch body Switches burn up more frequently on hot summer days In this case use a fan to circulate air through the kiln switch box But do not blow air against the outside of the firing chamber The SnF Switch Timer Fails Probable Causes E Disconnected wire E Defective switch timer motor Paragon SnF kilns use an infinite control switch plus one or two switch timers The Limit Timer on the Kiln Sitter is a different type of timer A wire from the PL terminal on the infinite control switch powers a clock motor on the switch timer After the correct amount of time has elapsed the switch timer turns on additional elements If you have just replaced a switch timer and the new timer does not operate the reason is usually a crossed wire The easiest way to track down the problem is to trace the wires inside the switch box using the kiln s wir ing diagram Before examining the wiring please un plug or disconnect the kiln Kiln Sitter Trouble Shooter The Kiln Sitter Fails To Shut Off Probable Causes E The cone is sticking to the cone supports This pre vents the cone from sagging properly E There is no play between the trigger and the release claw M The actuating rod is not centered in the porcelain tube E The kiln is not level E The wrong cone was loaded in the Kiln Sitter If the Kiln Sitter does not shut off when the weight drops see Clean the Back Side of the Kiln Sitter next page The
13. Cooling time is usually twice the firing time Fire only in a well ventilated covered and protected area Keep cordset away from hot sides of kiln DANGEROUS VOLTAGE Do not touch heating elements with anything Disconnect kiln before servicing Do not leave kiln unattended while firing Wear firing safety glasses when looking into the peephole of a hot kiln Turn the switches off after the Kiln Sitter fires to completion Contents The Kiln Sitter and Limit Timer How the Kiln Sitter Works How to Adjust the Kiln Sitter Kiln Sitter Operation Selecting Cones for the Kiln Sitter Loading Around the Refractory Tube Summary of Kiln Sitter Operation Kiln Switches All Models The Clicking Sound S Series Models Kilns with Infinite Control Switches S Series Firing Schedules How to Control the Cooling Rate Of an S Series Kiln cove sack odes wenden es SnF Series Models Non Digital Automatic Kilns Operating Instructions for SnF Series KIE sa as ges n ieke asad General Trouble Shooter Kiln Sitter Trouble Shooter Maintenance Maintaining the Kiln Sitter Replacing the Porcelain Tube Assembly Cleaning or Replacing the Kiln Sitter Contacts Replacing an Infinite Control Switch or Switch Timer 13 13 14 15 17 18 18 19 22 23 ga EETUARTED eo 9 w Ne
14. WARNING Since proper operation and control of the Kiln Sitter and Limit Timer rest wholly with the operator we cannot extend our warranty to cover any dam age caused by overfiring regardless of the circumstances For the longest life of your kiln and for safety all kiln switches must be in the OFF position before the Kiln Sitter plunger is pushed in Pushing in the plunger with kiln switches on will result in extra wear on the Kiln Sitter con tact points 208 THOR PLACE BREA CA bana DS JA NAET ARS AIAL pt MODEL LT 3 LET LE EI REFRACTORY TURF PIVOT RELFASF CLAW ___ TRIGGER R a ween a N a 1 ACTUATING ROD PYHOMETRIC CONE PLUNGEH 1 CONE SUPPORTS DECKING SLIDE 2 ora a CIRCUIT 4 BREAKER The Kiln Sitter is elegantly simple and reliable But it is subjected to the harsh temperatures and atmosphere of the kiln and must be adjusted from time to time This The Kiln Sitter with the weight in the lowered position is easier to do when you know how it works A correctly adjusted Kiln Sitter shuts off the power to your kiln when a properly inserted small pyrometric What is the clank cone or pyrometric bar sags under the actuating rod ing noise that comes When the plunger see photo and diagram is pressed a from my kiln when it Mee N locking slide holds the plunger down closing the four shuts off Pat NA contact points of the Kiln Sitter ele
15. You could set the alarm on a digital wristwatch for the estimated firing time less 20 minutes Go back and check the kiln when the alarm Set the alarm on a digi sounds Do not leave the kiln tal watch to remind unattended especially near yourself that the kiln is the estimated shutoff time firing Note Leave the top peephole plug out during the entire firing This practice extends the life of the Kiln Sitter tube by allowing moisture to exit the kiln through the peephole instead of through the tube But if you use the Orton down draft KilnVent keep all peephole plugs inserted throughout the firing Leave the KilnVent on during firing and cooling If you turn the KilnVent off when the kiln fires to maturity moisture can build up inside the Kiln Sitter tube as the kiln cools If the Kiln Sitter weight is still in the upper position af ter the kiln shuts off the Limit Timer turned off the kiln Let the kiln cool to room temperature and examine the small cone in the Kiln Sitter Find out why the cone did not shut off the kiln You may have loaded the wrong cone or the actuating rod may be out of adjustment You may need to add more time to the Limit Timer the next time you fire so that the falling weight shuts off the kiln Selecting Cones for the Kiln Sitter Only the small Orton pyrometric cone or the Bell bar may be used in the Kiln Sitter The pyrometric bar will fire a little hotter than the small pyrometric cone The
