Kiln

Hi all
My wife has a kiln from Alasdair Kettles at Milnathort, Scotland,
she's had it for about 13 years. Not used for a few years and wants to
get into it again. Trouble is we can't find the operating
instructions, the kiln has two rotary dials one of which has temp
markings and the other says % input, there is also a toggle switch
with two settings soak and cut-off.
The temp ok and the soak/cut-off we think we can remember, although I
seem to think that the switch had to be clicked one way and back the
other for something. The main thing we can't remember is the % input
dial, no idea how to use it. Can anyone help? I've sent an email to AG
Kettles but as yet no response. If any one has the instructions for
this type of kiln we would be most grateful for a copy.
I can be emailed at , please just
remove the nospam and brackets.
Many regards
Norman

I can't help with an instruction book, but the dial marked % would be to
control the percentage of full power applied to the elements, and thus
control the temperature rise. For example to get a slow rise for a bisque,
you might set the dial to 20% for the first three hours, then up to 40% for
two hours, etc, etc. You would need a pyrometer to check to temperature rise
and set your schedule accordingly. The cut-off/soak switch allows the kiln
to either stop firing when the set temp is reached (cut-off) or hold at the
set temperature indefinitely (soak). You may need to click to switch to soak
then back to cut-off when starting the kiln to get it going.

Dave
wrote in message
ups.com...
Hi all
My wife has a kiln from Alasdair Kettles at Milnathort, Scotland,
she's had it for about 13 years. Not used for a few years and wants to
get into it again. Trouble is we can't find the operating
instructions, the kiln has two rotary dials one of which has temp
markings and the other says % input, there is also a toggle switch
with two settings soak and cut-off.
The temp ok and the soak/cut-off we think we can remember, although I
seem to think that the switch had to be clicked one way and back the
other for something. The main thing we can't remember is the % input
dial, no idea how to use it. Can anyone help? I've sent an email to AG
Kettles but as yet no response. If any one has the instructions for
this type of kiln we would be most grateful for a copy.
I can be emailed at , please just
remove the nospam and brackets.
Many regards
Norman

Dear Norman,

You set up the firing with the switch set to "Soak". Dialling in the initial
percentage of heat input, and the temperature you want the firing to finish
at. If you want to end the firing with a period of soaking, leave the switch
in that position, however the majority of the firings done don't require
that, so once the power is witched on, turn the switch to "Cut Off". From
then on all you have to do is increase the heat percentage in stages
according to the needs of the firing.

That type of Kiln control is now obsolete, as it has been superseded but
seriously more efficient programmable controllers.

Steve



wrote in message
ups.com...
Hi all
My wife has a kiln from Alasdair Kettles at Milnathort, Scotland,
she's had it for about 13 years. Not used for a few years and wants to
get into it again. Trouble is we can't find the operating
instructions, the kiln has two rotary dials one of which has temp
markings and the other says % input, there is also a toggle switch
with two settings soak and cut-off.
The temp ok and the soak/cut-off we think we can remember, although I
seem to think that the switch had to be clicked one way and back the
other for something. The main thing we can't remember is the % input
dial, no idea how to use it. Can anyone help? I've sent an email to AG
Kettles but as yet no response. If any one has the instructions for
this type of kiln we would be most grateful for a copy.
I can be emailed at , please just
remove the nospam and brackets.
Many regards
Norman

Many thanks for the replies, it's much as I seemed to remember. The
only thing really throwing me was the % input dial, I had thought that
was how it was used, I just couldn't figure why you wouldn't just turn
up the temp when required.
Regards
Norman