Sentry Industries Sentry 2.0 User Manual

Download

Sentry 2.0

Digital Temperature Controller

Complete Operating Instructions

Cone-Fire (pg 8-11)

From IdLE, press 1.

Available only on ceramic kilns. Fires to a pyrometric cone. Enter cone, speed, pre-heat, hold, and slow cool.

See pages 28-29 for instructions on upgrading your DTC

100, 600, 800 or 1000 series board to the Sentry.

Delay (pg 6)

From IdLE, press 3.

Enter time in hours:minutes. Delays the start of firing.

Ramp-Hold (pg 12-15)

From IdLE, press 4.

Select stored program (1 - 4). Enter rate, temperature, and hold for each segment.

Alarm (pg 6)

From IdLE or during firing, press 7.

Enter a temperature. When alarm sounds during firing, press Enter.

Enter/Start (pg 7)

Press Enter/Start after each step in programming a firing. Press Enter/Start once to be gin the firing.

Options (pg 17 - 21)

From IdLE, press 0. Press Enter for option displayed.

Cone-Fire Options

SPd Speed Change the speed

of a Cone-Fire program beyond the Fast, Medium, or Slow.

OFST Cone Offset Adjust con

troller to a witness cone.

FAN Vent Fan Selects when

the vent fan will operate. (Special option not on all kilns.)

Standard Options

TCOS Thermocouple Offset

Calibrate the thermocouple temperature.

CHG- Select °F or °C. TC Thermocouple Type Se

lect Type K, S or R.

AOP AOP Outlet Select vent

fan or alarm. This is a special op tion not on all kilns.

Id Computer ID Select identi

fication number for output to a computer.

TEdE Temperature Deviation

Set temperature sensitivity of er ror codes.

SFTY Maximum temp.

ELEC Electronics Temp.

Check board for overheating.

LOCK Program Lock Make a

program tamper-proof.

CFG Configuration Code

For technicians.

SOFT Software Version

For technicians.

TEST Element Test Diagnos

tics tool for checking elements.

RST Reset Removes cone

and thermocouple offsets, etc.

Stop/Back (pg 7)

Press during firing or programming.

Stops a firing. In Options,

takes you back to IdLE.

During programming, takes you back one step each time key is pressed.

Multiple Zone Options

DIFF Difference Largest

temperature difference be tween any two zones.

CAdJ Center Adjustment

Change center heat of some

two-zone kilns.

T123 Zone Tempera

tures Shows temperature of

each zone.

Add Time (pg 6)

During firing, press 2.

Each additional key press adds five minutes to a hold. It works in both Ramp-Hold and Cone-Fire.

Present Status (pg 6)

Press 5 during firing.

Shows the segment that is currently firing. Works in both Ramp-Hold and Cone-Fire.

Program Review (pg 6)

From IdLE or during firing, press 6.

Shows the program that is loaded in memory and ready to fire, or the one that is firing.

Cone Table & Skip Segment (pg 7)

From IdLE or during firing, press 9.

From IdLE, shows tempera ture for the cone you enter. While Firing: In Ramp-Hold, skips to the next ramp. In Cone-Fire, skips out of Pre-Heat or Hold.

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the Sentry micro processor, our most advanced generation of digi tal temperature controllers. The easiest way to learn to operate the Sentry is to sit down in front of it with these instructions and play with it. Spend time understanding the controller before you begin to use it.

Damage caused by failure to follow instructions is not covered by warranty.

The Sentry operates in Cone-Fire and Ramp-Hold similar to the earlier DTC 600, 800, and 1000 series. If you are familiar with the earlier controllers, you can follow many of the same operating procedures with the Sentry.

The Cone-Fire mode applies to ceramics only. If you purchased a heat treating, glass fusing, enameling or jewelry furnace, your version of the Sentry will include only the Ramp-Hold mode, not the Cone-Fire. In this case, please disregard “FAST,” “MEDIUM,” “SLOW,” “Cone Fire” and “Cone #s” on your keypad.

If you purchased the TnF 2 portable controller, you should find a TnF 2 installation instruction sheet in addition to these instructions.

Instructions for multiple-zone kilns are included in this manual. If you are not sure whether your kiln is multiple-zone, look into the firing chamber. If you see two or three thermocouple tips, your kiln is multiple-zone. If you see only one thermocouple, skip multiple-zone instructions.

Do not worry if you hear a distinct clicking noise during operation. Mechanical relays click as they turn the heating elements on and off.

You can connect your Sentry controller to a personal computer, which will allow you to graph your firings and to monitor them from a distance. Ask for the computer inteface kit, which consists of a cable, a computer chip for the back of the Sentry, and software for your computer.

Once you learn the basic features of the Sentry, you will be able to control every stage of firing. This offers learning opportunities and convenience difficult to imagine with a manual con trolled kiln.

Contents

Basic Pointers . . . . . . . . . . 4

Which Instructions

Apply to Your Controller . . . . . . . . . . 4

Room Temperature and Humidity. . . 4 Thunder Storms and Power Surges . 4

Display Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

How to Get IdLE to Display . . . . . . . . 5

Firing Completion Message . . . . . . . 5

Repeat Firings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Thermocouple Inspection . . . . . . . . . 5

The “LId” Display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

The Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Correcting Entries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

1 / Cone Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

2 / Add Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

3 / Delay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

4 / Ramp Hold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

5 / Present Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

6 / Program Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

7 / Alarm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

9 / Cone Numbers & Skip Segment . 7

Enter/Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

The Options Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

The Stop/Back Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Cone-Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Standard Schedules

Low Fire Cones 022 - 011. . . . . . . . 9

Middle Fire Cones 010 - 01 . . . . . . 9

High Fire Cones 1 - 10 . . . . . . . . . . 9

Speed (SPd) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Pre-Heat (PRHT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Hold (HOLd) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Cone-Fire Programming . . . . . . . . . 10

Slow Cooling (COOL) . . . . . . . . . . . 11

When the Kiln Shuts Off Too Soon . 11

For Kilns with AOP Outlet . . . . . . . . 11

Ramp-Hold . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Definition of a Segment . . . . . . . . . . 12

Ramp-Hold Programming . . . . . . . . 13

User Programs (USER) . . . . . . . . . . 13

Firing a Stored User Program . . . . . 14

Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Hold (HOLd) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

AOP Fan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Segments for Controlled Cooling . . 14

Sample Firing Schedules . . . . . . . . 14

Cone-Fire Program Fired in

Ramp-Hold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Sculptured Stoneware Bisque

Firing Schedule, Cone 04. . . . . . . 14

Glass Fusing Firing Schedule . . . 15

Glass Slumping Firing Schedule . 15

Starting a Firing in a Hot Kiln. . . . . . 15

When the Kiln Shuts Off Too Soon . 15

Multiple Zone Kilns . . . . . 16

An Overview of Multiple

Zone Firing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Viewing Zone Temperatures . . . . . . 16

Two Zone Kilns: Adjust Heat in

Center Section (CAdJ). . . . . . . . . . . 16

Thermocouple Failure

In a Multiple Zone Kiln . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Power Output Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Testing Multiple Zone Elements . . . 16

Options: Cone-Fire. . . . . . 17

Cone-Fire Speed (Spd) . . . . . . . . . . 17

Cone Offset (OFST) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Interpreting Cone Bending . . . . . . 18

When Cone Temperature

Is Off More Than 20°F/11°C . . . . . 18

Fan (FAN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Options: General . . . . . . . 18

Thermocouple Offset (TCOS) . . . . . 18

Thermocouple Offset for

Ceramic Firings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Calibrating Thermocouple Offset

With a Digital Pyrometer. . . . . . . . 19

Setting Thermocouple Offset . . . . 19

Multiple Zone

Thermocouple Offset . . . . . . . . . . 19

Selecting °F or °C (CHG-) . . . . . . . . 19

°F/°C Temperature

Conversion Formula . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Thermocouple Type (TC) . . . . . . . . 19

AOP Outlet (AOP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Computer ID (ID) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Temperature Deviation (TEDE) . . . . 20

Maximum Temperature (SFTY) . . . . 20

Electronics Temperture (ELEC). . . . 20

Program Lock (LOCK) . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Configuration Code (CFG) . . . . . . . 21

Software Version (SOFT). . . . . . . . . 21

Element Test (TEST) . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Reset (RST) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Options: Multiple Zone . . 21

Zone Temperature

Difference (DIFF) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Two Zone Kilns: Adjust Heat in

Center Section (CAdJ). . . . . . . . . . . 21

Zone Temperatures (T123) . . . . . . . 21

Error Messages . . . . . . . . 22

FTC / Failed to Cool. . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

FTH / Failed to Heat. . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

LTdE / Low Temperature

Deviation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

PF / Power Failure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

BAdP / Bad Programming . . . . . . . . 22

ETH / Electronics Too Hot. . . . . . . . 22

FAIL / Thermocouple Failure . . . . . . 22

FTL / Firing Too Long . . . . . . . . . . . 22

HTdE / High Temperature

Deviation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

PF 2 / Power Failure . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

PF 3 / Power Failure . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

How the Sentry

Handles Power Failures. . . . . . . . . . 23

Using Ceramic Witness Cones

After an Extended Power Failure . 23

PLOG Error Codes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

TCdE / Uneven Multiple

Zone Temperatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

TCR / Thermocouple

Leads Reversed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Appendix A

Display Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Appendix B

Standard Cone-Fire Schedules. . . . 26

Appendix C

Upgrading the DTC 100, 600, 800 &

1000 to the Sentry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Appendix D

Orton Pyrometric Cone

Temperature Equivalents . . . . . . . . 30

Appendix E

Ramp-Hold Shorthand . . . . . . . . . . 31

Appendix F

Cone-Fire Shorthand . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Safety

Chapter 1

The warranty on your Sentry controller does not cover damage from overfiring, regardless of the circumstances. It is the operator’sresponsibility to makesure the kilnturns off at the end of the firing. Follow these safety rules in addition to the ones in your kiln or furnace manual.

When the kiln is not in

use, disconnect thepower

and keep the lid or door

closed. (For larger kilns

with heavy cordsets, we

recommend a power dis

connect box near the kiln.)

Do not leave the kiln unattended, especially near the expected shut-off time.

Wear firing safety glasses when looking into peephole of a hot kiln.

Do not touch hot sides of kiln or furnace. Keep unsupervised children away.

Install your kiln or furnace at least 12 inches from any wall or combustible surface. (See manufacturer’s recommendation for your model.)

Do not open lid or door until kiln or furnace has cooled and all switches are off.

Fire only in a well-ventilated, covered and pro tected area away from flammable materials. Keep cordset away from hot sides of kiln or fur nace.

DANGEROUS VOLTAGE! Do not touch heat ing elements with anything. Disconnect kiln or furnace before servicing.

Do not operate if the controller itself is hotter than 150°F/66°C. (See instructions on page 20 for checking board temperature.) Never allow the firing room temperature to exceed 110°F/43°C. (Measure room temperature three feet from the kiln.)

Stop a firing by pressing the STOP button, not by disconnecting the power. In certain condi tions, the controller will interpret a power inter ruption as a power failure and turn the kiln back on when you reconnect the power.

Basic Pointers

Which Instructions Apply to Your Controller

The Sentry fires in two modes:

Ceramic Cone-Fire, based on pyrometric cones.

Ramp-Hold, based on custom firing rates and target temperatures.

Ceramic kilns use both Cone-Fire and Ramp-Hold. Heat treating, glass fusing, and enameling furnaces and kilns come with Ramp-Hold only.

1 From IdLE display, press 1.If CONE appears, you

have Cone-Fire mode.If the 1key does not respond, you have Ramp-Hold mode only.

2 Press STOP to bring the controller back to IdLE .

Note: FAST, MEDIUM, SLOW, CONE-FIRE, and CONE #s printed on the controller faceplate apply only to Cone-Fire mode.

If you have Ramp-Hold only, skip pages 8 - 11.

Room Temperature and Humidity

It is okay to store the Sentry at sub-zero temperatures. But before operating, raise the room temperature to at least 32°F/0°C.

Note: The Sentry will register sub-zero °F/°Ctem peratures. However, 32°F/0°C is the lowest recom mended operating temperature.

The circuit board is rated for 158°F/70°C maximum op erating temperature. However, the maximum recom mended temperature is 125°F/52°C. Open windows and ex haust hot air from the room to lower temperature. (See page 20 to check circuit board temperature.)

High humidity will not adversely affect the Sentry unless water condenses on the circuit board. Inthis case,do not fire the kiln until the moisture has evaporated from the board.

Thunder Storms and Power Surges

Unplug the kiln when not in use, especially during thun der storms and in areas with frequent power surges. If the kiln is part way through a firing when a storm begins, it may be okay to continue the firing. When the kiln shuts off, dis connect the power.