16. an infi nite control Turn the top switch to the amount of power that you want during LOW the first stage When the sec ond switch runs out of time the elements all turn on full power Changing Firing Speed of an SnF Kiln To fire slower turn the top switch to a lower number and the 2nd and 3rd switch es to a higher number To fire faster turn the top switch to a higher number and the 2nd and 3rd to a lower Q My SnF kiln is taking too long to fire A If the top switch setting is too low the kiln will not reach maximum temperature because the elements for that switch will not get hot enough Turn that switch to a higher setting Q Should I set switches 2 and 3 to one hour if I want the kiln to fire one hour A No The elements for switches 2 and 3 turn on when the switches are in the ON position The switches are countdown timers and the numbers they point to are hours of time that will elapse before the switches turn on Q Do you make the kiln fire hotter by turning switch 2 and 3 to higher numbers A No The higher the number on switch 2 and 3 the longer it will take for those switches to turn on 14 Operating Instructions for SnF Series Kilns These switch settings are only guidelines Feel free to change them to suit your firing needs SnF 82 amp SnF 82 3 1 Turn switches to their OFF position 2 Insert desired cone in Kiln Sitter and load kiln 3 Engage lid vent if desired 4 Leave peephole pl
17. an infinite control When you turn the timer knob pointer to a number Se you are NOT turn fe iene eo ing on the heating el EK ements for that switch Instead you are setting the timer for the hours of fir ing that will elapse before its elements turn on The switch timer will begin counting down its time only when the top switch is turned on The third switch if your kiln has one is also a timer The third switch begins counting down its time only when the second switch runs out of time When the timers run out of time they click on To turn them back off turn clockwise one more click Do this af ter the Kiln Sitter shuts off at the end of a firing In summary the heating elements controlled by the top switch come on at the beginning of the firing The el ements powered by the second switch and third if your kiln has one remain off until the timer runs out of time SnF 82 amp SnF 82 3 These kilns fire in two stages LOW and HIGH Turn the top switch to the amount of power that you want dur ing LOW the first stage The second switch is a timer Turn the switch pointer to the number of hours that you want to fire the kiln on LOW As the kiln fires you will notice that the pointer gradually moves toward the ON position When the time is up the second switch turns on stage two elements full power The kiln is then firing on HIGH Look inside your kiln It has eight rows of brick grooves each containing an ele
18. ay from the sides top and bottom of the end of the cone sup ports and actuating rod 8 Keep the area outside the Kiln Sitter clear of ob jects that could interfere with the falling weight The Kiln Sitter weight must fall completely to the bottom of the sitter to shut off the kiln Note Keep chairs stools and small loading ta bles away from the kiln Many of these items are the same height as the Kiln Sitter weight It is easy for someone to come by and move a stool or small table up against the weight which would prevent it from dropping thus causing an overfire Note Never set anything on top of the kiln or lean anything against the kiln s switch box We know of cases where a kiln shelf leaning against the Kiln Sitter prevented the weight from dropping and caused an overfire Leaning something against the Kiln Sitter or bumping into it can also move the guide plate out of alignment prevent ing the actuating rod from dropping This will overfire the kiln rede Set the Limit Timer Push in the plunger 9 Set the Limit Timer dial to the estimated firing time plus 30 minutes This must be done before the plunger will lock into position 10 Push in the plunger the button on the front of the Kiln Sitter 11 Fire your ware Occasionally check the pyromet ric witness cones through the peepholes Note Experienced kiln opera tors keep a small timer with them as a reminder that the kiln is firing
19. c Kiln Instruction amp Service Manual Slow Firing And Or Kiln Will Not Reach Maximum Temperature Probable Causes E Low voltage E Moisture from greenware E Worn elements M Loading the kiln heavier than usual Firing moist greenware can slow the firing to a crawl It will also rust kiln parts and shorten element life Keep a firing log book If the firing time gradually in creases over a long period it is probably due to worn rather than broken elements 15 Before replacing elements make sure the problem is not merely low voltage which can double firing time and strain elements It is common during hot summer days If low voltage is a problem schedule firing during off peak hours when the voltage is higher You may also be firing a 240 volt kiln on a 208 volt out let 240 and 208 volt receptacles look the same Ifyou are not sure which voltage you have call your power company Fuse Blows Or Circuit Breaker Trips Probable Causes M Overloaded circuit E A short in the receptacle wiring or kiln wiring If the kiln blows a fuse or trips a breaker immediately the problem is a short in the kiln wiring or circuit wiring Do not attempt to fire until corrected If the fuse blows or breaker trips after the kiln has fired for some time the problem is an overloaded circuit not a short circuit A short circuit or short causes a large amount of current to flow generating so much heat that the fuse or breaker
20. ctrical contacts The kiln then receives power When the cone or bar fires to maturity and sags the actuating rod that rests on top of the cone sags with it The release claw rises at the same time causing the weight on the front of the Kiln Sitter to That is the sound of the falling Kiln Sitter weight The weight re leases a switch and fall The weight unlocks the locking slide releasing a shuts off the kiln plunger The contact points separate interrupting the The Limit Timer is a current to the kiln clock motor that acts as a backup safety shutoff It is Setting the Limit Timer designed to prevent an overfiring should the Kiln Sitter malfunction and fail to shut off the kiln Turn the Limit Timer dial to the number of hours you think the firing will take and add 30 minutes When you start the kiln the countdown timer will begin Should the Kiln Sitter weight fail to drop the Limit Timer will shut off the kiln when the timer runs out of time Since the Limit Timer is a backup shutoff always set it for more time than you estimate that the firing will need The Limit Timer will help you learn to estimate future firing times For example if you set the timer knob at 10 before firing and the white dot indicator is on 1 when fir ing is completed you know the firing took 9 hours When you become familiar with the firing times for your ware you will be able to set the Limit Timer accurately to shut off 30 minutes after the
