Delay; The Lid Message; Power Failures; Cplt Message: Firing Completed - Sentry Xpress 5.0 Instructions For Use Manual

Sentry Xpress 5 Cone-Fire / Ramp-Hold
Note: In Program Review, Cone-Fire speed is dis-
played as the RA (ramp) part of each segment.
Cone-Fire Review shows the segments and ramp
rates listed in the charts on pages 30-31.

Delay

Delay is a count-down timer. The kiln begins firing when
the timer runs out of time. Use delay to fit a firing into your
schedule. See also page 17.
CAUTION: For safety, do not leave the kiln alone
during a delay or a firing. We cannot guarantee
your kiln against overfiring even though the con-
troller is automatic.
1
After you have selected a program and the control-
ler is ready to begin firing,
2
Press the Start/Stop key once.
pear, alternating with
3
Use the arrow keys to enter delay time. (The deci-
mal separates hours and minutes. Example: 1 hour
and 10 minutes = 01.10) Then press Start/Stop.
will appear, then
[-ON-]
time left until the firing begins.
Note: Press Start/Stop during delay to end the
delay and begin the firing. The maximum delay is
99 hours and 59 minutes.
CAUTION: For safety, do not leave the kiln alone
during a delay or a firing. We cannot guarantee
your kiln against overfiring even though the con-
troller is automatic. The operator assumes full re-
sponsibility for shutting the kiln off at the proper
time.

The LID Message

This indicates that your kiln is equipped with a lid or
door safety switch, and the lid or door is open. This will turn
off the elements.
If your kiln does not have a safety switch, or the kiln is
closed, please see page 26.

Power Failures

After a power failure, the controller will continue firing
provided–
The kiln temperature is above 212°F / 100°C when the
power comes back on.
The temperature dropped no more than 180°F / 100°C
while the power was off.
Power Failure Messages
The power failed during a cooling segment, and
[PF 1]
the kiln cooled past the target temperature while the power
was off.
The power failed during a firing and the kiln tem-
[PF 2]
perature was below 212°F / 100°C when the power came
back on.
6
will appear.
[STRT]
will ap-
[DELA]
[00.00] .
alternating with
[DELA]
Do not leave your kiln unattended during operation.
[PF 3] The power failed during a firing and the tempera-
ture dropped more than 72°F / 40°C by the time the power
came back on.

CPLT Message: Firing Completed

When the firing has successfully completed, the Sentry
Xpress will beep for 60 seconds and shut off the elements.
Then four messages will cycle one after the other:
1
[CPLT] (complete)
2
Firing time in hours and minutes
3
The temperature reached during the last segment
that you programmed
4
The current kiln temperature
Note: After the kiln fires to completion, discon-
nect the power. It is okay to turn off the power to
the controller while the kiln cools to room
temperature.

Hot and Cold Weather; Storage Sheds

It is okay to store the Sentry Xpress at sub-zero tempera-
tures. But before operating, raise the room temperature to
at least 32°F / 0°C.
Hot weather pointer: Blow a gentle stream of air through the control
panel of the kiln to reduce the temperature of the controller circuit board.
The Sentry Xpress will register sub-zero °F / °C tempera-
tures. However, 32°F / 0°C is the lowest recommended op-
erating temperature.
Pointer: Raise the room temperature with a space
heater before firing the kiln. Place the space heater
within a couple of feet of the control panel and let it
run for an hour or so. Or even hang a shop light
near the kiln to raise the temperature above
freezing.
The circuit board is rated for 176°F / 80°C maximum op-
erating temperature. However, the maximum recom-
mended temperature is 158°F / 70°C, measured at the con-
troller inside the kiln switch box. To lower the temperature,
open windows and blow air across the kiln's switch box with
a fan. Place several fans in the room during hot weather.
(See ELEC, page 22, to check circuit board temperature.)
High humidity will not adversely affect the Sentry
Xpress unless water condenses on the circuit board. In this
case, do not fire the kiln until the moisture has evaporated
from the board.