Table of Contents
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Sentry Xpress 5.0
Digital Temperature Controller
Cone-Fire and Ramp-Hold Instructions
°F
°C
°C Display Dot
Temperature Display
No Display Dot: Tempera-
ture display is in °F.
Right-Hand Display Dot:
Temperature display is in °C.
See page 19 for instructions
on selecting °F and °C.
Time Display
Center Display Dot:
Separates hours from min-
utes. Example: Display
shown above is 1 hour
and 30 minutes.
To stop a firing, press
Start/Stop key at any
time. ABRT will appear,
and the heating ele-
ments will turn off. Press
Start/Stop again to re-
turn to IDLE.
IM-222/3-19
Start/Stop Key
1) On/Off: Starts and stops a firing.
2) Enter Data: Press after each pro-
gramming step. It works like the Enter
key on a computer.
Up Arrow Key
1) Raise Numbers
2) Select a Firing Mode: From
[IDLE]
press Start/Stop. Press Up
Arrow to select Cone-Fire or
Ramp-Hold.
3) Edit a Program While the Kiln
is Firing p16:
[ SKIP ] Skip a segment
[HLDT ] Change hold time
[CHGT] Change end temperature
4) All Other Options:
[ DELA] Select how Delay works.17
[ TC ] Select thermocouple type.
p18
[ALAR ] Set temperature alarm. p18
[DIAG ] Check amps. p19
[ F/C ] Select °F or °C display p19
[ LIM ] Set max temperature. p19
[COST] Look up cost of a firing. 19
[ EXIT ] Press Start/Stop to return
to IDLE.
[OPT2 ] Press Start/Stop to see
level 2 options.
[OFST ] Adj. cone temperature. p16
[TCOS] Adjust thermocouple. p20
[TEDE ] Change sensitivity of
the FTH, FTC and LTDE warning
alarms. p20
[HTDE ] Change sensitivity of the
HTDE shut down alarm. p21
[LOCK] Lock programs. p21
[AOP1 ] For kilns with the optional
AOP switch box electrical outlet.p22
[ELEC ] Check circuit board tem-
perature, useful in hot weather. p22
[ EXIT ] Press Start/Stop to return
to IDLE.
[OPT3 ] Press Start/Stop to see
level 3 options.
[COOL] Select Slow Cooling so it
appears during Cone-Fire program-
ming. p17
[RATE ] Select your preferred type
of rate. p22
[CENT ] Enter cost of electricity. 23
[ KW ] Enter kiln's wattage. p23
[SFTY ] See kiln's max tempera-
ture. p24
[SOFT ] See software version. p24
[ CFG ] Shows controller model.24
[ RST ] Reset the controller to its
factory default settings. p24
Indicator
Lights
Top: Light is on dur-
ing programming.
Middle: Light is on dur-
ing program review.
Bottom: Light turns on
only when the elements
are on during a firing.
Down Arrow Key
1) Lower Numbers
2) Repeat the Last Fir-
[IDLE]
ing: From
press
Down Arrow. The pro-
gram you have selected
will appear one step at a
time. When
[STRT]
ap-
pears, press Start/Stop.
Page 5
4) Review a Program:
During firing, press Down
Arrow. The program you
entered will appear one
step at a time. Page 5
Quick Cone-Fire
programming . . .
page 10
Ramp-Hold
programming for
the power user . . .
page 13
Error messages . . .
pages 25 - 27
Confused about
display messages?
. . . pages 28 - 29
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Table of Contents
Summary of Contents for Sentry Xpress 5.0
- Page 1 Sentry Xpress 5.0 Digital Temperature Controller Cone-Fire and Ramp-Hold Instructions °F Indicator Lights Top: Light is on dur- °C ing programming. Middle: Light is on dur- ing program review. °C Display Dot Bottom: Light turns on Temperature Display only when the elements No Display Dot: Tempera- are on during a firing.