21. e due to overfiring It must be kept in good working order and tested before EACH firing Your Kiln Sitter was adjusted properly when shipped from the factory but vibration during shipping may have moved the guide plate You MUST adjust the Kiln Sitter as we will show you next before you fire your kiln How to Adjust the Kiln Sitter Note Never lubricate the Kiln Sitter Lubricants will only attract dust Your kiln will arrive with the firing gauge in place on the cone supports and the actuating rod inserted through the center hole Remove the rubber band that holds the gauge in place then remove the gauge Save the gauge for future adjustment Do not fire with the gauge in place Note Store the firing gauge Kiln Sitter allen wrenches and storage bag in a handy place near the kiln along with a small bottle of kiln wash Note Most people think the firing gauge is only to keep the actuating rod from bouncing during shipping Please do not throw the gauge away You will need it to keep the Kiln Sitter adjusted to factory specifications Guide Plate Adjustment m 1 Check the position of the actuating rod The actu ating rod is easier to see if you hold a small mirror inside the kiln The rod should be centered side ways in the refractory tube s oblong slot If not loosen the two guide plate adjusting screws and move the plate to the right or left as neces sary Note The easiest way to
22. e supports and the lower side of the actuating rod The application of kiln wash should be thin enough to dry in 5 to 10 minutes Apply kiln wash to the cone sup Applying the kiln wash is easier ports Let the kiln wash dry before if you remove the cone sup inserting the cone ports To turn off the Paragon SnF kiln Turn the top switch to the OFF posi tion The second switch and third if you have one is a switch timer Turn the switch timer pointer to a number then turn clockwise until it clicks and points to On Turn it clockwise one more click to the right to turn it off Note It is a good idea to have two sets of cone supports They easily slide out of their slots Coat the extra set with kiln wash while the other set is in the kiln The fresh set will be dry and ready the next time you load the kiln Do not allow kiln wash to build up on the cone supports Note Keep a small bottle of kiln wash near the kiln A nail polish bottle with the built in brush is a convenient applicator Shake the bottle before each use WARNING You MUST apply kiln wash before each firing Otherwise the cone could stick to the metal and prevent the Kiln Sitter from shutting off the kiln Remove old kiln wash and apply new before each firing Do not al low kiln wash to touch the cone or the inside of Kiln Sitter tube Make sure the kiln wash has dried before inserting the cone Note Examine the cone supports each time you fir
23. e the kiln and replace them if they are cor roded or warped Use emery cloth to remove traces of greenware corrosion or bits of melted cones These foreign materials can catch on the cone preventing it from slumping freely 4 Check that the sensing rod moves up and down freely and is centered in the tube Do not fire the kiln if the sensing rod movement is sluggish which may indicate that corrosion has built up in side the tube If necessary replace the tube 5 Raise the weight and lightly press the release claw down over the trigger 6 After checking the number on the small pyromet ric cone to be sure it is correct place the cone un der the actuating rod and on top of the cone supports The cone should be centered on the cone supports and the rod should rest on the center of the cone Never apply pressure to the cone when you load it into the Kiln Sitter Handle cones as if they were extremely fragile T i 2 4 i PIE wi Loading a cone into the Kiln Sitter requires two hands or a helper Note The cone has a number stamped onto one of the sides Place the cone in the Kiln Sitter with the number side down That side is the strongest of the three sides Placing that side down lessens the chance of the cone breaking as it bends 7 Load the kiln for firing placing the correct pyro metric cones behind each peephole Keep all ware and kiln shelves at least 1 2 aw
24. es Skip steps 8 and 9 for Orton tube assemblies which have the tube assembly bracket perma nently attached Remove the nut holding the por celain tube assembly to the tube assembly bracket 9 You will see a notch on the top of the new tube as sembly Align that notch with the pin on the tube assembly bracket Install the washer and nut The washer goes under the nut on the front of the tube assembly bracket Align the notch on the new Dawson tube assembly with the pin on the bracket This assures that the porcelain tube slot will be perfectly ver tical inside the kiln Tighten the nut on the Dawson tube assembly 10 Remove the release claw from the old porcelain tube and install it on the new tube 11 Some porcelain tube assemblies have a fiber washer and spring ring which help to prevent heat from entering the switch box Transfer the fiber washer and spring ring if any to the new porcelain tube 21 12 Install the porcelain tube bracket to the Kiln Sit ter the reverse of step 6 13 Reinstall the guide plate to the front of the Kiln Sitter Tap the guide plate from side to side until the rod is cen tered in the por celain tube Note The easiest way to adjust the guide plate is to loosen the screws so that they barely hold the guide plate in place Then gently nudge the plate side ways The guide plate is more difficult to adjust if you loosen the screws completel
25. g operation If the switch is held in place with two screws reinstall screws 8 As the switch box is moved back into place check to see that no wires are touching the kiln case the element connectors or the Kiln Sitter tube Wires touching the case or element connectors will burn 9 Tighten switch box screws Insert knob on switch shaft
