TROUBLESHOOTING SUPPORT

TROUBLESHOOTING SUPPORT

TROUBLESHOOTING VIDEOS

Check Control Transformer on an L&L Automatic Kiln (Video)

How to check the operation of a control transfomer on an L&L automatic kiln. Applies to all automatic kilns that are not 480 volts. The control transformer reduces the incoming line voltage from 240, 208 or 220 volts to 24 volts for the control and 12 volts for the relays.

Parts
  • See this page for 12 KVA control transformers used on kilns with three sections or less.
  • See this page for 30 KVA control transformers used on kilns with four or more sections.

    • TROUBLESHOOTING PDFS

    General L&L Kiln Troubleshooting Guide
    General troubleshooting tips for kilns.
    Basic Electricity Troubleshooting for L&L Kilns
    Electrical background information and troubleshooting tips for kilns.
    Element Troubleshooting & Installation Instructions
    Element troubleshooting and installation tips for kilns.
    Troubleshooting and Fixing Brick Problems
    Brick troubleshooting tips for kilns.

    TROUBLESHOOTING KNOWLEDGEBASE

    Adjusting Thermocouples

    For ideal firing results, thermocouples in each zone should be close regarding how far they

    At what temperature should you turn off the Vent-Sure kiln vent?

    What is the recommended temperature to turn off the Vent-Sure kiln vent when firing glazes,

    Can I convert a manual J230 to an automatic JD230 and if so what do I need to get?

    It is possible to convert a J230 manual kiln into a JD230 automatic kiln. 

    What Parts
    Can I cool my kiln faster than it would normally?

    This question gets asked a lot around the holidays. L&L's official line on cooling the kiln

    Can I put Small Elements in an Element Channel designed for Large Elements?

    Yes - there is no problem putting a smaller element in a larger holder. Just be careful on the

    Can you use Advancer Shelves in an L&L Kiln?

    Question: I have several e28-T kilns. I'm considering buying the Advancer kiln shelves made for

    Changing from 208 volts to 240 volts - what to do?
  • All the elements will need to be replaced.  Why?  For example, the ohms on the
    • Control reads higher temperature than my studio. No error code. What is wrong?

    The temperature on the display is saying 121F. It's not 121 in the studio. An independent

    Display Reads 2400 or CPLt When it Starts Up

    Even though you know the kiln is not that hot: this indicates a thermocouple failure.

    Does my Vent Motor require lubrication?
  • Before you purchase oil, check to be sure that you do not have a motor with sealed bearings.<
    • Does the Bartlett overtemperature control have a reset button like a "normal" overtemperature control?
  • If the controller is in the limit state (i.e. LMT flashing in the display), you must use the
    • Does the digital controller have a way to prevent an over fire?

    Once the kiln is properly calibrated after the test firing, it will fire very reliably for many

    DynaTrol Programs in Excel Format

    E-4, E- 4, or Err4 error code
  • Specifically this error code means that during a cooling segment in the programmed firing,
    • Electrical Supply Problems and slow kiln performance

    One of the most difficult kiln performance problems to address is a problem with the electrical

    Element Connections are glowing. Why? What should be done?
  • An element connection can begin to glow if it is overheating. There are a few ways this can
    • Element Wiring Directions

    The following diagrams show how to wire and configure the terminal

    Error Codes for the One-Touch Control
    tC FAIL tC alternating with FAIL

    Indicates the thermocouple has failed. Replace the defective

    Genesis Control will not connect with WIFI
    The few things to check

    Using the WiFi opens up new possibilities with the Genesis controller.

    How can I extend ceramic kiln element life?
    Why do elements in electric kilns fail? How can you save on kiln maintenance costs?