CAUTION: when firing the kiln duringa storm, do not leave the kiln unattended!

Display Lights

Single Center Light: Time

A lower center dot appears during time display. It sepa

rates hours from minutes (i.e. 1 hour, 30 minutes displays as

01.30). During temperature display, the dot disappears.

Power Output Lights

The Sentry turns on the heating elements intermittently through relays. The power output lights in the right side of the display appear when the Sentry sends power to the re lay(s).

Single Zone Kiln When the Sentry sends power to the relays, all three lights appear.

Two Zone Kiln The top light shows power to the relay for the top section of the kiln. The bottom light shows power to the bottom. Ignore the center light.

Three Zone Kiln The top light indicates power to the top section relay, the middle light to the middle section, and the bottom light to the bottom.

°F

°C

Single Right-Hand Light: °C

When temperature is displayed in °C, a light appears in the lower right. In °F it disappears.

How to Get IdLE to Display

The controller displays IdLE when you first apply power to the kiln. Operations begin from IdLE . You can’t fire the kiln until IdLE appears.

If you press STOP during a firing, AbRT will appear. To get back to IdLE , press ENTER.

If the display shows an error message such as FAIL in stead of IdLE , see pages 22 - 23.

CPLT (firing completed) appears at the end of a firing.

To make IdLE appear, press any key.

Firing Completion Message

When the firing has completed, four messages will cycle

one after the other:

1 CPLT (complete)

2 Firing time in hours and minutes (amount shown

does not include Cone-Fire slow cooling time)

3 The temperature the kiln fired to in Cone-Fire, or

the temperature of the last segment in Ramp-Hold

4 The current kiln temperature

Note: If the alarm (see page 6) sounded, and then the kiln fired to completion, you will see ALAR in stead of CPLT . Press ENTER. CPLT will appear.

Repeat Firings

To repeat the last firing, press ENTER from IdLE . The

kiln will begin firing. This works in both Cone-Fire and Ramp-Hold. But first, make sure you are repeating the cor rect firing by using “Program Review” (see page 6). For re peat firings that you don’t want to inadvertently change, see

“Program Lock,” page 20.

Thermocouple Inspection

The small rod protruding into the firing chamber is the

temperature sensor, or thermocouple.

CAUTION: Bumping the thermocouple can push it out of the firing chamber. This could cause an overfire! The controller does not contain an alarm to detect this type of failure.

Thermocouples come in different widths. The wider the thermocouple, the farther it should extend into the firing chamber. A ¼” diameter thermocouple should extend into the firing chamberabout 1”. A 1/8”thermocouple should extend into the chamber ½” - 5/8”.

Keep shelves, posts and ware 1” - 1 ½” away from the thermocouple. Keep an extra thermocouple on hand, espe cially if you fire hotter than 2000°F/1093°C.

If you are using a portable, separate controller, you will need to install the thermocouple onto the kiln. See the sepa rate TnF 2 installation instructions.

The “LId” Display

Reasons LId appears in the display:

The kiln is equipped with the optional safety switch. (The switchturns off power to the elements when the lid or door is open.) LId appearsin thedisplay while the lid is open during firing.

On the back of the Sentry circuit board, at the top right side, is a small two-pin terminal.If the connector on that terminal is missing, LId will appear in the display dur

ing firing. The elements will not turn on. (If the two-pin connector is missing, you can buy another from a com puter supply store.)

The safety lid switch is defective or the safety switch wire is broken.

Chapter 2

The Keys

Correcting Entries

If you enterthe wrong temperature,cone, time, etc.,while

programming, enter 0000. Then enter the correct numbers before pressing ENTER.See also the Stop/Back Key, page7.

1 / Cone Fire

Cone-Fire is a method of firing ceramics to a pyrometric cone. See Chapter 3, page 8, for details. To find out if your Sentry in

cludes Cone-Fire:

1 From IdLE display, press 1.If CONE appears, you

have Cone-Fire mode. If the 1 key does not re spond, you have Ramp-Hold mode only.

2 Press STOP to bring the controller back to IdLE .

2 / Add Time

This key adds five minutes to a Hold. It is designed for ceramists who watch witness cones through the peephole, and for glass

artists who inspect the glass near the end of firing.

1 During a firing, press Add Time. HOLd , and time

in hold, will appear.

2 Press Add Time again. The time shown will in-

crease by 5 minutes. In a few seconds, temperature display will return.

Note: Add Time will add 5 minutes to Hold in either Cone-Fire or Ramp-Hold, even if no hold had been programmed. After hold time displays, 5 min utes are added with each press of the key.

automatic. The operator assumes full responsibility for shutting the kiln off at the proper time.

4 / Ramp Hold

Ramp-Hold fires the kiln to the tempera

ture you specify, whereas Cone-Fire fires to a pyrometric cone. Press 4 from IdLE to

program a firing or to select a stored program. See “Ramp-Hold,” page 12.

5 / Present Status

Press 5during a firing to display the cur

rent segment that is firing. The messages

RA 1 Ramp (see page 12), and segment number.

Hd 1 Hold (see page 12), and segment number.

PRHT Cone-Fire Pre-Heat (see page 9).

COOL Cone-Fire Slow Cooling (see page 11).

Uses for Present Status:

You are firing a program that contains several heating and cooling segments. Without Present Status, it would be easy to lose track of which segment is firing.

In Cone-Fire, you may think the kiln has fired too long when it is actually only in a slow cooling.

that can appear in Present Status:

6 / Program Review

When you press ENTER to begin firing,

the controller will fire the program that is in active memory. Program Review shows the

values for thatprogram. The programin active memoryis—

The program that was fired last, or

The program that was selected since the last firing.

Start Program Review from IdLE , or while firing, by

pressing 6.

3 / Delay

This delays the start of the firing by the amount of time entered. Use it to fit a firing into your schedule or to take advantage of

lower electric rates at night. Delay zeroes out after each fir ing. Therefore, it must be programmed for each firing.

1 A Cone-Fire or Ramp-Hold program must be inac

tive memory, ready to fire. (See pages 10 and 13.)

2 From IdLE press 3. Enter delay time (i.e., 5 ½

hours = 05.30). Press ENTER.

3 To begin Delay, press ENTER once from IdLE .A

Delay count-down timer will appear.

Note: Press START 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 controller is

Note: In Program Review, Cone-Fire Fast speed displays as F20. Slow speed displays as S20. (These speeds are 20% faster and slower than the standard speed.)

7 / Alarm

The alarm sounds when the kiln reaches the alarm temperature you enter. Use the alarm to alert you to—

Lower the lid from venting position (ceramics).

Check the witness cone near shut-off time (ceramics).

Check the fusing or slumping of glass.

Remove the knife blade from the furnace at the end of heat treating.

You can enter only onealarm temperature at a time. How ever, after the alarm beeps, you can set the alarm for another temperature, as many times as you want, during the firing. You can enter a higher or lower temperature than the cur rent temperature. Enteringan alarm temperature automati cally erases the previous alarm temperature.

Setting Alarm From Idle

1 From IdLE , press 7. ALAR will appear alternating

with the last alarm temperature entered.

2 Enter alarm temperature. Press ENTER. IdLE will

appear. (Enter 0000 to turn alarm off.)

Note: 9999, as an alarm temperature, automati cally changes to the maximum temperature rating of your controller.

When the alarm sounds, shut it off by pressing any key ex

cept STOP. (The STOP key does not work while an alarm sounds.) If the alarm soundsas soon as firing begins,it is be cause the alarm was set to a temperature below the current temperature.

Setting Alarm During Firing

1 The alarm beeps while the kiln is firing. Press 7.

2 Enter the new temperature.

3 Press ENTER. The kiln will continue firing.

If you touch 7, enter a new temperature, and forget to

press ENTER, the controller will merely continue firing.

Note: When an alarm sounds, firing to completion does not shut the alarm off.

9 / Cone Numbers & Skip Segment

Cone Table

Look up a cone temperature with the 9 key.

1 From IdLE , press 9. CONE will appear, then the

cone, if any, currently programmed in Cone-Fire.

2 Enter a pyrometric cone number. Press ENTER. The

display will show thecone temperature.If you enter a non-existent cone number, the display will show

CONE , ready for you to enter a different cone num

ber.

Note: Do not be concerned if the actual cone shut-off temperature does not match the Cone Ta ble. The temperature of a cone varies with firing speed. The cone temperatures in Cone Table are for self-supporting cones fired at a rate of 108°F / 60°C per hour during the last hour of firing.

Skip Segment

Skip Segmentworks only during firing. It jumps from the

current segment to the next one.

To skip a segment, press 9. SKIP will appear, then the current segment. Press ENTER. (If you change your mind and don’t wantto skip thatsegment, don’t pressENTER after

SKIP appears. Instead, press 9 again. The firing will con

tinue in the same segment.)

Skip Segment in Cone-Fire

In Cone-Fire, SkipSegment works inPre-Heat and Hold:

To skip out of Pre-Heat and begin the cone firing.

To skip out of Cone-Fire Hold. Slow Cooling will begin. (If the firing does not include Slow Cooling, Skip Seg ment will notend a Hold.Press STOP toend the firing.)

Skip Segment in Ramp-Hold

In Ramp-Hold, the firing will skip to the ramp of the next segment from either a ramp or hold of the current segment. (See page 12 for details on ramps, holds, and segments.)

Skip Segment Examples

For additional examples, see Chapter 4, pages 14 - 15.

Cone-Fire

In Cone-Fire you are firing to an 05 witness cone for the first time. You select cone 04 with a 60 minute hold and a slow cooling. After 30 minutes in hold, the 05 witness cone bends to maturity. Use Skip Segment to end the hold and begin Slow Cooling.

Note: Once you know how much hold time will bend the witness cone, program that much hold for the next firing.

Ramp-Hold

Skipping to a Cooling Segment: You have programmed 2167°F for a cone 5 glaze firing, followed by a segment for controlled cooling. Watching the witness cone through the peephole, you notice that cone 5 is bending at 2150°F. Use Skip Segment to end the firing segment and begin the one for slow cooling.

Note: Make a note of the temperature at which the cone bent. Program that temperature for the next firing.

Skipping to a Hold: Skip Segment does not skip from a ramp to a hold. Itskips to the next segment. Ifyou need to skip to a hold, program an additional segment with the hold that youwant. Then skipto that segment.Example:

Segment 1: rate 500°F to 1828

Segment 2: rate 200°F to 1750 with 30 minute hold

Enter/Start

Press ENTER after each step in program ming a firing.

Press ENTER once to begin firing.

The Options Key

See Chapter 6, page 17.

The Stop/Back Key

You can stop a firing at any time (except

when the alarm sounds) by pressing STOP. If you inadvertently enter Ramp-Hold,

Cone-Fire, or Options, you do not have to go through all the

prompts to get back out. Press STOP to go to IdLE .

The STOP/BACK key is also like the Back button on an Internet browser. It works in Cone-Fire and Ramp-Hold programming. It will take you back one step every time you press the key.

Chapter 3

Cone-Fire

Cone-Fire mode is based on pyrometric cones. It is not designed for heat treating, glass fusing and enameling. For these firings, see “Ramp-Hold,” page 12. Use Ramp-Hold to fire ceramic pieces that require a custom firing schedule, such as some types of stone ware sculpture or crystalline glaze.

Pyrometric Witness Cones

The Sentryshuts off automatically without cones. Never theless, every ceramic firing should include at least one wit ness cone (also called the shelf cone). The witness cone is the most accurate measurement of heat work in a ceramic firing.

If you fire the same size load and type of ware regularly, the witness cones let you compare one firing to the next and alert you when something is wrong. For example, if the witness cone bends less and less with each consecutive firing, this may indicate thermocouple temperature drift.

Note: If the bending of the witness cone does not match the Cone-Fire shut-off, you may want to adjust Cone Offset or Thermocouple Offset. See pages 17 - 19. If the witness cones bend inconsistently from one firing to another, see “Sentry Troubleshooter,” a separate publication.

How to Position Cones on the Shelf

Position the witness cones so that you can see them through a peephole during fir ing. If thekiln takes longerthan usual to fire, you may wonder if something has gone wrong and the kiln is overfiring. But by seeing the cones, you will know how the firing is progressing.

If you follow these guide lines, you should be able to see the cones even at cone 10:

Place the cones 8” - 12” away from a peephole. Posi tioning them closer makes them difficult to see.

Have enough space around the cones to keep them from touching a piece of ware when they bend.

Position cones so that when viewed from the peephole, they are silhouetted by an element on the opposite kiln wall. (Keep cones at least 2” from an element.)

