Paragon S series Troubleshooting guide

Paragon Switch

Operated

Ceramic Kiln

Instruction and

Service Manual

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing a Paragon kiln. We are confident that the kiln will give you many years of relax-

ation and creative enjoyment—provided you read and follow the manuals. Though you may be excited to

fire your kiln, first read the manuals that came with your kiln. The more you know about your kiln, the

more you will enjoy it.

This manual covers the kiln switches and the Orton Auto-Cone® automatic shutoff. Before you read this

manual, read "Paragon Ceramic Kiln Instruction and Service Manual" and "Safe Installation of the Elec-

tric Kiln," which are also shipped with your new kiln. Please contact the factory if you do not have copies.

You can also download them at www.paragonweb.com. Select "Support" and then "Instruction Manuals"

from the drop menu. The manuals are listed alphabetically.

Also, go to www.paragonweb.com and select "Products," then "Books & DVDs" from the drop menu. The

books we recommend will enhance your kiln experience.

At www.paragonweb.com you will also find online videos for many of the procedures shown in this

manual. As you read each section, you can go online to watch an actual demonstration from your

computer.

Throughout the manual you will find photos of the Dawson Kiln Sitter®. These photos also apply to the

Orton Auto-Cone, which has replaced the Dawson Kiln Sitter. (Orton, the company that makes pyro-

metric cones, began making the Auto-Cone in 2009.) The Auto-Cone is Orton’s version of the Kiln

Sitter. To avoid confusion, we refer to the Auto-Cone as the Kiln Sitter throughout this manual.

Even though your Paragon kiln has an Orton Auto-Cone automatic shut-off, check the kiln at the ex-

pected shut-off time. The Kiln Sitter is reliable, but since it is a mechanical device, it can malfunction

and overfire the kiln. The warranty on your kiln does not cover damage from overfiring, regardless of the

circumstances. It is the operator’s responsibility to make sure the kiln turns off when the firing is com-

pleted. Never leave your kiln unattended near the end of the firing.

Check your new kiln frequently during the first few firings and note the color change inside the kiln. After

awhile you can learn to estimate, with considerable accuracy, when the kiln is about to shut off just by ob-

serving the color.

If you call us about your kiln, please have the model number, part

number (P/N), and voltage from the kiln's electrical data plate handy.

(The plate is attached to the side of the switch box.) Write that infor-

mation on the cover of the manual for quick reference.

Do not be concerned that your kiln makes a clicking sound during

firing. Infinite control switches click as they cycle on and off until

turned to high. The sound is normal.

Special thanks to Mel Jacobson for reading the manuscript and offering suggestions. Feel free to send

comments about this manual to [email protected].

2011 South Town East Blvd.

Mesquite,Texas 75149-1122

Toll Free: 800-876-4328

972/288-7557

Toll Free Fax: 888-222-6450

Fax: 972-222-0646

[email protected]

www.paragonweb.com

IMPORTANT

Please read each page of this manual in

detail before you operate your kiln. War-

ranty does not cover damage caused by

failure to follow instructions.

TOXIC GLAZES

Some glazes may be toxic when used for

surfaces that will be in contact with food

or drink. When you make food or drink

containers, select a glaze that has been

formulated, tested and labeled as ap-

proved for surfaces that will be in con-

tact with food or drink. Follow the glaze

manufacturer's instructions exactly,

without any variations. You can learn

more about glaze safety in Mastering

Cone 6 Glazes, by John Hesselberth and

Ron Roy.

IMPORTANT SAFETY RULES

●An electric ceramic kiln is extremely safe to operate

provided you follow these safety rules:

●Unplug kiln when not in use.

●Do not touch hot sides.

●Keep unsupervised children away.

●Place kiln on stand before connecting power.

●Do not install closer than 12" from any wall or com-

bustible surface.

●Do not open lid until kiln has cooled to room tem-

perature and all switch(es) are off. Cooling time is

usually twice the firing time.

●Fire only in a well ventilated, covered, and protected

area.

●Keep cordset away from hot sides of kiln.

●DANGEROUS VOLTAGE! Do not touch heating

elements with anything.

●Disconnect kiln before servicing.

●Do not leave kiln unattended while firing.

●Wear firing safety glasses when looking into the

peephole of a hot kiln.

●Turn the switches off after the Kiln Sitter fires to

completion.

Contents

The Kiln Sitter and Limit Timer 4

How the Kiln Sitter Works. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

How to Adjust the Kiln Sitter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Kiln Sitter Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Selecting Cones for the Kiln Sitter . . . . . . . . . . 9

Loading Around the Refractory Tube. . . . . . . . 9

Summary of Kiln Sitter Operation . . . . . . . . . 10

Kiln Switches 11

All Models: The Clicking Sound . . . . . . . . . . . 11

S-Series Models:

Kilns with Infinite Control Switches. . . . . . . . 11

S-Series Firing Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

How to Control the Cooling Rate

of an S-Series Kiln . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

SnF-Series Models:

Non-Digital Automatic Kilns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Operating Instructions for

SnF-Series Kilns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

General Trouble Shooter 15

Kiln Sitter Trouble Shooter 17

Maintenance 18

Maintaining the Kiln Sitter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Replacing the Porcelain Tube Assembly . . . . 19

Cleaning or Replacing the

Kiln Sitter Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Replacing an Infinite Control

Switch or Switch-Timer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

The Kiln Sitter and

Limit Timer

WARNING: Since proper operation and

control of the Kiln Sitter and Limit Timer

rest wholly with the operator, we cannot

extend our warranty to cover any dam-

age caused by overfiring regardless of

the circumstances.

DO NOT LEAVE THE KILN SITTER

UNATTENDED!

For the longest life of

your kiln and for safety,

all kiln switches must

be in the OFF position

before the Kiln Sitter

plunger is pushed in.

Pushing in the plunger

with kiln switches on

will result in extra wear

on the Kiln Sitter con-

tact points.

How the Kiln Sitter Works

The Kiln Sitter is elegantly simple and reliable. But it

is subjected to the harsh temperatures and atmosphere

of the kiln and must be adjusted from time to time. This

is easier to do when you know how it works.

A correctly adjusted Kiln Sitter shuts off the power to

your kiln when a properly inserted, small, pyrometric

cone or pyrometric bar sags under the actuating rod.

