ENVIROVENT
US PATENT NO. 4,863,374 and 4,978,295
INSTALLATION AND
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Read these instructions before you attempt
to install or operate the EnviroVent
Contents
Introduction page 2
Installation page 3
Firing page 7
Maintenance page 9
Troubleshooting page 10
Service page 11
Reference page 12
Specifications page 12
Warranty page 13
Patterns page 14
1996 Skutt Ceramic Products, Inc.
I
INTRODUCTION
The instruction manual
This manual covers the installation of the EnviroVent on 8, 10, or 12 sided kilns with a
firing volume of 12 cubic feet or less. This vent is not recommended for kilns smaller than
8 sides.
The EnviroVent
The EnviroVent is designed to provide sufficient air to your kiln for the proper firing of
greenware, stoneware, porcelain, colored glazes, decals, Overglaze colors, lusters or
metallics. It is also designed to collect the hot, smelly fumes produced during firing so they
can be mixed with cooler room air before they are directly ducted outdoors.
Repeated testing demonstrates that you may enjoy some or all of the following benefits with
proper installation and operation:
a. most kilns will show a more uniform firing from top to bottom
b. the kiln room environment will be more comfortable with little or no odors or fumes
coming from the kiln
c. colors will fire more consistently--particularly reds, oranges and yellows
d. chances of being accidentally burned or of the kiln being jarred are reduced because the
kiln lid stays closed during firing
e. with proper ventilation, metal kiln components will last longer.
As with any change in firing routine, we recommend that you closely follow all instructions
and monitor your firings with witness cone groups on each shelf in your kiln both before and
after you install the EnviroVent. If you have any questions, please contact your supplier.
Unpacking
The EnviroVent kit includes the plenum/blower assembly, one 18” extension pipe
connected by a transition tube to the plenum, two drill bits and two drill guides for
modifying your kiln. In addition, a tag is included to attach to the kiln reminding the kiln
operator to always turn the EnviroVent motor on before firing.
Tools needed for installation
Screw driver; electric drill (if kiln has a steel plate on the bottom); vacuum cleaner; duct
tape (optional); dryer vent kit with flapper lightweight enough to blow open easily.
Test Firing
Prior to installing the EnviroVent, make at least one test firing with a series of witness
cones on each shelf in the kiln. After installation, make another firing using witness cones
and compare the results. We think you will be pleased with the evenness of heating you
experience when using the EnviroVent.
2
II
3”
3”
3”
3”
INSTALLATION
Preparing for Installation
Unplug your kiln before beginning installation. Place the kiln floor and lid on a clean,
smooth surface.
Before drilling, identify the chamber size of your kiln from the chart below to determine the
correct number and pattern to drill. If you have a blank ring or a wired ring that you do not
use for all of your firing, drill the number of holes for the maximum height of the kiln and
plug the additional holes with a non-combustible material when the extensions are not being
used.
Chamber Drill this many large holes and Drill this many small holes
Depth (use 15/64” drill) (use #21 drill)
eight sided kilns
18” 2
20” 2
22 1/2” 3
27” 3
29” 3
31 1/2” 4
ten sided kilns
18” 4
20” 4
22 1/2” 5
27” 5
29” 3 0
31 1/2” 3 0
twelve sided kilns
27’ 4 0
31 1/2” 5 0
Placement of holes in kiln floor
Diagram #1
2 holes 3 holes 4 holes 5 holes
3
Placement of holes in kiln lid
4”
4”
4”
4”
Diagram #2
2 holes 3 holes 4 holes 5 holes
Drilling holes in the kiln floor
Locate and mark the center of the kiln floor. Use the pattern provided in the back of the
manual as a reference for hole placement. Important: the holes in the floor must fit within
a 4 1/2” diameter at the center of the floor to align with the hole in the plenum chamber of
the EnviroVent located directly below.
Do not drill holes with the kiln installed above the EnviroVent or dust may damage its
motor.
Use the drill guide provided to keep your drilling perpendicular. Use an electric drill if your
kiln floor has a metal plate. With standard firebrick kiln floors, you have two options; use
the drill guide and rotate the drill bit by hand, OR, firmly support the floor on a piece of
scrap wood and use the guide and an electric drill to slowly drill through the floor into the
wood. Precision and care are important to avoid an oversize hole or chipping of the floor
underside.
Drilling holes in the kiln lid
Locate and mark the center of the kiln lid. Measure the thickness of the kiln fire brick and
add 1” (will be approximately 3 1/2 to 4 inches). Space the holes evenly around the kiln lid
but no closer to the edge than the distance above. Because the holes introduce room
temperature air into your kiln, they must not be clustered. Refer to diagram #2 for help.