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Page 2: Before You Begin
This is normal. It is also normal for the temperature to fluctuate up and down as the kiln heats up. Please don’t be concerned. The warranty on your Sentry controller does not cover damage from overfiring, regardless of the circumstances. It is the operator’s responsibility to make sure the kiln turns off at the end of the firing. -
Page 3: Table Of Contents
Ramp-Hold Programming SOFT / Software Version..24 Contents Instructions ....13 CFG / Configuration Code ..24 Hold (HD ) . -
Page 4: Safety Rules
Safety Rules than 158°F / 70°C. (See instructions on page 22 for checking circuit board temperature.) Never The warranty on your Sentry Xpress controller does not allow the firing room temperature to exceed cover damage from overfiring, regardless of the circum- 110°F / 43°C. -
Page 5: Chapter 1 Basic Pointers
chamber. A ¼” - ½” diameter Chapter 1 thermocouple should extend into the kiln about ¾” - 1”. (Do Basic Pointers not be concerned if your thermo- couple extends into the firing chamber even farther.) In This Chapter you will learn to . . . Note: Keep shelves, posts Choose between Cone-Fire and Ramp-Hold and ware 1”... -
Page 6: Delay
Hot and Cold Weather; Storage Sheds mal separates hours and minutes. Example: 1 hour and 10 minutes = 01.10) Then press Start/Stop. It is okay to store the Sentry Xpress at sub-zero tempera- will appear, then alternating with tures. But before operating, raise the room temperature to... -
Page 7: Thunder Storms And Power Surges
How to Disable the Audible Alarm It’s okay if you pause while entering a program. There is The Sentry Xpress makes a beeping noise when it fires to no time out. If you change your mind and want to cancel a completion and when it displays error messages. -
Page 8: Chapter 2 Cone-Fire
Cone Offset (page 16) or Thermocouple Off- Cone-Fire set (page 20). If the witness cones bend inconsis- tently from one firing to another, see “Sentry Troubleshooter,” a separate publication. In this chapter you will learn to . . . -
Page 9: Firing Schedules
1. Correct Bend If you use the three cone system, always have the When the self-supporting cone higher temperature cone on the same side in every bends so that the tip is approxi- firing. Otherwise you can lose track of which cone is mately even with the top of the which. -
Page 10: Cone-Fire Programming Instructions
Sentry Xpress 5 Cone-Fire / Ramp-Hold Entering a Cone-Fire Cone-Fire Programming Instructions Program Lock, Slow Cooling, and Delay can each be turned on or off as programming steps. Ignore the steps below that you have deactivated. See LOCK, page 21; COOL, page Firing Speed [SPD] 17;... -
Page 11: Slow Cooling [Cool]
Answer 9 ½ hours is the firing time programmed When Hold is set to 99.59 hours, the Sentry Xpress will remain at that temperature indefinitely, until the into the Cone-Fire mode at fast speed. The easiest way to go faster is to use Ramp-Hold mode, where Start/Stop key is pressed. -
Page 12: Chapter 3 Ramp-Hold
To control the cooling rate. The Sentry Xpress fires at a controlled heating rate. The The diagram below shows a 3 segment firing. Segments 1 rate is usually figured in degrees per hour. If you selected a and 2 were used on the way up in temperature. -
Page 13: Rate As Degrees Per Hour
Programs are numbered 1 - 25. Lock, Fan, and Delay can each be turned on or off as The first message to appear after you plug in your Sentry programming steps. Ignore the steps below that you have Xpress is [ IDLE] . -
Page 14: Rate As Degrees Per Minute
In programming step 7, previous page, enter the hold then close it again. This takes the glass down rapidly time. When hold is set to 99.99 hours, the Sentry Xpress will through the devitrification range. To program a flash-cool, Do not leave your kiln unattended during operation. -
Page 15: A Ramp-Hold Practice Program
The Options give you access to special features and ad- Use the programming instructions on page 13 to enter justments in your Sentry Xpress. With each press of the Up this firing schedule. Then use Program Review (page 5) to Arrow key, the controller will display the next option. -
Page 16: Skip To The Next Segment
Sentry Xpress 5 Cone-Fire / Ramp-Hold Change the Target Temperature to 2167°F as you had programmed. Skip to the next seg- of the Current Segment ment, which is a slow cooling one. If the firing does not in- During a Cone-Fire or Ramp-Hold firing, press clude a slow cooling segment, and you are in the last seg- the Up Arrow 3 times. -
Page 17: Interpreting Cone Bending To Set A Cone Offset
Cone Offset Settings turn on the option, the Slow Cooling prompt will remain hidden in Cone-Fire programming. Note: You must have a Cone-Fire program in active memory before you can change Cone Offset. First, program a Cone-Fire. See page 10. °F Setting °C Setting Result... -
Page 18: Tc / Choose Thermocouple Type
Select K-Type, -N, -S or -R Thermocouple another temperature, as many times as you want, during the The Sentry Xpress can use K-, N-, S- or R-Type firing. Entering an alarm temperature automatically erases thermocouples. If you specialize in firings above 2200°F / the previous one. -
Page 19: Diag (Diagnostics)
Firing Pointer: The relays are tested for 2 minutes each, Your Sentry Xpress controller can give you the electrical cost of a firing. This will help you determine how much to followed by the AOP1 outlet. You can press the charge for the ware that you sell. -