When the plunger (see photo and diagram) is pressed, a

locking slide holds the plunger down, closing the four

contact points of the Kiln Sitter electrical contacts. The

kiln then receives power. When the cone or bar fires to

maturity and sags, the actuating rod that rests on top of

theconesagswithit.Thereleaseclawrisesatthesame

time, causing the weight on the front of the Kiln Sitter to

fall. The weight unlocks the locking slide, releasing a

plunger. The contact points separate, interrupting the

current to the kiln.

QWhat is the clank-

ing noise that comes

from my kiln when it

shuts off?

AThat is the sound of

the falling Kiln Sitter

weight. The weight re-

leases a switch and

shuts off the kiln.

The Limit Timer is a

clock motor that acts as a

backup safety shutoff. It is

designed to prevent an

Setting the Limit Timer.

The Kiln Sitter with the weight in the lowered position.

The Kiln Sitter with the weight in the raised position.

overfiring should the Kiln Sitter malfunction and fail to

shut off the kiln.

Turn the Limit Timer dial to the number of hours you

think the firing will take, and add 30 minutes. When you

start the kiln, the countdown timer will begin. Should the

Kiln Sitter weight fail to drop, the Limit Timer will shut

off the kiln when the timer runs out of time. Since the

LimitTimerisabackupshutoff,alwayssetitformore

time than you estimate that the firing will need.

The Limit Timer will help you learn to estimate future

firing times. For example, if you set the timer knob at 10

before firing, and the white dot indicator is on 1 when fir-

ing is completed, you know the firing took 9 hours. When

you become familiar with the firing times for your ware,

youwillbeabletosettheLimitTimeraccuratelytoshut

off 30 minutes after the expected firing time.

QWhat is the purpose of the Limit Timer?

AThe Limit Timer is designed to prevent an

overfire should the Kiln Sitter weight fail to drop.

The Limit Timer may be set for any period up to 20

hours. If the firing will take more than 20 hours, you can

reset the knob at any time during the firing.

Caution: Never set the Limit Timer beyond 20

hours. This could result in an overfire should the

Limit Timer motor stop running.

QIf I turn the Limit Timer dial to 5, the Kiln Sit-

ter always shuts off at around 4 hours. What

Limit Timer settings should I use for greenware,

underglaze, and glaze?

AIf the Kiln Sitter shuts off at 4 hours, turning

the dial to 5 gives you a one-hour margin of safety.

This means that after the cone bends and shuts

the kiln off, there is still one hour left on the Limit

Timer. If the Kiln Sitter cone fails to bend, the

kiln will continue to fire for another hour before

the Limit Timer shuts it off. We suggest setting

theLimitTimerhalfwaybetween4and5sothat

you have a 30-minute safety margin. Keep a firing

log book so you can estimate firing time for each

type of ware.

The primary value of the Kiln Sitter is the convenience

of relief from closely watching the large cones through

the peepholes and the uniform firing that the Kiln Sitter

gives from one firing to the next. It is a mechanical device

and cannot be considered fully automatic nor relieve the

user from responsibility for damage due to overfiring. It

must be kept in good working order and tested before

EACH firing.

Your Kiln Sitter was adjusted properly when shipped

from the factory, but vibration during shipping may have

moved the guide plate. You MUST adjust the Kiln Sitter,

as we will show you next, before you fire your kiln.

How to Adjust the

Kiln Sitter

Note: Never lubricate the Kiln Sitter. Lubricants

will only attract dust.

Your kiln will arrive with

the firing gauge in place on

theconesupportsandthe

actuating rod inserted

through the center hole.

Remove the rubber band

that holds the gauge in

place; then remove the

gauge. Save the gauge for

future adjustment. Do not

fire with the gauge in place!

Note: Store the firing gauge, Kiln Sitter allen

wrenches, and storage bag in a handy place near

the kiln along with a small bottle of kiln wash.

Note: Most people think the firing gauge is only to

keep the actuating rod from bouncing during

shipping. Please do not throw the gauge away!

You will need it to keep the Kiln Sitter adjusted to

factory specifications.

Guide Plate Adjustment

Check the position of the

actuating rod. (The actu-

ating rod is easier to see if

you hold a small mirror

inside the kiln.) The rod should be centered side-

ways in the refractory tube's oblong slot. If not,

loosen the two guide plate adjusting screws and

move the plate to the

right or left, as neces-

sary.

Note: The easiest way

to adjust the guide

plate is to loosen the

screws so that they

barely hold the guide

plate in place. Then

gently nudge the plate

sideways. If you loosen the screws completely, the

guide plate is more difficult to adjust.

After the rod is centered, securely tighten guide

plate screws.

Test the full travel of the actuating rod. Watch the

actuating rod inside the kiln as you move the re-

lease claw up and down. The actuating rod

should be free to move within the tube without

touching the sides.

If the rod does not fall freely to the bottom of the tube,

check the guide plate to see that its slot is parallel to the

direction of travel of the release claw. If not, straighten the

guide plate and readjust rod centering. Be sure to

retighten the two screws securely.

Note: As the Kiln Sitter develops wear, the actu-

ating rod may no longer fall freely within the tube.

This is usually caused by a corroded tube assem-

bly. Replace the tube.

Trigger Adjustment

Inside the kiln, slide

the firing gauge

over the end of the

actuating rod and

the two slotted

cone supports. The

actuating rod fits

into the firing

gauge hole.

Lift the weight on the outside of the Kiln Sitter all

the way to the fully raised position. At the end of

the weight is the adjustable trigger. With the fir-

ing gauge in place, the

trigger should just clear

the release claw, coming

as close as possible

without touching. If the

trigger is too high to

clear release claw or if it

is too low, loosen the set

screw in the center of

the weight, move the

triggerupordownuntil

it just clears the release

claw, and retighten the

set screw.

Note: Check the trigger

adjustment with the fir-

ing gauge after every 12

firings.

Caution: If the set screw is too loose, the trigger

will slide out of adjustment with repeated use.

But if the set screw is too tight, you can strip out

the threads.

Release Claw Adjustment

After you have adjusted the trig-

ger height, check the amount of play

between the trigger and the release

claw. Raise the weight and lower the

release claw over the trigger. Look

at the Kiln Sitter from the side to

check the play between the trigger

and the release claw. It should be

1/16" (2 mm). To adjust, loosen the

setscrew on top of the release claw.

