Pottery Kiln Not Firing

[poppi47]

Hi my kiln reached 600c,I put the bungs in and left it to carry on firing to 1250c. went out today and there is an error message on the controller-err1. I have looked this up, could be an element.. but they wouldnt have all gone would they, there is no humming noise when I turn it on.. nothing happens. Could be power phase failure- dont know what this means or could be thermocouple short circuit? I am at a loss and kiln electricians cost a fortune.

 

[Apache]

Mmmm. Hello and welcome.

Do you have a model number and make for your kiln? Do you have the instructions and if so is there a troubleshooting section?

I'd hazard a guess there may be more than 1 heating element which may explain the partial heat up.

 

[poppi47]

usually if an element goes the others still work and kiln comes on. Nothing is coming on? its a potclays kiln. model E1418LT. This model no longer produced, although I bought this second hand, it was actually unused and I have fired it only about 20 times.

 

[poppi47]

plus it was working fine until it reached a high temp then cut out. I dont know what temp it was but guessing not much more than 700c as the glazes are unfired.

 

[kerching]

Back in the day I had a customer who, to put it mildly, was 'thicker than a Whale Omelette'

When one of his machines displayed 'Err' he thought that the machine was thinking!

Shicker that thit

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

Have you tried contacting the technical support at the manufacture?

http://www.potclays.co.uk/Education__Support_55.asp

or checked the on-line manuals..?

http://www.potclays.co.uk/downloads/Kiln%20Manuals/Potclays%20Kilns/Etruscan%20Kilns%20(400kB).pdf

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

Have you had all the connections checked every 6 months as per the manufactures instructions?

:C

 

[poppi47]

thank you all for your replies, I have taken out the thermocouple, there are two very thin wires and one has come unattached where it was soldered on.I will solder it back on and see .... thank you. jan

 

[poppi47]

the wire next to it is soldered on and you can see where the solder has burnt away on the other on. there is nothing to twist

 

[poppi47]

the wires are soldered, you can see it. they attach to a connection

 

[poppi47]

mmm ok , i wont solder it yet, my husband is a welder and will see what he says when he gets in

 

[poppi47]

http://www.stafford-inst.co.uk/bracket_head.html

there are 2 very thin wires coming out of the small white connection box, these are attached to 2 metal rods( soldered) that go into the actual thermocouple

 

[poppi47]

apparently after chatting to stafford instruments , I need silver solder.

 

[Tony S]

Just for information.

Many electric kilns have the elements connected in series. One in a bank fails and that entire bank is kaput.

Not fun in an analytical kiln at 1650°C and you have to change elements with parts still live.

 

[Apache]

mmm ok , i wont solder it yet, my husband is a welder and will see what he says when he gets in

I know this is a month old, but I hope to god you don't supply your shed with a 13A extension lead!