18 Cone-Fire / Ramp-Hold
Controller Power Input Test Result: less than 20 volts
Did you recently replace the transformer? It may be the
wrong voltage. The voltage is below 20, which is not enough
power for the controller. To find out the cause of low volt-
age, continue below:
Controller Input Test #2
The back of the board is
still facing you and the kiln
is plugged in. Remove the
INPUT plug, which is the
white, orange, and blue
wires, from the back of the
controller. Touch a volt-
meter probe to the white wire and the other probe to the or-
ange wire.
Input Test #2 Result: Less than 20 Volts AC
There are two possible reasons: 1) Low voltage at the
wall receptacle; 2) defective transformer. If wall receptacle
voltage is correct, replace the transformer.
Input Test #2 Result: 20 - 24 Volts AC
The transformer is sending correct voltage to the con-
troller. Yet when the INPUT plug was connected to the
controller, voltage was less than 20. This means the control-
ler is draining the voltage and may be defective. Return the
controller for repair or replacement.
Problem: Controller display
turns on. No heat in kiln.
I
Is the relay making its normal clicking sound?
Test the elements with an ohmmeter:
Element Resistance Test
UNPLUG kiln/disconnect the power. Open the
kiln’s switch box. Make sure the wires connecting
the relay to the elements are secure. If connec-
tions are okay, continue to step 2:
Touch the ohmmeter leads to the two element con-
nectors of each element. A no-needle-movement
reading on an analog meter, or OPEN on a digital
meter, indicates a broken element.
If the elements check out okay, replace the relay.
Note:
To replace relay, see your kiln’s instruction and
service manual.
We know the controller is receiving voltage, because the
display is lit. But the voltage from the transformer may be
too low to power the relays. Perform the “Controller Power
Input Test,” left column. If your controller passes the Input
Test, perform the “Controller Power Output Test”:
Controller Power Output Test
Is the controller sending voltage to the relay? Test OUT-
PUT with a voltmeter:
Trouble Shooter
Problem: Controller display is
blank. No heat in kiln.
I
Is the kiln connected to the power?
I
Has the circuit breaker tripped or fuse blown?
I
Is power reaching the wall receptacle?
Test with a voltmeter or a test light if you are not sure.
I
Has the kiln switch box ½ amp fuse blown?
The kiln’s ½ amp fuse is
located in the kiln switch
box. Remove by pressing the
fuse holder and turning
counter-clockwise half a
turn. Check the fuse by plac-
ing the probes of an ohmme-
ter on the ends of the fuse. If
the ohmmeter reads less
than an ohm (digital meter)
or reads 0 ohms (analog me-
ter), the fuse is okay. If the reading is OPEN (digital meter)
or infinity/no needle movement (analog meter), the fuse is
bad. Replacement fuse:
AGC 1/2 A 250V AC
I
Is the controller receiving power? Test the power IN-
PUT connections on the back of the controller with a
voltmeter.
Controller Power
Input Test
Unplug the kiln. Re-
move the 4 screws holding
the controller faceplate to
the switch box. Lift face-
plate out of box and let the
board hang on the box
with the back of the board
facing you. Plug the kiln
back in. Touch voltmeter
probes (in AC mode) to
both INPUT connections (the white and orange wires).
CAUTION:
Do not let the back of the board touch a
grounded object. Make sure the voltmeter is in the AC
mode when placing the probes on INPUT connections.
Controller Power Input Test Result: No voltage
UNPLUG kiln. Check the switch box for disconnected
wires between the cord, transformer, and controller. If wir-
ing is okay, replace the transformer.
Controller Power Input Test Result: 20 - 24 volts AC
Correct current is reaching the board from the trans-
former. But since the board is not lighting up, it is probably
defective.Return the controllerfor repair or replacement.
