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

    The DynaTrol shows cone 05 after I program it for 5 or 06 after I program it for 6
  • You may have been programming the cone number by pressing 000 first, then the 5 (or 1, 2, 3,
    • The elements fell out of the holders in my kiln - what should I do?

    L&L element holders require no pins so the elements can expand over time on their own without

    The Spring Hinge does not go all the way back. What is wrong?
  • The hinge piece that attaches to the lid has two "ears".
  • These must go on the
    • The temperature in the control is jumping erratically. How do I fix it?
    Electrical Noise External
  • Sometimes there is electrical "noise" in your incoming line.
    • There are small ceramic discs wedged in the element holders. What are they for?
  • The discs are placed in the element holders to keep the elements from coming out during
    • Thermocouple Offset Setting and Cone Offset Setting
    What they are, how to find them, and when to use which setting.
  • Thermocouple Offset and
    • Weight of Kiln Rings or Sections and Tops and Bottoms for Lifting Guidance

    All weights are shown in pounds and are estimates.

    What are Thermocouples?
    General Information on Thermocouples
  • The pyrometers and all of the electronic kiln
    • What can I do to promote even kiln firings?
    Control
  • Our DynaTrol or Genesis control with Dynamic Zone Control is the state-of-the-art
    • What do I do if I get error message "E-A"?

    This is a rare error in the DynaTrol that indicates a problem with the memory chip.

    A

    What do I do if I overfire and melt clay and/ or glaze all over the inside of the kiln?
  • Overfires are not covered under the warranty.
  • It's best to mine all of the clay
    • What do I do if the control display doesn't show anything?
    On/Off Switch
  • Make sure the On/Off Switch is turned on. Turn it on and off.
    • What do I do if the display is normal but the kiln won't heat up?
    Programming
  • Make sure you have programmed the kiln properly and it is supposed to be
    • What do I do if the kiln doesn't heat at all (manual kilns)?
  • Check many of the same things in the above section on Automatic kilns - power supply, branch
    • What do I do if the kiln heats too fast?
    Voltage
  • Check your voltage. Some people may have high voltage like 245 volts where you
    • What do I do if the kiln stalls?
  • If for some reason the thermocouple wires touch the hot kiln case, they may melt and fail.
    • What does it cost ($) for the electricity to fire the kiln?

    The only way to figure this out accurately is to have a kilowatt meter installed in the power

    What happens if the power goes out while I am firing?
  • If the power goes off during the Delay countdown, the controller will remember where it was
    • What is a thermocouple (TC) and how does it work?
  • A thermocouple (TC) is a temperature sensor. It reads the temperature in the kiln and gives
    • What is an Automatic Control Box?
    Similarity of Automatic Control Box with Manual Control Box
  • The similarities between the
    • What is L&L's brick facing for and how do I use it?

    Facing is meant to penetrate into the brick 1/2" or so. When it is fired, it makes that part of

    What is the difference between 220 volts, 3 phase and 380/220 volts, 3 phase (overseas applications)?
    380 volts, 3 phase wye (220 volts line to neutral)
  • If you have 380/220 volts and 3-phase
    • What makes elements melt and sag?
  • Getting glaze on the element can cause that to happen.
  • It can also happen
    • What size elements should I order?
  • We have had several improvements in our element holder designs over the years and have been
    • What sort of pliers should I have for installing the very thick series elements into my kiln?

    The pliers to get for grabbing the wire and bending it around the bolt are called Linesman Pliers

    What the final temperature reached in a program on a DynaTrol?
  • After your kiln has fired press the REVIEW PROGRAM button. You will see, along with other
    • What to do if the kiln fires slowly?
    Incorrect loading
  • If your kiln is loaded unevenly it can cause the 3-zone control to slow
    • What to do if there is no display on the DynaTrol
    How the DynaTrol is Supposed to Work

    All of the DynaTrol or Genesis controlled L&L Kilns

    What to do when you see "FAIL"?
    BASICS
  • FAIL usually just means a thermocouple is broken. It will read FAIL,&nbsp
    • What wire gauge should you use for along wire run to your kiln?
  • The wire gauge recommendations in our "Wire Gauge for Connection" specifications are based on
    • What wire size is used to connect a kiln?

    When you are installing the circuit for your new kiln, it is important to use the correct type

    What's the worst thing that can happen from restarting after an Error Code?

    Keep in mind that you run the risk of over-firing if you restart while the kiln is very close to

    Where do T1, TC2 and TC3 go on a kiln?
    Two Zone Kiln (2 sections)

    TC1 is the top and TC2 is the bottom.

    Three Zone Kiln (with
    Which kilns have element circuits wired in series and which are wired in parallel?
  • Mostly you just have to remember how each kiln is wired or look at the wiring diagram.
    • Why are some elements not twisted?

    We double-twist element ends that are 14 gauge and thinner. We do not twist element ends on 13

    Why do I get TC-- code when I run my 3-button Bartlett
  • There is a glitch in User 2 program in the 3-button Bartlett.
  • Normally, there is
    • Why do my DaVinci kiln sections move out of alignment or slide off the floor slab over time?
  • If a DaVinci is installed on a smooth floor and the lid is opened a lot, or left open for
    • Why do stainless steel threads become jammed on element terminals?
  • We use stainless steel element terminal bolts. Stainless steel bolts have weaker threads than
    • Why does my 8, 10, and 12 sided kiln lid open more in the front when I fire?

    When this happens, it almost always means the hinge is out of adjustment or set too low on the

    Why does my DaVinci kiln lid open more in the front when I fire?

    When this happens, it almost always means the hinge is out of adjustment or set too low at the

    Why does my kiln jump over the Preheat without holding at the Preheat temp?
  • It is possible to confuse the Hold Time in the original program with the Hold Time for the
    • Why does my kiln seem like it overfires the pottery?

    The work is overfired but there is no error code. Here are some things to look for:

    Why does my kiln seem like it underfires the pottery?

    If your kiln underfires with no error code:

  • Cones placed wrongly in cone pack-
    • Why does the kiln's breaker keep tripping?
  • Breakers can trip on the kiln for a couple of different reasons. What is important to know is
    • Why does the temperature read-out on my hand-held pyrometer differ from the temperature shown on the DynaTrol?
  • In order for temperature readouts to be close to each other, the two devices need to use the
    • Why is the 3 phase WYE 2 section kiln Amp listing lower than the actual amp reading on Neutral?
    • On 3-section kilns with wires running to N, L1, L2, and L3 all 3 amp readings (L1,
    Why is the element for the powered bottom not long enough?
  • Elements in most L&L kilns are the same (exceptions are front-loaders with door elements,
    • Why kiln amperage is higher than the rating when first turned on
  • When you first turn on a kiln and the elements are cold the amperage is higher. Once the
    • Why use slow bisque over fast bisque? Is it just a moisture issue?
  • Slow bisque is the safest to use and ensures a better firing to get out fumes and water