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

    TROUBLESHOOTING KNOWLEDGEBASE

    How to add soak to or reprogram a DynaTrol during a firing

    Change of Program During Firing: When firing you can alter the program anytime. You must press

    How to add soak to or reprogram a DynaTrol during a firing

    Change of Program During Firing: When firing you can alter the program anytime. You must press

    How to Change Thermocouple Type (Type S or Type K) on a DynaTrol

    The type of thermocouple on a DynaTrol (with the Blue face) can be either Type K

    How to Change Thermocouple Type (Type S or Type K) on a Genesis

    The type of thermocouple on a Genesis can be either Type K or Type S.

    How to control an external ventilation system

    Problem: You have a room ventilation system that is external to your kiln, and you want to turn

    How to create custom program in the Genesis Control
    Step-by-step instructions on how to create a custom program with an added delay on the Genesis
    How to create very long programs in the DynaTrol?

    In the Dynatrol reference manual under SOAK, it states “The control will soak at Final Set Point

    How to deal with differences in DynaTrol Boards for installation (600 vs 700 series)

    There are some differences between the 600 series DynaTrol board and the 700 series DynaTrol

    How to do a split test fire on a new kiln with a DynaTrol - safest way to test fire.

    For your first firing, just do the following: You are going to split the first firing into two

    How to Fire - General instruction panels for Dura-Fire.
  • Very Important! Be sure that the adjustments on the kiln-sitter have been properly set. See
    • How to fire - general instructions for Manual Kilns
  • Very Important: Be sure that the adjustments on the kiln-sitter have been properly set. See
    • How to Fire a Manual Kiln
    manual panel
    CAUTION: USE THIS ONLY AS A STARTING POINT IN LEARNING THIS PROCESS

    IMPORTANT NOTE: There are

    How to fire very precisely using witness cones

    Automatic kilns and even manual kilns shut off by the use of cones are never as accurate as the

    How to fix DynaTrol keypad buttons if they stop working

    Occasionally some of the buttons on the keypad of the DynaTrol stop working.

    This is

    How to fix E- 2 or Err2
  • Err2 can only happen in a hold segment.
  • One of the 3 temps has to be 50°F higher
    • How to fix E-1 or Err1

     

     

    Although the steps below are comprehensive, in most cases,

    How to fix E-22 or E- 6 error code

    E-22 is the same as E-6. It means one of the thermocouple wires is connected backward.

    How to fix E-5 or Err 5
    Possible Reasons for E-5

    E- 5 errors read as "Err5" on controls manufactured before 2006

    How to fix E-d or Errd

    Note: E- d errors read as "Errd" on controls manufactured before 2006

    Basic Problem
    How to fix PF, E- P, E-P, ErrP Error
  • The ErrP (PF, E- P, E-P in some older models) comes from a reset of the processor during
    • How to handle power interruptions, blackouts, and bad electrical power grids
  • In some places, the electrical power is very inconsistent with power outages, interruptions,
    • How to interpret a garbled message on the DynaTrol
  • It is possible random segments could be lit on the screen but if that happens (and it is very
    • How to Manually Control When Your Vary Fire Program Stops Firing but Still Maintains a Controlled Cooldown

    The ultimate in precision firing is achieved by using the DynaTrol to control the ramping of the

    How to move DaVinci Cord Connection to make them cooler

    Sometimes the heat around a kiln can become too much for the standard DaVinci cord connections.<

    How to pack a kiln for moving
  • Remove the stand and the bottom.
  • Put the kiln on a firm surface like a skid with a
    • How to program a slump or tack or full fuse glass program into my 3-Key Bartlett Control or One-Touch Control?

    This program is fine for slumping, tack fusing, or full fusing.  Just substitute

    How to Program Easy-Fire Programs for DynaTrol
  • Turn on the kiln switch.
  • Wait to see IDLE, or press ENTER.
  • Choose a
    • How to size the circuit breaker, fuses, cord and/or power supply of your kiln.
    Safety Warnings

    NOTE: If you are unsure about some part or procedure in creating or testing a

    How to use the PreHeat feature in the DynaTrol
    Preheat Button
  • The Preheat feature can be used with the EASY-FIRE mode only.
    • I am having trouble with my kiln-sitter. What do I do?
    Kiln Sitters in general
  • First, download the appropriate kiln-sitter manual from L&L’s
    • I blew up a a piece of ceramic, how do I get glaze out of the wall and off the element?
  • Dig it out of the wall carefully.
  • Use safety glasses and a Dremel to carefully
    • I have a two section kilns and got a FAIL TC 3 message

    If you have a two-section kiln your control should be programmed for two zone instead of three

    I want to do reduction firing with alcohol drip. Does L&L provide any coating on elements to improve lifetime in such usage?
  • We don't offer any coatings for elements. There is an ITC coating that some people claim to
    • Is it OK to have a 24 amp e18S-3 kiln on a 50 amp circuit?
  • This is fine to do if you are careful.
  • The only concern would be if you put the
    • It seems that I should turn the Kiln off at the end of the test firing. Typically, how soon after would I turn it back on to check the temperature and the ability to open the lid?
  • The kiln will automatically shut off the program after the firing.
  • If you do turn
    • Kiln Control Error Codes
    Error codes for the DynaTrol

    Note: Many of these error codes have an ‘Err’ prefix rather

    Kiln stalls or stop heating with lots of clicking (relays) & no error code
  • Start by pressing 1,2,3 (or 1,2 on a two-ring kiln). Look for which thermocouple is lagging
    • Markings on Type S Thermocouples and lead wire colors

    Question: On the thermocouple terminal block of our Type S thermocouple, one screw is clearly

    My firebrick has some cracks. What should I do?

    Firebrick cracks as it is heated and cooled- it is to be expected. When the kiln is hot, all the

    One of my elements failed, should I replace them all or just the one that failed?
  • Normally it is best to have elements that are all the same age. That way it is easier for the
    • Recall at what temperature an error occurred in a DynaTrol control
    LOOK IN THE HIDDEN OTHER MENU ON YOUR DYNATROL

    This menu contains the programmable settings

    Right temperature to fire to on the first firing?

    A customer asks: I have a question regarding this first test firing. For my previous kiln, I

    Should I use the Fast Glaze or Slow Glaze or Fast Bisque or Slow Bisque?
  • When in doubt it is almost always better to fire slower than faster.
  • A slower
    • Should you replace a K18 power cord?
  • The power supply cord originally supplied with K18 kilns is only a three-wire cord. The third
    • Spring Tool for Older Easy-Fire Hinge Assembly is Missing
    hinge tool in operation
  • The special tool we used to make for assembling Easy-Fire spring-loaded hinges is no longer
    • Switching a manual kiln from 208 volts to 240 volts
    Change Elements
  • All the elements will need to be replaced.
  • For example, the
    • Switching manual kiln (50 amps) from 208 volts to 240 volts

    All the elements will need to be replaced. For example, the ohms on the J230 208-volt element

    The center of my kiln gets too hot compared to the top and bottom.
    For DynaTrols, Set PID at 65 (normally)

    Assuming that the loading is even and the TC offsets

    The contactors on my Easy-Load, or Davinci kiln are loud. What can I do about it?
  • The first and easiest thing to do is to change the cycle time of the contactors.
    • The controlled cooling on an Easy-Fire keeps changing. Why?

    Question: I do a controlled cooling to get even cooling rates. I've been using the User 6 program