testing element???

balibalistic

balibalistic

Joined
Jul 14, 2004
Messages
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I need some help from those of you who have had to replace their element in heatreat oven.Anything to do with wiring/electrical is just foreign to me :o

First question: i cant visibly see a break in the element,so in order to test it i will need to use my multimeter.will i need to take the controler apart to touch where element is wired in,or can i check inside the oven on the element itself?also,what kind of reading would i be looking for??

Sorry for my lack of knowledge here,but theres gotta be others wanting to know :thumbup:
 
I believe the controller uses a relay to control current to the heating element. That way the circuit is open when the controller is off. You should be able to put you meter across each end on the element without removal. If you cant get to where the element wire come out of the kiln you can attache the probes to the element near the ends of the element.

You are looking for a reading in the low ohms, maybe 5 - 15 ohm. But that wont matter is the element is burned out you will get and very high reading (infinity). If it is burned out the meter really should not move when you attach the probes.

If the coil is OK test the voltage across the element, with you meter connected and sit on AC volts turn it on and see if you get 120 or 220 depending on your input voltage.
 
Ok,cool!!
i spoke with richard J for a bit and got some help.unfortunatly i think the multimeter i got is toast! have to borrow another tomorrow so i can check it out.
 
If on the ohm scale you connect to a voltage it will toast it, the ohm scale required a battery so maybe the battery is dead.
 
No,battery is good.i borrowed this off a friend.who i dont think has used it.i'll get another tomorrow..,or buy one.they're pretty cheap.thanks for the info.
 
Ok,i checked with a brand new ohmmeter and got nothing.sugarcreek said that means the element is toast.they said "we'll twist ya up a new one and ship it out tomorrow".they did'nt ask for warrantee info or anything.just sending another free of charge :)

now switching them out should be fun :jerkit:

Richard J,thanks for all your help yesterday! i'll be in touch soon,buddy!
 
Without a reading there is a break somewhere, its hard to see them inside the kiln. Notice that there are quite a few wire hangers holding the element in place, not to hard to replace but wear gloves, the brick is really hard on your hands.
 
Actually,i cant see any hangers.looks like the element just sits in a milled groove,although it looks forced in a few spots.i'm mainly worried about removing the digital controler to put new element in.i'll have more questions when i recieve it i'm sure.going to do a pictorial just for future reference!
 
Ok,i got the old element out,found the break and am attempting to put the new one in.the new one only fits snugly into the slot on a few areas where other areas it just pops up.can i get away with it sitting higher at some points?

these are easy to get out but a nightmare to put back in,firebrick breaks far to easy :mad:
 
take your time and just be careful. you might be able to put the element in place easier after it heats up. that old element is nichrome wire and would look neat mixed in with some damascus.
 
Thanks Richard! i just heard back from my pal Terry Guinn.he has same oven and had the same problem when he replaced his element. he said just stuff it in there best i can and go to town.going to give it a whirl :)
 
Hot,hot,hot......hot stuuuuf

Should i beak this in on a low temp or throw some blades in at 1950 and get to cookin???

thanks for your call again Richard :thumbup:
 
balibalistic said:
Hot,hot,hot......hot stuuuuf

Should i beak this in on a low temp or throw some blades in at 1950 and get to cookin???

thanks for your call again Richard :thumbup:
Click to expand...

It look like you got it up. I believe it will be ok. Put a blade in and see how it will do. :thumbup:

Terry
 
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Beautiful!!! just heatreated a couple blades at 1950.heated fast and held temp great.i'll do more this afternoon :)
 
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