Test the Mechanical Operation

With all kiln switches turned OFF, raise the

weight and lower the release claw over the trig-

ger. The weight MUST NOT be able to stand up

alone, and the trigger MUST lean against the re-

lease claw.

With your other hand, hold up the end of the ac-

tuating rod inside the kiln. Let go of the release

claw. The release claw should hold the weight up

while you hold up the end of the

actuating rod inside the kiln.

SettheLimitTimerclock.

Push the plunger all the way in

until it locks into position.

(The Limit Timer clock

MUST be set before the

plunger will lock.)

From inside the kiln, move the

actuating rod slowly downward

until the claw releases the trigger. The weight

should fall all the way to the bottom, releasing the

plunger and allowing the button to pop out to its

original position. Repeat the operation 6 - 12 times

to loosen the mechanism.

Note: For reliable operation of the Kiln Sitter, the

kiln should be level. You can level it by inserting

shims under the stand legs.

Kiln Sitter Operation

Regardless of your firing experience, check the opera-

tion of your new Kiln Sitter by watching large pyrometric

cones placed in the kiln behind a peephole for at least 12

firings. (These are called witness cones. See "Paragon

Ceramic Kiln Instruction and Service Manual.") We rec-

ommend that you use large witness cones in every firing.

Their cost is less than the smallest piece of greenware,

and using witness cones is the only way to check the

accuracy of your Kiln Sitter.

Keep a firing log book so that you can accurately esti-

mate the firing time for each type of ware.

Turn the kiln switch(es) to the OFF position.*

Remove the metal

firing gauge and

save.

Caution: Do not fire

with the metal gauge

in place! Serious

damage to the kiln

and Kiln Sitter will

result.

Apply a thin coat of high fire kiln wash to the upper

edges of the cone supports and the lower side of

the actuating rod. The application of kiln wash

should be thin enough to dry in 5 to 10 minutes.

Note: It is a good idea to have two sets of cone

supports. They easily slide out of their slots. Coat

theextrasetwithkilnwashwhiletheothersetis

in the kiln. The fresh set will be dry and ready the

next time you load the kiln. Do not allow kiln

wash to build up on the cone supports.

Note: Keep a small bottle of kiln wash near the

kiln. A nail polish bottle with the built-in brush is

a convenient applicator. Shake the bottle before

each use.

WARNING: You MUST apply kiln wash before each

firing. Otherwise the cone could stick to the metal and

prevent the Kiln Sitter from shutting off the kiln. Remove

old kiln wash and apply new before each firing. Do not al-

low kiln wash to touch the cone or the inside of Kiln Sitter

tube. Make sure the kiln wash has dried before inserting

the cone.

Note: Examine the cone supports each time you

fire the kiln, and replace them if they are cor-

roded or warped. Use emery cloth to remove

traces of greenware, corrosion, or bits of melted

cones. These foreign materials can catch on the

cone, preventing it from slumping freely.

Check that the sensing rod moves up and down

freely and is centered in the tube. (Do not fire the

kiln if the sensing rod movement is sluggish,

which may indicate that corrosion has built up in-

side the tube. If necessary, replace the tube.)

Raise the weight and lightly press the release claw

down over the trigger.

After checking the number on the small pyromet-

ricconetobesureitiscorrect,placetheconeun-

der the actuating

rod and on top of

theconesupports.

Theconeshould

be centered on the

cone supports, and

the rod should rest

on the center of the

cone. Never apply pressure to the cone when you

load it into the Kiln Sitter. Handle cones as if they

were extremely fragile.

Applying the kiln wash is easier

if you remove the cone sup-

ports.

Apply kiln wash to the cone sup-

ports. Let the kiln wash dry before

inserting the cone.

*To turn off the Paragon SnF kiln: Turn the top switch to the OFF posi-

tion. The second switch (and third, if you have one) is a switch-timer.

Turn the switch-timer pointer to a number, then turn clockwise until it

clicks and points to "On." Turn it clockwise one more click to the right

to turn it off.

Note: The cone has a number stamped onto one

of the sides. Place the cone in the Kiln Sitter with

the number side down. That side is the strongest

of the three sides. Placing that side down lessens

the chance of the cone breaking as it bends.

Load the kiln for firing, placing the correct pyro-

metric cones behind each peephole. Keep all

ware and kiln shelves at least 1/2" away from the

sides, top and bottom of the end of the cone sup-

ports and actuating rod.

Keep the area outside the Kiln Sitter clear of ob-

jects that could interfere with the falling weight.

The Kiln Sitter weight must fall completely to

the bottom of the sitter to shut off the kiln.

Note: Keep chairs, stools, and small loading ta-

bles away from the kiln. Many of these items are

the same height as the Kiln Sitter weight. It is

easy for someone to come by and move a stool or

small table up against the weight, which would

prevent it from dropping, thus causing an

overfire.

Note: Never set anything on top of the kiln or lean

anything against the kiln's switch box. We know

of cases where a kiln shelf leaning against the

Kiln Sitter prevented the weight from dropping

and caused an overfire. Leaning something

against the Kiln Sitter or bumping into it can also

move the guide plate out of alignment, prevent-

ing the actuating rod from dropping. This will

overfire the kiln.

SettheLimitTimerdialtotheestimatedfiring

time plus 30 minutes. (This must be done before

the plunger will lock into position.)

Push in the plunger (the button on the front of

the Kiln Sitter).

Fire your ware. Occasionally check the pyromet-

ric witness cones through the peepholes.

Note: Experienced kiln opera-

tors keep a small timer with

them as a reminder that the

kiln is firing. You could set the

alarm on a digital wristwatch

for the estimated firing time

less 20 minutes. Go back and

check the kiln when the alarm

sounds. Do not leave the kiln

unattended, especially near

theestimatedshutofftime.

Note: Leave the top peephole plug out during the

entirefiring.Thispracticeextendsthelifeofthe

Kiln Sitter tube by allowing moisture to exit the

kiln through the peephole instead of through the

tube. But if you use the Orton down-draft

KilnVent, keep all peephole plugs inserted

throughout the firing. Leave the KilnVent on

during firing and cooling. If you turn the

KilnVent off when the kiln fires to maturity,

Loading a cone into the Kiln Sitter requires two hands or a helper.

Set the Limit Timer. Push in the plunger.

Set the alarm on a digi-

tal watch to remind

yourself that the kiln is

firing.

moisture can build up inside the Kiln Sitter tube

as the kiln cools.

