Kiln controller - help

[ajda]

I have a little muffle kiln - Uhlig U5P - which I use for various things including annealing when I'm away from home. I use it with an Efco 50191 manual controller and a separate pyrometer. The dial-type infinite control switch on the controller seems to have broken. If I can get it fixed I will - having a slow and unproductive email conversation with Efco at the moment - but if not I would rather replace it with a programmable controller. Any suggestions for low-budget free-standing controllers? Or any cheap unwanted/2nd hand ones out there that I might get my hands on? Any advice appreciated.

[Blue Box Studio]

Absolutely no idea about controllers and what you'd need, I have a Paragon, but have you tried Lee at Kiln Care, think their controllers are external to the kiln and interchangeable?  Or I might be wrong.  But I expect Lee will know, even if KC controllers aren't what you need.

[ajda]

I did have a look on their site - this one would probably be perfect for my needs - http://www.kilncare.co.uk/kilns_controls_controllers_kcr1plugincontrol.html - but it's nearly £300 including VAT and delivery... I guess that isn't outrageously expensive for what it is, just not sure I can afford it at present!

[Flyingcheesetoastie]

I use this controller on my small ceramic toploader and it is great. To be honest you are unlikely to get a glass friendly controller for less than this coupled wih the excellent support that kilncare provide if you need it. 

[Moira HFG]

Any good?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/XMTD-3011-Kiln-Controller-probe-wiring-instructions-pottery-glass-enamelling-/171336568917?pt=UK_Crafts_Ceramic_PotteryMaking_SM&hash=item27e4749055

[ajda]

Thanks, Moira - I'm watching that one on eBay already, though I haven't yet worked out whether I'd actually be able to make it do what I need. I found this old thread - http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=140505 - quite informative, but in the end I am tempted to heed the advice of one contributor who said: If you are not into self torture and do not have a lot of experience in electronics this is not a project to tackle. Once upon a time I might have relished the challenge, but just thinking about that sort of thing gives me a headache nowadays...

[Zeldazog]

I am no expert on controllers, but I can't see that this is programmable.  I can't see any way that you could input ramps and holds.

At best, I would reckon you could punch in a target temperature that it would perhaps stop and maintain at, similar to your domestic oven.  I think I was looking at the same thread as yourself Adja when I came across Set-point controller. 

I agree with Rachel, the programmable controller that ideally need for glass doesn't come cheap - it's a fair portion of the cost of any specialist glass kiln.  When I was first looking, a few years ago, the price difference between a manual kiln (which had a digital read out pyrometer and a speed dial) and a fully programmable kiln of a similar sort of size was around £200 - £275, so I think that gives an indication of the overall price of a decent controller.