Use self-supporting witness cones on the shelf. They stand

upright without cone holders.

The element that silhouettes the cones should be level with the lower part of the cone. If the element is in line with the upper part of the cone, you won’t be able to see the cone when it bends.

If you use the three cone system, always have the higher tem perature cone on the same side in every fir ing. Otherwise you can lose track of which cone is which.

Wear firing safety glasses when viewing the cones through the peephole.

See your dealer if in doubt about which cone number to use with each clay and glaze.

Silhouette the lower part of the cone against an element. Keep the cone 8”

- 12” away from the peephole.

Firing Schedules

Cone-Fire uses three firing schedules:

Low fire cones 022 - 011

Medium fire cones 010 - 01

High fire cones 1 - 10

Should you ever want to customize a Cone-Fire program, transfer the firing schedule to Ramp-Hold. See Appendix B, pages 26 - 27.

During a cone firing, press 5 (Present Status) to see which stage, or segment, of the firing the kiln has reached. The number displayed will be a segment number from one of these firing schedules.

Note: Pre-Heat shows inPresent Status as PRHT . It is not given a separate segment number.

Firing time in each segment is approximate and depends on the age of elements, voltage, size of load, and the firing speed you have chosen.

CAUTION: Cone numbers beginning with 0 are lower in temperature than those without the 0. When programing a Cone-Fire, be sure you know the difference between an 05 and 5. See “Tempera ture Equivalents Chart for Orton Self-Supporting Pyrometric Cones,” Appendix D, page 30.

Low Fire Cones 022 - 011

This range includes decals, over-decorations, lusters, and golds.The firing can be fast. Good venting isimportant, because oils and other organics burn off. Donot closethe lid from the vented position until all odor has disappeared.

Low Fire Cones 022 - 011 Firing Schedule

Segment Rate Per Hour Time in Segment

1 396°F/220°C 2 hours

2 108°F/60°C 1 hour

Firing time is about 3 to 5 hours, depending on the cone and speed.

High Fire Cones 1 - 10 Firing Schedule

Segment Rate Per Hour Time in Segment

1 324°F/180°C 2 hours, 30 minutes

2 153°F/85°C 35 minutes

3 162°F/90°C 4 hours, 35 minutes

4 108°F/60°C 2 hours

Firing time isabout9 hours, 30 minutes to 11 hours,dependingon the coneand

speed.

Cone-Fire Features

Middle Fire Cones 010 - 01

Use this range for earthenware and commercial low-fire glazes. Glazes fired on bisque ware (ware that has already been fired) can be firedfaster than theunfired greenware. In this cone range,slow firings canproduce poor qualityglazes.

In the following schedule, the firing is slowed during the silica phase change (1063°F/573°C).

Earthenware and clays that containball clays,talc, and ka olin will burn off water, carbon, and sulfur. This reduces weight by 10%.

Cooling too fast can produce glaze pinholes, blisters, and craters. Unless cooling is slowed near1063°F/573°C, aphysical change in the silica can cause the ware to crack. For this reason we recommend that you use Cone-Fire’s Slow Cooling option (see page 11).

We recommend a 10 - 20 minute hold when firing lead-free glazes.

Middle Fire Cones 010 - 01 Firing Schedule

Segment Rate Per Hour Time in Segment

1 324°F/180°C 2 hours, 30 minutes

2 153°F/85°C 35 minutes

3 180°F/100°C 2 hours, 40 minutes

4 108°F/60°C 1 hour, 30 minutes

Firing time is about 6 to 8 hours, depending on the cone and speed.

High Fire Cones1-10

This is the firing range for porcelain and stoneware. These bodies fire nearly to vitrification and can shrink up to 16%. Water, carbon and sulfur burn out during the early stages and must be vented. The amount of oxygen in the kiln affects the color of the fired clay. The high fire schedule be low slows down during the last 210°F/100°C to produce better density in the ware.

Typical porcelain clays are formulated from kaolin, feld spars, silica and ball clays. Weight loss is 10 - 12% and shrinkage is as high as 20%. If overfired, porcelain may warp or blister. Cone-fire’s Hold option usually enhances porce lain.

Speed (SPd)

The Cone-Fire schedules shown on this page are stan dard. When you select Medium speed in a Cone-Fire pro gram, the kiln uses these standard firing schedules. When you select Fast (1), the standard schedule fires 20% faster. On Slow (3), it fires 20% slower.

You can alsoalter the firing speedeven more under Speed (Spd) in Options. See page 17.

Pre-Heat (PRHT)

Moist greenware canexplode during firing. Thishappens when the moisture in the clay turns to steamrapidly and cannot escape fast enough. The Sentry Pre-Heat feature dries the ware at low temperature before the moisture can turn to steam.

Pre-Heat is sometimes necessary when firing thick greenware, such as stoneware. It may also be necessary in humid weather, which inhibits drying. If possible, however, avoid using Pre-Heat to dry greenware. If the greenware feels damp or cool whenyou touch it to yourcheek, dry it longer before firing. Use a dehumidifier in humid weather. Drying greenware in the kiln tends to rust the kiln.

Note: During Pre-Heat, ventthe lid. Otherwisethe firebricks will absorb moisture, leading to rust be hind the steel case. Moisture in the firebrick can also slow the firing to a crawl.

CAUTION: Venting the lid during Pre-Heat is so important that some ceramists use the extended vent position or even leave the lid open. If you do this, you must be near your kiln at the end of Pre-Heat to lower the lid.

Pre-Heat raises the temperature 60°F/33°C per hour to 200°F/93°C. Then it holds at 200°F/93°C for the time you specify. Pre-Heat works in Cone-Fireonly. After Pre-Heat is

finished, the kiln will automatically begin firing to the cone

you have selected.

Note: At high altitude, water boils at a lower tem perature. This may cause moisture in the ware to turn to steam even during Pre-Heat.

Cone-Fire Programming

Use these instructions for your first firings. Later you may prefer “Cone-Fire Shorthand Pro gramming,” page 32.

As the Sentry prompts for cone, speed, pre-heat, hold, and slowcooling, values enteredfor the lastfiring will appear. To use these values again, press ENTER.

To fire without Delay or Alarm: Follow steps 1 through 7 below. Then from IdLE press START.To use Delay or Alarm, see also page 6.

1 Apply power to the kiln. 8888 then IdLE

will appear. (Press ENTER if IdLE does not appear.)

2 Press 1. CONE will appear. Enter cone num

ber. (If the 1 key does not respond, your con troller uses Ramp-Hold only.)

3 Press ENTER. SPd will appear. Enter speed:

FAST (1), MEDIUM (2), SLOW (3). (Me dium speed will display as Std .)

4 Press ENTER. PRHT will appear. To use

Pre-Heat, enter time. Otherwise enter 0.

5 Press ENTER. HOLd will appear.To soak the

ware at the end of firing, enter a hold time. Otherwise enter 0.

6 Press ENTER. COOL will appear. To use

Slow Cooling, enter cooling rate as degrees per hour. (180°F/82°C is maximum rate. Press 0 to turn Slow Cooling off.)

Mirror Test

This test will help you de

termine how much Pre-Heat to use. Occasionally during Pre-Heat, hold a mirror near the top peephole. (Be careful

to avoid burns.) The mirror must be at room tempera

ture, not hot, so hold it near the peephole for only several seconds.

If the mirror fogs, mois

Vent the kiln until moisture no lon ger fogs a mirror.

ture is still escaping fromthe ware. When the mirror no longer fogs, you can exit Pre-Heat and begin the firing.

To interrupt Pre-Heat and begin firing to the cone in

Cone-Fire, press 9 (Skip Segment). SKIP , alternating with

1 , will appear. Press ENTER. Segment 1 of the firing will

now begin. (See Cone-Fire firing schedules, page 9.)

Note: If you are using a vent fan, such as the Orton KilnVent, turn the fan on during Pre-Heat. The fan will help to remove moisture. (AOP Fan users: see the Fan option, page 18.)

How to Use Pre-Heat When Kiln is Above 200°F/93°C at Beginning of Firing

If you begin firing with Pre-Heat in a kiln that is already hotter than Pre-Heat temperature, the kiln will skip Pre-Heat and begin firing to the cone. There aretwo ways to use Pre-Heat in this situation:

Wait until the kiln cools below 200°F before starting the firing. This is the preferred method.

Load the kiln and start the firing, but include enough time in Delay for the kiln to cool below 200°F before Pre-Heat begins.

7 Press ENTER. IdLE will appear.

8 To set Alarm:Press 7. ALAR will appear. En

ter alarm temperature. (Press 0to turn alarm off.) Then press ENTER.

9 To set Delay: Press 3. dELA will appear. En

ter delay time. Press ENTER. (Delay zeroes out after each firing.)

10 To start program, press ENTER once.

STRT will appear, then temperature. If

Delay was programmed, DELA will appear, then time remaining until start. To stop the program during firing, press STOP.

When program fires to completion, CPLT will ap

pear. Press ENTER. IdLE will appear. To shut off the alarm when it sounds during a firing, press ENTER.

Hold (HOLd)

Cone-Fire Hold heat-soaksthe ware at thecone tempera ture at the end of the firing. Without Hold, the kiln shuts off after it reaches the cone temperature. Hold maintains the cone temperature forthe period you specify.Hold helps even

out the temperature throughout the kiln. It also helps the heat to penetrate completely into the clay. (Rapid firing is like cooking: the turkey will be done on the outside but not on the inside.) Hold helps glaze absorb china paint. It helps to heal glaze defects such as bubbles. A little hold time can yield dramatic results.

CAUTION: Too much hold time can overfire your ware and burn out colors.

One way to add Hold time without over-firing is to fire to one cone cooler than needed. Then add enough hold time to bend the next hotter cone. Hold time needed to bend the next cone will vary. As a rule of thumb, 45 - 60 minutes of hold = one cone of heat work.

Example: to fire to cone 05, program Cone-Fire for 06

and add 45-60 minutes of hold time.

Watch the pyrometric witness cones through the peep

hole. PressSTOP when the correct witness cone bends, not ing how much Hold time was needed. Program that much Hold time the next time you fire the same type of ware loaded to the same capacity.

Note: During Hold, the display temperature will alternate with time left in Hold. To figure hold time for the next firing, subtract time left in Hold from the total Hold time entered.

When Hold is set to 99.99 hours, the Sentry will remain at

that temperature indefinitely, until STOP is pressed.

Slow Cooling (COOL)

Slow cooling enhances the quality of some ceramic glazes. Slow cooling encourages crystal develoment, deeper gloss, and sometimes startling color shifts. Iron red glazes seem to respond well to slow cooling. For these reasons we have added a Slow Cooling feature to Cone-Fire.

Slow Cooling begins after the cone firing (and Hold, if any) and ends at 392°F/200°C.

When COOL appears inCone-Fire programming, enter a cooling rate between 1°F/C to 180°F/82°C. A good start ing point is a rate of 90°F/50°C.

Enter a rate of 0 to turn Slow Cooling off.

Note: Slow Cooling can extend the firing time by many hours. For instance, if the shutoff temperature is 1945°F/1063°C, and the cooling rate is 100°F/55°C, the kiln will take 15 ½ hours to reach 392°F/200°C.

When the Kiln Shuts Off Too Soon

If the kiln shuts off before the pyrometric witness cone bends, you can turn the kiln back on and keep firing. Simply program the next hotter cone in Cone-Fire. Then from

IdLE , press START. The kiln will begin firing, taking up

where it left off.

Note: By looking at the witness cones through a peephole, you will know if the kiln shuts off too soon.

If the kilnshuts off within 100°F/55°C of maturity, andthe temperature drops 50°F/28°C or more after the kiln shuts off, do not depend on the witness cones. Once they cool 50°F/28°C after they have been heated to within 100°F/55°C of maturity, they will not bend properly. This is because they form a hard shell.

Wrong Thermocouple Type

If a Type-K thermocouple is installed on your kiln, but your controller is set for Type-S, the kiln will continually underfire by a wide margin. See page 19 to check thermo couple type.

For Kilns with AOP Outlet

The AOP (auxiliary output) is a special-order receptacle mounted in the kiln switch box. The Sentry controls power to the AOP receptacle. The AOP is usually used to power a kiln vent.

The Fan option, which is accessed through the OPTIONS key, determines when an AOP-powered kiln vent will oper

ate during Cone-Fire.

Before the Fan option will appear on the Options list, (1) you must enter a Cone-Fire program in active memory and (2) you must select FAN3 in the AOP option. (See page 20 for instructions on selecting FAN3 in the AOP option.)

1 From IdLE , press OPTIONS repeatedly until FAN

appears.

