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Paul, do you still need assistance with the Paragon A-99B?

Arnold Howard

Yes, you can buy a controller from Skutt for your kiln. The controller requires 24 volts AC of power and 12 volt coil relays.

Arnold Howard

Since the gouge in the floor is only 3/16", it will probably not affect the firing results. If you repaired it, you could fill in the gouge with Pyrolite, which is a filled that comes in a caulking tube. Then use a wide putty knife to smoothen the Pyrolite. I, too, am a servant of cats. Sincere...

Yes, remove the glass from the kiln floor. If it were my kiln, I might slide a hacksaw blade under the tile and very carefully break the adhesion between the glass and the ceramic fiber floor. Try to remove as little fiber as possible. If you have enough height inside the kiln, you might want to fir...

I would remove the glass tiles from the ceramic fiber floor before you fire the kiln again. Protect the floor from contact with glass in future firings. Thank you for your kind words about the Benchtop-16. Sincerely, Arnold Howard Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA ahoward@paragonweb.com ...

When I lifted the lid unknowing that the element was stuck in glass, the element broke in two. Of course I have to make a full fuse and a fire polish fuse before Friday show. Other than replacing the element, is there any way I can still fire the kiln? Potters make emergency, temporary element repa...

I would use a multimeter to be sure the kiln is drawing only 14 amps.

The fuse holder may be overheating. This would be due to a loose connection somewhere near the fuse box.

Sincerely,

Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com

To what extent do low spots in kiln shelves contribute to the development of fused glass bubbles? I am checking a flat-ground shelf with a steel ruler and wondered what you thought. Thanks, Sincerely, Arnold Howard Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb...

What type of top does your kiln have? Are the white flecks coming from cracks in the top? Have you tried cleaning the top with a brush? The brush removes loose particles, which can then be vacuumed before the next firing. Sincerely, Arnold Howard Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA ahoward...

Bartlett Instruments made the DTC 800. They can usually refurbish the circuit board for a nominal fee.

Sincerely,

Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com

Deb, please be very careful with a multimeter. If you test the connections with the kiln plugged in, you will be exposed to live wires.

Sincerely,

Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com

Deb, the problem could also be a disconnected wire. A multimeter would help determine why the elements are not turning on.

Sincerely,

Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com

I agree that the relay has probably failed. A relay is a switch that turns on the elements. The temperature controller turns on the relays. The heating elements in a glass kiln rarely fail. It is almost always a relay. The exception is the elements in crucible kilns. Sincerely, Arnold Howard Paragon...

The elements do not produce electromagnetic interference when they are turned off. This is true of even hot elements. The relays can produce a signal when they are clicking, or turned on. Sincerely, Arnold Howard Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com

If you are not sure about the safety of your pacemaker around your kiln, then turn off the kiln when you visually check the glass. Turn the kiln back on a few seconds later after you've checked the glass. Sincerely, Arnold Howard Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA ahoward@paragonweb.com /...

The Dragon cannot cool at a rate of 300 degrees F per hour, because the walls are thick. (An inch of block insulation is mounted behind the 3" firebricks.) The error code indicates that you programmed a cooling rate that is faster than the kiln is capable of reaching. The error code is merely t...

You can open the door 1/4" as the glass turns orange. Watch the glass a few seconds at a time as it begins to fuse. You will know exactly when the glass has finished fusing.

Sincerely,

Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com

I agree that it would be helpful to watch the glass as it fuses. Yes, you can install a window. Here are instructions: http://www.paragonweb.com/ManualInfo.cfm?CID=130 Be sure to wear green #3 firing safety glasses when you look through the window. Please let me know if you have questions. Sincerely...

Thanks Valerie! I agree that the kiln can fuse glass. I would run test firings to determine if the area near the front is cooler than the rest of the firing chamber. If so, place pieces near the front that are designed for a lighter fuse. Place pieces toward the back that need a fuller fuse. Sincere...

Meanwhile here are a few photos; this just doesn't seem like it should be normal for a new kiln lid. It is difficult to tell from the photos, but it appears that the kiln cement patches have been applied too thick. The coating must be very thin, or it will form little cracks and flake right off. Th...