May 9, 2025

troubleshooting

troubleshooting

Troubleshooting Kilns

Click on any of the categories above to focus on particular issues. We suggest starting with the General Troubleshooting Guide unless you know what you are looking for.

 

Troubleshooting Knowledgebase

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,

Bartlett 3-Key: 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.
    • Bartlett 3-Key: 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
    • Bartlett High Limit: Is there a reset button?
  • If the controller is in the limit state (i.e. LMT flashing in the display), you must use the
    • Brick: My firebrick has some cracks. What should I do?

    See this page

    Brick: 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

    Calibration: Cone Offset
    CONE OFFSET - GENESIS

     

  • Turn kiln ON with toggle switch
    • Calibration: 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

    Calibration: 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

    Calibration: Thermocouple Offset
    WHAT IS A THERMOCOUPLE OFFSET?

    A thermocouple offset adjusts the kiln’s perceived temperature

    Calibration: Thermocouple Offset Setting and Cone Offset Setting
    What they are, how to find them, and when to use which setting.
  • Thermocouple Offset and Cone
    • Calibration: 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
    • Calibration: 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
    • Can I convert a manual J230 to an automatic JD230? If so, what parts are required?

    Yes, it’s possible to convert a manual J230 kiln into an automatic JD230.

    Parts Required
    • Changing from 208 volts to 240 volts - what to do?
  • You must replace the elements.
    Example: JD2927 elements rated for 208V (10.4 ohms) will draw
    • 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 digital controller have a way to prevent an over fire?

    Once properly calibrated, your L&L digital kiln should fire reliably for many cycles. The

    DynaTrol: 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

    DynaTrol: How do I control the cooling with the DynaTrol?

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

    Method A

    DynaTrol: 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

    DynaTrol: 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

    DynaTrol: 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

    DynaTrol: 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 caused

    DynaTrol: 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
    • DynaTrol: How to Program Easy-Fire Programs for DynaTrol
  • Turn on the kiln switch.
  • Wait to see IDLE, or press ENTER.
  • Choose a
    • DynaTrol: How to use the PreHeat feature in the DynaTrol
    Preheat Button
  • The Preheat feature can be used with the EASY-FIRE mode only.
    • DynaTrol: 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

    DynaTrol: Programs in Excel Format

    DynaTrol: 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,
    • DynaTrol: 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
    • DynaTrol: 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

    Electrical Supply Problems and slow kiln performance

    See this link for Basic

    Electrical: How can I protect an existing power supply?
    Circuit Breakers
  • Circuit breakers that have tripped and been reset repeatedly will be more likely
    • Electrical: 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

    Electrical: 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

    Electrical: 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

    Electrical: 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 wrong
    • Electrical: Should you replace a K18 power cord?
  • The power supply cord originally supplied with K18 kilns is only a three-wire cord. The third
    • Electrical: What is the difference between 220 volts, 3 phase and 380/220 volts, 3 phase (Non-USA)?
    380 volts, 3 phase wye (220 volts line to neutral)
  • If you have 380/220 volts and 3-phase
    • Electrical: What wire size is used to connect a kiln?
    Basics

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

    Electrical: 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,
    Element Connections are glowing. Why? What should be done?

    An element connection can start to glow if it overheats, which can occur for several reasons:

    Elements: 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

    Elements: 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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    Elements: How can I tell the difference between elements wired in parallel versus series?
  • Your kiln will have its elements either wired in parallel or wired in series. The quickest way
    • Elements: 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
    • Elements: What size elements should I order?
  • We have had several improvements in our element holder designs over the years and have been
    • Elements: 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

    Elements: 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.
    • Elements: 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