For all of you electrically minded folks out there, how difficult would it be to replace an existing controller with a different one?
I have a Denver clamshell that has a TSC Red Lion controller on it that is the most counter intuitive thing I have ever encountered. I love my Rampmaster II on my Evenheat and wondered about getting one for the Denver as well.
How difficult would it be to swap them out?
Thanks, Lisa
Anybody interested in a TSC Red Lion at a good price?
Lisa Allen http://www.lisa-allen.com
Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.
Piece of cake... depending on the size of the contoller board, it should be really easy. Call Rob Bartlett at Bartlett Instruments (319)372-8366 and tell him you want the V6-CF controller which is the same as the RampMaster 2 without Evenheat's name on it. I think it sells for $179 or so. It comes without a box or any other support electronics.
Do you have the model number for the red lion controller? I'm not sure that they use an external transformer for the relay contol. But, it's easy enough to fix that.
Tony
The tightrope between being strange and being creative is too narrow to walk without occasionally landing on both sides..." Scott Berkun
Lisa Allen wrote:...Anybody interested in a TSC Red Lion at a good price?
Possibly. Now that I know how to use it, I am fond of it. It is counterintuitive, but I have grown accustomed to mine and would consider buying yours as a back up for my Denver.
I can also send you my spread sheets that I constructred to walk me through programming for each firing so I don't have to remember all the steps. It makes life so much easier and after a few years, I understand the controller. You just gotta think different(ly).
Couple of things to consider or check just to be sure things work.
1) Controller output. MOST controllers for kilns use a 24vdc output which is used to either directly drive a relay coil for the main power to your elements or it drives a secondary relay which in turns drives the relay for your main elements. If this is the case for your old and new controller there should be no problem. If, however, your current controller does not output a 24vdc signal your new and old controllers will not just "swap". Some controllers, control your kiln, by providing a switched relay. In this case a 24vdc or some other power supply is required to be present and the controller switches this power supply to the coil to your main element relay. You can make both the new and old work in your kiln but it requires different wiring.
2) Thermocouple type. Again, MOST controllers use what is called a Type K thermocouple. If your old controller was calibrated for and used a Type K thermocouple and your new controller is calibrated and uses a Type K thermocouple then the connections are a snap. If not, I know the Rampmaster II is a Type K. If you old controller was not, then you would need to replace your thermocouple with a Type K. If you don't your new controller will not get accurate temperature readings from your older thermocouple.
3) Power supply. Again, MOST controllers assume the power supply you provide to it is a 20 - 24VAC input. If your old controller used this type of power supply, then it is a drop in to add your new controller. If not, then you will probably need a different transformer that will produce the proper 24VAC input to your controller.
If any one of these three things are different between your old and new controller, you will have to address that specific issue to be sure everything works properly. After you swap your controller it would be a good idea to make a test firing to be sure the program you put in is the program you get out before you commit any glass to it.