If the Kiln Sitter weight is still in the upper position af-

ter the kiln shuts off, the Limit Timer turned off the kiln.

Let the kiln cool to room temperature and examine the

small cone in the Kiln Sitter. Find out why the cone did

not shut off the kiln. You may have loaded the wrong cone,

or the actuating rod may be out of adjustment. You may

need to add more time to the Limit Timer the next time

you fire so that the falling weight shuts off the kiln.

Selecting Cones for the

Kiln Sitter

Only the small Orton pyrometric cone or the Bell bar

maybeusedintheKilnSitter.Thepyrometricbarwill

fire a little hotter than the small pyrometric cone.

Thesmallconeorthebarmaynotreacttoheatinex

actlythesamewayasalargepyrometricconeplacedup

right on the shelf. This is because of the difference in

size, weight, and positioning in the kiln.

A rule of thumb is to fire one cone hotter in the Kiln

Sitter than on the shelf. For the first few firings, place

three large pyrometric witness cones on a shelf a few

inchesfromtheKilnSittercone.Oneoftheselargecones

should be the same number as the small cone or bar in

the Kiln Sitter. The other two large cones should be one

cone hotter and one cone cooler.

Examine the cones after your first testing firing. If the

witnessconeofthecorrect

number is still straight, and

the Kiln Sitter shut off prop-

erly,fireahotterconeinthe

Kiln Sitter the next time. If the

witness cone bends too far or

“puddles,” fire a cooler cone in

the Kiln Sitter.

For instance, if you have a

small cone 05 in the Kiln Sit-

ter, the large cones on the shelf

should be 04, 05, and 06. When

the Kiln Sitter shuts off and

the kiln cools completely, in-

spect the cones. If the large

cone 05 on the shelf bent to six

o'clock, the small Kiln Sitter

cone and the large witness

cone should be of the same

cone number during future

firings. If the large cone 04

bent to six o'clock, use a cone

rated one cone cooler in the

KilnSitterthanontheshelf.If

the large cone 06 bent to six

o'clock, use a cone rated one

cone hotter in the Kiln Sitter

than on the shelf. (See the

cone temperature charts in “Paragon Ceramic Kiln In-

struction & Service Manual” to understand how cones

are rated.)

Since the witness cones are on the shelf where the

ware is placed, the witness cones measure the maturity of

the ware more accurately than the small cone in the Kiln

Sitter. To get like firings, you must place the cone in the

Kiln Sitter exactly the same way each time. You MUST

always center the cone so that at least 3/16" of the thick

end of the cone extends past the cone support. Do not try

to get a hotter firing except by using a hotter cone, and

vice versa.

If your Kiln Sitter is

properly adjusted and

the small cone is cor-

rectly inserted, the cone in the Kiln Sitter will bend into a

U" shape at the end of the firing.

Loading Around the

Refractory Tube

Loading too close to the Kiln Sitter refractory tube

could cause an overfire.

Keep ceramic

shelves at least 1/2

inch above or be-

low the Kiln Sitter

tube. If jarred, a

shelf that is even

with the tube

could stop the ac-

tuating rod from

dropping all the

way, causing an

overfire.

Do not position poorly

stilted ware near the

end of the refractory

tube. If someone

bumps the kiln, an un-

stable stilted piece

could fall against the

actuating rod, causing

an overfire.

Never load moist

greenware in your kiln.

It could explode, and a

pieceofclaycouldlodgebeneaththeactuatingrod

or inside the porcelain tube.

An overfired witness cone.

An underfired witness cone.

Witness cone fired to matu-

rity.

Before closing the lid, shine a flashlight down

into the kiln to check the cone and actuating rod

one last time. Position the shelves so that they do

notblocktheviewoftheKilnSitterconefrom

above.

Note: Donotallowapieceofglazedwaretoex-

tend past a shelf and over the Kiln Sitter cone. If

the glaze drips from the ware onto the cone and

actuating rod, the cone could harden, fail to bend,

and overfire the kiln.

Summary of Kiln Sitter

Operation

Turn the kiln switch(es) to the OFF position.

Cleanoffoldkilnwashfromtheconesupports

and rod and apply new before each firing.

Check that the sensing rod moves freely and is

centered in the tube. Check that the weight falls

when you lift the release claw.

Raise the weight and lower the release claw over

the trigger.

Check that the number on the small pyrometric

cone is correct. Place the cone under the actuat-

ing rod and on top of the cone supports.

Load the kiln; place pyrometric cones behind

each peephole.

SettheLimitTimerdialtotheestimatedfiring

time plus 30 minutes.

Push in the plunger.

Never leave the Kiln Sitter unattended during fir-

ing. Though it shuts off the kiln automatically, it

still needs the operator's attention.

Kiln Shuts Off Too Soon or Too Late

Adjust the Kiln Sitter as shown on pages 5 - 6.

Kiln Sitter Shuts Off Before Witness Cones Bend

Raise the weight.

Press in the plunger.

Gently lower the weight.

WARNING: This puts the kiln on MANUAL CON-

TROL and prevents the Kiln Sitter from cutting off auto-

matically. When large witness cones bend, turn the kiln

switch(es) to the OFF position. Then trip the Kiln Sitter

by raising the weight and dropping.

Before the next firing, use the firing gauge to

check the adjustment of the Kiln Sitter trigger

(see page 6). See also "Selecting Cones for the

Kiln Sitter," page 9.

Witness Cones Bend Before Kiln Sitter Shuts Off

Turn the kiln switch(es) to the OFF position.

After the kiln has cooled, compare the small cone

in the Kiln Sitter with the witness cones on the

shelves. Determine if the small cone bent almost

to the cut off point. In most cases, firing a few

minutes longer with the Kiln Sitter cutting itself

off would have no adverse effect on the ware.

However, avoid overfiring glass, reds, and porce-

lain.

See "Selecting Cones for the Kiln Sitter," page 9.

Points To Remember

DOadjusttheguideplateiftheroddoesnotfallfreely

to the bottom of the oblong slot.

DO leave clearance inside the kiln around the actuat-

ing rod.

DO check the Kiln Sitter with pyrometric witness

cones.

DO place the Kiln Sitter cone in the same position

each time for the same firing results.

DO use a hotter cone for a hotter firing.

