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Getting ready to put together a kiln

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iowabow:
Very good thread

iowabow:
Something to keep in mind, a type K is good for about 50 normal firings but the heat treatment is longer and will wear on it faster. Watch for a crack to develop at the tip. This crack will be an indicator that it needs to be changed. Also the first firing should be done emply to oxidize the element without contamination. This will insure an accurate reading. Just something to remember when you replace it.

Huntrick64:
I never knew that, but will watch for it.  I have a k-type thermocouple on my PID for boolit casting and I have fired it about 200 times at 750 degrees, but it stays submerged in lead even when it is cold so that probably matters.  I'm thinking my hurdle might be getting to 575 degees with just 920 watts, but so far it appears to change the temp pretty quickly and holds well.  My element makes six complete wraps around the inside of the kiln covering about the middle half of the kiln.  Will know by morning how it did getting to 575.  If all goes well, then I need to round up some novaculite to see if it goes to 850.

iowabow:
Hey how did your cook go

Huntrick64:
It ramped up exactly like it was supposed to at 20 degrees per hour.  It is holding at 575 right now and is varying no more than 1 degree +or-.  This thing is amazing.  Sometime I will list my materials that I bought from Auber, but it is pretty simple.  The programming stumped me a little until I emailed Auber.  They are very knowledgeable and helpful.  Once they explained a really simple concept on the PID programming, it was very easy.  Keep in mind that the power doesn't flow through the PID, it flows to the SSR and the PID simply sends a DC current to open and close the SSR. 

This PID has 30 available steps and can also be programmed to trigger alarms and other things if needed.  I have enough space for 5 separate rock recipes and can simply start the PID at any one of the recipes and it shuts off at the end of that recipe.  Their instructions on wiring were somewhat vague, but I found a great schematic (in laymen terms) on the castboolits website.  I will build another one of these as soon as I find another kiln about the same size.  If my math is correct, assuming the coil fires about 20 percent of the time, and electricity is 10 cents per KWH, then it costs less than $2.00 to cook a batch of kay county for 3 days (soaking to dry, ramping up, soaking at high temp, and ramping down).  You can't buy much charcoal for $2.00.

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