TROUBLESHOOTING AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS FOR L&L KILNS
troubleshoot-general.pdf
REV: 4/15/2017
Page 7
2017
L&L Kiln Mfg, Inc. 505 Sharptown Rd, Swedesboro NJ 08085 856.294.0077 F:856.294.0070 [email protected] hotkilns.com
DISPLAY IS NORMAL BUT KILN
WON’T HEAT UP
Programming
1) Make sure you have programmed the kiln properly and
it is supposed to be firing. Do you have a
Delay Time
or
a
Preheat Time
in your program? (Hit the
Review Prog
button on the Easy-Fire or hold down the
Custom/Review
button on the School-Master to find out).
Wiring
1) Unplug kiln or disconnect from live power by turning off
circuit breaker or fused disconnect switch. Open panel.
Check all power wires for firm connections. Using your
multimeter set on resistance you can check continuity of
each element circuit by pacing the probes on each set of
outputs on each Power Relay or right at the Power Terminal
Strip (as shown below).
Picture showing a Multimeter testing for continuity in
an element circuit.
2) Visually inspect the power wires coming from the Power
Terminal Block to the inputs of the Power Relays. Reseat
all the spade connectors to rub off any oxides and to ensure
a good connection.
EASY-FIRE Control Board Outputs
1) It is possible that the internal switches on the DynaTrol
control board could be bad. You can test that by checking
to see if you find voltage (12 volts DC) between any of the
output contacts on the control board (where the orange,
blue and purple wires come out) to ground (any green wire).
CAUTION: This test should only be done by an experienced
person familiar with electricity and its dangers. See this
video:
hotkilns.com/ check-switches-dynatrol
ONE-TOUCH Control Board Outputs
1) It is possible that the internal switches on the One-
Touch™ control board could be bad. You can test that by
checking to see if you find voltage (12 volts DC) between
the output contacts (AC1 & AC2 marked on the control
board) to ground (any green wire). CAUTION: This test
should only be done by an experienced person familiar with
electricity and its dangers.
Bad Power Relays
See this video:
hotkilns.com/checking-relay
and
hotkilns.
com/change-relay
1) You should be able to hear contactors going on and off
with a soft clicking noise when you first turn on the kiln and
it is supposed to be heating up. If not try turning the kiln
off and then back on again and restarting the program. Of
course if you don’t hear the relays it only tells you that they
aren’t firing. The problem could be in the control for instance
not telling the relays to fire. If you do hear relays and the
kiln is not heating then you know the problem is in the power
circuit AFTER the relays.
2) With power on and panel open check voltage before
and after each of the contactors while the kiln is firing.
CAUTION: This test should only be done by an experienced
person familiar with electricity and its dangers.
Bad Elements
See next section.
Run a Simple Paper Test
This will tell you if all kiln sections are firing. If they are not
it could be a bad relay or maybe a bad internal switch on
the control.
1. Place a little piece of paper in each element.
2. Then run a Fast Glaze (or turn the manual switches to
Hi on a manual kiln) while you watch the papers.
3. They begin to smolder in about 2 minutes. After 3 or 4
minutes shut the kiln off.
4. This shows you if the elements are operating (or which
ones are and which ones are not).
KILN FIRES UNEVENLY
Peepholes
1) Plug up Peephole holes in the kiln to prevent drafts.
Lid Seal
1) Check to make sure that door/lid is sealing properly. If
door/lid is not sealing against top brick correctly a bright
red glow will be visible around the door/lid seal when kiln is
operating. (A little of this is OK). Also excessive heat loss
can be felt around seal. Rub seal high points down with