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    How can I protect an existing power supply?
    Circuit Breakers
  • Circuit breakers that have tripped and have been reset continually will
    • How can I tell the difference between elements wired in parallel versus series in my Jupiter, DaVinci, or Doll kiln?
  • Your Jupiter, DaVinci, or Doll kiln will have its elements either wired in parallel or wired
    • How can my kiln section stay on all the time in my computerized kiln, even when the on/off switch is off?
    A Relay May Be Stuck Shut
  • All computerized kilns use relays to cycle the power on and off
    • How can my kiln section stay on all the time on my manual kiln even when the kiln-sitter is off?

    Usually, this means a relay is stuck and needs to be replaced.

  • On 3-phase kilns,
    • How can the thermocouple wires get reversed on a Jupiter or DaVinci Automatic Kiln?

    When packed, the thermocouples on the Jupiter JD and DaVinci kilns are mounted to the kiln

    How deep should a Kiln Sitter Tube go into a kiln? How do you adjust the depth?
  • The Kiln Sitter Tube assembly should stick into the kiln about 1". This will allow air to
    • How do hold times and heatwork affect my work?
  • There is an option to add time to the end of the program that appears when you enter a
    • How do I adjust my kiln-sitter?
    When to inspect the kiln sitter
  • Kiln-sitters need to be adjusted and inspected before the
    • How do I control my vent fan motor with my Genesis or DynaTrol?
    See the Vent-Control Option.
    How do I control the cooling with the DynaTrol?

    There are three different ways to control the cooling rate on the DynaTrol.

    Method A

    How do I enter a really slow program?

    On the DynaTrol you will need to use the Vary-Fire programming. On a Genesis use the Custom

    How do I fire with fewer kiln sections on my Jupiter Kiln?

    The outlets are numbered on the side of the control box. In this example below all the outlets

    How do I fire with fewer sections on my five section kiln?
  • Remove the lid. Open it first to remove the spring-loaded connections to the front of the lid
    • How do I fix pinholes and blistering in glazing?
  • The first thing to check is to make sure you are not putting on too thick a layer of glaze.<
    • How do I hook up my kiln to power?

    L&L's official recommendation is for an electrician to connect the kiln to power. You should

    How do I keep elements from falling out of the element holders in the corner of a kiln?
  • Sometimes with thick elements, especially in the corner of a DaVinci, or Easy-Load kiln, the
    • How do I know if my vent is pulling enough air through?
  • We recommend that you have a carbon monoxide monitor installed in your kiln room to
    • How do I know which thermocouples to get for my kiln?

    L&L has used a lot of different style thermocouples over the years.

    With

    How do I load my kiln properly?
    Shelf Heights
  • The bottom shelf should be 1/2" at least or 1" at most- up off the kiln
    • How do I program a slump or tack or full fuse glass program into DynaTrol?

    This program is fine for slumping, tack fusing, or full fusing, just substitute different top

    How do I program general instruction panels for 3-key Bartlett
  • Turn on the kiln switch.
  • Press any key to clear ErrP from the display.
    • How do I switch my kiln from 3 phase to 1 phase and vise-versa?

    On most L&L Kilns this is very easy to do. It is a matter of re-distributing the wires

    How do you program a controlled cool down in the DynaTrol or One-Touch control?

    A customer asks: I would like to program my kiln to heat to Cone 6 then cool normally to 950°F

    How high can the DynaTrol or Genesis be programmed to fire to?

    The DynaTrol or Genesis control can be programmed to fire to up to 2400° F or 1315° C. No special

    How long do relays last?

    Relays generally last around 200,000 cycles on average (roughly 18+ months depending on

    How long does a kiln last?

    That is a difficult question to answer, as the longevity of a kiln is based much more on how it

    How many times has the kiln been fired?
    To check the number of firings on a DynaTrol control:

    Press REVIEW PROG. The last items that

    How should my kiln be maintained on a regular basis?
    REGULAR KILN MAINTENANCE

    To keep your kiln in top operating condition, we recommend the

    How soon after the test firing can one bisque fire?

    Immediately.

    How to add soak or change temperature to a 3-Button Bartlett Control or Custom Programs in the One-Touch Control during a firing
    Add Time to Hold Period
  • Available only during a hold period.
  • This option allows