Use the same drill guide to keep your drilling perpendicular. Rotate the drill bit by hand,
OR, firmly support the lid on a piece of scrap wood and use the guide and an electric drill to
slowly drill through the lid into the wood. When finished, you should have the same
number and size holes in your lid as your floor, although their arrangement is quite different.
Figure 1
Drilling by hand Careful, supported drilling
4
Vacuum out any brick dust from inside your kiln caused during the drilling.
5
Replacing the kiln on the stand
Number of EnviroVents
Recommended Size Central Ducting
1
4” 2 6” 3 8” 4 8”
5
10”
6
10”
Place the EnviroVent unit on your kiln stand as
shown in the photo. The kiln stand must be 8” high.
Tilt the stand at an angle to avoid forcing the vent
tube through the opening. There must be air space
between the motor and floor.
If your kiln stand is not 8” high, obtain a new one or
use non-combustible supports to elevate the stand.
The use of shim blocks is acceptable provided the
kiln remains stable and level.
Figure 2
Type and Length of ducting
A flexible 4” aluminum dryer ducting is recommended for installation No more than four
90 bends may be used without reducing air flow in the venting system or reducing draw
into the kiln. Distances beyond 60 feet or installations with more than four 90 bends need a
transition to 6” ducting no farther than 20 feet from the plenum. It is possible to transition
directly from the plenum.
Selecting and Installing the Ducting
If you have more than one EnviroVent, you may install them individually or connect each
unit to a central duct to remove the gases. If a central duct is used, hook the individual vent
ducts to that central line.
To determine what size of central ducting to install, use the chart below. A “Y” adapter can
connect two kiln ventilation systems together. However, a damper should be installed in
each duct line and left closed when the ventilation system is not in use. This prevents a
“back flow” of fumes into the unused ducts.
Central Duct Sizing
Discharge may be horizontal or vertical with the exit located a minimum of four feet from
any opening (window or door) into the building. Provide a shield to prevent rain or snow or
small animals from entering the ducting exit. For horizontal discharge, a flapper or hood
type dryer exhaust vent may be used. For vertical discharge, a cap type shield that does not
reduce the discharge may be used.
6
Finishing Installation
Attach the reminder tag to your kiln on the switch box where it will always be seen before
firing. Plug the EnviroVent into a standard 115V outlet. Important: Always fire with
the EnviroVent motor in the ON position. If you have reason to fire with the
EnviroVent OFF, plug the holes in the kiln floor to prevent damage to the motor that
would void the warranty.
Testing the EnviroVent
Test your new vent system by closing the lid and all the peepholes. Place a lighted match
directly over and level with one of the lid holes. Turn on the EnviroVent. The flame from
the match should be pulled into the kiln as a result of the draft. If you are unsure of the
effect of the draft, observe the action of the flame away from the hole and then move it over
the hole. If the flame is not pulled into the kiln, the kiln is not venting properly. See the
Section 5 on Troubleshooting. Repeat this test regularly to ensure continuing accurate
operation.
7
III
FIRING
Shelves
The bottom kiln shelf, either a full shelf or two half shelves placed with a slight gap between
shelves, need to be supported at least one inch off the kiln floor to allow sufficient air
circulation. If the holes are blocked, venting cannot take place. Subsequent shelves through
the kiln may be placed with a slight gap between them to allow the best air circulation.
Important: Keep the kiln floor clean and the holes unobstructed for the EnviroVent to
continue doing its job properly.
Motor Operation
The EnviroVent motor must be switched ON throughout heating in order to ventilate your
kiln and collect the fumes. The motor has a fan that keeps it cool and operating properly
during the hottest firings. If you fire with the motor off beyond 2000F, you void the
warranty and may damage the motor.
Leaving the motor in the on position during cooling will reduce the amount of time it takes
to reach a temperature where you can safely handle your ware. If a slower cooling is
preferred, the EnviroVent may safely be turned off when the internal kiln temperature is
less than 2000F.
Fresh Make-up Air
It is essential to have a source of fresh air to replace the air vented outdoors. The
EnviroVent fan moves between 60-80 cubic feet per minute. Unless you know that the
room ventilation can handle the total volume of loss, leave a window or door slightly ajar for
make-up air. Remember: do not exhaust fumes near a fresh air intake.
Loading
Loading the kiln evenly from top to bottom is still recommended, but not as critical as
before venting. Certain applications may require placing a shelf between the lid and top
ware for air deflection below the air holes or a small plate under each hole.