2 Press ENTER. Use the 1 and 2 keys to select one of

these settings:

ON The vent is on during Pre-Heat, the cone firing,

and Slow Cooling. It turns off at 212°F/100°C.

OPT The vent is on duringPre-Heat and the cone fir

ing. It is off during Slow Cooling.

OFF The vent is off all the time.

3 After selecting one of the above, press ENTER. Press

STOP to return to IdLE .

Chapter 4

Ramp-Hold

Definition of a Segment

Ramp-Hold fires in segments. Every segment must have a target temperature and a heating rateto reach that temper ature. Shown in diagram A is a segment with a temperature of 750°.

Diagram A: a single segment.

Rate is figured in degrees per hour. In Diagram A above, the temperature takes two hours to reach 750°. The rate is 750 ÷2 = 375.

Diagram B, below, shows three rates. A rate of 1000° will reach 1000° in 1 hour. A rate of 500° will reach 1000° in 2 hours. A rate of 333° will reach 1000° in 3 hours.

Diagram C: a single segment with hold. The two parts of a segment are the ramp and the hold. Not all segments have a hold, but they all have a ramp.

A segment, which is a target temperature and a rate of heating to reach that temperature, can also have a hold. Hold maintains the target temperature for the length of time you specify. (Diagram C, above.)

A segment has two parts:

Ramp: where the temperature changes

Hold: where the temperature remains the same

A segment can have only one ramp and only one hold. Therefore, if you need more than one hold, you will have to add additional segments to the firing. Firing to a temperature at asingle rate would need only one segment.Reasons to add more segments:

To change the heating rate

To add a hold somewhere below the shut-off temperature

To change the temperature direction. Example: to con trol the cooling rate.

Diagram D, below, shows a 3 segment firing. Two seg ments were used on the way up in temperature. Another segment was added for controlled cooling.

Diagram B: Rateis degrees perhour. This diagram shows3 rates. Di vide the target temperature by the number of hours it took to reach that temperature.

Diagram D: a 3 segment firing. Only 2 segments have a hold.

Ramp-Hold Programming

Use these instructions for your first firings. Later you may prefer “Ramp-Hold Shorthand In structions,” page 31.

As the program prompts for segments, rate, temperature, etc., you will see values from the last firing. To use these again,press ENTER. To control cooling, set the segment to a lower temperature than that of the preceding segment.

To fire without Alarm or Delay: Follow steps 1 through 7. Then press START once.

1 Apply power to the kiln. 8888 then IdLE

will appear.(Press ENTER if IdLE does not appear.)

2 Press 4. USER will appear. Enter a number

from 1 to 4.

3 Press ENTER. rA 1 will appear. Enter firing

rate for segment 1 (temperature change per hour: from 1° to 9999°).

4 Press ENTER. °F 1 (or °C 1) will appear.

Enter the target temperature of segment 1.

5 Press ENTER. Hd 1 will appear. Enter seg-

ment 1 hold time in hours/minutes (e.g. 12 hours, 30 minutes = 12.30). No hold = 0.

6 Press ENTER.If FN1 appears, andyou have

an AOP receptacleon your kiln,select ON or OFF. Press ENTER. (For more details on AOP, see AOP option, page 20.)

User Programs (USER)

When you enter Ramp-Hold mode,the first prompt to ap

pear is USER , meaning, “Select one of your programs.” You, the user, can make your own firing schedules and store them in memory. A firing schedule, or program, is the seg ments needed for a firing. To make a segment, you will need three facts:

rate (how fasttemperature changes indegrees per hour)

target temperature

hold, if any

The controller can retain four user programs in memory even when power is turned off. User programs are num bered from 1 through 4. User program #1 can have up to 20 segments. User programs #2 - #4 can have ten segments each. You don’t have to use all 20 or all 10 segments—only the number needed per firing. Often one segment is all you will need. AUser program canbe as simpleas a singleramp.

When using Ramp-Hold for the first time, press 1 when

USER appears. Your first firing will be stored as User Pro

gram #1.

Each time you store another program, select another available number, such as 2, at the USER prompt. Adding a program to a user number over-writes any existing program stored there. Write down your User Programs.

Note: If you don’t need all the segments available in a User program, zero out the unused segments. First, enter values for the segments needed. At the

7 Continue entering values for the segments

needed. When RA _ appears for the first segment you don’t need, press 0, then

ENTER. IdLE will appear.

8 To set Alarm: press 7. ALAR will appear.

Enter alarm temperature. (Enter 0 to turn alarm off.) Then press ENTER. IdLE will appear.

9 To set Delay: press 3. dELA will appear.

Enter delay time (i.e. 12 hours, 30 minutes = 12.30). Then press ENTER.(Delay zeroes out after each completed firing.) IdLE will appear.

10 To start program, press ENTER once.

STRT will appear, then kiln temperature. If

a delay was programmed, STRT will ap

pear, then time remaining until start. To stop the firing, press STOP.

We recommend using Program Review (page 6)

before firing. When program fires to completion,

CPLT will appear. Press ENTER. IdLE will ap

pear. To shut off the alarm when it sounds during a firing, press ENTER.

Write down each program stored in memory. Before firing, use Program Review to be sure everything is correct.

RA _ prompt forthe segment you don’t need, press

0, then ENTER. The display will return to IdLE .

Note: For repeat firings that you don’t want to in

advertently change, see Program Lock, page 20.

Firing a Stored User Program

To use a stored program, press 4 from IdLE. Enter the

program number at the USER prompt. Press ENTER.If there are no changes to the program, press STOP. IdLE will appear. The controlleris ready to fireyour selected program. To begin firing, press ENTER once. (Use “Program Re view,” page 6, before firing. See also “Repeat Firings,” page

5.)

Rate

As stated before, each segment must include a rate, pro

grammed as degrees of temperature change per hour.

The kiln will fire at full power when the rate is 1799°F/999°C or higher. Programming a rate of 9999 is the easiest way to program a maximum rate.

Note: In Program Review, 9999 is displayed as

FULL . When a kiln is heated at full power, it may

over-shoot the target temperature, especially in the lower range. To avoid this, add an extra segment with a slower rate forthe last 20 degrees of tempera ture rise.

CAUTION: The Sentry includes error messages to warn you when the kiln is at the wrong tempera ture. Firing the kiln at full rate turns off some of these warnings. For details, see “Temperature Deviation,” page 20.

If you are not sure how fast to fire, remember an old firing adage: “When in doubt, slow it down.”

Hold (HOLd)

Hold maintains thetemperature of asegment for the time you specify. Hold gives the temperature time to become more even throughout the kiln. Hold can be used in either heating up or cooling down segments.

Ceramics: Wearing firing safety glasses, watch the wit ness cone near the end of the firing. (See page 8.) When the witness cone bends, note the hold time. The next time you fire the same type of ware loaded to the same capacity, pro gram that amount of hold time.

Note: During Hold, the display temperature will alternate with time left in Hold. To figure hold time needed for the next firing, subtract time left in Hold from total Hold time entered.

When Hold is set to 99.99 hours, the Sentry will remain at that temperature indefinitely, until STOP is pressed.

AOP Fan

The optional AOP (auxiliary output) is a special-order electrical receptacle mounted in the kiln’s switch box. This receptacle can power a kiln vent or external alarm. (See Op tions, page 20.) In Ramp-Hold, the prompt for the AOP out let is FN , which can be turned on or off for each segment.

Segments for Controlled Cooling

For controlled cooling, program a segment to a lower

temperature than that of the preceding segment.

If you prop the lidfor afast cooling, program a fastcooling

rate. If you program a slow cooling rate, but lower the tem

perature quickly by propping the lid, the controller will de

feat your fast cooling. It will raise the temperature again.

Glass fusers sometimes flash-cool the glass at the end of fusing. They lift the lid slightly to remove heat, then close it again. This takes the glass down rapidly through the

devitrification range. To program a flash-cool, use a rate of

9999.

Suppose you enter a cooling rate that is faster than the

kiln is able to cool?Depending on the rate youenter, you may get an alarm message. (Press ENTER to turn off the alarm.)

The controller, of course, cannot speed cooling beyond the kiln’s natural cooling rate.

Note: During fast cooling, do not openthe lid /door all the way. Do not force-cool the kiln with a fan.

Sample Firing Schedules

These sample firing schedules illustrate different waysto use your Sentry. When designing a firing schedule for materials you are unfamiliar with, or when using one of these schedules, test-fire samples first.

Cone-Fire Program Fired in Ramp-Hold

The following firing schedule is the cone 04 Cone-Fire schedule at standard (medium) speed.(See pages 26 - 27.)A slow-cooling segment was added.

Segment °F/°C °F/°C Hold

1 324/180 1022/550 00.00

2 153/85 1112/600 00.00

to 1000°F/537°C. Some ceramists use slow cooling with cer tain glazes.

3 180/100 1837/1003 00.00

4 108/60 1945/1063 00.00

5 150/83 1000/537 00.00

In this schedule, the kiln will cool at 150°F/83°C per hour

Sculptured Stoneware Bisque Firing Schedule, Cone 04

Rate Temp.

Segment °F/°C °F/°C Hold

1 60/33 200/93 03.00

2 80/44 700/371 02.00

3 80/44 1100/593 00.00

temperature in segment 4 when firing to a different pyro metric cone. The ware should be bone dry. Testsamples un til you are sure the schedule works for your clay.

4 108/60 1945/1062 00.00

5 150/83 1400/760 00.00

This slow firing is for thick stoneware. Change the target

Rate Temp.

If you are not using a kiln vent, leave peephole plugs out and vent the lid. Set the alarm to 1000°F. When the alarm sounds, close the lid from venting position.

Set the alarm again, this time to 1850° F. When it sounds, check the witness cone through the peephole. When the cone bends to six o’clock, write down the temperature. (Use that temperature in segment 4 on your next firing of the same type ofware.) Then press 9, ENTER (SkipSegment).

This will advance you to segment 5, a slow cooling seg ment. Do not open the lid until the kiln has cooled to room temperature.

Glass Fusing Firing Schedule

Segment °F/°C °F/°C Hold

1 250/138 750/398 00.00

2 900/500 1425/773 00.30

3 9999/9999 1050/565 00.00

4 150/83 750/398 00.00

Stained glass, ture will vary depending on the brand of glass, the batch, and even upon the color. Vent the lid. Set the alarm to 500°F. When the alarm sounds, close the lid from venting position and insert peephole plugs.

Set the alarm again, this time to 1350°F. When it sounds, check the glass through the peephole. When the glass fuses to your satisfaction, write down the temperature and hold time for futurefirings, and press9, ENTER (SkipSegment).

This will advance you to segment 3, a flash cooling segment. Lift the kiln lid slightly or open the door ajar until the temperature drops to 1050° F. Then close the door/lid. The kiln will cool slowly through the annealing range, then turn off.

Note: A cooling rate of 9999 (FULL) shuts off the warning alarm that sometimes sounds during rapid cooling. For moredetails about alarms,see page 20.

Rate Temp.

", 2 layers, full fuse. The fusing tempera

Glass Slumping Firing Schedule

Segment °F/°C °F/°C Hold

1 250/138 750/398 00.00

2 900/500 1250/676 00.30

3 9999/9999 1050/565 00.00

4 150/83 750/398 00.00

Stained glass, slumped into a bowl. Set the alarmto 500°F. When the alarm sounds, close the lid from venting position and insert peep hole plugs.

Rate Temp.

", 2 fused layers, 12" circular pieces,

Set the alarm again, this time to 1150° F. When it sounds, check the glass through the peephole. When the glass slumps into the bowl, write down the temperature and hold time for futurefirings, and press9, ENTER (SkipSegment).

This will advance you to segment 3, a flash cooling seg ment. Lift the kiln lid slightly or open the door ajar until the temperature drops to 1050° F. Then close the door/lid. The kiln will coolslowly through the annealingrange. Then it will turn off and cool to room temperature.

Note: A cooling rate of 9999 (FULL) shuts off the

warning alarm that sometimes sounds during rapid cooling. For moredetails about alarms,see page 20.

Starting a Firing in a Hot Kiln

Sometimes a firing begins in a hot kiln after a power fail ure, or other interruption. In this case, the Sentry will begin firing from the first segment that matches the current tem perature. See Power Failures, page 23.

When the Kiln Shuts Off Too Soon

Ceramic Firings

If the kiln fires to completion before the pyrometric wit ness cone bends, you can turn the kiln back on and keep fir ing. Simply program a hotter temperature. Then from

IdLE , press START. The kiln will begin firing, taking up

where it left off.

Note: By looking at the witness cones through a peephole, you willknow if thekiln shuts offtoo soon.