26. he color of the firing chamber You can see the color through the peephole and around the edge of the lid You might want to ex periment with a test sample be fore adjusting the cooling rate of a full load of ware Note You can set the Limit Timer for the length of the setthe Limit Timer desired cooling time SnF Series Models Non Digital Automatic Kilns The SnF series kilns fire in stages Set the switches at the beginning of the firing and the kiln will automatically go through its firing stages turning itself up at the proper time WARNING After the Kiln Sitter shuts the kiln off turn all switches to their OFF position The top switch is an infinite control When you engage the Kiln Sitter and turn on the top switch the elements controlled by that switch cycle on and off You will hear them hum as they turn on A click followed by silence means the elements for that switch have cycled off The higher the setting the longer the ele ments stay on during each cycle On the MAX Maximum or High position the elements stay on OPERATING continuously The _ INSTRUCTI tting on the to MAG Se 8 P MEFOFF VOU FIFE switch remains the arte nytt OE Mede whee ve se same throughout the eers firing unless you RANG PROCEDURE one manually change it We ie hase ve AFR te vars The second ER Des de METS Pay are et ee switch is a timer It does not cycle on and off like
27. hours that you want to candle the kiln Leave the switch timers turned off Set the top switch to MIN Prop the lid and leave out the peephole plugs General Trouble Shooter Kiln Will Not Fire Probable Causes E ripped circuit breaker or blown fuse E Cord not plugged in E Kiln Sitter plunger not locked into position E Limit Timer clock not set E Kiln Sitter contacts dirty Check circuit breakers or fuses first Check the wall receptacle voltage with a voltmeter Only a qualified per son should perform this test 66 amp 66 3 Kilns of All Series Elements are wired in series one broken element can prevent the kiln from heating Check the elements with an ohmmeter See Paragon Ceramic Kiln Instruction amp Service Manual publication IM 104 S amp SnF series Set the timer clock before pushing in the Kiln Sitter plunger If the wall receptacle checks out okay with a voltmeter and the pilot light does not light the problem may be a disconnected switch box wire or dirty Kiln Sitter contacts Disconnect the power to the kiln and remove the switch box Check for disconnected wires Compare switch box wiring to the wiring diagram If wiring is okay check the Kiln Sitter contacts with an ohmmeter Not All Elements Fire Probable Causes E Broken element E Defective switch E Disconnected wire inside switch box To find which element has burned out check the ele ments with an ohmmeter See Paragon Cerami
28. in the plunger Set the Limit Timer 9 Never leave the Kiln Sitter unattended during fir ing Though it shuts off the kiln automatically it still needs the operator s attention Kiln Shuts Off Too Soon or Too Late Adjust the Kiln Sitter as shown on pages 5 6 Kiln Sitter Shuts Off Before Witness Cones Bend 1 Raise the weight 2 Press in the plunger 3 Gently lower the weight WARNING This puts the kiln on MANUAL CON TROL and prevents the Kiln Sitter from cutting off auto matically When large witness cones bend turn the kiln switch es to the OFF position Then trip the Kiln Sitter by raising the weight and dropping 4 Before the next firing use the firing gauge to check the adjustment of the Kiln Sitter trigger see page 6 See also Selecting Cones for the Kiln Sitter page 9 Witness Cones Bend Before Kiln Sitter Shuts Off 1 Turn the kiln switch es to the OFF position 2 After the kiln has cooled compare the small cone in the Kiln Sitter with the witness cones on the shelves Determine if the small cone bent almost to the cut off point In most cases firing a few minutes longer with the Kiln Sitter cutting itself off would have no adverse effect on the ware However avoid overfiring glass reds and porce lain 3 See Selecting Cones for the Kiln Sitter page 9 Points To Remember DO adjust the guide plate if the rod does not fall freely to the bottom of the oblong slot DO leave clearance inside the
29. ing rod causing an overfire 3 Never load moist greenware in your kiln It could explode and a piece of clay could lodge beneath the actuating rod or inside the porcelain tube 9 Check the Kiln Sitter cone with aflash light before closing the lid and firing the kiln 4 Before closing the lid shine a flashlight down into the kiln to check the cone and actuating rod one last time Position the shelves so that they do not block the view of the Kiln Sitter cone from above Note Do not allow a piece of glazed ware to ex tend past a shelf and over the Kiln Sitter cone If the glaze drips from the ware onto the cone and actuating rod the cone could harden fail to bend and overfire the kiln Summary of Kiln Sitter Operation 1 Turn the kiln switch es to the OFF position 2 Clean off old kiln wash from the cone supports and rod and apply new before each firing 3 Check that the sensing rod moves freely and is centered in the tube Check that the weight falls when you lift the release claw 4 Raise the weight and lower the release claw over the trigger 5 Check that the number on the small pyrometric cone is correct Place the cone under the actuat ing rod and on top of the cone supports 6 Load the kiln place pyrometric cones behind each peephole 7 Set the Limit Timer dial to the estimated firing time plus 30 minutes 8 Push in the plunger 10 wy MODEL ES its Push
