Controller Tips & Tricks

3-Key Controllers

During an active firing, the INCREASE button will activate an options menu and scroll through the available options with each button press. These options allow you to make adjustments to the firing program without stopping the firing. The available options follow...

    • Skip Step - During an active heating, cooling or hold time, it is possible to skip ahead to the next program step. Press the INCREASE button to display the skip step prompt SStP. Then press the PROGRAM button to display the current ramp or hold segment. Press the PROGRAM button again to initiate the skip and the controller display returns to the normal firing mode. If the DECREASE button is pressed, the skip step function is canceled and the controller display returns to the normal firing mode.The skip function can be used to end a hold time early or to skip from any heating/cooling step to the next heating/cooling step. The skip function does nothing during the final program step. To end a final program step, simply press STOP.
    • Add Hold Time - During an active heating, cooling or hold time, it is possible to add more hold time to the current program step. Press the INCREASE button until the hold time prompt HLdt is displayed. Then Press the PROGRAM button to display the current hold time. Press the INCREASE button to add five (5) minute increments to the original hold time. Then press the PROGRAM button to return to the normal firing mode. If the DECREASE button is pressed while the HLDT prompt is displayed, the controller display returns to the normal firing mode.
    • Change Heating/Cooling Temperature - During an active heating, cooling or hold time, it is possible to change the heating or cooling temperature of the current program step. Press the INCREASE button until the change temperature prompt CHGT is displayed. Then press the PROGRAM button to display the current temperature setting. Adjust the temperature setting with the INCREASE or DECREASE buttons. Then press the PROGRAM button to return to the normal firing mode. If the DECREASE button is pressed while the CHGT prompt is displayed, the controller display returns to the normal firing mode.
    • Threshold Alarm - During the firing, it is possible to set an audible alarm and display alarm for when the actual temperature reaches a specified value. The buzzer will sound (for 30 seconds) and the display will show the alarm code ALAR.To set the alarm, press the INCREASE button during the active firing until the alarm prompt ALAR is displayed. Then press the PROGRAM button to display the current alarm temperature setting. Adjust the temperature setting with the INCREASE or DECREASE buttons. Then press the PROGRAM button to return to the normal firing mode. If the DECREASE button is pressed while the ALAr prompt is displayed, the controller display returns to the normal firing mode. The alarm is disabled (turned off) when the alarm value is set to 32°F (0ºC). The alarm value can be reset or changed many times during a single firing. To silence an active alarm, simply press any button.

     

    12-Key Controllers

    • Changing a Target Temperature During a Firing - If the kiln is firing and you need to modify the current ramp target temperature (or hold time), Press the #4 USER PROG key. The controller will display the current target temperature and setting. Use the numeric keypad to change the temperature value and press ENTER. The controller will next display the current ramp hold time and setting. This too can be modified if necessary. Press ENTER again to exit the editing mode.
    • Adding Time to a Hold - If the kiln is firing and you need to add time to the current ramp hold time, press the #2 ADD TIME key. Five (5) minutes will be added to the hold time each time the key is pressed. If the firing is in the first ramp, you can only edit the first ramp hold time. To edit the second ramp hold time, wait until the firing has progressed into the second ramp.
    • Skip Step - To end a hold before the time has expired, use the Skip Step function to advance to the next ramp. Press the #9 SKIP key to view the next ramp and press ENTER.
    • Threshold Alarm - To sound an audible alarm when the controller reaches a temperature, press the #7 ALARM key. ALAR shows in the display alternating with the alarm temperature. You can use the numerical keypad to enter a new alarm temperature or press Enter to keep the existing value. Setting the value to zero disables the alarm feature. When the kiln reaches the alarm temperature, the display will indicate ALAR and the buzzer will sound. Silence the alarm by pressing any key except STOP. Pressing STOP ends the firing. You can program the alarm before you start the firing or during the firing.