Wrong Thermocouple Type

If a Type-K thermocouple is installed on your kiln, but your controller is set for Type-S, the kiln will continually underfire by a wide margin. See page 19 to check thermo couple type.

Chapter 5

Multiple Zone Kilns

Note: See also Multiple Zone Options, page 21.

An Overview of Multiple Zone Firing

If you are not sure how manyzones your kiln has, look into the firing chamber. The number of thermocouple tips indi cates the number of zones.

In single-zone kilns, the Sentry measures temperature from one location. When the controller turns on the heat, all the elements turn on.

With two and three zone kilns, the Sentry measures tem perature from each individual zone. It then adjusts the heat separately for eachzone to improvetemperature uniformity.

To maintain even temperature, the Sentry calculates not only temperature difference between zones, but also length of time needed to change temperature. By carefully timing heat output, it maintains even temperature with a minimal loss in firing speed.

Note: Multiple zone kilns use the same Cone-Fire and Ramp-Hold programming instructions as single zone kilns.

Note: Firing a Ramp-Hold program at FULL rate (1799°F/999°C or higher rate) shuts off multiple-zone control for that firing. The kiln then fires as a single zone kiln.

Viewing Zone Temperatures

The temperature displayed during firing is an average taken from all zones. Through the Options key, you can gain more precise temperature readings:

Zone Difference (DIFF)

1 Press OPTIONS repeatedly until DIFF appears.

2 Press ENTER.

3 The maximum difference in temperature between

the zones is shown. (Example: -005 .)

Zone Temperatures (T123)

1 Press OPTIONS repeatedly until T123 appears.

2 Press ENTER.

3 The temperature foreach zone will displayone after

the other. This information will cycle for one min ute. Then normal temperature display will return. For example:

Top zone: TC 1¯ 1250

Middle zone: TC 2- 1251

Bottom zone: TC 3_ 1249

Two Zone Kilns: Adjust Heat in Center Section (CAdJ)

The Center Adjust option is accessed with the Options key. It appears only on 2 zone kilns that contain 3 relays and 3 banks of elements. It does not appear on 2 zone kilns with 2

relays, or on 3 zone kilns.

The Center Adjust acts as an infinite control switch that adjusts heat to the center section of the kiln. A number will display. 100 is the factory default, meaning 100% heat. You can change the setting from 0 to 200. The higher the num ber, the more the heat in the center section.

1 From IdLE , press OPTIONS repeatedly until

CAdJ appears.

2 Press ENTER. Use any number key to change the

number that appears.

3 Press ENTER. Press STOP to return to IdLE .

Thermocouple Failure In a Multiple Zone Kiln

In a multiple zone kiln, if a thermocouple fails, the firing will continue as a single-zone kiln solong asone thermocou ple still operates. FAIL will appear, alternating with the thermocouple that failed (i.e. TC 1¯ ).

Power Output Lights

The 3 lights to the right of the temperature display turn on when the controller sends power to the relays.

Two Zone Kiln The top light shows power to the relay for the top section of the kiln. The bottom light shows power to the bottom. Ignore the center light.

Three Zone Kiln The top light indicates power to the top section relay, the middle light to the middle section, and the bottom light to the bottom.

Testing Multiple Zone Elements

When relays or thermocouples are connected to the wrong controllerterminals, zones will show a wide tempera ture difference. To wire the kiln properly, trace the switch box wiring with the kiln’s wiring diagram. Also, see “Ele ment Test,” page 21.

Chapter 6

Options

The Options key gives you access to a list of features.With each press of the Options key, you will see the display code for the next option.

1 When you find the option you want to use, press

ENTER.

2 Use the 1and 2keys to select changes within the op

tion.

3 After making a selection for an option, press ENTER.

The display code for the option you just changed will appear. You are then ready to go to the next option.

In Cone-Fire mode, you will see more options than in Ramp-Hold mode.

If you select a change for an option but don’t press ENTER, the change will not go into effect.

There are two ways to get out of Options and back to

IdLE :

1 Press STOP. If you are firing the kiln while in Op-

tions, pressing STOP takes you out of Options and back to the firing display. But it does not stop the firing.

2 Do nothing for 60 seconds in Options. You will auto-

matically be taken out of Options.

Cone-Fire Options

These options appear only if a Cone-Fire program has been selected. If your kiln has Ramp-Hold only, skip to “General Options,” page 18.

Cone-Fire Speed (Spd)

Adjust Cone-Fire Speed Beyond Slow, Medium & Fast

There are two ways to adjust the speed of a cone fire:

1 Select Fast (1), Medium (2), or Slow (3) when pro

gramming a firing.

2 Choose a speed In the Speed (Spd) option.

Every cone hasa standard firingschedule. Select Medium speed (the 2 key) during Cone-Fire programmng, and the cone will fire to the standard schedule. Select Fast (1), and the standard schedule will speed up by 20%. Select Slow (3), and the standard schedule will slow down by 20%.

In the Speed option, you can further adjust the speed of a standard schedule 10 - 40% slower or faster:

1 First, program a Cone-Fire.

2 After programming a Cone-Fire, IdLE will appear.

From IdLE , press OPTIONS until SPd appears.

3 Press ENTER. Use the 1or 2key to scrollthrough this

selection:

Std Same as Medium in cone programming.

F10 10% faster than standard

F20 Same as Fast in cone programming

F30 30% faster than standard

F40 40% faster than standard

S40 40% slower than standard

S30 30% slower than standard

S20 Same as Slow in cone programming

S10 10% slower than standard

When the speed of choice appears, press ENTER.

4 To go back to IdLE , press STOP.

The kiln is now ready to fire with the new speed.

Note: Program Cone-Fire before using the Speed option. Programming Cone-Fire after selecting a speed in Speed option will change the speed to Me dium, Slow or Fast.

Cone Offset (OFST)

Calibrate Cone-Fire to a Shelf Cone

Sometimes the pyrometric cone programmed in Cone-Fire does not match the bending of the witness cone. Cone Offset will adjust Cone-Fire to fire hotter or cooler.

Each time you use Cone Offset, you alter the temperature for only one of the three ranges of cones:

Low fire cones 022 - 011

Medium fire cones 010 - 01

High fire cones 1 - 10

The range of cones affected a Cone Offset is determined by the coneprogrammed to firewhen you enterCone Offset.

Example: You have programmed an 05 cone in Cone-Fire. By changing Cone Offset, you change not only the firing of the 05 cone, but all medium fire cones from 010 to 01.

Adjusting one range of cones has no effect on the other two. To adjust all the cones equally, use Thermocouple Off sets, page 18.

Note: Use Cone Offset to adjust one particular temperature range of cones. Use Thermocouple Offset to makean overall adjustmentfor all cones.

Follow these guidelines before deciding that you need to use Cone Offset:

The thermocouple must protrude into the firing cham ber the correct distance: about 1” for ¼” wide thermocouples,

Keep shelves 1” - 1 ½” away from the thermocouple.

Keep witness cones at least 2” away from heating ele ments.

" -

" for 1/8” wide thermocouples.

Place witness cones in several locations in the kiln.

How to Use Cone Offset

Cone Offset changes the shut-off point of the cone by the

degrees of temperature shown in the chart below.

1 From IdLE , pressOPTIONS until OFST appears.

2 Press ENTER.The current Cone Offset adjustment

number will appear.

3 Using the 1 and 2 keys, select a new adjustment

number (see chart below). Then press ENTER.

OFST will appear. To return to IdLE , press

STOP.

Cone Offset Settings

Note: select a cone in Cone-Fire before changing Cone Offset.

°F Setting °C Setting Result

0 0 No adjustment

5 3 Kiln will fire hotter 10 6 Kiln will fire hotter 15 8 Kiln will fire hotter 20 11 Kiln will fire hotter

-5 -3 Kiln will fire cooler

-10 -6 Kiln will fire cooler

-15 -8 Kiln will fire cooler

-20 -11 Kiln will fire cooler

Cone Offsets remain in memory for future firings unless

you use the Reset option (page 21).

Interpreting Cone Bending

Position the witness cone in the kilnaccording to instruc-

tions on page 8.

The cone bent to 6 o’clock:

No calibration in Cone Offset needed. The self-supporting cone has fired to maturity when the tip is even with the base as shown.

The cone did not bend far

enough: Use a positive Cone Off

set number for a hotter firing, such as 20 (°F).

The cone bent too far: Use a negative Cone Offset for a cooler firing, such as -20 (°F).

Note: Do not be overly concerned with achieving an exact 6 o’clock bend. The difference between a 3 o’clock and a 6 o’clock bend is only a few degrees.

When Cone Temperature Is Off More Than 20°F/11°C

The maximum amount that Cone Offset can change the temperature is 20°F/11°C.When the temperature isoff more than that amount, correct with Thermocouple Offset.

Fan (FAN)

Control the Optional AOP Receptacle in Cone-Fire

The AOP (auxiliary output) is a special-order kiln switch box receptacle. TheSentry controls powerto the AOPrecep tacle. The AOP is usually used to power a kiln vent. The Fan option determines when an AOP-powered kiln vent will turn on during Cone-Fire.

1 From IdLE , pressOPTIONS repeatedlyuntil FAN

appears.

2 Press ENTER. Use the 1and 2 keys to select one of

these settings:

ON The vent is on during Pre-Heat, the cone firing,

and Slow Cooling. It turns off at 212°F/100°C.

OPT The vent is on duringPre-Heat and the cone fir-

ing. Then it shuts off. (It is off during Slow Cooling.)

OFF The vent is off all the time.

3 After selecting one of the above, press ENTER.

Press STOP to return to IdLE .

General Options

General options are available on all Sentry controllers.

Thermocouple Offset (TCOS)

Calibrate the Thermocouple(s)

The thermocouple is the rod protruding into the firing chamber. It measures temperature. Thermocouples can “drift” as they age, causing a shift in temperature readings. Thermocouple Offset calibrates the controller to compen sate for drift.

Note: The thermocouple must protrude into the firing chamber the correct distance: 1” for ¼”wide thermocouples, thermocouples.

Thermocouple Offset for Ceramic Firings

In ceramics, Cone Offset (see page 17) adjusts only one range ofpyrometric cones without affecting the other cones. Thermocouple Offset, on the other hand, affects all cones, and all Ramp-Hold firings, equally. A 5° hotter setting in Thermocouple Offset fires everything 5º hotter.

Note: If you find that allyour cones areconsistently under- or over-firing, adjust Thermocouple Offset. If you need to adjust only a particular cone, use Cone Offset.

" for 1/8” wide

Calibrating Thermocouple Offset With a Digital Pyrometer

You can calibrate Thermocouple Offset using a cali brated digital pyrometer. One way to calibrate your pyrome ter is totake it toa heat treater orother location thathas a cal ibrated controller you can trust. Take a reading from a furnace with your pyrometer. Either zero it out to match the calibrated controller on the furnace, or write down the tem perature difference between your pyrometer and thereliable source. Store your pyrometer. Useit only for calibrating con trollers. Thus, it remains a reliable calibration standard.

Note: The temperature at which you calibrated your digital pyrometer should bethe sametempera ture you use to check the controller’s temperature readout. Example: if you took a reading from a reli able source at 2000°F, youshould check the control ler reading at around 2000°F.

Mount the thermocouple of the calibrated pyrometer in the firing chambernear the Sentry’s thermocouple.With the Sentry on Hold, compare readings between the Sentry and the calibrated pyrometer. Adjust Thermocouple Offset to compensate for any temperature difference between them.

Setting Thermocouple Offset

You can enter a temperature change up to 45°F/25°C higher or lower than the zero factory setting.

1 From IdLE , press OPTIONS repeatedly until

TCOS appears.

2 Press ENTER. CO, or a Thermocouple Offset, will

appear.

3 Using the 1 and 2 keys, enter the new offset. (See

chart below.) Press ENTER. TCOS will appear. To return to IdLE , press STOP.

Thermocouple Offset Settings

°F Setting °C Setting Result

C 0 C 0 No adjustment H 1-45 H 1-25 Kiln will fire hotter C 1-45 C 1-25 Kiln will fire cooler

4 When the correct thermocouple appears, press

ENTER.

3 Using the 1 and 2 keys, enter the new offset. (See

charts at left.) Press ENTER. The thermocouple you adjusted (i.e. TC ¯ ) willappear. Select anotherther mocouple, or return to IdLE by pressing STOP.

Selecting °F or °C (CHG-)

The controller operatesin your choiceof °F or °Ctemper ature. In °C display, a lighted dot appears in the lower right. In °F, it disappears. To switch from °F to °C or vice versa:

1 From IdLE , press OPTIONSrepeatedly until CHG-

appears.

2 Press ENTER. Use the 1and 2keys to select °F or

°C .

