Insert desired cone in Kiln Sitter and load kiln.
Engage lid vent if desired.
Leave peephole plugs out.
Set Limit Timer for the total estimated firing time
plus 30 minutes.
Engage Kiln Sitter.
Set switches to the positions indicated below:
Cone 015 - 022
Set top switch to position #2.
Set second switch to 1 Hr.
Cone 04 - 014
Set top switch to position #3.
Set second switch to 2 Hrs.
Cone 03 - 8
Set top switch to position #4.
Set second switch to 3 Hrs.
How to Control the Cooling Rate of an
SnF-Series Kiln
At the end of the firing, you will hear the Kiln Sitter
weight drop, shutting off the kiln. First, turn the kiln
switches to the OFF position. Add more time on the
Limit Timer. Raise the weight and press the Kiln Sitter
plunger (the button that turns on the Kiln Sitter). Then
gently lower the weight. The kiln is now firing again.
Please be aware that the Kiln Sitter is operating on man-
ual and will not shut off the kiln.
Turn the top switch to 3. With a pyrometer, adjust the
top switch to maintain the desired cooling rate. When the
temperature shown on the pyrometer goes too high,
lower the switch setting. When the temperature goes too
low, raise the switch setting.
If you need more heat in the kiln, turn off the top
switch and turn on one of the switch-timers.
If you don't have a pyrometer, you can still control the
cooling rate by observing the color of the firing chamber.
(You can see the color through
the peephole and around the
edges of the lid.) You might want
to experiment with a test sample
before adjusting the cooling rate
of a full load of ware.
Note:
You can set the Limit
Timer for the length of con-
trolled cooling time.
Q
How do I candle an SnF
kiln overnight?
A
Engage the Kiln Sitter. Set the Limit Timer to
the number of hours that you want to candle the
kiln. Leave the switch-timers turned off. Set the
top switch to MIN. Prop the lid and leave out the
peephole plugs.
General Trouble
Shooter
Kiln Will Not Fire
Probable Causes:
■
Tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse
■
Cord not plugged in
■
Kiln Sitter plunger not locked into position
■
Limit Timer clock not set
■
Kiln Sitter contacts dirty
Check circuit breakers or fuses first. Check the wall
receptacle voltage with a voltmeter. (Only a qualified per-
son should perform this test.)
Elements are wired
in series; one broken element can prevent the kiln from
heating. Check the elements with an ohmmeter. (See
“Paragon Ceramic Kiln Instruction & Service Manual,”
publication IM-104.)
Set the timer clock before pushing
in the Kiln Sitter plunger.
If the wall receptacle checks out okay with a voltmeter,
and the pilot light does not light, the problem may be a
disconnected switch box wire or dirty Kiln Sitter contacts.
Disconnect the power to the kiln and remove the switch
box. Check for disconnected wires. Compare switch box
wiring to the wiring diagram. If wiring is okay, check the
Kiln Sitter contacts with an ohmmeter.
Not All Elements Fire
Probable Causes:
■
Broken element
■
Defective switch
■
Disconnected wire inside switch box
To find which element has burned out, check the ele-
ments with an ohmmeter. (See “Paragon Ceramic Kiln
Instruction & Service Manual.”)
Slow Firing, And/Or Kiln Will Not Reach
Maximum Temperature
Probable Causes:
■
Low voltage
■
Moisture from greenware
■
Worn elements
■
Loading the kiln heavier than usual
Firing moist greenware can slow the firing to a crawl. It
will also rust kiln parts and shorten element life.
Keep a firing log book. If the firing time gradually in-
creases over a long period, it is probably due to worn
rather than broken elements.
15
Set the Limit Timer.