30. ir OFF position When you engage the Kiln Sitter and turn on a switch the elements controlled by that switch cycle on and off You will hear them hum as they turn on A click followed by silence means the ele 11 ments for that switch have cycled off The higher the setting the longer the elements stay on during each cy cle On the MAX High position the elements stay on continuously The switch can be turned from MIN 1 5 to MAX MIN is the slowest heating rate The 3 position is Me dium As you turn the switch from MIN to progres sively higher num bers the kiln be gins to heat at a faster rate The switch is called an infinite control be The infinite control switches cause you can posi tion the pointer anywhere between MIN and MAX to vary the firing rate When you finally turn the switch to MAX the kiln will fire at the maximum rate Q Is there any documentation that has the ap proximate rate of speed on the infinite control switch For example the heating rate when the knob is set to 2 5 A The heating rate at a particular infinite control setting varies from one kiln to another This is because the rate at each setting depends on the size of the kiln voltage age of elements type of insulation etc Q Instructions for certain glazes state that the kiln should be fired at a certain rate per hour How do you know how fast the kiln is firing A Use a pyrometer to figure the firing
31. ks to Mel Jacobson for reading the manuscript and offering suggestions Feel free to send comments about this manual to ahoward paragonweb com Industries L P Better 2011 South Town East Blvd Deazignog Mesquite Texas 75149 1122 Toll Free 800 876 4328 972 288 7557 Toll Free Fax 888 222 6450 Fax 972 222 0646 info paragonweb com 2010 by Paragon Industries L P IM 239 12 09 www paragonweb com 2 IMPORTANT Please read each page of this manual in detail before you operate your kiln War ranty does not cover damage caused by failure to follow instructions TOXIC GLAZES Some glazes may be toxic when used for surfaces that will be in contact with food or drink When you make food or drink containers select a glaze that has been formulated tested and labeled as ap proved for surfaces that will be in con tact with food or drink Follow the glaze manufacturer s instructions exactly without any variations You can learn more about glaze safety in Mastering Cone 6 Glazes by John Hesselberth and Ron Roy IMPORTANT SAFETY RULES An electric ceramic kiln is extremely safe to operate provided you follow these safety rules Unplug kiln when not in use Do not touch hot sides Keep unsupervised children away Place kiln on stand before connecting power Do not install closer than 12 from any wall or com bustible surface Do not open lid until kiln has cooled to room tem perature and all switch es are off
32. late attached to the side of the switch box You can also tell by looking at the switch box Infinite con trol switches are labeled with L bias MIN and MAX Switch timers The infinite control switch are labeled with HOURS If your kiln has only infinite con trol switches read the section for S series kilns If the top switch on your kiln is an infi nite control but the 2nd and 3rd switch es are labeled with HOURS read the section for SnF series kilns All Models The warranty on your kiln does not cover damage from overfiring regardless of the circumstances It is the oper ator s responsibility to make sure the kiln turns off when the firing is completed Never leave your kiln unattended near the end of the firing Check your new kiln frequently during the first few fir ings and note the color change inside the kiln After awhile you can learn to estimate with considerable accu racy when the kiln is about to shut off just by observing the color inside the kiln The SnF switch timer The Clicking Sound of the Infinite Control Do not be alarmed when your kiln makes a clicking sound during firing Infinite control switches on S and SnF series kilns click as they cycle on and off until turned to high S Series Models Kilns with Infinite Control Switches S Series kilns are manually operated with infinite con trol switches WARNING After the Kiln Sitter shuts the kiln off turn all switches to the
33. leasing the Note Check the trigger adjustment with the fir ing gauge after every 12 firings Caution If the set screw is too loose the trigger will slide out of adjustment with repeated use But if the set screw is too tight you can strip out the threads plunger and allowing the button to pop out to its original position Repeat the operation 6 12 times to loosen the mechanism Note For reliable operation of the Kiln Sitter the kiln should be level You can level it by inserting shims under the stand legs Kiln Sitter Operation Regardless of your firing experience check the opera tion of your new Kiln Sitter by watching large pyrometric cones placed in the kiln behind a peephole for at least 12 firings These are called witness cones See Paragon Ceramic Kiln Instruction and Service Manual We rec ommend that you use large witness cones in every firing Their cost is less than the smallest piece of greenware and using witness cones is the only way to check the accuracy of your Kiln Sitter Keep a firing log book so that you can accurately esti mate the firing time for each type of ware 1 Turn the kiln switch es to the OFF position 2 Remove the metal firing gauge and save Caution Do not fire with the metal gauge in place Serious damage to the kiln and Kiln Sitter will result 3 Apply a thin coat of high fire kiln wash to the upper edges of the con
34. ln slide Test the Mechanical Operation the firing gauge ar 1 With all kiln switches turned OFF raise the over the end of the weight and lower the release claw over the trig actuating rod and ger The weight MUST NOT be able to stand up the two slotted alone and the trigger MUST lean against the re cone supports The lease claw actuating rod fits into the firing 2 With your other hand hold up the end of the ac gauge hole tuating rod inside the kiln Let go of the release claw The release claw should hold the weight up while you hold up the end of the actuating rod inside the kiln 2 Lift the weight on the outside of the Kiln Sitter all the way to the fully raised position At the end of the weight is the adjustable trigger With the fir ing gauge in place the trigger should just clear the release claw coming as close as possible without touching If the trigger is too high to clear release claw or if it is too low loosen the set screw in the center of the weight move the trigger up or down until it just clears the release claw and retighten the set screw NEOG LEK 3 Set the Limit Timer clock oe Push the plunger all the way in until it locks into position qj The Limit Timer clock MUST be set before the plunger will lock 4 From inside the kiln move the actuating rod slowly downward until the claw releases the trigger The weight should fall all the way to the bottom re