3 After selecting one of the above, press ENTER. Press

STOP to return to IdLE .

°F/°C Temperature Conversion Formula

Below are formulas for converting temperture between °F and °C. Converting a firing rate requires a different for mula than firing temperature:

Firing Temperature

(i.e. “Fire to 1600°F.” 1600°F = 871°C)

(°C x 1.8) +32 = °F

(°F - 32) ÷ 1.8 = °C

Firing Rate and Temperature Change

(i.e. “Fire at 200°F per hour” or “Fire 200°F hotter.” 200°F = 111°C)

°C x 1.8 = °F

°F ÷ 1.8 = °C

Thermocouple Type (TC)

Select Type-K, S or R Thermocouple

The Sentry can be used with Type-K, S or R thermocouples. If you specialize in firings above 2200°F/1204°C, you should use the Type-S or R. Type-K is best suited for temperatures below 2200°F/1204°C.

Thermocouple Offset Examples

Setting Result

H 1 Kiln will fire 1° hotter H 17 Kiln will fire 17° hotter C 12 Kiln will fire 12° cooler

Multiple Zone Thermocouple Offset

1 From IdLE , press OPTIONS repeatedly until

TCOS appears.

2 Press ENTER. TC1¯ (top thermocouple)will appear.

3 While TC1¯ displays, press OPTIONS. The other

thermocouple(s), then TCOS , will appear with each press of the OPTIONS key. 3 zone kilns: TC1¯ TC2 - TC3 _ TCOS 2 zone kilns: TC 1¯ TC3 _ TCOS

CAUTION: Be careful about changing the thermocouple type! If you select Type-S or R,

but your kiln is wired with a Type-K, your kiln will underfire. If you select Type-K and your kiln is wired with aType-S or R, your kiln will OVERFIRE. After using the Reset (RST) option (page 21), make sure you have the correct thermocouple selected. Reset changes thermocouple selection to Type-S!

1 From IdLE , press OPTIONS repeatedly until TC

appears.

2 Press ENTER. Use the 1and 2 keys to select TC K

TC R or TC S .

3 After selecting one of the above, press ENTER. Press

STOP to return to IdLE .

AOP Outlet (AOP)

Select Vent Fan or Alarm for the Auxiliary Output

The optional “AOP” (Auxiliary Output) is an electrical receptacle mounted in the kiln’s switch box. This outlet can power a kiln vent or an external alarm, such as a bell. The AOP is aspecial-order option thatmight not beon your kiln.

The choices in the AOP option:

ALAR Alarm: This choice sends power to the AOP re

ceptacle whenever the alarm sounds. (See Alarm, pages 6 & 7.) Plug in a loud bell to alert you, from a distance, that the kiln has reached the alarm temperature.

NONE None: Use this setting if your kiln does not have

the AOP outlet.

FAN2 Do not use FAN2.

FAN3 Kiln Vent: This option adds a prompt for fan

( FN ) to each segment in Ramp-Hold (page 13). For Cone-Fire controllers, selecting FAN3 makes the FAN option visible on the options list (page 18).

1 From IdLE , press OPTIONS repeatedly until

AOP appears.

2 Press ENTER.Use the1and 2keys to select ALAR

FAN3 or NONE .

3 After selecting one of the above, press ENTER.

Press STOP to return to IdLE .

Computer ID (ID)

Enter an ID Number for Connection to a Computer

This feature is for assigning an identification number, from 1 to 15, to the controller. It is used only for hookup to a personal computer and requires an optional kit.

1 From IdLE , pressOPTIONS repeatedlyuntil ID

appears.

2 Press ENTER. Use the 1 and 2 keys to select an ID

number from 1 to 15. Press ENTER. Press STOP to return to IdLE .

Temperature Deviation (TEDE)

Adjust Temperature Sensitivity of Error Codes

The ideal temperature of a firing, at any given time, is called the set point. During a ramp, the set point changes at the rate you programmed. During a hold, the set point re mains steady. The Sentry shows error messages when it can’t maintain the set point. The cushion, or leeway, allowed before an error message flashesis called Temperature Devi ation. When the temperature is off by more than the Tem perature Deviation setting, the alarm sounds. Temperature Deviation affects these error messages (see page 22):

FTH Fail to Heat

FTC Fail to Cool

HTDE High Temperature Deviation

LTDE Low Temperature Deviation

To turnthese error codes off, enter a Temperature Devi ation of 0.

CAUTION: The High Temperature Deviation (HTDE) alarm shuts off the kiln to prevent an overfire. Entering a temperature deviation of 0 shuts off this important alarm! Programming a fir ing at FULL rate (1799°F/999°C or higher rate) will also shut off the deviation alarms for that firing.

1 From IdLE , press OPTIONS repeatedly until

TEDE appears.

2 Press ENTER. Change the deviation temperature.

Press ENTER. Press STOP to return to IdLE .

Example: The Fail to Heat code FTH appears during

firing, because the kiln could not heat as fast as pro grammed. The Temperature Deviation TEDE is 60°F. The Fail to Heat code appeared when the temperature was 60°F below the set point.

Maximum Temperature (SFTY)

View the Kiln’s Maximum Operating Temperature

From IdLE , press OPTIONS repeatedly until SFTY ap

pears. PressENTER. The temperature displayed is the max imum operating temperature programmed in the Sentry for your kiln. It can be altered only at the factory. Press ENTER. Press STOP to return to IdLE .

Electronics Temperature (ELEC)

Check the Circuit Board Temperature

High temperatures inthe switch box candamage the controller circuit board, which is rated for 158°F/70°C maximum operating temperature. If necessary, exhaust hot air from the room to lower board temperature.When firing several kilns, position them at least three feet apart to allowadequate air circulation.

From IdLE or while firing, press OPTIONS repeatedly until ELEC appears. Press ENTER. The temperature of the circuit board will appear. Press ENTER. Press STOP to re turn to IdLE .

Program Lock (LOCK)

Make a Program Tamper-Proof

With Program Lockactivated, a storedprogram cannot be altered orremoved from memory. Use Program Lock for re peat firings that you don’t want to inadvertently change.

Note: Program Lock does not save a Delay setting. While a program is locked, you can enter a new Delay.

1 From IdLE , press OPTIONS repeatedly until

LOCK appears.

2 Press ENTER. LO (locked) or UN (unlocked)

will appear.

3 To change the setting, press DELAY 3 times.

4 Press ENTER. Press STOP to return to IdLE .

Configuration Code (CFG)

Information for Technicians

From IdLE , press OPTIONS repeatedly until CFG ap pears. Press ENTER. The factory configuration code will ap pear. Press ENTER. Press STOP to return to IdLE . The configuration code can be changed only at the factory.

Software Version (SOFT)

Information for Technicians

From IdLE , press OPTIONS repeatedly until SOFT ap pears. Press ENTER. The software version will appear. Press ENTER. Press STOP to return to IdLE . The software ver sion can be changed only at the factory.

Element Test (TEST)

Test the Heating Elements and Relays

This test is useful when measuring the wall receptacle voltage under load, and amperage with an ammeter. On a multiple zone kiln, the test helps determine if the relays and thermocouples are wired to the correct zones. If you test thermocouples with a lighter or other heat source, use the Test option.

Single Zone Kiln

1 From IdLE , press OPTIONS repeatedly until TEST

appears.

2 Press ENTER. POWR will appear, alternating with

kiln temperature. The elements will turn on for 2 minutes. Press any key to abort the test.

Multiple Zone Kiln

1 From IdLE , press OPTIONS repeatedly until TEST

appears.

2 Press ENTER. TOP will appear, alternating with

the temperature of the top zone. The elements will turn on for 2 minutes. Then MID will appear, with temperature for the middle zone, and BOT with temperature for the bottom zone. (A 2 zone kiln shows TOP and BOT displays only.)

3 During the 2 minute test, press any key to end a zone

test. The controller will then begin to test the next zone.

AOP Outlet

After the above tests, kilns equipped with the AOP outlet will display J3-3 for 2 minutes to test power to the AOP outlet.

Reset (RST)

Reset the Controller to Most Factory Defaults: Perform Only When Requested by a Technician

Reset does the following:

Selects Type-S thermocouple

Selects °F

Erases Cone offsets

Erases Thermocouple offset

Erases user programs in Ramp-Hold

CAUTION: If your kiln uses aType-K thermocou ple, the Sentry will underfire after a reset! Use the

Thermocouple Option (page 19) to select Type-K again.

1 From IdLE , pressOPTIONS repeatedly until RST

appears.

2 Press ENTER. Use the 1 or 2 key to select NO or

YES .

3 After selecting one of the above, press ENTER. Press

STOP to return to IdLE .

Multiple Zone Options

These options appear only on multiple zone kilns.

Zone Temperature Difference (DIFF)

View Maximum Temperature Spread

For a 2 zone kiln, this option shows temperature differ ence between thezones. For a 3 zone kiln, it shows the high est temperature difference between any two zones. If the temperature shown is larger than expected, go to option T 123 to view the temperature of each zone.

1 Press OPTIONS repeatedly until DIFF appears.

Press ENTER.

3 The maximum difference in temperature between

any zones displays. (Example: -003 .)

Two Zone Kilns: Adjust Heat in Center Section (CAdJ)

The Center Adjust option appears only on 2 zone kilns that contain 3 relays and 3 banks of elements. It does not appear on 2 zone kilns with 2 relays, or on 3 zone. The Center Adjust acts as an infinite control switch that adjusts heat to the center section of the kiln. A number will display. 100 is the factory default, meaning 100% heat. You can change the setting from 0 to 200. The higher the number, the more the heat in the center section.

1 From IdLE , press OPTIONS repeatedly until CAdJ

appears.

2 Press ENTER. Use any number key to change the

number that appears.

3 Press ENTER. Press STOP to return to IdLE .

Zone Temperatures (T123)

View Temperature of Each Zone

1 Press OPTIONS repeatedly until T123 appears.

Press ENTER.

3 The temperature for each zone will display one after

the other, cycling for one minute. Then normal tem perature display will return. For example:

Top zone: TC 1¯ 1250

Middle zone: TC 2- 1251

Bottom zone: TC 3_ 1249

Chapter 7

Error Messages

Terminating Error Messages

Error messages are accompanied by an alarm.

Non-interrupting messages do not stop the firing. Ter minating error messages do.

FTC, FTH, LTdE, and HTdE error messages are based upon the setting in the Temperature Deviation (TEdE) option. See page 20.

For detailed diagnostics and maintenance, see “Sentry

Trouble Shooter,” a separate publication.

Non-Interrupting Error Messages

Press ENTER to silence the alarm. (Do not press stop to

silence the alarm.) The error message will remain but the kiln will continue firing.

FTC / Failed to Cool

During a cooling ramp, the kiln cannot cool as quickly as programmed. The temperature is above the deviation setting. (See Temperature Deviation, page 20.)

Program a slower cooling rate.

FTH / Failed to Heat

During a heating ramp, the kiln cannot heat as quickly as programmed. The temperature is below the deviation setting. (See Temperature Deviation, page 20.)

Check for worn or burned out elements, defective relays, low voltage and defective thermocouple. Program a slower rate.

LTdE / Low Temperature Deviation

During a rampor a hold, thetemperature is below thede viation setting.

Check for worn or burned out elements, defective relays, low voltage and defective thermocouple.

PF / Power Failure

PF alternating with normal display means the power

failed during firing. After power was restored, the firing re sumed.

BAdP / Bad Programming

This message appearswhen a Ramp-Hold firing has been

programmed with 0 rate in the first segment.

ETH / Electronics Too Hot

The circuit board temperature is above 185°F/85°C.

Open windows and use a fan to circulate air in the room before firing the kiln or furnace. If you have more than one kiln in the room, place them farther apart. Never allow the firing room temperature to exceed 110°F/43°C. (Measure room temperature three feet away from the kiln.)

FAIL / Thermocouple Failure

Defective Thermocouple

Disconnected Thermocouple Lead Wires

Defective Board

Electrical Noise

FTL / Firing Too Long

The temperature riseis less than 27°F/15°Cper hour and the firing time is four hours longer than the current segment was programmed to fire.

Check for worn or burned out elements, defective relays, low voltage and defective thermocouple.

HTdE / High Temperature Deviation

During a ramp or a hold, thetemperature is above the deviation setting.

Check for a stuck relay.

PF 2 / Power Failure

The power failed. The kiln temperature was below

212°F/100°C when the power came back on.

The kiln will not resume firing.

PF 3 / Power Failure

This message appears when two conditions are met:

1 The power failed during the final segment of a

Cone-Fire firing. Or, the power failed during the fi

nal segment of a Ramp-Hold firing that included a 108°F/60°C rate in the final segment.

