Whether you’re wondering how to get started, if you can upgrade your current controller to a TAP Digital Controller, or have specific questions about functionality, we’re here to help. Below you’ll find the answers to common questions to get you started.
A “Failing to Heat” error can be caused by a failed relay, failed thermocouple, faulty wiring, or inadequate supply power. The best course of action is to contact your kiln manufacturer for further assistance in troubleshooting the cause of the alarm.
Please contact your kiln manufacturer.
Yes, it is included in the baseline configuration. The switch from chamber to pot control is initiated by a button press on the screen, however, the user can do that almost immediately, because there are rate limiting features to make sure that the pot temperature doesn’t runaway due to significantly higher chamber temps as the salt gets up to molten.
When operating with the Immersion thermocouple active, the controller will rate limit the chamber temp such that the pot temp doesn’t avalanche. This ultimately helps to prevent any overshoot and provides a more stable control solution.
Reboot the controller 3 times to automatically bring up the touchscreen calibration utility (note: this works with SW Rev 5.0 and greater). Ensure you wait until the warning screen appears before restarting.
If the software is earlier than Rev 5.0, you’ll likely need to tap around until you find an area of the screen that responds, and then tap and hold that point for ~30 seconds to get the touchscreen calibration utility to launch.
Once the utility launches, you can tap and hold the 5 points that are indicated on screen via a yellow crosshair pattern that appears on the screen going clockwise from upper left. Once the utility launches, you can tap and hold the 5 points that are indicated on screen via a yellow crosshair pattern that appears on the screen going clockwise from upper left. You will move sequentially through the points from upper left to upper right to lower right to lower left to center. You can tap and hold each point for approximately 5 seconds for best results.
If no response is observed after entering the touchscreen calibration utility, please contact SDS Industries.
Reboot the controller 3 times to automatically bring up the touchscreen calibration utility (note: this works with SW Rev 5.0 and greater). Ensure you wait until the warning screen appears before restarting.
If the software is earlier than Rev 5.0, you’ll likely need to tap around until you find an area of the screen that responds, and then tap and hold that point for ~30 seconds to get the touchscreen calibration utility to launch. Once the utility launches, you can tap and hold the 5 points that are indicated on screen via a yellow crosshair pattern that appears on the screen going clockwise from upper left.
Once the utility launches, you can tap and hold the 5 points that are indicated on screen via a yellow crosshair pattern that appears on the screen going clockwise from upper left. You will move sequentially through the points from upper left to upper right to lower right to lower left to center. You can tap and hold each point for approximately 5 seconds for best results.
If no response is observed after entering the touchscreen calibration utility, please contact SDS Industries.
6.0) you can email logs by navigating to Menu>Event Logs and selecting Offload Logs. Earlier versions of software allow this offload to a USB thumb drive. With the newest SW versions (>6.0) you can email logs by navigating to Menu>Event Logs and selecting Offload Logs.
Earlier versions of software allow this offload to a USB thumb drive.
No, there is no way to automatically transfer schedules between controllers.
Schedules loaded at the time of receipt are pre-loaded by the kiln manufacturer. SDS Industries does not produce or deliver schedules with the controller.
Please notify your kiln manufacturer.
Yes, the current hold time can be modified by pressing edit schedule from the TAP Controller execution screen. Alternatively, the current hold time can be modified using the TAP Kiln Control Mobile app.
Yes, to delete a schedule navigate to Menu>Schedules then select the schedule you want to delete and press Delete Schedule.
The pre-programmed schedules included on the controller are directly from the kiln manufacturer. For information about the pre-programmed schedules, please contact the manufacturer of the kiln.
Yes, the TAP controller be configured to accept up to 3 thermocouples.
The TAP Controller requires 24VAC and draws 500mA of current. Its total power rating is 12VA.
Advanced settings contain manufacturer specific settings related to Max Temp, PID, Thermocouple Type, Zones, and Firing Modes. If you believe access to the advanced settings is necessary, please contact your kiln manufacturer.
