Paragon Ramp Speed

[bobbywett]

Hello Folks,

My Paragon Model KM24D takes around 3-4 hours to ramp up to 1950 degrees and that’s on full ramp speed. I know it’s a deep kiln, but that’s the only issue I have with it. I love it otherwise.

Does anyone else have this issue with their Paragon?

 

[DanF]

When Ibought mine the paperwork stated a 27*F increase/minute. This was pretty much dead on until it hit around 1400*F, and then it seemed to take forever. I started “over setting” my target temp and then let it drop back to my intended target and let it stabilize before putting the knives in. I don’t know how much of the slow increase was from the furnace bricks soaking it up and/or how much was from the controls keeping the furnace from heating too quickly. From most of what I’ve seen from other posts, it does take a while. Someone knowledgeable will be along..., .

 

[bobbywett]

When Ibought mine the paperwork stated a 27*F increase/minute. This was pretty much dead on until it hit around 1400*F, and then it seemed to take forever. I started “over setting” my target temp and then let it drop back to my intended target and let it stabilize before putting the knives in. I don’t know how much of the slow increase was from the furnace bricks soaking it up and/or how much was from the controls keeping the furnace from heating too quickly. From most of what I’ve seen from other posts, it does take a while. Someone knowledgeable will be along..., .

My oven seems to ramp up to around 1100 fairly quick and then it dramatically slows down from there. It takes about 1.5 hours to reach 1400

I may just give them a call and see if I’m doing something wrong.

Thanks for you reply

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I will explain it is car terms.
A Corvette will go from 0 to 60 in a 5 seconds. It will reach 100mph in about twice that time.
A Chevette will go from 0 to 60mph 8 or 9 seconds. But, it won't reach 100mph for 40 or 50 seconds.

This is because the corvette is at 60% max speed at 100. The Chevette is right at 100% max speed at 100 - if it hits it at all.

Your oven is rated at 2000° max. Rated doesn't really mean it gets there easily ... or at all.
1950° is 97.5% of max - if your oven will even hit 2000°. I suspect that other factors are also hindering the max temperature (see below).

It will take your oven a very long time to heat to 1950°. Rebound will be long, too.

Things that will make a difference are:
Line voltage - the oven is rated on 240V. if your line voltage is 220V ( very common), you will only get 91.6% of the max temp.
Line wire gauge - for the voltage to be delivered for hours, you want 10 gauge wire. Even though the oven only draws 7.5 amps per leg, that still will require a sufficient size wire to prevent heating the wire and poweer loss.
Line length (voltage drop) - the farther from the power panel the oven is, the lower the final voltage.

 

[bobbywett]

I will explain it is car terms.
A Corvette will go from 0 to 60 in a 5 seconds. It will reach 100mph in about twice that time.
A Chevette will go from 0 to 60mph 8 or 9 seconds. But, it won't reach 100mph for 40 or 50 seconds.

This is because the corvette is at 60% max speed at 100. The Chevette is right at 100% max speed at 100 - if it hits it at all.

Your oven is rated at 2000° max. Rated doesn't really mean it gets there easily ... or at all.
1950° is 97.5% of max - if your oven will even hit 2000°. I suspect that other factors are also hindering the max temperature (see below).

It will take your oven a very long time to heat to 1950°. Rebound will be long, too.

Things that will make a difference are:
Line voltage - the oven is rated on 240V. if your line voltage is 220V ( very common), you will only get 91.6% of the max temp.
Line wire gauge - for the voltage to be delivered for hours, you want 10 gauge wire. Even though the oven only draws 7.5 amps per leg, that still will require a sufficient size wire to prevent heating the wire and poweer loss.
Line length (voltage drop) - the farther from the power panel the oven is, the lower the final voltage.

My father-in-law wired my shop up Stacy. I’m gonna go home and check out all the variables you just laid. Very simple and easy to understand.

Thank You