2 The temperature dropped 72°F/40°C while the

power was off.

The kiln will not resume firing.

How the Sentry Handles Power Failures

The Sentry handles a power failure in two ways:

1 After a brief power failure, the controller continues

firing as before. It shows a normal temperature dis play alternating with PF .

2 After an extended power failure, PF 2 or PF 3 will

appear. The kiln will NOT resume firing.

The controller will resume the firing after a brief power failure provided these conditions are met:

The temperature must be above 212°F/100°C when the power comes back on.

A Ramp-Hold programmed with a rate of 108°F/60°C in the final segment:if power failed in thefinal segment, the temperature dropped less than 72°F/40°C.

Cone-Fire: if power failed in the final segment, the tem perature dropped less than 72°F/40°C.

When the Sentry aborts a firing after a power failure, the

display will show the following:

PF 2 or PF 3

Total firing time before power failed

Temperature at the time of power failure

Current kiln temperature

To resume firing, press ENTER.The kiln will begin firing

again from its present temperature. For example, the kiln reached 1000°F/538°C when power failed. The temperature is 800°F/426°C whenyou turn the kilnback on. Firing will resume from 800°F/426°C. You need not cool the kiln to room temperature before starting a ceramic firing over unless you decide to use new witness cones.

When you resume firing by pressing ENTER, the control

ler begins firing in the first segment with a temperature higher than the current kiln temperature. However, if the power failed during a ramping down (cooling) segment, the controller will resumefiring from thesame cooling segment.

Using Ceramic Shelf Cones After an Extended Power Failure

The firing was interrupted more than 100°F/56°C from the terminal temperature: Fire theware again.

It is okay to use the same partially fired witness cones, even if they cooled back down to room temperature. So long as thecones did notheat to within100°F/56°C of ma turity, they can be used again.

The firing was interrupted less than 100°F/56°C from the terminal temperature: Fire theware again.

If the kiln shuts off within 100°F/55°C of maturity, and the temperature drops 50°F/28°C or more after the kiln shuts off, do not depend on the witness cones. Once they cool 50°F/28°C after they have been heated to within 100°F/55°C of maturity, they will not bend properly. This is because they form a hard shell.

PLOG Error Codes

A PLOG error code means that the controller failed a self-diagnostic test. A chattering, noisy relay, low voltage, and the wrong relay type can cause a PLOG error. The con troller will not operate while a PLOG message appears.

PLOG 3 / Memory Corruption

Resets the Sentry to factory default settings.

PLOG 4 / Configuration Corruption

Return the Sentry to the factory after a PLOG 4 code.

PLOG 5 / Firmware Problem

PLOG 6 / Software Problem

PLOG 7, 8, 9 / Non-Volatile Memory Problem

PLOG 10 / Program Storage Problem

PLOG 11 / Bad Thermocouple Signal for 60 seconds

Clearing a PLOG 11 Error Code

PLOG 11 indicates that a thermocouple is about to fail or

that electrical noise is affecting the thermocouple.

Try moving the thermocouple lead wires away from nearby electrical wires and relays.

Make sure the bare part of the leads extending from the thermocouple are not touching the kiln case.

Replacing the thermocouple usually clears the PLOG 11 code.

Clearing the Other PLOG Error Codes

Clear the PLOG error code by pressing ENTER.

If pressing ENTER does not clear aPLOG error, turn off power to the kiln for 10 seconds. Repeat if necessary.

After a PLOGerror clears, itis okay tofire the kilnagain.

TCdE / Uneven Multiple

Zone Temperatures

On a multiple zone kiln, TCdE usually means the

thermocouples and elements are improperly wired. A ther mocouple is turning on the elements to the wrong zone. For instance, if the top thermocouple turns on the bottom ele ments, the kiln will fire out of balance. Whenzones are out of balance by 140°F/60°C, TCdE will appear in the display.

Visually compare the wiring of the thermocouples, relays

and elements of your kiln to the kiln’s wiring diagram. Also, use the Element Test option shown on page 21.

TCR / Thermocouple Leads Reversed

Check that the thermocouple lead wires are connected to

the correct terminals. See your wiring diagram.

Appendix A: Display Messages

Message Definition Page Reference

AbRT Abort 6

The firing was stopped.

ALAR Alarm 6, 10, 13 - 15, 20, 22

ALAR appears either when you are entering an alarm tempera ture or when the alarm is sounding during a firing. To stop an alarm, press any key except STOP. If the alarm goes off when you first begin firing, it is because it was set for a lower tempera ture than the present temperature.

AOP Auxiliary Output 10, 11, 13, 14, 18, 20

The AOP option is for kilns equipped with a special-order kiln switch box receptacle called the Auxiliary Output.

bAdP Bad Programming 22

This message appears when a Ramp-Hold firing has been pro grammed with 0 rate in the first segment.

CAdJ Center Adjust 16

For two zone kilns only. This option adjusts the center section of the kiln.

CFG Configuration Code 21

This is an option that shows the factory configuration code for your Sentry. This is for technicians who call the factory for support.

CHG- Change EF/EC19

Choose between operation in degrees F or degrees C.

CONE Cone-Fire 10

The Sentry is ready for you to enter a cone number.

COOL Slow Cooling 10

In Cone-Fire programming, Slow Cooling is shown as COOL. To program a slow cooling, enter the cooling rate in degrees per hour. Leave the setting at 0 if you do not want a slow cooling.

CPLT Completed Firing 5, 10, 13

This means the firing completed as programmed.

DELA Delay 6, 10, 13

DELA is a timer that starts the kiln later. Delay time appears in hours and minutes.

°F 1 or °C 1 Target Temperature 13

This prompt, which appears inRamp-Hold programming, is ask ing for a target temperature. The number is to remind you which segment the temperature is for.

DIFF Temperature Difference 16, 21

This option shows the maximum temperature spread between zones in a multiple zone kiln.

ELEC Electronics Temperature 20

The Sentry circuit board is rated for operation at temperatures up to 158EF/70E C. When the circuit board gets hotter, the Sentry shuts off. TheELEC option tells youhow hot the circuit boardis.

ETH Electronics Too Hot 22

The Sentry circuit board is too hot, so the kiln was shut off.

Message Definition Page Reference

F20 Fast Speed 17

Cone-Fire fast speed shows in Program Review as F 20. This is also how Fast Speed is listed in the SPd Speed option.

FAIL Thermocouple Failed 22

The thermocouple failed. This can be due to a broken thermo couple, loose thermocouple connection on the back of the Sen try, disconnected thermocouple wire, or a defective controller.

FAN Vent Fan 11, 18, 20

The Fan option, accessed through the OPTIONS key, is for kilns equipped with a special-order kiln switch box receptacle called the Auxiliary Output.

FAST Fast Speed 10

In Cone-Fire programming, if you press ENTER when FAST ap pears, the kiln will program to fire at fast speed.

FN 1 Fan 13, 14

If your kiln has the optional AOP outlet (for a kiln vent), the FN prompt will appear for each segment during Ramp-Hold programming. It is asking if you want the vent on or off for that segment.

FTC Failed to Cool 22

This error message means the kiln cannot cool as fast as the cooling that you programmed.

FTH Failed to Heat 22

The kiln cannot heat as fast as you programmed.

FTL Firing Too Long 22

The temperature rise is less than 27EF/15EC per hour and the firing time is four hours longer than the current segment was programmed.

FULL Full Speed 13

The rate, or temperature change per hour, is maximum.

Hd 1 Temperature Hold 13, 14

When this messageappears during Ramp-Holdprogramming, it is asking you if you want to hold, or maintain, the target tempera ture of that segment. If so, enter the length of hold time in hours and minutes (i.e. 1 hour 20 minutes = 01.20). The number after Hd is the segment number. Each segment in a Ramp-Hold firing is numbered, starting with 1.

HOLd Temperature Hold 10

When this message appears during Cone-Fire programming, it is asking you if you want to hold, or maintain, the cone tempera ture at the end of the firing. If so, enter the length of hold time in hours andminutes (i.e. 1 hour 20 minutes = 01.20). When HOLd appears in program review, it is showing how much hold time has been entered.

HtdE High Temperature Deviation 22

The temperature is above the Temperature Deviation setting in the TEDE option.

ID Computer ID 20

The ID option is for connecting the Sentry to a personal com puter.

Message Definition Page Reference

IdLE Ready to Begin 5

The Sentry must display the IdLE message before youcan begin firing or programming.

LId Lid is Open 5

When LId appears, the kiln is equipped with a lid safety switch, and the lid (or door) is open during firing. Or a two-pin connector on the back of the board is missing.

LOCK Program Lock 20

With this option activated, a stored programcannot be altered or removed from memory.

LTdE Low Temperature Deviation 22

This message appears when the kiln is below the Temperature Deviation setting in the TEDE option.

OFST Cone Offset 17

Adjust a Cone-Fire program to bend the matching witness cone on the kiln shelf.

PF 2 Power Failure 22, 23

The power failed. When power came back on, the temperature was below 212EF/100EC.

PF 3 Power Failure 22, 23

The power failed near the end of a firing.

PF Power Failure 22, 23

There was a power failure during firing. The kiln continued firing after power came back on.

PLOG Diagnostic Test Failure 23 PRHT Pre-Heat 9, 10

In a Cone-Fire program, Pre-Heat heats the ware slowly to 200EF/93EC for the length of time you specify. Pre-Heat is designed to remove moisture safely from greenware.

RA 1 Rate 13

RA 1, RA2, RA 3, etc., appears in Ramp-Holdprogramming, Pro gram Review, and Present Status. When RA 1, 2, 3, etc. appear during programming, thecontroller is asking youfor firing ratefor each segment. Rate means how fast the firing progresses, in de grees of temperature per hour. Every segment must have a firing rate. The numberafter RA is thesegment number. Eachsegment in a Ramp-Hold firing is numbered, starting with 1. Program Re view shows firingrate after RA 1, 2, 3, etc.In Present Status,RA 1, 2, 3, etc.means the segment thatthe firing is inat that moment.

RST Reset 21

The RST option erases cone and thermocouple offsets, selects EF operation, erases stored programs in Ramp-Hold, and se lects Type-S thermocouple. Note that if you use Reset, and your kiln is equipped with a Type-K thermocouple, you must use the TC option to select Type-K. (Reset selects Type-S as a safety precaution. If you had a Type-S thermocouple and Reset se lected Type-K, your kiln would overfire. On the other hand, if you have a Type-K thermocouple, Type-S selected would underfire your kiln. The type K thermocouple is standard on most kilns.)

S20 Slow Speed 17

Cone-Fire slow speed shows in Program Review as S 20. This is also how slow speed is listed in the SPd Speed option.

SFTY Safety 20

This is the maximum temperature the Sentry is programmed for your kiln. It can be altered only at the factory.

Message Definition Page Reference

SKIP Skip Segment 7

If you press the Skip Segment key during a firing, SKIP will ap pear. If you press the key again, the firing will skip to the next seg ment.In Cone-Fire, Skip Segment takes you only out of Pre-Heat or Hold.

SLOW Slow Speed 10

In Cone-Fire programming, if you press ENTER when SLOW ap pears, the kiln will program to fire at slow speed.

SOFT Software Version 21

This option givesthe version of softwareloaded into your Sentry.

SPd Speed 10, 17

The SPd message appears during Cone-Fire programming and in Options. In the SPd option, accessed through the option key, change the speed of a Cone-Fire program beyond the standard fast, medium or slow. While programming a firing for Cone-Fire, choose slow, medium or fast speed at the SPd prompt.

STd Standard Speed 17

Cone-Fire medium speed appears in the Sentry as STd, or Stan dard. This is because medium speed is the standard firing pro gram used in Cone-Fire. Fast and Slow speeds alter the stan dard firing program.

STRT Firing Started 10, 13

This appears whenfiring begins. Do notbe concerned if ittakes a moment for therelays to turn on.The Sentry is processing data.

T123 Zone Temperatures 21

This option shows temperatures in each zone.

TC Thermocouple Type 19

Choose between types K, S,or R thermocouple. It is important to select the correct type, or the controller will not read temperature accurately.

TcdE Uneven Temperature 23

This is anerror message for multiplezone kilns. It meansthe tem peratures of the zones are out of balance. This is usually caused by a miswired kiln or by a defective relay.

TCOS Thermocouple Offset 18

Calibrate the controller’s temperature. This compensates for temperature drift, or aging, of a thermocouple.

TCR Thermocouple Reversed 23

The thermocouple wires are reversed.

TEDE Temperature Deviation 20

The Sentry includes error messages to warn you that the kiln is not maintaining the programmed temperature. The sensitivity of the error messages is based on a temperature entered in the TEDE option.

