Servicing and Upgrading
TempTendor Model 1171A
Kiln Control Systems
We receive frequent calls seeking service assistance for the TempTendor
Model 1171A kiln controllers. These controls were sold on American Art
Clay Company AMACO kilns
several years ago.
The API Instrument Company of Chesterland, Ohio manufactured a variety
of temperature controllers and temperature limit controllers under the
"TempTendor" tradename. The Model 1171A was a proprietary assembly
apparently manufactured exclusively for AMACO. API has since been
acquired by a LFE Corporation. Although the TempTendor 1171A has long
since been discontinued, service for the unit is still available through
its manufacturer:
LFE Instruments Corp
Attn: Repair Department
11655 Chillicothe Road
Chesterland OH 44026
Their procedure is ...
- remove the unit from your kiln and ship it to the above address (no
prior authorization required)
- they will respond with an estimate of repair costs, and a request
for authorization to proceed
- you sign and return their authorization form, including a check for
the estimated repair costs
- they will complete the needed repairs and return the unit to you.
(It is apparently not possible to speak directly with anyone at the Chesterland
location. Calls to that location are forwarded to the company's corporate
headquarters in Massachusetts, who will simply repeat the above instructions.)
As an alternative, we offer our KilnTroller II "OEM Installation
Kit". This kit provides everything needed to replace the API Model
232 Automatic Temperature Controller, which is the heart of the TempTendor
1171A system. The kit includes an "Interface Panel" which mounts in the
hole formerly used for the "232". The existing contactor (power relay) and
temperature sensor may be used with the new control system, so wiring changes
are minimal and easily completed.
The modification procedure is as follows:
- Remove the API Model 232 Temperature Controller from the TempTendor unit.
- Center the full-scale paper template provided with
the kit over the square cut-out, and carefully mark the centers of the eight holes
for the Interface Panel
(Note: If we are aware that you've ordered the kit to update a TempTendor
unit, we'll ship a special Interface Panel which will fully cover the 3-1/2" x 3-/12"
cut-out. If you have received a standard (smaller) Interface Panel, please contact
us and request the larger panel.)
- Drill and deburr these eight holes as indicated on the template.
- Temporarily remove the Interface Panel's circuit board from the panel, slip
the four stand-offs of the panel through the four over-sized holes you drilled
in the face of the 1171A box, then reassemble the circuit board to its panel.
- Fasten the Interface Panel and the blanking panel using six #6 self-tapping
screws.
- Rewire the 1171A box according the the wiring diagram provided with the kit.
Wiring Diagram
- This completes the modification. Close the 1171A box and refer to the
KilnTroller instruction sheet to check out the installation.
A detailed description of the KilnTroller II is included at catalog. To replace
"TempTendor" units on AMACO kilns, order our item number 016022.
It's $249.95 price is apparently often judged a good value compared to LFE
service costs. Since we've never had a request for technical assistance in
connection with one of these retrofits, we assume that the installation is
usually accomplished without much difficulty.
FireRight Controls/Warner Instruments
1320 Fulton Street PO Box 604
Grand Haven, MI 49417 usa
Phone: 616-842-7658
FAX: 616-842-7658
e-mail:info@fireright.com
Page Last Revised on March 29, 1998
©Copyright Warner Instruments 1996 ~ 1998
