Fuji PXR3 Controller Guide
How to run, program and autotune the Fuji PXR3 controller on Glass Hive lampworking kilns. Your kiln arrives with the programs you asked for already installed, so most days you only need Everyday use. Use Writing or changing a program only when you want a new program. Not comfortable programming? Call us at 541-961-6978 and we'll walk you through it.
Kiln safety and setup
- Keep the kiln away from anything flammable and at least 8" from any wall.
- Each kiln should be on its own circuit, even the Short and Regular Guys.
- An extension cord is OK if it's no longer than 25 ft and is 12 gauge, three-prong or heavier.
- When fusing, block the gap at the bottom of the door with the fiber blanket. Replace the blanket every year.
How to read this guide
| You'll see | Means |
|---|---|
| SEL, UP, DOWN | Buttons you press |
| STAT, SV1 | Codes shown on the display |
| 950 | Numbers you enter (temperatures are °F) |
| 1.30 | Times are hours.minutes: .15 = 15 minutes, 1.30 = 1 hour 30 minutes, 3.00 = 3 hours |
Everyday use
Change the set point (working temperature)
When you turn the kiln on, it heats to its set point and holds there while you work (925°F unless you asked for something else). It stays there until you run your end-of-day program.
- Turn the kiln on.
- Press SEL once. The display shows the current set point.
- Press UP or DOWN to the temperature you want.
- Press SEL again. The display goes back to the temperature inside the kiln.
Choose program 1 or 2
Your kiln ships set to program 1. To run the same program as last time, skip to Run a program.
- Press and hold SEL until the display reads STAT.
- Press DOWN once to PTn.
- Press SEL. It shows the last program you ran (1 or 2).
- Press UP or DOWN to the program you want, then press SEL.
- Leave it about 20 seconds, until the display goes back to the kiln temperature.
Run a program
- Press and hold SEL until the display reads PROG.
- Press SEL once. It shows OFF.
- Press UP once so RUN blinks.
- Press SEL twice so RUN stays lit.
- Leave it. In about 20 seconds the display goes back to the kiln temperature and the program is running. When it's done, the kiln stops heating but keeps showing the temperature until you turn it off.
Writing or changing a program
Each program is up to four steps. A step heats or cools to a target temperature over a set time (the ramp), then holds there (the soak). Program 1 uses SV1–SV4; program 2 uses SV5–SV8. Set any step you don't need to 0.
To change each setting:
- Press and hold SEL until the display reads STAT.
- Press DOWN to the first setting: SV1 for program 1 (twice), or SV5 for program 2.
- Press SEL to open it, use UP / DOWN to set the value, then press SEL to save.
- Press DOWN once to the next setting and repeat, in the order below, until the last soak is done.
| Program 1 | Program 2 | What it sets | Example (soft glass anneal) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SV1 | SV5 | Step 1 target temperature | 950 |
| 7N1R | 7N5R | Time to reach step 1 temperature (ramp) | .15 |
| 7N1S | 7N5S | Time to hold at step 1 (soak) | 1.00 |
| SV2 | SV6 | Step 2 target temperature | 700 |
| 7N2R | 7N6R | Time to reach step 2 temperature | 3.00 |
| 7N2S | 7N6S | Time to hold at step 2 | 0 |
| SV3 · SV4 | SV7 · SV8 | Steps 3 and 4: temperature, ramp and soak | 0 (not used) |
The ramp and soak codes look like 7N1R and 7N1S on the display (time 1 ramp, time 1 soak).
Popular annealing programs
Soft glass programs work for 104, 96 and 90 COE. Unlisted values are 0.
| Program | SV1 | Ramp 1 | Soak 1 | SV2 | Ramp 2 | Soak 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soft glass anneal | 950 | .15 | 1.00 | 700 | 3.00 | 0 |
| Soft silver glass anneal | 920 | .15 | 1.00 | 700 | 3.00 | 0 |
| Soft glass batch anneal | 950 | 2.30 | .30 | 700 | 3.00 | 0 |
| Soft silver glass batch anneal | 920 | 2.30 | .30 | 700 | 3.00 | 0 |
| Boro strike anneal (striking colors like Amber Purple, Triple Passion) | 1075 | .15 | 1.00 | 960 | 2.00 | .30 |
| Boro no-strike anneal (for grumpy chrome colors) | 1025 | .15 | 1.00 | 960 | 2.00 | .30 |
| Boro batch anneal (SV1 can be adjusted for strike or no strike) | 1075 | 1.30 | 1.00 | 960 | 2.00 | .30 |
The printable PDF has a space to write down the programs installed on your kiln and your set point.
Autotune
Autotune teaches the controller how your kiln heats and cools, so it holds temperature steadily. Rerun it about every six months as elements and insulation age.
Before you start
- Kiln empty (or just the mandrel/bead holder), door closed, and no program running.
- Set the set point to the temperature you actually hold at: your working temperature if you anneal at the end of a session, or your annealing temperature if you batch anneal.
Start the autotune
- Press and hold SEL for 1–2 seconds until you see STbY or PROG. Make sure PROG reads OFF.
- Press DOWN until the display shows AT.
- Press SEL. The current value, 0, is shown.
- Press UP to choose 2 (Low PV: tunes a little below the set point to reduce overshoot – best for glass). 1 tunes right at the set point and can overshoot.
- Press SEL to confirm. The autotune starts now.
While it runs, a decimal point flashes at the right of the display and the kiln swings above and below the set point a few times. That's normal. Don't turn the kiln off: if power is cut, the autotune is discarded. To cancel, set AT back to 0. When it's done, the dot stops flashing and AT returns to 0 on its own. The new settings are kept after power-off.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Lost in the menus | Turn the kiln off and back on, then start the steps again. |
| Program won't start: standby is on | Go to STbY, press SEL. If it reads ON, set it to OFF and press SEL. In standby the controller won't heat or run a program. |
| Decimal point flashing | An autotune is still running. Let it finish, or set AT back to 0, before starting a program. |
| Program starts and ends right away | Check PTn is set to the program you want (1 or 2) and that its temperatures and ramp times aren't all 0. |
| Both programs ran | PTn was set to 3. Set it to 1 or 2. |
| PROG never appears | It's hidden in the display settings, or this controller lacks the program option. Call us at 541-961-6978. |
Call 541-961-6978 or email glasshivekilns@gmail.com. Every kiln and furnace is built to order by our family in Oregon.