35. ment Counting down from the top switch 1 controls elements 2 4 6 and 8 Switch 2 controls elements 1 3 5 and 7 SnF 24 SnF 24 3 amp SnF 28 3 SnF kilns with three switches fire in three stages LOW MEDIUM and HIGH Three switch kilns oper ate the same as the two switch kilns just described except 13 that you add one more stage Turn the top switch to the amount of power that you want during LOW the first stage The second switch is a timer Turn the switch pointer to the number of hours that you want to fire the kiln on LOW As the kiln fires you will notice that the pointer gradually moves toward the ON position When the time is up the second switch turns on its elements full power The kiln is then firing on MEDIUM The third switch is also a timer Turn the switch pointer to the number of hours that you want to fire the kiln on MEDIUM The third switch will begin counting down the time only when the second switch turns on When the third switch s time is up the third switch turns on its elements full power The kiln is then firing on HIGH Look inside your kiln It has 12 rows of brick grooves each containing an element Counting down from the top switch 1 controls elements 3 6 9 and 12 Switch 2 controls elements 2 5 8 and 11 Switch 3 controls ele ments 1 4 7 and 10 SnF 66 amp SnF 66 3 These kilns have four elements During LOW the four elements are powered by the top switch It is
36. nd become pitted 1 Disconnect the power to the kiln Check that there is no cone or firing gauge on the Kiln Sitter cone supports 2 Remove and save the screws at the side of the switch box that hold it to the kiln and remove the box care fully pulling straight out to avoid damag ing the Kiln Sitter tube You may need to prop the box on a piece of wood as you lean it against the kiln If your kiln is direct wired you will also need to disconnect the electri cal terminal box Prop the switch box on a chair or other ob ject Do not strain the wires 3 You will see 4 large screws on the back of the Kiln 4 After removing the four nuts lift the porcelain Sitter Label the wires attached to the screws switch block out You will find four nylon washers under the porcelain switch block Do not lose these or the contacts will no longer be parallel 5 Clean the con tacts with a soft pencil eraser Do not use sandpa per which de stroys the coating on the contacts This can later cause the con tacts to stick to gether and overfire the kiln If the contacts are pitted and burned replace the contact block assembly 4 Remove the wires Note While you are working inside the Kiln Sit ter check the condition of the wires that are at 5 Using a nut driver remove the four nuts holding tached to the contact block Replace brittle wires the porcelain contact block together Note The i
37. ndicates that steam is still coming out of the kiln 2 Turn switch es to 3 Medium for 2 hours 3 Turn switch es to MAX High Close the lid from the vented position and insert the plug in the bottom peephole Porcelain and Stoneware 1 Prop the lid in the vented position and remove the peephole plug s Turn switch es to MIN for 1 1 2 hours or until moisture no longer appears on a mirror held near the lid Moisture indicates that steam is still coming out of the kiln 2 Turn switch es to 3 Medium for 1 1 2 hours 3 Turn switch es to MAX High Close the lid from the vented position and insert the plug in the bottom peephole How to Control the Cooling Rate of an S Series Kiln After you hear the Kiln Sitter weight drop and the kiln shuts off turn the kiln switches to the OFF position Add more time on the Limit Timer Raise the weight and press the Kiln Sitter plunger the button that turns on the Kiln Sitter Then gently lower the weight The kiln is now fir ing again Please be aware that the Kiln Sitter is operating on manual and will not shut off the kiln With a pyrometer adjust the switches to maintain the desired cooling rate When the needle on the pyrometer goes too high lower the switch set ee EE ee ihe tings When the needle goes ies inside a kiln too low raise the switch settings If you don t have a pyrometer you can still control the cooling rate by observing t
38. own without binding Note Probe the inside of the Kiln Sitter tube with a clean artist s brush Keep the brush near the kiln for checking the tube Replacing the Porcelain Tube Assembly Replace the porcelain tube assembly when the move ment of the sensing rod becomes sluggish or when the sensing rod is bent Be sure the replacement tube assem bly is the correct length for you kiln 1 Disconnect the power to the kiln 2 Make sure there is no cone or firing gauge in the Kiln Sitter j F 3 Remove and save the screws at the side of the switch box that hold it to the kiln and remove the box care fully pulling straight out to avoid damaging the Kiln Sitter tube You may need to prop the box on a chair or other object as you lean the box against the kiln Leave the wires attached to the Kiln Sitter IL e I MH If your kiln is direct wired you will also need to disconnect the electri cal terminal box Prop the switch box on a chair or other ob ject Do not strain the wires Note While you have the Kiln Sitter out it is a good idea to clean the back side of the Kiln Sitter with compressed air 20 4 Remove the 2 screws holding the guide plate to the front of the Kiln Sitter 6 Remove the 2 screws that hold the porcelain tube bracket to the Kiln Sitter 7 Remove the porcelain tube and bracket 8 Steps 8 and 9 are for Dawson tube assembli