Plug all Peepholes and Shut Lid
Turn on the EnviroVent motor, close the lid, plug the peep holes and fire. You can open
any peephole during firing to check the bending of witness cones and the progress of your
firing. Do not prop the lid or leave any peepholes open during a normal firing. To do so can
cause fumes to enter the room and additional room temperature air drawn into the kiln may
affect the firing.
Firing times
When the correct holes are drilled in your kiln, firing times should not be much longer than
normal. If firing times are significantly longer, see Section 5 on Troubleshooting for help.
Additional ventilation
8
Additional ventilation may be necessary when firing with wax resist; using high sulphur or
organic content clay bodies and glazes, thick-walled (over 1/4” thick) bisque pieces; firing
outside the United States where 50 cycle electricity is supplied; or when additional volume
is added to the kiln with a blank or wired ring.
If it is necessary to increase ventilation, drill additional hole(s) in the kiln floor only. For an
eight-sided kiln, drill one additional small (#21) hole. For a ten-sided kiln, drill two
additional small (#21) holes. For a twelve-sided kiln, drill one additional large (15/64”)
hole. Do not drill more than 6 large holes in the bottom of a kiln.
Insufficient ventilation can cause black or gray interiors in bisque, reduce element life, and
permanently alter some colors. However, too much ventilation may decrease the heating
uniformity of the kiln, so reducing the load may be the best solution.
Fume Removal
The EnviroVent pulls air into the kiln near or at the top, then draws air out of the kiln near
or at the bottom during firing. This method causes the air pressure in the kiln to be slightly
lower than outside of the kiln. As a result of this negative pressure, air will be pulled into
the kiln through any hole or crack. This will remove essentially 100% of the fumes
generated, providing:
1 the system is installed properly for controlled air flow
2. the kiln is not excessively loaded with ware
3. heating rates are less than 150C/hour or 300 F/hour for heavy loads
4. the kiln does not contain gaps, holes or large cracks
The 4” exhaust venting from the kiln to the outside is positive pressure. Take care to ensure
all joints are sealed (duct tape or high temperature silicone sealant work well) to prevent
fumes from entering the room.
9
IV
MAINTENANCE
The EnviroVent requires periodic housekeeping to maintain it in good condition and insure
proper operation. This is very important. Failure to provide proper maintenance could void your
warranty and damage the EnviroVent or your kiln.
Important: The kiln floor must be clean and the holes unobstructed to continue proper
operation.
Monthly
a. Unplug the EnviroVent and your kiln. Vacuum around the blower motor to remove
accumulated dust and debris.
b. Clean the motor surface nearest the floor.
c. Remove any obstacles that impede the air flow around the motor.
Annually
a. Unplug the EnviroVent and your kiln. Remove the kiln shelves and vacuum the kiln
floor.
b. Remove the kiln from above the EnviroVent. Remove the motor from the plate.
Examine inside the plenum chamber and motor surface for debris.
c. Thoroughly vacuum the motor and plenum or use an air compressor to blow out dust
and debris. Take motor mount off plenum. Replace and recaulk.
d. Replace the sealant and caulk around the motor.
e. Recaulk any air leaks from the blower out to the exhaust point.
10
V
Problem
Cause
Solution
1. Smell or odor
coming from kiln
EnviroVent leaking between
blower and outside ducting
too many holes and leaks in
upper part of kiln
fumes discharged outdoors are
coming back into room
kiln not venting
seal all leaks around duct connections or
seams and blower box with silicone
sealant or duct tape
plug or repair all cracks in kiln and plug
smallest lid hole-test fire
locate make-up air source further from
discharge exit or raise or extend exit
vent or open ventilation port cover wider
see Section 2
2 Kiln not venting
shelf placed directly on kiln
floor without posts
lid holes drilled above kiln walls
floor holes not within 4 1/2”
plenum opening
kiln moved so floor holes
blocked below by plenum
assembly
exit ducting blocked, kinked or
pinched
flapper on dryer vent not
opening
exit ducting has too many bends
or is too long
support first shelf with posts at least 1”
tall to permit circulation
drill correct holes above firing chamber
drill correct holes above plenum
entrance, plug incorrect holes
move kiln floor or assembly so holes are
aligned
open, straighten or repair exit ducting
replace flapper with easier operating one
reduce the number of bends and the duct
length-avoid 90 bends
3 Kiln slow to reach
temperature
too many holes or air leaks
heating elements have aged or
other factors are affecting kiln
not related to EnviroVent
plug or repair cracks in the kiln, plug
smallest hole, lid and floor, test fire
check heating elements and if necessary
have kiln repair person check kiln
TROUBLESHOOTING
11
4 “Cold” spot near top
of kiln
lid holes too close together
shelf too close to top of kiln
plug lid holes and redrill at proper
spacing - see diagram
lower shelf
5 Blower motor does
not run
switch is turned off
not plugged in
circuit breaker tripped or fuse
blown
motor or wiring burnt out
turn in-line switch on
plug into 115v outlet
check room electrical panel
replace motor
6 Bisque fires with
black or gray interior
insufficient venting
increase ventilation or reduce size of
load
7 Black particles of
carbon when firing
wax resist
insufficient venting
reduce amount of wax resist or increase
ventilation
8 Heating elements
pitted or metal appears
discolored
insufficient venting
reduce organic or sulphur content in
bodies or increase ventilation
9 Vibration of kiln
kiln stand is not level
blower mounting loose
motor bearings damaged
impeller blades off balance due
to accumulated debris
level kiln stand
tighten mounting firmly
replace motor
use a compressor to blow out debris
If you determine a hole needs to be closed, obtain some firebrick patching material or ceramic
fiber from your local ceramic distributor. A paste made of high temperature kiln wash is also
acceptable for patching. When making the repair, force the material into the hole from both sides
of the hole. Allow to dry before firing.
