Operating instructions

Using the programming instructions on page 15, enter
this firing schedule. Then use Program Review to check for
accuracy.
USER = 1
RA1 = 250
°F1=750
Hd 1 = 00.00
RA2 = 900
°F 2 = 1425
Hd 2 = 00.30
RA3 = 150
°F3=750
Hd 3 = 00.00
RA4 = 0
Note: Enter 0 for the rate in segment 4. This zeroes
out all the segments past segment 3.
Sample Firing Schedules
These sample firing schedulesillustrate different ways to
program the Sentry. When designing a firing schedule for
materials you are unfamiliar with, or when using one of
these schedules, always test-fire samples first. This is be
-
cause these generalized schedules may not suit the clay or
glass that you use.
For practice, you might want to enter these programs
even though you may never actually use them.
Cone-Fire Program Customized
in Ramp-Hold
This is the cone 04 Cone-Fire schedule at standard
(Medium) speed with an added slow-cooling segment. (See
Cone-Fire schedules on pages 32 - 33.)
Rate Temp.
Segment °F/°C °F/°C Hold
1 324/180 1022/550 00.00
2 153/85 1112/600 00.00
3 180/100 1837/1003 00.00
4 108/60 1945/1063 00.00
5 150/83 1000/537 00.00
In this schedule, thekiln willcool at 150°F/83°C per hour
to 1000°F/537°C. Some ceramists use slow cooling to
enhance certain glazes.
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
4 108/60 1945/1062 00.00
5 150/83 1400/760 00.00
This slow firing is for thick stoneware. Change the target
temperature in segment 4 when firing to a different pyro
-
metriccone. The wareshould bebone dry. Testsamples un
-
til you are sure the schedule works for your ware.
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.
Setthe alarm again,this time to 1850° F. Whenit sounds,
check the witness cone through the peephole. When the
conebends to six o’clock,writedown the temperature. (Use
that temperature in segment 4 on your next firing of the
sametypeof ware.)Then press9, 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
Rate Temp.
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,
1
8
", 2 layers, full fuse. The fusing tempera
-
ture will vary depending on the brand of glass, the batch,
and even 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 future firings, and press , then (Skip Seg
-
ment).
This will advance the kiln 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 (error message) that sometimes
sounds during rapid cooling. This turns off the alarm
only for that particular ramp. The alarm codes still
work on the hold and the other programmed segments.
For details about error messages, see pages 26 - 28.
17
If you fire at a
very rapid rate,
the kiln may mo
-
mentarily over
-
shoot the pro
-
grammed target
temperature. To
avoid that, use a
slower rate.