Page 20: Tcos / Thermocouple Offset
Slow Cooling begins, and check it again During a hold, the set point remains steady. after the kiln has fired to completion. The Sentry Xpress shows error messages when it can’t TCOS / Thermocouple Offset maintain the set point temperature. The cushion, or lee-... -
Page 21: Htde / Adjust High Temperature Deviation
CAUTION: Changing the Deviation Temperature The High Temperature Deviation If an alarm is triggered by flash-cooling the kiln or open- (HTDE) alarm shuts off the kiln to prevent an overfire. On controllers with pre-18D software, ing a bead door, raise the [TEDE] temperature. -
Page 22: How To Lock Individual Programs
The choices in the option: [AOP1] in the [RATE] option of your Sentry Xpress controller to Kiln Vent or Gas Outlet: This option adds a [VFAN] setting. You then won’t have to change your fir- [TIME] display prompt for fan (... -
Page 23: Cent / Enter Cost Per Kilowatt-Hour From Your Electric Bill (For Firing Cost)
Look at your kiln’s electrical data plate. It is usually on the side of the Your Sentry can give you the electrical cost of a firing. Photo by Nick Casberg. switch box. The data plate lists the watts, amps, and volts. If watts are not listed, multiply amps x volts. -
Page 24: Sfty / Maximum Temperature
CAUTION: If your kiln uses a K-Type thermo- The temperature displayed is the maximum operating couple, the Sentry Xpress will underfire after a re- temperature programmed in the Sentry Xpress for your set! Use the Thermocouple Option (TC, page 18) kiln. -
Page 25: Chapter 5 Error Messages
LTDE / Low Temperature Deviation Chapter 5 During a cooling-down ramp or a hold, the temperature is below the set point temperature by more than the de- Error Messages viation setting. (See Temperature Deviation, page 20.) Check for a bad relay, worn or burned out elements, low Error messages are accompanied by an alarm. -
Page 26: Fe 1 / Failed To Read/Write To Memory
[HTDE] appears along with a continuous beeping alarm. On the back of the Sentry Xpress circuit board, at the Causes: top right side, is a small two-pin terminal. If the connec-... -
Page 27: Otl / Over Temperature Limit
The firing was interrupted less than 100°F/56°C from the cone temperature: Fire the ware again. If The Sentry Xpress handles a power failure in two ways: the kiln shuts off within 100°F / 55°C of maturity, and the After a brief power failure, the controller continues temperature drops 50°F / 28°C or more after the kiln... -
Page 28: Display Messages
During a heating-up ramp or a hold, the temperature is 100°F / [ETH] Electronics Too Hot 22, 25 56°C above the programmed temperature. The Sentry Xpress circuit board is too hot, so the kiln shut off. [IDLE] Ready to Begin Cover, 5, 10, 13 [F / C] Change °F / °C... - Page 29 This appears when firing begins. Do not be concerned if it takes a [STD] Standard Speed moment for the relays to turn on. The Sentry Xpress is processing data. Cone-Fire medium speed appears in the Sentry Xpress as STD, or Standard.
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Page 30: Preset Cone-Fire Programs
Sentry Xpress 5 Cone-Fire / Ramp-Hold Preset Cone-Fire Programs - °F These are the firing schedules programmed in Cone-Fire mode. To customize a schedule, write down your changes. Then load your new schedule into Ramp-Hold. Low Fire Cones °F Segment 1... -
Page 31: Orton Cone Temperature Chart
Preset Cone-Fire Programs - °C These are the firing schedules programmed in Cone-Fire mode. To customize a schedule, write down your changes. Then load your new schedule into Ramp-Hold. Low Fire Cones °C Segment 1 Segment 2 Cone Rate 1 Temp. 1 Rate 2 Temp. - Page 32 Sentry Xpress 5 Cone-Fire / Ramp-Hold Temperature Equivalents For Orton Self-Supporting Pyrometric Cones °F °C Cone Self-Supporting Cones Pre-Fire Cone Self-Supporting Cones Pre-Fire Number Color Number Color Heated at: 27° F 108° F 270° F Heated at: 15° C 60° C 150°...
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Page 33: Ramp-Hold Firing Records
Ramp-Hold Firing Records Date_______________________________ Date_______________________________ User Program ______ User Program ______ Optional Optional Rate Fan On / Rate Fan On / Target Hold Time Target Hold Time °/Hour °/Hour Temperature Hours.Mins Temperature Hours.Mins RA10 Hd10 RA10 Hd10 RA11 Hd11 RA11 Hd11 RA12 Hd12... -
Page 34: Glossary
Sentry Xpress 5 Cone-Fire / Ramp-Hold Glossary for glaze. The glaze firing melts the Rate The controller needs to know the glaze over the clay. temperature you are firing to, and how Amperage The amount of electricity fast you want to get to that temperature. -
Page 35: Shorthand Instructions
Sentry Xpress Ramp-Hold Shorthand Programming After you press the key(s) in the left column, the message in the center will appear. KEYS TO PRESS DISPLAY COMMENTS IDLE Apply power to kiln Press Start/Stop if IDLE doesn’t appear. USER Start/Stop, Up Arrow (NOT down) Select USER. -
Page 36: Shorthand Instructions
Sentry Xpress Cone-Fire Shorthand Programming After you press the key(s) in the left column, the message in the center will appear. KEYS TO PRESS DISPLAY COMMENTS IDLE Apply power to kiln Press Start/Stop if IDLE doesn’t appear. CONE Start/Stop, Up Arrow (NOT down) Select CONE Start/Stop, Up &...