kiln trouble AIM 84BD with Fuji controller

I have an AIM 84BD with a Fuji PXV-3 ramp/soak control. I've had it for
about 3.5 years. It has suddenly turned on me! First it began (about 2
firings ago) to briefly buzz (like a door buzzer) for about 4-6 seconds when
it kicked into heat cycle to maintain 1500F. Since it did it's think ok, I
used it again, with the same buzzing, which seemed to diminish/stop as it
fired (for about 2 hours). Now I wonder if it wasn't suiciding (with my
ignorant assistance) -- today I turned it on, and it buzzes at a lower
volume continuously, gets to around 600F, then s l o w l y the display
rises at 1 degree every 3-4 seconds. At that rate, my glass will be ready
next week.... The coils, while clearly heating, never get 'orange' as
they're supposed to, or perhaps I don't have the patience to wait until they
do...I just swear and switch the thing off.

Any suggestions for treating the patient? I can't afford a replacement
right now.

Glasslady Kelly

The solution is elementary my dear! probably needs new elements. Kiln
doctor, Euclids elements, a few others come to mind as sources. The heat
causes the coils to get brittles after a bit, mine used to sag, then break.
But i'm sure someone else may have another idea??? m

"kellyK" wrote in message
news:q_kme.19062$g66.15118@attbi_s71...
I have an AIM 84BD with a Fuji PXV-3 ramp/soak control. I've had it for
about 3.5 years. It has suddenly turned on me! First it began (about 2
firings ago) to briefly buzz (like a door buzzer) for about 4-6 seconds
when
it kicked into heat cycle to maintain 1500F. Since it did it's think ok,
I
used it again, with the same buzzing, which seemed to diminish/stop as it
fired (for about 2 hours). Now I wonder if it wasn't suiciding (with my
ignorant assistance) -- today I turned it on, and it buzzes at a lower
volume continuously, gets to around 600F, then s l o w l y the display
rises at 1 degree every 3-4 seconds. At that rate, my glass will be ready
next week.... The coils, while clearly heating, never get 'orange' as
they're supposed to, or perhaps I don't have the patience to wait until
they
do...I just swear and switch the thing off.

Any suggestions for treating the patient? I can't afford a replacement
right now.

Glasslady Kelly

Keely,
Sounds like the relays have given up the ghost. The buzzing is caused by
them not clossing completly and then they arc constantly. Would also explain
why the coils do not get as hot as they should. To much lost current at the
contacts.
Dan
"kellyK" wrote in message
news:q_kme.19062$g66.15118@attbi_s71...
I have an AIM 84BD with a Fuji PXV-3 ramp/soak control. I've had it for
about 3.5 years. It has suddenly turned on me! First it began (about 2
firings ago) to briefly buzz (like a door buzzer) for about 4-6 seconds
when it kicked into heat cycle to maintain 1500F. Since it did it's think
ok, I used it again, with the same buzzing, which seemed to diminish/stop
as it fired (for about 2 hours). Now I wonder if it wasn't suiciding
(with my ignorant assistance) -- today I turned it on, and it buzzes at a
lower volume continuously, gets to around 600F, then s l o w l y the
display rises at 1 degree every 3-4 seconds. At that rate, my glass will
be ready next week.... The coils, while clearly heating, never get
'orange' as they're supposed to, or perhaps I don't have the patience to
wait until they do...I just swear and switch the thing off.

Any suggestions for treating the patient? I can't afford a replacement
right now.

Glasslady Kelly

"kellyK" wrote in message
news:q_kme.19062$g66.15118@attbi_s71...
I have an AIM 84BD with a Fuji PXV-3 ramp/soak control. I've had it for
about 3.5 years. It has suddenly turned on me! First it began (about 2
firings ago) to briefly buzz (like a door buzzer) for about 4-6 seconds
when
it kicked into heat cycle to maintain 1500F. Since it did it's think ok,
I
used it again, with the same buzzing, which seemed to diminish/stop as it
fired (for about 2 hours). Now I wonder if it wasn't suiciding (with my
ignorant assistance) -- today I turned it on, and it buzzes at a lower
volume continuously, gets to around 600F, then s l o w l y the display
rises at 1 degree every 3-4 seconds. At that rate, my glass will be ready
next week.... The coils, while clearly heating, never get 'orange' as
they're supposed to, or perhaps I don't have the patience to wait until
they
do...I just swear and switch the thing off.

Any suggestions for treating the patient? I can't afford a replacement
right now.

Glasslady Kelly


Sounds like the relays to me, if the elements glow at all, its not them, but
if it is faint something, (weak connection? ) the relays are it, basing that
on what you have said.
they are and inexpensive repair, comparatively, and not difficult to do.

Thanks, all, for the information - I will accept that it is the relays, and
go a-hunting someone in the area who can fix/replace them. Hopefully I
won't have to travel to Chicago...

Kelly (in east-central Illinois)

"kellyK" wrote in message
news:snOme.20717$PS3.10998@attbi_s22...
Thanks, all, for the information - I will accept that it is the relays,
and
go a-hunting someone in the area who can fix/replace them. Hopefully I
won't have to travel to Chicago...

Kelly (in east-central Illinois)

Go to kiln Dr. here,
http://216.216.92.11/profile/default...ontent=4030000 be specific about
your model and controller, and I bet you get help. DO NOT hire it out, it
is too easy to do.

"kellyK" wrote in message
news:snOme.20717$PS3.10998@attbi_s22...
Thanks, all, for the information - I will accept that it is the relays,
and
go a-hunting someone in the area who can fix/replace them. Hopefully I
won't have to travel to Chicago...

Kelly (in east-central Illinois)

That last post was little too quick, and the wrong link, sorry about
that...your kiln is a little smaller than what they are used to..let's see
if I can find the right one...

http://www.kilndr.com/index.htm check here and call them , see if they can
help, nice folks when I last needed something.

Chances are that you could order the relays from www.wwgrainger.com and do
the repair yourself.


"kellyK" wrote in message
news:snOme.20717$PS3.10998@attbi_s22...
Thanks, all, for the information - I will accept that it is the relays,
and
go a-hunting someone in the area who can fix/replace them. Hopefully I
won't have to travel to Chicago...

Kelly (in east-central Illinois)

Javahut wrote:
"kellyK" wrote in message
news:snOme.20717$PS3.10998@attbi_s22...

Thanks, all, for the information - I will accept that it is the relays,

and

go a-hunting someone in the area who can fix/replace them. Hopefully I
won't have to travel to Chicago...

Kelly (in east-central Illinois)


Go to kiln Dr. here,
http://216.216.92.11/profile/default...ontent=4030000 be specific about
your model and controller, and I bet you get help. DO NOT hire it out, it
is too easy to do.



How am I sposta write off my trip if I can't change your relays?

--
Jack

bobo1148atxmissiondotcom


http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/xmissionbobo/

.. DO NOT hire it out, it
is too easy to do.



How am I sposta write off my trip if I can't change your relays?

--
Jack

Dude, she's in IL, you are in Utah, and I bet if she called AIM they would
talk her through it on the phone.
I just looked up her kiln on their web site and it is a little bitty thing,
probably only has one!