Check the Kiln Sitter cone with a flash light before

closing the lid and firing the kiln.

Set the Limit Timer. Push in the plunger.

DOcleanoffoldkilnwashfromconesupportholders

and apply new before each firing.

DO check the Kiln Sitter adjustments often.

DO NOT use your kiln before you read and under-

stand this section.

DO NOT fire with the firing gauge in place.

DO NOT throw firing gauge away.

DONOTloadshelvesandwaresoclosetotherefrac

tory tube that either would interfere with the drop of the

actuating rod.

DO NOT put anything near your kiln sitter exterior

that would keep the weight from dropping freely.

DO NOT let kiln wash get into the refractory tube, or

onto the cone or heating elements.

DO NOT adjust the trigger to control shut off point.

Adjust the shut off point by using cooler or hotter cones.

Kiln Switches

This section covers the

switches on the S- and

SnF-series kilns. To find out

which kiln you have, please see

the small black electrical data

plate attached to the side of the

switch box.

You can also tell by looking

at the switch box. Infinite con-

trol switches are labeled with

MIN and MAX. Switch-timers

are labeled with HOURS. If

your kiln has only infinite con-

trol switches, read the section

for S-series kilns. If the top

switch on your kiln is an infi-

nite control but the 2nd and

3rd switch(es) are labeled with

HOURS, read the section for

SnF-series kilns.

All Models

The warranty on your kiln does not cover damage from

overfiring, regardless of the circumstances. It is the oper-

ator's responsibility to make sure the kiln turns off when

the firing is completed. Never leave your kiln unattended

near the end of the firing.

Check your new kiln frequently during the first few fir-

ings, and note the color change inside the kiln. After

awhile you can learn to estimate, with considerable accu-

racy, when the kiln is about to shut off just by observing

the color inside the kiln.

The Clicking Sound of the Infinite Control

Do not be alarmed when your kiln makes a clicking

sound during firing. Infinite control switches on S- and

SnF-series kilns click as they cycle on and off until turned

to high.

S-Series Models: Kilns with

Infinite Control Switches

S-Series kilns are manually operated with infinite con-

trol switches.

WARNING: After the

Kiln Sitter shuts the

kiln off, turn all

switches to their OFF

position.

When you engage the Kiln

Sitter and turn on a switch, the elements controlled by

that switch cycle on and off. You will hear them hum as

they turn on. A click followed by silence means the ele-

The SnF switch-timer.

The infinite control switch.

ments for that

switch have cycled

off. The higher the

setting, the longer

the elements stay

on during each cy-

cle. On the MAX

(High) position,

the elements stay

on continuously.

The switch can

be turned from

MIN, 1 - 5, to MAX.

MIN is the slowest

heating rate. The 3

position is Me-

dium. As you turn

the switch from

MIN to progres-

sively higher num-

bers, the kiln be-

gins to heat at a

faster rate. The

switch is called an

infinite control be-

cause you can posi-

tion the pointer anywhere between MIN and MAX to vary

the firing rate. When you finally turn the switch to MAX,

the kiln will fire at the maximum rate.

QIs there any documentation that has the ap-

proximaterateofspeedontheinfinitecontrol

switch? For example, the heating rate when the

knob is set to 2.5.

AThe heating rate at a particular infinite control

setting varies from one kiln to another. This is

because the rate at each setting depends on the

sizeofthekiln,voltage,ageofelements,typeof

insulation, etc.

QInstructions for certain glazes state that the

kiln should be fired at a certain rate per hour.

How do you know how fast the kiln is firing?

AUse a pyrometer to figure the firing rate at

each switch setting on your particular kiln. The

rate at those settings will be fairly repeatable.

If your S-series kiln has more than one switch, you can

use them to help balance the heat in the kiln. The top

switch controls heating elements in the top half of the

kiln; the bottom switch controls heating elements in the

bottom half. If your kiln has three switches, the middle

switch controls elements in the middle of the kiln. To add

more heat to a section of the kiln, turn the switch for that

section to a higher position sooner than the other

switches.

S-Series Firing Schedules

These firing schedules are only suggestions. You will

need to test fire your kiln to find the schedule best suited

foryourware.MostS-Serieskilnsalsohaveagen

eral-purpose firing schedule printed on the front of the

kiln's switch box.

Decals

Prop the lid in the vented

position and remove the

peephole plug(s). Turn

switch(es) to MIN for 45

minutes or until moisture

no longer appears on a mir-

ror held near the lid. (Mois-

ture indicates that steam is

still coming out of the kiln.)

Turn switch(es) to MAX (High). Close the lid

from the vented position and insert the plug in

the bottom peephole.

Low-Fire Greenware and Glaze

Prop the lid in the vented

position and remove the

peephole plug(s). Turn

switch(es) to MIN for 2

hours or until moisture no

longer appears on a mirror

held near the lid. (Moisture

indicates that steam is still

coming out of the kiln.)

Turnswitch(es)to3(Medium)for2hours.

Turn switch(es) to MAX (High). Close the lid

from the vented position and insert the plug in

the bottom peephole.

Porcelain and Stoneware

Prop the lid in the vented

position and remove the

peephole plug(s). Turn

switch(es) to MIN for 1 1/2

hours or until moisture no

longer appears on a mirror

held near the lid. (Moisture

indicates that steam is still

coming out of the kiln.)

Turn switch(es) to 3 (Medium) for 1 1/2 hours.

Turn switch(es) to MAX (High). Close the lid

from the vented position and insert the plug in

the bottom peephole.

The infinite control switches.

How to Control the Cooling

Rate of an S-Series Kiln

After you hear the Kiln Sitter weight drop and the kiln

shuts off, 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 fir-

ing again. Please be aware that

the Kiln Sitter is operating on

manual and will not shut off

the kiln.

With a pyrometer, adjust

the switches to maintain the

desired cooling rate. When the

needle on the pyrometer goes

too high, lower the switch set-

tings. When the needle goes

too low, raise the switch

settings.

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 edge of

the lid.) You might want to ex-

periment with a test sample be-

fore adjusting the cooling rate of

afullloadofware.

Note: You can set the Limit

Timerforthelengthofthe

desired cooling time.

SnF-Series Models:

Non-Digital Automatic

Kilns

The SnF-series kilns fire in stages. Set the switches at

the beginning of the firing, and the kiln will automatically

go through its firing stages,

turning itself up at the proper

time.

