Hi, I've just ordered an Evenheat LB18 and am getting ready for it's arrival. It's a 240 volt oven with a 6 20 plug. The specs say its 13 amps. Right now I have a 30 amp 240 volt receptacle in the shop. Should I reduce this to a 20 amp breaker. I can't seem to find what the continuous ampere load of this oven is but I'm thinking it could be more than 13 amps when it really gets heating. Can anyone help with this?
Hi Russ, Ideally you would supply it with a 2 pole 20 A breaker through a NEMA 6-20 receptacle. The supply wiring should be 12 AWG or larger. I found a manual here. The 13 amps should be pretty steady. The current will remain nearly constant throughout the temperature range only switching off and on as the temp closes in on the target temp. Kanthal and nichrome wire only increase in resistance slightly when heated up. Kanthal A1 changes very little from room temp to 1400°C. Dan
Thanks Dan. That's the kind of answer I was hoping for. I will change that breaker for a 20 amp. I'm excited for what this oven will do but I gotta say I will never enjoy it as much as heating a blade in the forge. I don't really understand it but there's something more than just seeking perfection in the heat treat. Thank you very much Dan.
The LB18 is a very sweet machine. If you have only one 240 V receptacle, it may be worth looking into adding a new 20 A run for the kiln. (As you have a 30 A breaker and receptacle already.) This way you can run a belt grinder or what-not while the kiln is on. My steel heater stays on for about 90 minutes at a time. Being able to use the grinder while the oven is on is very handy. Dan
Sounds like a good idea Dan. I might do that. My wife might get a little steamed though. She has only 2 electrical outlets in the kitchen and in the shop the previous owner put 4 120V. outlets and one 240.
