TC / Choose Thermocouple Type
Select K-Type, -N, -S or -R Thermocouple
The Sentry Xpress can use K-, N-, S- or R-Type
thermocouples. If you specialize in firings above 2200°F /
1204°C, you might consider obtaining the S- or R-Type.
The K-Type is best suited for temperatures below 2200°F /
1204°C and is ideal for glass fusing.
The controller cannot detect the type of thermocouple
installed in your kiln. So if you change the thermocouple to
a different type, be sure to select the new thermocouple
type in the TC option.
Note:
Ask your kiln supplier if you are not sure
about the type of thermocouple in your kiln.
CAUTION:
Be careful about changing the ther-
mocouple type! If you select S- or R-Type, but your
kiln is equipped with a K-Type, your kiln will
underfire. If you select K-Type and your kiln is
equipped with an S- or R-Type, your kiln will
OVERFIRE. After using the Reset (RST) option,
page 24, use the Thermocouple (TC) option, page
18, to select the correct thermocouple. (For safety,
RST changes the thermocouple selection to
S-Type.)
Because the kiln will over- or underfire if the wrong ther-
mocouple type is chosen in Options, we have locked the
thermocouple option so it cannot be unintentionally
changed. Here are instructions for unlocking it:
1
From
[IDLE]
, press the
Up Arrow
repeatedly un-
til
[TC]
appears.
2
Press
Start/Stop
.
3
[PASS]
will appear alternating with 0000. The
thermocouple option is locked. To unlock it, press
the arrow keys to enter this password:
0155
4
After you enter the password, press
Start/Stop
.
The thermocouple setting will appear.
5
Use an arrow key to select
[ K]
,
[ N]
,
[ R]
or
[ S]
.
6
After selecting one of the above, press
Start/Stop
.
[IDLE]
will appear.
ALAR / Temperature Alarm
If you need to know when your kiln reaches a particular
temperature, set the alarm. The controller will beep and
[ALAR]
will flash when the kiln reaches the alarm tempera-
ture. Use the alarm to alert you to—
I
Lower the lid from the venting position and insert the
peephole plugs.
I
Check the witness cone through a peephole near the ex-
pected shut-off time.
I
Visually check the glass before the expected fusing or
slumping temperature. You can see the glass through a
kiln window.
You can enter only one alarm temperature at a time.
However, after the alarm beeps, you can set the alarm for
another temperature, as many times as you want, during the
firing. Entering an alarm temperature automatically erases
the previous one.
Note:
The alarm temperature that you set during a
firing must be higher than the current display tem-
perature. The alarm is designed only for higher
temperatures and not for cooling temperatures.
After the alarm beeps, the alarm temperature will stay in
memory for future firings until you replace it with a new
temperature.
Monitoring the Alarm from a Distance
Place an inexpensive baby monitor near the kiln. From
another location in your building, you will be able to hear
the temperature alarm beeping and even the relays clicking
if your kiln has mechanical relays.
Setting the Alarm From IDLE
1
From
[IDLE]
, press the
Up Arrow
key repeatedly
until
[ALAR]
appears. Press
Start/Stop
.
2
Using the arrow keys, enter an alarm temperature.
(To disable the alarm, set the alarm temperature
to 32°F / 0°C.) Press
Start/Stop
.
[IDLE]
will ap-
pear.
3
When the alarm temperature is reached during a
firing, the controller will beep and
[ALAR]
will ap-
pear. Press the
Down Arrow
to turn off the alarm.
Setting the Alarm During a Firing
1
The alarm beeps while the kiln is firing.
[ALAR]
will appear, alternating with the temperture. Press
the
Down Arrow
to turn off the alarm.
2
Press the
Up Arrow
key repeatedly until a steady
[ALAR]
appears. Press
Start/Stop
.
3
Enter the new temperature with the arrow keys.
(To disable the alarm, set the alarm temperature
to 32°F / 0°C.) Press
Start/Stop
. The kiln will con-
tinue firing.
If you enter a new alarm temperature, and forget to
press
Start/Stop
, the controller will continue firing with-
out resetting the alarm.
[ALAR]
will continue alternating
with the kiln temperature.
Question
The alarm on my Sentry sounds a min-
ute into each firing. Why is the alarm going off?
Answer
The alarm was set to a temperature below
the current temperature. To deactivate the alarm
for your next firing, set it to 32°F / 0°C.
Sentry Xpress 5 Cone-Fire / Ramp-Hold
18
Do not leave your kiln unattended during operation.
