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

Programming: 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

Programming: 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
    • Relays: How long do relays last?

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

    Switching a manual kiln from 208 volts to 240 volts
    Change Elements
  • All the elements will need to be replaced.
  • For example, the
    • 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 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
    • Thermocouples: 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

    Thermocouples: 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

    Thermocouples: 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

    Thermocouples: Markings on Type S Thermocouples and lead wire colors

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

    Thermocouples: What are Thermocouples?
    General Information on Thermocouples
  • The pyrometers and all of the electronic kiln
    • Thermocouples: 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
    • Thermocouples: 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
    Trouble with Kiln-Sitter. What to do?
    Kiln Sitters in general
  • First, download the appropriate kiln-sitter manual from L&L’s
    • Weight of Kiln Rings or Sections and Tops and Bottoms for Lifting Guidance

    All weights are shown in pounds and are estimates.

    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 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 makes elements melt and sag?
  • Getting glaze on the element can cause that to happen.
  • It can also happen
    • 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'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

    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 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 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