QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
How can I correct
a value that’s been incorrectly typed before pressing
ENTER?
Clear the display by pressing all
zeros, then input the correct number and press
ENTER. When a cone value has been incorrectly
entered the process is slightly different. After
pressing 0000, press ENTER.
The display will again ask for a preheat value and then
a cone value.
How can I change only one
value for a RAMP/HOLD firing profile without re-entering
the whole program?
Follow tthe instructions
for entering a new program and just press ENTER for
every value that will remain the same. Make a change in
the value that is incorrect, then continue.
How can I change the program after it has
already started?
Press the STOP
key. This will stop the firing. Use either the CONE FIRE
MODE or RAMP/HOLD MODE to input the new firing profile
for the remaining portion of the firing. Press
START to resume the firing. The controller will
automatically determine where to start the program
(based on the current internal temperature) and proceed
with the adjusted program.
The kiln shuts
off too early.
The kiln can be restarted if
the cones on the shelf indicate an under-fired load.
(This should be used only if you were present when the
kiln fired off.) The cones are no longer accurate if
they have cooled much from the time of shut off. To
restart follow these steps.
Press CONE FIRE
or RAMP/HOLD to view the firing just
completed.
Press ENTER to accept any
of the segments that are correct until the point where
the cone number or final firing temperature is
requested.
Program in a hotter cone or higher firing
temperature. You could also add a few minutes of hold
time at the final firing temperature.
Press
START after the reprogramming is complete. The
kiln will begin firing based on current temperature and
will fire to completion using the newly programmed data.
Helpful hint If the firing is just slightly under fired,
program five minutes of hold time at the final firing
temperature. This will allow the sections of the kiln
that are somewhat cooler to catch up to the hotter
sections.
The kiln displays CPLt but the
kiln won’t cool off.
Check the elements to
see if any are still glowing inside the kiln. If a whole
section of the kiln is glowing, a relay is stuck. Unplug
the kiln and contact your distributor for further
information.
At night I see a blue flash
coming out of the control box when it clicks. Is it
serious?
The flash occurs when the contacts
open causing a small arc. This is a normal occurrence
and should not be a concern.
I PROGRAMMED
A RAMP/HOLD PROfiLE AND WHEN I PRESSED START, THE ALARM
SOUNDED.
Review the program to ensure that
all segments of the profile have a value entered. Also,
check the alarm to see if a value has been entered that
is lower than the room temperature. The default setting
for no alarm to sound is 9999.
The kiln is plugged in, but there is nothing on
the display.
First check your circuit
breaker to ensure it has not tripped. If the circuit
breaker is okay, check the fuse. The fuse is located on
the bottom of the KM 1 Controller and on the lower left
side of the kiln mounted controller. Turn the knob a
quarter turn counter-clockwise to remove the fuse. Check
the fuse wire, and if broken, replace the fuse. If the
fuse is smoky, replace it. After the fuse is replaced,
if the new fuse blows, check for other possible causes.
A blown fuse may be caused by a short in the circuit or
a power surge.
Some segments of the
display are dimmer than others.
When a few
segments of the LED-display become dimmer than the
others, the problem may be the result of age, indicating
the circuit board may soon fail. Another possible cause
is exposure of the controller to high heat. This
situation needs attention. Do not use the kiln when this
problem is present. Contact us about this problem.
The thermocouple is flaking.
Flaking is normal with Type K thermocouples, especially
when high fired. Use a soft bristle toothbrush to remove
the flakes and vacuum them from the kiln so they do not
attach to your ware. Remove the thermocouple element
periodically and check it for thinning.
The end firing temperature is different now than when I
first got my kiln and the results do not seem quite
right. What should I do?
After about 50 Cone
6 firings, or 150 Cone 04 firings, it is necessary to
replace the thermocouple element. When the temperature
seems to drift, it is an indication that the
thermocouple is becoming thinner and wearing out.
Another possibility is a cone correlation difference. As
elements age it takes longer and longer for the kiln to
reach temperature. ConeFire Mode programs will
automatically lower the ending temperature to compensate
for the added heat work induced by the increased time.
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