When service is required
If your EnviroVent requires service, contact your dealer, distributor or Skutt Ceramic
Products, Inc.
VI
SERVICE
12
VII
REFERENCE
The EnviroVent is a UL listed accessory when used with the following Skutt UL listed kilns.
Models 1227-3 240 or 208 volt
1227-3 240 or 208 volt 3 phase
1027-3 240 or 208 volt
1027-3 240 or 208 volt 3 phase
1027 240 or 208 volt
1027 240 or 208 volt 3 phase
1018-3 240 or 208 volt
1018 240 or 208 volt
818-3 240 or 208 volt
818 240 or 208 volt
818P-3 240 or 208 volt
818P 240 or 208 volt
KM818-30A-3 240 or 208 volt
NOTE: All of the above kilns may have a prefix of KM or KS.
VIII
SPECIFICATIONS
Motor: 115 volt
1.1 amps
0.18 horsepower
Heat exiting blower: 160 F maximum
Static pressure: 0.2 inches
distances greater than 60 ft: 0.4 inches
Blower: 60-80 cfm
distances greater than 60 ft: 60 cfm
Maximum kiln capacity for use with EnviroVent: 14 cubic feet
Plate: 23” across
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IX
SKUTT CERAMIC PRODUCTS WARRANTY-
LIMITED
SKUTT CERAMIC PRODUCTS, INC. warrants this product to be free from defects in materials
and workmanship for two full years from the date of the first retail purchase from an
authorized Skutt dealer.
What Skutt Will Do. Skutt will repair or replace, at its expense, any defective part upon return,
freight prepaid, to any authorized Skutt service center.
What Is Not Covered. This Warranty does not cover (1) any defect not reported to an authorized
Skutt dealer or distributor within 10 days of discovery; (2) the KILN SITTER, which is
separately warranted by its manufacturer, W.P. Dawson, Inc., 399 Thor Place, Brea,
California 92621; (3) Type K Thermocouples; (4) any damage caused by overfiring; (5)
products subjected to abnormal strain, freight damage, neglect, abuse, improper storage,
failure to follow instructions, or products altered from factory standard condition; (6)
products whose identification number has been changed; (7) failures of, or failures caused
by, parts or accessories not manufactured or supplied by Skutt Ceramics Products; (8) kilns
used for purposes other than firing ceramic materials; and (9) kilns used for reduction or salt
firing.
How to Obtain Warranty Service. Notify your Skutt dealer or distributor within 10 days of
discovery of any defect. Deliver any defective part, freight prepaid, to an authorized Skutt
service center. A list of Skutt service centers may be obtained from your dealer or from
Skutt Ceramic Products, Inc. at the address and telephone number below.
Other limitations. ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES,
INCLUDING PROPERTY DAMAGE, LOST PROFITS, LOSS OF USE, OR OTHER
ECONOMIC LOSS, ARE EXCLUDED TO THE FULL EXTENT PERMITTED BY
STATE LAW. Some states do not allow the exclusion of incidental or consequential
damages, so the above exclusion may not apply to you. ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES,
INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE DURATION
OF THIS LIMITED WARRANTY. Some states do not allow limitations on how long an
implied warranty lasts, so the above limitation may not apply to you. Dealers are not
authorized to modify this Warranty or to make any additional commitments. Skutt will not
be responsible for promises not contained in this Warranty.
State Law Rights. This Warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other
rights which vary from state to state.
6441 SE Johnson Creek Blvd PORTLAND, OREGON 97206
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