39. r to the kiln Check that 3 Remove and save the there is no cone or firing gauge on the Kiln Sitter cone supports screws at the side of the switch box that hold it to the kiln and remove the box pull ing straight out to avoid damaging the Kiln Sitter tube You may need to prop the box on a piece of wood as you lean the box against the kiln If your kiln is direct wired you will also need to disconnect the electri cal terminal box 24 Prop the switch box on a chair or other ob ject Do not strain the wires 4 Replace heat damaged wires Bend a wire to test it If it sounds like it is cracking replace it be cause the insulation is flaking 5 Check the label printed on the side of the switch to be sure that it is the correct voltage g y j Po i ep ML g ad i j 3 Ad fe N 6 Hold the new switch at the side of the switch box in the same position as the defective switch Re move and transfer one wire at a time from the old switch to the new one making sure each connec tion is tight 6 Remove the single nut from the front of the de fective switch Some switches are fastened to the front of the switch box with two screws Re move the screws Remove the old switch and put the new one in place making sure it is right side up 7 Reinstall the shaft nut checking to make sure it is not backwards Tighten so the switch will not turn durin
40. re loose or corroded they will cause the block to overheat This in turn overheats the plunger Heating and cooling of the kiln can loosen the screws over time 3 Has anyone ever replaced the wires that are at tached to the Kiln Sitter contact block Another reason for overheating is that the wires are too light a gauge 4 Circulate air with a fan if the firing room tempera ture rises past 110 degrees F Measure room temperature about 3 feet from the kiln The Kiln Sitter Gives Inconsistent Firing Results Probable Causes E The actuating rod is bent E The actuating rod is cor roded E The cone supports are warped or corroded The actuating rod in the Kiln Sitter rests on top of the N cone As the cone bends the N rod moves downward and re Side out the cone supports to leases a trigger that shuts off examine the kiln As the rod corrodes it no longer moves freely inside the porcelain tube The rod s pivot point causes sluggish movement of the rod If your Kiln Sitter is giving incon sistent results this is one of the possible causes When you raise the rod from inside the kiln and let go the rod should drop freely The tip of the rod corrodes as it ages That is natural However if the corrosion extends all the way up to the pivot point inside the porcelain tube your kiln is most likely subjected to too much moisture The solution to excessive moisture inside the kiln is to dry the ware longer before firing
41. second switch to 2 Hrs Cone 03 8 Set top switch to position 4 Set second switch to 3 Hrs How to Control the Cooling Rate of an SnF Series Kiln At the end of the firing you will hear the Kiln Sitter weight drop shutting off the kiln First turn the kiln switches to the OFF position Add more time on the Limit Timer Raise the weight and press the Kiln Sitter plunger the button that turns on the Kiln Sitter Then gently lower the weight The kiln is now firing again Please be aware that the Kiln Sitter is operating on man ual and will not shut off the kiln Turn the top switch to 3 With a pyrometer adjust the top switch to maintain the desired cooling rate When the temperature shown on the pyrometer goes too high lower the switch setting When the temperature goes too low raise the switch setting If you need more heat in the kiln turn off the top switch and turn on one of the switch timers If you don t have a pyrometer you can still control the cooling rate by observing the color of the firing chamber You can see the color through the peephole and around the edges of the lid You might want to experiment with a test sample before adjusting the cooling rate of a full load of ware 7 MODEL CESK NE Note You can set the Limit Timer for the length of con trolled cooling time Q How do I candle an SnF Set the Limit Timer kiln overnight A Engage the Kiln Sitter Set the Limit Timer to the number of
42. six o clock use a cone rated one cone hotter in the Kiln Sitter than on the shelf See the An overfired witness cone cone temperature charts in Paragon Ceramic Kiln In struction amp Service Manual to understand how cones are rated Since the witness cones are on the shelf where the ware is placed the witness cones measure the maturity of the ware more accurately than the small cone in the Kiln Sitter To get like firings you must place the cone in the Kiln Sitter exactly the same way each time You MUST always center the cone so that at least 3 16 of the thick end of the cone extends past the cone support Do not try to get a hotter firing except by wand a hotter cone and vice versa a Approximately 20 dagrae angie If your Kiln Sitter is properly adjusted and the small cone is cor rectly inserted the cone in the Kiln Sitter will bend into a U shape at the end of the firing Loading Around the Refractory Tube Loading too close to the Kiln Sitter refractory tube could cause an overfire 1 Keep ceramic shelves at least 1 2 inch above or be low the Kiln Sitter tube If jarred a shelf that is even with the tube could stop the ac tuating rod from dropping all the way causing an overfire 2 Do not position poorly stilted ware near the end of the refractory tube If someone bumps the kiln an un stable stilted piece could fall against the actuat
43. small cone or the bar may not react to heat in ex actly the same way as a large pyrometric cone placed up right on the shelf This is because of the difference in size weight and positioning in the kiln A rule of thumb is to fire one cone hotter in the Kiln Sitter than on the shelf For the first few firings place three large pyrometric witness cones on a shelf a few inches from the Kiln Sitter cone One of these large cones should be the same number as the small cone or bar in the Kiln Sitter The other two large cones should be one cone hotter and one cone cooler Examine the cones after your first testing firing If the witness cone of the correct number is still straight and the Kiln Sitter shut off prop erly fire a hotter cone in the oh Witness cone fired to matu rity Kiln Sitter the next time If the witness cone bends too far or puddles fire a cooler cone in the Kiln Sitter For instance if you have a small cone 05 in the Kiln Sit ter the large cones on the shelf should be 04 05 and 06 When the Kiln Sitter shuts off and the kiln cools completely in spect the cones If the large cone 05 on the shelf bent to six o clock the small Kiln Sitter cone and the large witness L cone should be of the same An underfired witness cone cone number during future firings If the large cone 04 bent to six o clock use a cone rated one cone cooler in the Kiln Sitter than on the shelf If the large cone 06 bent to