WARNING: After the

Kiln Sitter shuts the

kiln off, turn all

switches to their OFF

position.

The top switch is an infinite control. When you engage

the Kiln Sitter and turn on the top switch, the elements

controlled by that switch cycle on and off. You will hear

them hum as they turn on. A click followed by silence

means the elements for that switch have cycled off. The

higher the setting,

the longer the ele-

ments stay on during

each cycle. On the

MAX (Maximum, or

High) position, the

elements stay on

continuously. The

setting on the top

switch remains the

same throughout the

firing unless you

manually change it.

The second

switch is a timer. It

does not cycle on and

off like an infinite

control. When you

turn the timer knob

pointer to a number,

you are NOT turn-

ing on the heating el-

ements for that

switch.Instead,you

are setting the timer

for the hours of fir-

ing that will elapse before its elements turn on. The

switch-timer will begin counting down its time only when

the top switch is turned on.

The third switch (if your kiln has one) is also a timer.

The third switch begins counting down its time only

when the second switch runs out of time.

When the timers run out of time, they click on. To turn

them back off, turn clockwise one more click. Do this af-

ter the Kiln Sitter shuts off at the end of a firing.

In summary, the heating elements controlled by the

top switch come on at the beginning of the firing. The el-

ements powered by the second switch (and third, if your

kiln has one) remain off until the timer runs out of time.

SnF-82 & SnF-82-3

These kilns fire in two stages: LOW and HIGH. Turn

the top switch to the amount of power that you want dur-

ing LOW, the first stage.

The second switch is a timer. Turn the switch pointer

to the number of hours that you want to fire the kiln on

LOW. As the kiln fires, you will notice that the pointer

gradually moves toward the ON position. When the time

is up, the second switch turns on stage two elements full

power. The kiln is then firing on HIGH.

Look inside your kiln. It has eight rows of brick grooves

each containing an element. Counting down from the

top, switch #1 controls elements 2, 4, 6 and 8. Switch #2

controls elements 1, 3, 5 and 7.

SnF-24, SnF-24-3 & SnF-28-3

SnF kilns with three switches fire in three stages:

LOW, MEDIUM, and HIGH. Three-switch kilns oper-

ate the same as the two-switch kilns just described except

Set the Limit Timer.

A pyrometer measures the

heat inside a kiln.

that you add one more stage. Turn the top switch to the

amount of power that you want during LOW, the first

stage.

The second switch is a timer. Turn the switch pointer

to the number of hours that you want to fire the kiln on

LOW. As the kiln fires, you will notice that the pointer

gradually moves toward the ON position. When the time

is up, the second switch turns on its elements full power.

The kiln is then firing on MEDIUM.

The third switch is also a timer. Turn the switch

pointer to the number of hours that you want to fire the

kiln on MEDIUM. The third switch will begin counting

down the time only when the second switch turns on.

When the third switch’s time is up, the third switch turns

on its elements full power. The kiln is then firing on

HIGH.

Look inside your kiln. It has 12 rows of brick grooves

each containing an element. Counting down from the

top, switch #1 controls elements 3, 6, 9 and 12. Switch #2

controls elements 2, 5, 8 and 11. Switch #3 controls ele-

ments1,4,7and10.

SnF-66 & SnF-66-3

These kilns have four elements. During LOW, the

four elements are powered by the top switch. It is an infi-

nite control. Turn the top switch to the amount of power

that you want during LOW, the first stage. When the sec-

ond switch runs out of time, the elements all turn on full

power.

Changing Firing Speed of an SnF Kiln

To fire slower, turn the top switch to a lower number

and the 2nd (and 3rd) switch(es) to a higher number. To

fire faster, turn the top switch to a higher number and the

2nd(and3rd)toalower.

QMy SnF kiln is taking too long to fire.

AIf the top switch setting is too low, the kiln will

not reach maximum temperature, because the

elements for that switch will not get hot enough.

Turn that switch to a higher setting.

QShould I set switches 2 and 3 to one hour if I

want the kiln to fire one hour?

ANo. The elements for switches #2 and #3

turn on when the switches are in the ON position.

The switches are countdown timers, and the

numbers they point to are hours of time that will

elapse before the switches turn on.

QDo you make the kiln fire hotter by turning

switch 2 and 3 to higher numbers?

ANo. The higher the number on switch 2 and 3,

the longer it will take for those switches to turn

on.

Operating Instructions for

SnF-Series Kilns

These switch settings are only guidelines. Feel free to

change them to suit your firing needs.

SnF-82 & SnF-82-3

Turn switches to their OFF position.

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 #3.

Setsecondswitchto1Hr.

Cone 04 - 014

Set top switch to position #4.

Setsecondswitchto2Hrs.

Cone 03 - 8

Set top switch to MAX.

Setsecondswitchto3Hrs.

SnF-24, SnF-24-3 & SnF-28-3

Turn switches to their OFF position.

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 #3.

Setsecondswitchto1Hr.

Set third switch to 1 Hr.

Cone 04 - 014

Set top switch to position #5.

Setsecondswitchto1Hr.

Set third switch to 2 Hrs.

Cone 03 - 8

Set top switch to MAX.

Setsecondswitchto2Hrs.

Set third switch to 2 Hrs.

SnF-66 & SnF-66-3

Turn switches to their OFF position.

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.

Setsecondswitchto1Hr.

Cone 04 - 014

Set top switch to position #3.

Setsecondswitchto2Hrs.

Cone 03 - 8

Set top switch to position #4.

Setsecondswitchto3Hrs.

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

Timerforthelengthofcon

trolled cooling time.

QHow do I candle an SnF

kiln overnight?

AEngage 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-

mentswithanohmmeter.(See“ParagonCeramicKiln

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.

Set the Limit Timer.

Before replacing elements, make sure the problem is

not merely low voltage, which can double firing time and

strain elements. It is common during hot summer days. If

low voltage is a problem, schedule firing during off-peak

hours when the voltage is higher.

You may also be firing a 240 volt kiln on a 208 volt out-

let. (240 and 208 volt receptacles look the same.) If you are

not sure which voltage you have, call your power company.

Fuse Blows Or Circuit Breaker Trips

Probable Causes:

■Overloaded circuit

■A short in the receptacle wiring or kiln wiring

Ifthekilnblowsafuseortripsabreakerimmediately,

the problem is a short in the kiln wiring or circuit wiring.

