aim 9169 making a buzzing noise??

[mistahead]

is it normal that when my kiln clicks on it makes a buzzing noise of sorts, i thought it was normal because its always done it, but i just moved over to a new shop and my shopmate there doesn't think thats normal and could be my relay about to go...does anyone else have the same buzzing??..its a 120v

[ahreno]

mine does too... but mine isn't working the best so it might not be the best to compare it to...

[medicatedMELTDOWN]

Yes, the relay is the most likely cause. (if not the only possible cause) A few years ago my AIM 9169 would do that sometimes, but not consistently. It seemed to get slowly worse and worse and eventually the relay died. I think I managed to continue to use it for many months with the buzz before it finally quit working. It's a good idea to order 2 spare relays so you have a spare backup, if you can afford 2.

Good luck and maybe try to not make anything too valuable until you get the relay replaced. since it would be pretty bad to have the relay die when you are working on an important piece and possibly lose it.

[PyroChixRock]

Yep, what medicated said. ;)

[Greymatter Glass]

it actually depends... "buzzing" can be ok.

Elements can "buzz" when they're charged up while they're cold. Does the buzzing stop when the kiln gets up to temperature? If so that is just the 60Hz current flowing through the wires and creating a noise... it's usually pretty quiet, many people work in noisy shops and never even notice it. When the elements heat up they get softer and the current goes down a bit and things stop buzzing...

If it's the relay itself, that's a sign of a bad relay, sometimes you'll hear a very quiet hum from the coil in a mechanical relay, but if it's burried inside the kiln you really shouldn't hear it....

So does the sound come from the relay, or from the elements?

Relay? Check/replace
Elements? You're fine.

[glassfreek]

Its the relay, moisture gets in them and causes a chatter = buzz.

Mike

[somewhere]

The power running through the relay generates a large electromagnetic field that resonates any ferris metal in range. I don't think it spells imminent failure.


That said if you depend on your kiln working daily an extra relay on the shelf only makes sense. Elements at our temps should last a life time.

Once again edited for clarity.

[somewhere]

Its the relay, moisture gets in them and causes a chatter = buzz. Mike

maybe this is something you experienced but sounds isolated. SSR relays actually produce a good amount of heat. Moisture would be driven off even if they weren't sealed. Maybe the moisture effects the metal around it.

edited for clarity

[Greymatter Glass]

I don't buy the moisture thing either... could be a misunderstanding, or just bad information from another source.

Most mechanical relays are sealed, and even if water got in, there's nothing about them that water would be the cause of any vibration or buzzing, unless it's an arc, and then it would be dead almost instantly... Some mechanical relays are actually just open air, or at most have a dust cover over them... moisture isn't GOOD for them, but I can't imagine how/why water would cause any unusual vibration or buzzing...

As for SSR's there's no moving parts to vibrate...but how many kilns use SSR's? Pretty sure when I got mine, the LGW kilns were the only ones with SSR's standard. Paragon uses mechanical relays, unless you pay for mercury relay upgrades. I'd imagine anything Marcel designed for Skutt would use SSR's but I haven't really checked...

[mistahead]

okay so i bought a relay and took a look under the hood and realized the relay i bought (found many links through searching around here) is not the one thats in it and i believe the one that is in it is a mercury relay, because it says "contains mercury" on the side...does anyone know if theres any difference installing the mechanical relay onto this setup??..does anyone have any diagrams or links to diagrams?

[ahreno]

I just went through a big thing with aim. The mercury relay is considered an upgrade ($80) and from my understanding lasts longer than a solid state. Especially if you're on a 120v model

[hashmasta-kut]

my sister swapped out a mercury for a cheapo one time in a 99LSD and it was no problem i think. is there not the same amount of connections?


okay so i bought a relay and took a look under the hood and realized the relay i bought (found many links through searching around here) is not the one thats in it and i believe the one that is in it is a mercury relay, because it says "contains mercury" on the side...does anyone know if theres any difference installing the mechanical relay onto this setup??..does anyone have any diagrams or links to diagrams?

[ahreno]

Would you like to sell that mercury relay you're taking out?

[hashmasta-kut]

well he said its on its last legs, doesnt seem like a good catch really...

[LTD]

Try tightening all connections and making sure there are no loose wires

[ahreno]

My kiln makes a slight buzzing when its cold and first turned on. In my non professional opinion I think its fine. It goes away once its warm right?

[somewhere]

well he said its on its last legs, doesnt seem like a good catch really...

How would anyone know this?

[mistahead]

Would you like to sell that mercury relay you're taking out?

well if it fixes the buzzing when changing it i would doubt you want it



Try tightening all connections and making sure there are no loose wires

good call...i suppose i should try that


My kiln makes a slight buzzing when its cold and first turned on. In my non professional opinion I think its fine. It goes away once its warm right?

no it doesn't go away...in fact it has been doing it since the day i bought it in 2006

[Greymatter Glass]

How would anyone know this?


http://reactiongifs.me/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/shia-labeouf-magic-gif.gif
MAGIC

[kudabeck]

if its been doing that for 8 years it probably is the elements buzzing

[Jimi The Don]

you must spread some reputation around before giving it to Greymatter Glass again