44. stamped onto one of the sides You should place the cone in the Kiln Sitter with the number side down That side is the smoothest of the three sides Placing that side down lessens the chance of breakage Note Never apply pressure to the cone when you load it into the Kiln Sitter Handle cones as if they were extremely fragile FEE mo AE 18 Maintenance Caution Whenever you turn off the circuit breaker to your kiln tape the breaker box door shut and leave a note saying WORKING ON KILN BREAKER OFF Note When replacing parts mark wires with col ored tape for easy reassembly of the kiln It is also useful to photograph the switch box wiih a cell phone before you remove any parts Refer to the photo if nec essary as you install the new part Taking a pietra with a cell phone Labeling wires with tape Maintaining the Kiln Sitter Note You can see some of the these procedures on video at www paragonweb com Adjust the Kiln Sitter every dozen or so firings Please see pages 5 7 Clean the Back Side of the Kiln Sitter If the Kiln Sitter does not shut off when the weight drops the locking slide inside the Kiln Sitter may be cor roded or dirty About once a year clean the back side of the Kiln Sitter 1 Disconnect the power from the kiln 2 Make sure there is no cone or firing gauge in the Kiln Sitter 3 Remove the screws from the switch box that houses the Kiln Sitter Pull the box s
45. traight out to avoid damaging the Kiln Sitter tube 4 Leaving the wires attached to the Kiln Sitter clean the backside of the Kiln Sitter Canned air is help ful But do not blow air into the Kiln Sitter tube 5 Reinstall the switch box Arrange the wires so they do not interfere with the locking slide that trips when the weight drops You can see how the lock ing slide works by lifting the weight pressing the plunger and then dropping the weight Also ar range the wires inside the switch box so that wires do not touch the element connectors or the kiln case Clean the Kiln Sitter Tube Each time you vacuum the kiln also vacuum the Kiln Sitter tube as sembly First re move the cone supports from the Kiln Sitter tube Remove the cone supports before vacuum Then place a vac ing the Kiln Sitter tube uum hose directly over the tube This removes debris and rust from around the pivot point Do not blow com pressed air into the tube Debris from exploding ware inside the kiln sometimes lodges in the Kiln Sitter refractory tube These fragments can interfere with the travel of the actuating rod resulting in an overfire After you have removed exploded clay frag ments from the firing chamber always check the refrac tory tube for debris It may not be readily apparent that fragments are inside the tube Check the travel of the ac tuating rod It should be free to move up and d
46. ugs out 5 Set Limit Timer for the total estimated firing time plus 30 minutes 6 Engage Kiln Sitter 7 Set switches to the positions indicated below Cone 015 022 Set top switch to position 3 Set second switch to 1 Hr Cone 04 014 Set top switch to position 4 Set second switch to 2 Hrs Cone 03 8 Set top switch to MAX Set second switch to 3 Hrs SnF 24 SnF 24 3 amp SnF 28 3 1 Turn switches to their OFF position 2 Insert desired cone in Kiln Sitter and load kiln 3 Engage lid vent if desired 4 Leave peephole plugs out 5 Set Limit Timer for the total estimated firing time plus 30 minutes 6 Engage Kiln Sitter 7 Set switches to the positions indicated below Cone 015 022 Set top switch to position 3 Set second switch to 1 Hr Set third switch to 1 Hr Cone 04 014 Set top switch to position 5 Set second switch to 1 Hr Set third switch to 2 Hrs Cone 03 8 Set top switch to MAX Set second switch to 2 Hrs Set third switch to 2 Hrs SnF 66 amp SnF 66 3 1 Turn switches to their OFF position 2 Insert desired cone in Kiln Sitter and load kiln 3 Engage lid vent if desired 4 Leave peephole plugs out 5 Set Limit Timer for the total estimated firing time plus 30 minutes 6 Engage Kiln Sitter 7 Set switches to the positions indicated below Cone 015 022 Set top switch to position 2 Set second switch to 1 Hr Cone 04 014 Set top switch to position 3 Set
47. y 14 After the rod is centered securely tighten guide plate screws 15 Reinstall the switch box Arrange the wires so they do not interfere with the locking slide that trips when the weight drops You can see how the locking slide works by lifting the weight pressing the plunger and then dropping the weight Also arrange the wires inside the switch box so that wires do not touch the element con nectors or the kiln case Important Check the Kiln Sitter adjustments shown on pages 5 7 before firing the kiln The contact block is behind the Kiln Sitter plunger the button that starts the Kiln Sitter Pressing the plunger closes the electrical contacts inside the block Sometimes the contact block needs cleaning It is not uncommon to find spider webs or bugs inside the contact block if the kiln has been in storage for a few years Dirt or other foreign objects interfere with the closing of the con 22 tact block which causes the current to arc This in turn overheats the contacts sometimes melts the Kiln Sitter button and damages the wires attached to the contact block While you have the Kiln Sitter opened examine the wires and replace if damaged by heat Another reason for worn contacts is pressing the Kiln Sitter plunger when the kiln switches are already turned on TURN OFF ALL KILN SWITCHES BEFORE PRESSING THE KILN SITTER PLUNGER Engag ing the plunger with the switches turned on causes the contacts to arc a
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