Table of Contents
Advertisement
Controller Input Test Result: the controller is getting 20 - 24 volts
AC.
If you find 20 - 24 volts, correct current is reaching the board from the trans-
former. But since the board is not lighting up, it is probably defective. Try
turning off the power to the kiln for ten seconds. The board may light up when
you turn the power back on. If it does not light up, return the controller for re-
pair or replacement.
Controller Input Test Result: the controller is getting less than 20
volts AC.
Did you recently replace the transformer? It may be the wrong voltage. (See
diagrams, page 1.) The voltage is below 20, which is not enough power for the
controller. To find out the cause of low voltage, continue below:
The back of the board is still facing you. Unplug/disconnect the kiln. Remove
the white and orange wires from the board INPUT terminals. Clamp a volt-
meter probe to the white wire and the other probe to the orange wire. Use alli-
gator clip probes. Do not let the wires touch a grounded object. Plug the kiln
back in.
Result: voltage at disconnected INPUT wires is less than 20: There are
two possible reasons: 1) Low voltage at the wall receptacle; 2) defective trans-
former. If wall receptacle voltage is correct, replace the transformer.
Result: voltage at disconnected INPUT wires is 20 - 24: The transformer is sending correct voltage to the con-
troller. Yet when the input wires were connected to the controller, voltage was less than 20. This means the control-
ler is draining the voltage and is defective. Return the controller for repair or replacement.
CAUTION: Attaching the INPUT wires (white, orange) to the controller's OUTPUT connectors can destroy the con-
troller! Use care when connecting wires.
Controller display turns on. No heat in kiln.
Has a delay been programmed?
I
The elements will not fire until the delay time has elapsed.
Is the relay making its normal clicking sound?
I
Yes, the relay is clicking.
Test the elements with an ohmmeter:
Disconnect
ments with an ohmmeter as follows:
Power before
opening kiln
2 Touch the ohmmeter leads to the two element connectors of each element.
switch box or
A no-needle-movement reading on an analog meter, or OPEN on a digital
removing the
controller.
meter, indicates a broken element.
3 If your elements are wired in parallel, temporarily disconnect the lead wires from one end of the element you are
testing. Hold element connector with pliers as you remove the screw. Be gentle to avoid breaking the element. Do
not disturb the screw holding the element, only the one holding the lead wires.
Rule of thumb: if both lead wires of an element connect to another element, the elements are wired in parallel. Discon-
nect the lead wire(s) from one end of the element you are testing.
If the elements check out okay, perform the "Relay 12 Volt Battery Test," page 14.
No, the relay is not clicking.
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," page 4. If your controller passes the input
test, perform the "Controller Power Output Test" on the next page:
Element Ohmmeter Test
1 UNPLUG kiln/disconnect the power. Open the kiln's switch
box. Make sure the wires connecting the relays to the ele-
ments are secure. If connections are okay, check the ele-
Testing for voltage at the controller's INPUT ter-
minals.
Use alligator clips to test for voltage at the dis-
connected INPUT wires.
The ohmmeter sends an electric current through
the element. If the element is broken, the meter
will show an OPEN circuit.
5
Hide quick links:
Advertisement
Table of Contents