Do not attempt to fire until corrected.

If the fuse blows or breaker trips after the kiln has fired

for some time, the problem is an overloaded circuit, not a

short circuit. (A short circuit or “short” causes a large

amount of current to flow, generating so much heat that

the fuse or breaker opens the circuit almost instantly.)

Make sure no other appliances are used on the kiln’s cir-

cuit. Have an electrician check the circuit wire and

breaker sizes. If the breaker trips only once in awhile, you

may have a weak breaker that should be replaced.

Wire heats when an electric current passes through it.

If the same current passes through both a small wire and

a large wire, the smaller wire will reach a higher tempera-

ture. A fuse uses this principle to protect the wiring in a

building. It has a small, short wire of low melting temper-

ature metal connected in such a manner that all current

passing through the circuit must also pass through the

fuse. A circuit breaker uses a tiny heating element to heat

a thermostat, which interrupts the current when the

maximum safe amount is reached.

A loose or poor connection at the fuse or breaker will

generate heat. If the fuse or circuit breaker panel feels

unusually warm, have your electrician check for loose

connections, particularly at the center screw of the fuse

socket,eveninanewfusebox.

Hot Plug Or Outlet

If you smell burning plastic, turn off the breaker im-

mediately. Touch the wall receptacle faceplate. If it feels

hot,replacethereceptacle.Replacethekilncordifithas

been damaged by heat. Do not fire until repaired.

Note: As the kiln fires, it is a good habit to place

your hand on the kiln's power cord to check the

temperature. It is okay if the cord is slightly

warm, but it should never feel hot.

Middle Elements Do Not Glow Red

The middle elements in most Paragon kilns do not

glow as bright as the top and bottom elements. Do not be

concerned as long as the kiln is firing properly.

Kiln Heats Unevenly

You can increase heat in a section of the kiln by loading

that section lighter; lower heat by loading heavier. In-

crease mass to lower temperature; decrease mass to raise

temperature. Fire the kiln more slowly. Slow firing gives

the heat time to even out inside the firing chamber.

Infinite Control Switch Wears Out

Prematurely

The infinite control switch makes a clicking noise dur-

ing operation. This is the sound of a bimetallic timer

turning the elements on or off to control the firing rate.

When the switch is about to fail, it sometimes makes a

faint popping instead of a clicking noise. This is a sign to

order a new switch.

Probable Causes:

■New elements are higher amperage than the kiln was

designed for.

■Push-on connectors are loose.

■The kiln's heat shield is missing.

■A 120 volt switch is installed on a 240 volt kiln.

■The kiln room is too hot.

Loose connectors over-heat the switch by creating a

tiny electrical arc inside the connector.

The kiln's heat shield is a sheet metal channel that

helps guide heat away from the switch box. The heat

shield is under the porcelain insulators of most kilns.

120 volt and 240 volt switches look the same; the volt-

ageisprintedontheswitchbody.

Switches burn up more frequently on hot summer

days. In this case, use a fan to circulate air through the kiln

switch box. But do not blow air against the outside of the

firing chamber.

The SnF Switch-Timer Fails

Probable Causes:

■Disconnected wire

■Defective switch-timer motor

Paragon SnF kilns use an infinite control switch plus

one or two switch-timers. (The Limit Timer on the Kiln

Sitter is a different type of timer.)

A wire from the PL terminal on the infinite control

switch powers a clock motor on the switch-timer. After

the correct amount of time has elapsed, the switch-timer

turns on additional elements.

If you have just replaced a switch-timer, and the new

timer does not operate, the reason is usually a crossed

wire. The easiest way to track down the problem is to

trace the wires inside the switch box using the kiln's wir-

ing diagram. (Before examining the wiring, please un-

plug or disconnect the kiln.)

Kiln Sitter Trouble

Shooter

The Kiln Sitter Fails To Shut Off

Probable Causes:

■The cone is sticking to the cone supports. This pre-

vents the cone from sagging properly.

■There is no play between the trigger and the release

claw.

■The actuating rod is not centered in the porcelain

tube.

■The kiln is not level.

■The wrong cone was loaded in the Kiln Sitter.

If the Kiln Sitter does not shut off when the weight

drops,see“CleantheBackSideoftheKilnSitter,”next

page.

The Limit Timer Clock Does Not Operate.

Probable Causes:

■Oneofthewiresthatcon-

nects the clock motor to

the power has burned out.

■The timer motor is burned

out.

The Kiln Sitter

Plunger (Button)

Won't Stay Pressed In

Probable Causes:

■The Limit Timer is set to

■Something is obstructing

the locking slide.

■Thelockingslideisrusted

or dirty.

■Thespringforthelocking

slide is broken.

A wire may be in the way of the Kiln Sitter plunger

mechanism, preventing it from locking in the on position.

Sometimes heat causes a wire to move inside the switch

box.

Something may have fallen into the switch box and is

interfering with the plunger: a matchstick, a piece of

dried clay, a lost screw. If anything lodges where the con-

tact blocks come together, the plunger will not stay locked

on.

The locking catch is rusted or has material stuck to it.

To free the catch, try rotating the Limit Timer knob past

20 hours while pressing the Kiln Sitter plunger.

The Kiln Sitter Plunger Overheats

If the Kiln Sitter overheats, the white plastic plunger

cangetsohotthatitmelts.Waystopreventthis:

Make sure the high temperature washer on the

porcelain tube is pressed against the firebrick kiln

wall. A spring wire retainer keeps the washer in

place. This helps prevent heat from escaping the

kiln.

Check the wires that are connected to the Kiln Sit-

ter contact block. If they are loose or corroded,

they will cause the block to overheat. This, in turn,

overheats the plunger. Heating and cooling of the

kiln can loosen the screws over time.

Has anyone ever replaced the wires that are at-

tached to the Kiln Sitter contact block? Another

reason for overheating is that the wires are too

light a gauge.

Circulate air with a fan if the firing room tempera-

ture rises past 110 degrees F. (Measure room

temperature about 3 feet from the kiln.)

The Kiln Sitter Gives Inconsistent Firing

Results

Probable Causes:

■The actuating rod is bent.

■The actuating rod is cor-

roded.

■Theconesupportsare

warped or corroded.

The actuating rod in the

Kiln Sitter rests on top of the

cone. As the cone bends, the

rod moves downward and re-

leases a trigger that shuts off

the kiln.

As the rod corrodes, it no longer moves freely inside

the porcelain tube. The rod's pivot point causes sluggish

movement of the rod. If your Kiln Sitter is giving incon-

sistent results, this is one of the possible causes. When

you raise the rod from inside the kiln and let go, the rod

should drop freely.

The tip of the rod corrodes as it ages. That is natural.

However, if the corrosion extends all the way up to the

pivot point inside the porcelain tube, your kiln is most

likely subjected to too much moisture.

The solution to excessive moisture inside the kiln is to

dry the ware longer before firing. You could also leave the

kiln on low for a longer period at the beginning of the fir-

ing. It is better, though, to dry the ware thoroughly before

placing it inside the kiln.

Leave the top peephole plug out. This allows moisture

to exit the kiln through the peephole instead of through

the Kiln Sitter tube. But if you use the Orton down-draft

Vent Master, keep all peephole plugs inserted throughout

the firing. Leave the Vent Master on during both firing

Slide out the cone supports to

examine.

and cooling. If you turn the Vent Master off when the kiln

fires to maturity, moisture can build up inside the Kiln

Sitter tube as the kiln cools.

If the Kiln Sitter tube corrodes even though you use a

Vent Master, make sure that you have enough negative

pressure inside the kiln. Orton recommends holding a

matchaboveoneoftheairintakeholesinthelid.Theair

flowing into the hole should pull the flame toward the

hole.

Cones Break In The Kiln Sitter

Probable Causes:

■Hairline cracks in cones

■Too much pressure against cone

■Fast firing

■Kiln Sitter is out of adjustment

When handled roughly, cones develop hairline cracks,

which can break during firing. This is the most common

reason for cone breakage in the Kiln Sitter.

The Kiln Sitter sensing rod binding at the pivot point

can exert too much pressure against the cone. Binding of

therodcanbeduetoglazebuildupinsidetheporcelain

tube. Make sure the sensing rod can pivot freely.

Theconehasanumberstampedontooneofthesides.

You should place the cone in the Kiln Sitter with the

number side down. That side is the smoothest of the

three sides. Placing that side down lessens the chance of

breakage.

Note: Never apply pressure to the cone when you

load it into the Kiln Sitter. Handle cones as if they

were extremely fragile.

Maintenance

Caution: Whenever you turn off the circuit

breaker to your kiln, tape the breaker box door

shut and leave a note saying, "WORKING ON

KILN. BREAKER OFF."

Note: When replacing parts, mark wires with col-

ored tape for easy reassembly of the kiln. It is also

useful to photograph the switch box with a cell

phone before you remove any

parts. Refer to the photo if nec-

essary as you install the new

part.

Maintaining the Kiln Sitter

Note: Youcanseesomeofthetheseprocedures

on video at www.paragonweb.com.

Adjust the Kiln Sitter every dozen or so firings. Please

see pages 5 - 7.

Clean the Back Side of the Kiln Sitter

If the Kiln Sitter does not shut off when the weight

drops,thelockingslideinsidetheKilnSittermaybecor

roded or dirty. About once a year, clean the back side of

the Kiln Sitter:

Disconnect the power

from the kiln.

Make sure there is no

cone or firing gauge

in the Kiln Sitter.

Remove the screws

from the switch box

that houses the Kiln

Sitter. Pull the box

straight out to avoid

damaging the Kiln

Sitter tube.

Taking a picture with a cell

phone.

Labeling wires with tape.

Leaving the wires attached to the Kiln Sitter, clean

the backside of the Kiln Sitter. Canned air is help-

ful. (But do not blow air into the Kiln Sitter tube.)

Reinstall the switch box. Arrange the wires so they

do not interfere with the locking slide that trips

whentheweightdrops.(Youcanseehowthelock

ing slide works by lifting the weight, pressing the

plunger, and then dropping the weight.) Also, ar-

range the wires inside the switch box so that wires

do not touch the element connectors or the kiln

case.

Clean the Kiln

Sitter Tube

Each time you

vacuum the kiln,

also vacuum the

Kiln Sitter tube as-

sembly. First, re-

move the cone

supports from the

Kiln Sitter tube.

Then place a vac-

uum hose directly over the tube. This removes debris and

rust from around the pivot point. Do not blow com-

pressed air into the tube.

Debris from exploding ware inside the kiln sometimes

lodges in the Kiln Sitter refractory tube. These fragments

can interfere with the travel of the actuating rod, resulting

in an overfire. After you have removed exploded clay frag-

ments from the firing chamber, always check the refrac-

tory tube for debris. It may not be readily apparent that

fragments are inside the tube. Check the travel of the ac-

tuatingrod.Itshouldbefreetomoveupanddown

without binding.

Note: Probe the inside of the Kiln Sitter tube with

a clean artist’s brush. Keep the brush near the

kiln for checking the tube.

Replacing the Porcelain

Tube Assembly

Replacetheporcelaintubeassemblywhenthemove

ment of the sensing rod becomes sluggish or when the

sensing rod is bent. Be sure the replacement tube assem-

bly is the correct length for you kiln.

Disconnect the power to the kiln.

Make sure there is no cone or firing gauge in the

Kiln Sitter.

Remove and save the

screwsatthesideof

the switch box that

hold it to the kiln and

remove the box, care-

fully pulling straight

out to avoid damaging

the Kiln Sitter tube.

You may need to prop

the box on a chair or

other object as you lean

the box against the

kiln. Leave the wires

attached to the Kiln

Sitter.

Place the vacuum hose directly over the Kiln Sitter tube.

Remove the cone supports before vacuum-

ing the Kiln Sitter tube.

Note: While you have the Kiln Sitter out, it is a

good idea to clean the back side of the Kiln Sitter

with compressed air.

Remove the 2

screws holding

theguideplateto

the front of the

Kiln Sitter.

Remove the guide plate.

Remove the 2 screws that hold the porcelain tube

bracket to the Kiln Sitter.

Prop the switch box on a chair or other ob-

ject. Do not strain the wires.

If your kiln is direct wired, you will also need to disconnect the electri-

cal terminal box.

This manual suits for next models

Table of contents

Other Paragon Kiln manuals

Paragon

Paragon FireFly User manual

Paragon

Paragon Home Artist-120 User manual

Paragon

Paragon MagicFuse User manual

Paragon S Series Troubleshooting guide