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01/26/2005
Replacing heating elements is easy with a little practice. Here are a few pointers that will simplify element replacement:
EXPANDING THE ELEMENT Sidewall brick grooves: The new replacement element for most kiln models is bent where it fits into the corners of the firing chamber. The element bends must fit into the back of the firebrick corners. If the element barely fits into the corners, gently expand the distance between element coils with snap-ring pliers. (You can buy the pliers at an auto parts store.) This will prevent the element from bulging out of the grooves later.
THE ELEMENT CONNECTOR If you strip the threads in an element connector, discard the connector and install a new one. Otherwise the element will burn out at the connector.
THE ELEMENT ENDS Cut off the element ends where they stick out past the element connectors. You will have two element ends for each element that you replace. After you install the elements, count the number of element ends to be sure that none have been left inside the kiln. I know of a case where a discarded element end fell into the Kiln Sitter contact block and prevented the Kiln Sitter from operating. A discarded element end could also fall against wire terminals and cause a short.
Sincerely,
Arnold Howard
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