July 2, 2024

TROUBLESHOOTING SUPPORT

TROUBLESHOOTING SUPPORT

TROUBLESHOOTING VIDEOS

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

See https://www.youtube.com/video/Z8WCjC1IPwk?ecver=2

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

    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

    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

    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 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.
    • 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
    • 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
    • Thermocouple Offset Setting and Cone Offset Setting
    What they are, how to find them, and when to use which setting.
  • Thermocouple Offset and
    • 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 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 extract 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 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 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