Operating instructions

Id / Computer ID
Enter an ID Number for Connection to a Computer
This feature is for assigning an identification number,
from 1 to15, tothe controller. It isused only for hookup to a
personal computer, which requires an optional kit.
From ,press repeatedly until
appears.
Press . Use the and keys to select an ID
number from 1 to 15. Press . Press to
return to .
TEdE / Temperature Deviation
Adjust Temperature Sensitivity of Error Codes
The temperature that the controller is trying to reach, at
any given time, is called the set point. During heating or
cooling, the set point changes at the rate you programmed.
During a hold, the set point remains steady.
The Sentry shows error messages when it can’t maintain
the set point temperature. The cushion, or leeway, allowed
before an error message flashes is called Temperature De
-
viation. When the temperature is off target by more than
the Temperature Deviation setting, the alarm sounds.
Temperature Deviation affects these error messages (see
page 26):
Fail to Heat
Fail to Cool
Low Temperature Deviation
Note: On controllers that have pre-18D software, the
TEdE setting also affects the HTdE High Temperature
Deviation alarm (page 27). On 18D and later control-
lers, the HTdE setting is always 100°F / 56°C.
Somepeopleworry when , or appears.
They wonder if something is wrong with the kiln. Here are
four ways tostop the alarmmessages fromappearing dur
-
ing routine firings:
Test your kiln to find its fastest firing rate
and its slowest cooling rate. Then program the controller
using rates within the range of the kiln’s heating/cooling
capacity. Example: If your fastest heating rate is 600° per
hour, enter a rate no faster than 600°.
Set the deviation temperature to a higher
number in the TEdE option. The higher the number, the
less likely that an alarm message will appear.
Set the deviation temperature to 0 in the
TEdE option. This turns off the FTH, FTC and LTdE
alarms (page 26). We do not recommend a 0 setting.
Program a segment at FULL rate (9999°).
This will shut off the deviation alarms for that segment.
(However, deviation alarms will continue to work during
the hold and all other segments with slower rates.)
CAUTION: The High Temperature Deviation
(HTdE) alarm shuts off the kiln to prevent an overfire.
On controllers with pre-18D software, entering a tem
-
perature deviation of 0 turns off this important alarm!
On all controllers, entering a FULL rate also turns off
this alarm for the segment with the FULL rate.
Changing the Deviation Temperature
From ,press repeatedly until
appears.
Press . Change the deviation temperature.
The higher the number, the less likely you will acti
-
vate the alarms.
Press . Press to return to .
Note: The factory default TEdE setting is 100°F /
56°C.
The Failto Heatcode appears during a
firing when thekiln cannotheat as fast asprogrammed. The
Temperature Deviation is set to 100°F / 56°C. The
Fail to Heat code will appear if the temperature is 100°F /
56°C or more below the set point.
SFTY / Maximum Temperature
View the Kiln’s Maximum Operating Temperature
From , press repeatedlyuntil ap
-
pears. Press . The temperaturedisplayed is the max-
imum operating temperature programmed in the Sentry
for your kiln. (This temperature is also shown on the kiln’s
electrical data plate.) It can be altered only at the factory.
The controller will not fire hotter than that temperature.
Press . Press to return to .
ELEC / Electronics Temperature
Check the Circuit Board Temperature
High temperatures in the switch box can damage the
controller circuit board, which is rated for 176°F / 80°C
maximum operating temperature. To lower board temper-
ature, use a fan to blow air across the kiln switch box into
the louvers. (But do not blow air
into the kiln’s peepholes.) When
firing several kilns, position them
at least three feet apart to allow
adequate air circulation.
From or while firing,
press repeatedly until
appears. Press .
The temperature of the circuit
board will appear. Press .
Press to return to .
CAUTION: Do notoperate the
kiln if the ELEC display is above
158°F / 70°C.
LOCK / Program Lock
Make a Program Tamper-Proof
With Program Lock activated, a stored Cone-Fire or
Ramp-Hold program cannot be altered or removed from
memory. Use Program Lock for repeat firings that you
don’t want to inadvertently change.
24 Cone-Fire / Ramp-Hold
If you repeat the
same firing pro
-
gram often, use
Program Lock so
that it cannot be
inadvertently
changed.