No, there is no ability to get an annualized cost of firings without reviewing each log.
Those values would traditionally come from a datasheet for the components or from the kiln manufacturer.
Relays generally have a data element called out on the datasheet for Contact Rating Cycles or Mechanical Endruance.
Thermocouple and elements may not have a datasheet, and in this case, it is best to reach out to the kiln manufacturer.
Delay start is entered in the format HH.MM. This corresponds to the number of hours.minutes from now that you want the program to start.
After selecting “Yes,” when asked if you want to program a delayed start, you will be presented with a keypad in which you enter the preferred delay start time. Below are exmaples of possible entries and what they correspond to:
00.00 – Start the firing immediately
00.01 – Start the firing 1 minute from now
00.15 – Start the firing 15 minutes from now
01.01 – Start the firing 1 hour and 1 minute from now
12.00 – Start the firing 12 hours from now
The thermocouple is likely installed with polarity reversed. Please contact your kiln manufacturer for assistance in resolving this issue.
On the TAP controller, navigate to Menu>Settings>Cost and enter the Cost per KWh found on your utility bill into the Cost per KWh entry field.
This is a known issue that is related to the controller pulling time from network time protocol servers and defaulting to GMT timezone. We’re working on a long term fix.
Yes, there is a coin cell battery on the back of the controller circuit board. The controller will accept either CR1220 or CR1225.
Yes, TAP offers settings that allow you to take advantage of the faster switching capabilities of SSR’s and offers the ability to adjust the cycle time. Additionally, TAP offers 3 element outputs and a safety output. The safety output can be used as an upstream switch to prevent runaway in the event of the output relay failure.
A UID is a unique identifier associated with the TAP Controller. It is used as a way to address the controller and make sure that the right data is going to the right place.
The UID can be found on the TAP Controller by navigating to Menu>Settings>Network
Keeping your controller software up-to-date ensures you are getting the latest and greatest features the TAP controller has to offer.
Details associated with the changes incorporated into the latest version of software, along with update files, can be found here
Yes, the TAP Standalone Controllers are the perfect solution for this. They can be found here.
This solution enables you to plug your existing kiln into the new TAP Standalone Controller, and the new TAP Standalone Controller into the wall outlet. Upon completion, full control is achieved through the TAP Controller.
TAP Supports Wireless and Wired (pre-2021) network connections.
Wireless connections require use of a TP-Link TL-WN823n WiFi dongle, which is available for purchase from our website
For detailed instructions on how to connect, refer to the “Connecting to the Network” Manual.
After confirming you’ve entered the correct Wireless Network credentials, reboot the controller to re-initiate a network connection and force a data synchronization.
Note: The controller will not be able to connect to any network that requires a specific login or acknowledgment after connecting (typical of hotels, coffee shops, airports, etc).
Yes, a TP-Link TL-WN823n WiFi Dongle is needed to connect to local WiFi networks and can be purchased here
Settings>Network>Wireless, ensure the WiFi Dongle is fully inserted into the USB Port/Cable. \n\nIf the problem persists, please contact SDS Industries for further troubleshooting assistance. If the WiFi indicator, found in the header of each page, is entirely gray in color, it means there is no connection. If network credentials have been previously entered, please restart the controller to re-initialize a connection.
If no networks appear under Menu>Settings>Network>Wireless, ensure the WiFi Dongle is fully inserted into the USB Port/Cable.
If the problem persists, please contact SDS Industries for further troubleshooting assistance.
The WiFi dongle allows the controller to connect to the internet. Paired with the TAP Kiln Control Mobile app for iOS or Android, you can remotely monitor and control the kiln.
We are happy to address any questions or requests you may have and will get back to you within one business day!
© 2023 SDS Industries, All Rights Reserved
© 2022 SDS Industries, All Rights Reserved