TEST Element Test 21

This option is for testing the elements and thermocouples. If you test a thermocouple with a lighter, the temperature display re sponds faster during Test than during IdLE display.

USER User Program 13, 14

In Ramp-Hold programming, the USER prompt is asking you where you want to place theprogram in memory. The Sentry has four spaces in memory: 1,2, 3, 4. Keep a record, on paper,of the programs in memory.

Appendix B: Preset Standard Cone-Fire Schedules - °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 Segment 2

Cone Rate 1 Temp. 1 Rate 2 Temp. 2

022 396 979 108 1087 021 396 1004 108 1112 020 396 1051 108 1159 019 396 1144 108 1252 018 396 1211 108 1319 017 396 1252 108 1360 016 396 1314 108 1422 015 396 1348 108 1456 014 396 1377 108 1485 013 396 1431 108 1539 012 396 1474 108 1582 011 396 1499 108 1607

Medium Fire Cones °F

Segment 1 Segment 2 Segment 3 Segment 4

Cone Rate 1 Temp. 1 Rate 2 Temp. 2 Rate 3 Temp. 3 Rate 4 Temp. 4

010 324 1022 153 1112 180 1549 108 1657

09 324 1022 153 1112 180 1580 108 1688 08 324 1022 153 1112 180 1620 108 1728 07 324 1022 153 1112 180 1681 108 1789 06 324 1022 153 1112 180 1720 108 1828 05 324 1022 153 1112 180 1780 108 1888 04 324 1022 153 1112 180 1837 108 1945 03 324 1022 153 1112 180 1879 108 1987 02 324 1022 153 1112 180 1908 108 2016 01 324 1022 153 1112 180 1938 108 2046

High Fire Cones °F

Segment 1 Segment 2 Segment 3 Segment 4

Cone Rate 1 Temp. 1 Rate 2 Temp. 2 Rate 3 Temp. 3 Rate 4 Temp. 4

1 324 1022 153 1112 162 1863 108 2079 2 324 1022 153 1112 162 1872 108 2088 3 324 1022 153 1112 162 1890 108 2106 4 324 1022 153 1112 162 1908 108 2124 5 324 1022 153 1112 162 1951 108 2167 6 324 1022 153 1112 162 2016 108 2232 7 324 1022 153 1112 162 2046 108 2262 8 324 1022 153 1112 162 2064 108 2280 9 324 1022 153 1112 162 2084 108 2300

10 324 1022 153 1112 162 2129 108 2345

Appendix B: Preset Standard Cone-Fire Schedules - °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. 2

022 220 526 60 586 021 220 540 60 600 020 220 566 60 626 019 220 618 60 678 018 220 655 60 715 017 220 678 60 738 016 220 712 60 772 015 220 731 60 791 014 220 747 60 807 013 220 777 60 837 012 220 801 60 861 011 220 815 60 875

Medium Fire Cones °C

Segment 1 Segment 2 Segment 3 Segment 4

Cone Rate 1 Temp. 1 Rate 2 Temp. 2 Rate 3 Temp. 3 Rate 4 Temp. 4

010 180 550 85 600 100 843 60 903

09 180 550 85 600 100 860 60 920 08 180 550 85 600 100 882 60 942 07 180 550 85 600 100 916 60 976 06 180 550 85 600 100 938 60 998 05 180 550 85 600 100 971 60 1031 04 180 550 85 600 100 1003 60 1063 03 180 550 85 600 100 1026 60 1086 02 180 550 85 600 100 1042 60 1102 01 180 550 85 600 100 1059 60 1119

High Fire Cones °C

Segment 1 Segment 2 Segment 3 Segment 4

Cone Rate 1 Temp. 1 Rate 2 Temp. 2 Rate 3 Temp. 3 Rate 4 Temp. 4

1 180 550 100 600 90 1017 60 1137 2 180 550 100 600 90 1022 60 1142 3 180 550 100 600 90 1032 60 1152 4 180 550 100 600 90 1042 60 1162 5 180 550 100 600 90 1066 60 1186 6 180 550 100 600 90 1102 60 1222 7 180 550 100 600 90 1119 60 1239 8 180 550 100 600 90 1129 60 1249 9 180 550 100 600 90 1140 60 1260

10 180 550 100 600 90 1165 60 1285

Appendix C: Upgrading Instructions

Upgrading the DTC 100, 600, 800 & 1000 to the Sentry

1 Unplug the kiln or disconnect the power. Remove

the 4 screws holding the controller faceplate to the switch box. Gently remove the old controller.

2 Disconnect the wires from the old controller.

3 If your kiln is top-load

ing and originally came with a DTC 100 or 600, the heat shield inside the switch box may need to be moved to give moreclearance for the new Sentry controller. Measure the spacebetween the heat shield and the front of the box. If the space is less than 1 ¾”, remove the screws that hold the bottom of the heat shield. These screws are on the sides near the louvers. Drill new holes in either the box or the heat shield. Move the bottom of the heat shield back and fasten screws in the new holes.

4 Thread the Sentry

wiring harness into the switch box by inserting it in the open ing where the control ler goes. Let the end with the plugs hang out of the box.

CAUTION: Cut off the extra terminal(s) and jumper wire(s) unless they are attached to relays. Un connected wires that touch a grounded object can damage your controller!

7 Attach the red wire termi

nal(s) to the relay(s). Follow steps 6 and 7 for the black wire, which also goes to the relays.

8 Note how the white, orange, and blue wires of the

old controller areconnected to the transformer. Re moving and replacing one wire at a time, connect the Sentry white, orange, and blue wires to the transformer the same way.

9 Find the green grounding screw. Securely fasten

the green wire under the nut of grounding screw.

10 Remove the old wiring harness from the switch

box. With the thermocouple wires and the Sentry connection plugs hanging out of the front of the switch box, move the box into place on the kiln. Arrange the wires so that when the switch box is fastened to the kiln, the wires and wire nuts will not touch an element connector or the kiln case. Install the screws that hold the switch box to the kiln.

5 Remove the switch

box from the kiln by removing the screws holding the box to the kiln.

6 The red wire from the

old controller con nects to the relays. The red wire in the Sentry wiring harness goes to the same relay terminal. (See diagram, facing page.) You will notice that the red Sentry wire has 3 push-on connectors with jumper wires. If your kiln has 3 relays,you will use all 3 push-on connectors, 1 for each relay. If you have 2 relays, cut off the last terminal and jumper wire. If your kiln has 1 relay, cut off two push-on connectors. Cut the wire close to the other terminal (see next photo).

The extra wires tied to the harness are for multiple zone kilns and the

optional AOP electrical outlet.

Lever type connectors: if the wire is too thick, it will break the lever. Do not force the lever downward.

11 Straighten the ends of the thermocouplewires. At

tach them to the thermocouple terminals on the bottom of the Sentry. (Use the center connectors if your kiln has only one thermocouple.) Make sure the thermocouple wires are tight.

11 Attach the two plugs

to the back of the Sen try controller. Care fully insert the Sentry into the controller opening on the switch box. Install the 4 cor ner screws.

The button-type thermocouple connector: press down, then insert wires.

Inserting the plugs on the back of the Sentry.

Appendix D: Temperature Equivalents For Orton Self-Supporting Pyrometric Cones

°F

Cone Self-Supporting Cones Pre-Fire

Number Color

Heated at: 27° F 108° F 270° F

Per Hour* Per Hour* Per Hour*

022 — 1087 1094 Green 021 — 1112 1143 Fuschia 020 — 1159 1180 Orange 019 1213 1252 1283 Yellow 018 1267 1319 1353 White 017 1301 1360 1405 Pink 016 1368 1422 1465 Light Blue 015 1382 1456 1504 Violet 014 1395 1485 1540 Gray 013 1485 1539 1582 Green 012 1549 1582 1620 Fuschia 011 1575 1607 1641 Orange 010 1636 1657 1679 Dark Red 09 1665 1688 1706 Dark Red 08 1692 1728 1753 Dark Red 07 1764 1789 1809 Dark Red 06 1798 1828 1855 Dark Red 05 1/2 1839 1859 1877 Dark Red 05 1870 1888 1911 Dark Red 04 1915 1945 1971 Dark Red 03 1960 1987 2019 Dark Red 02 1972 2016 2052 Dark Red 01 1999 2046 2080 Dark Red

1 2028 2079 2109 Dark Red 2 2034 2088 2127 Dark Red 3 2039 2106 2138 Dark Red 4 2086 2124 2161 Gray 5 2118 2167 2205 Green 5 1/2 2133 2197 2237 White 6 2165 2232 2269 Fuchsia 7 2194 2262 2295 Orange 8 2212 2280 2320 Yellow 9 2235 2300 2336 White

10 2284 2345 2381 Pink

*Rate of temperature increase during last 90 - 120 minutes of firing. Tables by courtesy of the Edward Orton, Jr. Ceramic Foundation.

°C

Cone Self-Supporting Cones Pre-Fire

Number Color

Heated at: 15° C 60° C 150° C

Per Hour* Per Hour* Per Hour*

022 — 586 590 Green 021 — 600 617 Fuschia 020 — 626 638 Orange 019 656 678 695 Yellow 018 686 715 734 White 017 705 738 763 Pink 016 742 772 796 Light Blue 015 750 791 818 Violet 014 757 807 838 Gray 013 807 837 861 Green 012 843 861 882 Fuschia 011 857 875 894 Orange 010 891 903 915 Dark Red 09 907 920 930 Dark Red 08 922 942 956 Dark Red 07 962 976 987 Dark Red 06 981 998 1013 Dark Red 05 1/2 1004 1015 1025 Dark Red 05 1021 1031 1044 Dark Red 04 1046 1063 1077 Dark Red 03 1071 1086 1104 Dark Red 02 1078 1102 1122 Dark Red 01 1093 1119 1138 Dark Red

1 1109 1137 1154 Dark Red 2 1112 1142 1164 Dark Red 3 1115 1152 1170 Dark Red 4 1141 1162 1183 Gray 5 1159 1186 1207 Green 5 1/2 1167 1203 1225 White 6 1185 1222 1243 Fuchsia 7 1201 1239 1257 Orange 8 1211 1249 1271 Yellow 9 1224 1260 1280 White

10 1251 1285 1305 Pink

*Rate of temperature increase during last 90 - 120 minutes of firing. Tables by courtesy of the Edward Orton, Jr. Ceramic Foundation.

Appendix E:

Sentry Ramp-Hold Shorthand Instructions

After you press the keys in the left column, the message to the right will appear.

KEYS TO PRESS DISPLAY COMMENTS

PROGRAM AND FIRE THE KILN.

Apply power to kiln IdLE Press Enter if IdLE does not appear.

4 USER Enter program number.

1, 2, 3, or 4 1 Program number appears.

ENTER RA 1 Enter rate of segment 1.

Rate 0200 Rate appears.

ENTER °F 1 Enter temperature of segment 1.

Temperature 2000 Temperature appears.

ENTER Hd 1 Next, enter hold time.

Hold time (0 if none) 00.00 Hold time appears.

Repeat for other segments. Enter rate of 0 for 1st segment not needed.

ENTER IdLE The kiln is ready to fire.

ENTER STRT Kiln is now firing.

SELECT AND FIRE A STORED USER PROGRAM.

Apply power to kiln IdLE Press Enter if IdLE does not appear.

4 USEr Select a program number.

1, 2, 3, or 4 1 Displays the number you selected.

ENTER RA 1

STOP IdLE Selected program is ready to fire.

ENTER STRT

Kiln is now firing. (Use Program Review by pressing 6.)

Appendix F:

Sentry Cone-Fire Shorthand Programming

After you pressthe key(s) in the leftcolumn, the messageto the rightwill appear. Press 1from IdLE .Ifthe1 key does not re

spond, your controller does not have Cone-Fire.

KEYS TO PRESS DISPLAY COMMENTS

Apply power to kiln IdLE Press Enter if IdLE doesn’t appear.

1 CONE Enter the cone number.

Cone # (i.e. 05) 05

ENTER SPd Enter the firing speed.

1(Fast), 2 (Med.), or 3 (Slow) FAST The firing speed appears.

ENTER PRHT Enter Pre-heat time.

Pre-Heat time (0 if none) 00.00 Pre-heat time appears.

ENTER HOLD Enter hold time.

Hold time (0 if none) 00.00 Hold time appears.

ENTER COOL Enter slow cooling rate.

Slow cooling rate (0 if none) 0000 Shows degrees per hour.

ENTER IdLE Kiln is ready to fire.

ENTER STRT Kiln is now firing. Press 6 for

Program Review.

The Kiln is now firing to the cone you selected.

Sentry Industries Sentry 2.0 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual