DIY Kiln Error Code

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rcw320

Joined
Jan 11, 2021
Messages
6
Hello,
I just made a diy kiln for heat treating (plan on doing stainless soon) and after reaching 1300F, keep getting an "HH" code.
I would appreciate any help or ideas to help figure out what the problem is.

It's a smaller, 120V kiln using 2500F fire bricks purchased here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/776181012/insulating-fire-brick-25-x-45-x-9-2500f?ref=yr_purchases

Interior dimensions are 4" height, 4.5" wide, 9" depth= .10 cubic feet
kanthal1 18g @ 13 ohms
120V
9.1 amps
1100 watts

PID: Twidec MV100. It came with SSR https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07LD1DNCT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thermocouple is Yeeco+ Type K: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XJ0VUBG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I've read the owner's manual and there is no reference to error codes.

I've googled multiple keyword searches and found no help.

I've checked all of my PID settings to make sure it's set for a type K thermocouple and it is.

Not sure what else to try.

Thanks, Robert
 
Looked at my PID manual (different PID) and mine showed no HH code so I googled "Twidec MV100 HH error code" and this was in a Amazon review of that PID

"And there a code HH that is not describe anywhere... it's the TC that is not connected or at the wrong place."

I wonder if your wires are crossed - the way my diy oven is wired-
yellow wire goes from #4 positive pid terminal to positive side of thermocouple
red wire goes from #5 negative pid terminal to negative side of thermocouple
 
Britt_Askew said:
Looked at my PID manual (different PID) and mine showed no HH code so I googled "Twidec MV100 HH error code" and this was in a Amazon review of that PID

"And there a code HH that is not describe anywhere... it's the TC that is not connected or at the wrong place."

I wonder if your wires are crossed - the way my diy oven is wired-
yellow wire goes from #4 positive pid terminal to positive side of thermocouple
red wire goes from #5 negative pid terminal to negative side of thermocouple
Click to expand...
I was wondering if my thermocouple was hooked up incorrectly and re-checked the manual.
It would appear that it is indeed hooked up correct.

It seems to work just fine, until about 1300F then starts giving the error code.
I'm going to tinker around with it some more tomorrow.
 
Without the manual, it's pretty difficult to offer any insight. Do you have a link to the manual, or can you scan/photograph it and post pics?

My first port of call would be to check the input type and/or range selection. "We" tend to want the full (2500 degF, 1372 degC, maximum) range of the type K thermocouple, but other applications will often use a reduced range: if you were running a sous-vide cooker, for example, you would want a much lower maximum range and a higher resolution than you'd want for a HT kiln. Check you have type K input and a reasonable range selected. Most controllers have a number code for the input type/range. For many of the popular, cheap, controllers, Type K to 400 degC is the default range (752 degF), though I've also come across Type k to 800 degC (1472 degF).
 
Here's the manual:

LikNl5.jpg
5kKosq.jpg
 
Are you sure it is set to F not C. 1300C ( 2500F) is the max temp for that PID.
 
Last edited:
Stacy beat me to it.

Does the 1300 degF temperature seem credible, judged by anything other than the controller display, when it is being displayed? 1300 degF is below the Austenitizing temperature for any steel I am familiar with. I'd expect a dull red colour visible only in low light conditions.

1300 degC on the other hand, is pretty bright. I'd describe it as yellow, but I'm colourblind and don't necessarily see colour the way other folk do.

I'd get it to 1300 on the display in a reasonably dark room, switch off, count to ten, open the door and look inside.
 
I did another run today.
Unfortunately, it is F not C.

I used a chunk of 1075, got it up to 1300. The HH error code popped up.
I checked the 1075, it was still magnetic and barely glowing at all.

I'm going to get a different thermocouple from kilnparts dot com and try that.

Not sure what else to do.

Thanks for any help, Robert
 
If I was to venture a guess, the HH code is for "HIGH" or "MAX" temperature.
Either the PID unit isn't good to 2500°F (some have 1300°F as the top range), or the range needs to be set to 2500°F in the parameters as Tim pointed out (Type K = 1300C is code K-B3).
 
rcw320 said:
Hello,
I just made a diy kiln for heat treating (plan on doing stainless soon) and after reaching 1300F, keep getting an "HH" code.
I would appreciate any help or ideas to help figure out what the problem is.

It's a smaller, 120V kiln using 2500F fire bricks purchased here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/776181012/insulating-fire-brick-25-x-45-x-9-2500f?ref=yr_purchases

Interior dimensions are 4" height, 4.5" wide, 9" depth= .10 cubic feet
kanthal1 18g @ 13 ohms
120V
9.1 amps
1100 watts

PID: Twidec MV100. It came with SSR https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07LD1DNCT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thermocouple is Yeeco+ Type K: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XJ0VUBG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I've read the owner's manual and there is no reference to error codes.

I've googled multiple keyword searches and found no help.

I've checked all of my PID settings to make sure it's set for a type K thermocouple and it is.

Not sure what else to try.

Thanks, Robert
Click to expand...
Hey Robert. Saw your post. I’m having the same problem. Twidec mv100.
It goes well over 1300 f with no HH, only I’m in Celsius do the conversion. Plus I have another separate thermal reader I hook up to the same type K coupler. Did you get it worked out in F.
I do ok with pids but currently can’t get past this one.
Thanks my friend
 
Jeff Royer said:
Hey Robert. Saw your post. I’m having the same problem. Twidec mv100.
It goes well over 1300 f with no HH, only I’m in Celsius do the conversion. Plus I have another separate thermal reader I hook up to the same type K coupler. Did you get it worked out in F.
I do ok with pids but currently can’t get past this one.
Thanks my friend
Click to expand...
It only works proper if set to C. I can get 1200C no problem, but I always get the HH code on F.
IDK if it's some kind of software bug or what.
I made a little C-F Conversion chart and posted it on the wall by my kiln, it aint perfect but it does the job.
Good luck
 
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