Keep the kiln lid or door closed when the kiln is not in use.
19
DIAG (Diagnostics) / Check the
Amperage, Test the Relays, and the
AOP1 Outlet
Check Your Kiln’s Amperage (If Your Kiln Has an
Amp Sensor)
If you are wondering why your kiln is taking so long to
reach temperature, you can check the amperage that the
kiln is pulling. (To check the amperage, your kiln must be
equipped with an amperage sensor.)
Compare the amperage reading with the amps listed on
the kiln’s electrical data plate. (For most models, the data
plate, or label, is on the side of the kiln’s switch box.)
Note:
Low voltage or worn elements can cause a
low amperage reading. Before deciding that the el-
ements are worn out, also check the voltage.
Check the Amperage at IDLE or While Firing
1
From
[IDLE]
, press the
Up Arrow
repeatedly until
[DIAG]
appears. Press
Start/Stop
.
2
With the arrow keys, you can rotate between
[AMPS]
and
[TEST]
. Select
[AMPS]
and press
Start/Stop
. The amperage that the kiln is pulling
will appear.
If your kiln has more than one relay, the display will show
the amperage for the elements connected to each relay,
with these codes:
[AMP1] [AMP2] [AMP3]
.
Test the Heating Elements, Relays, and AOP1 Outlet
Use this option when testing thermocouples with a ciga-
rette lighter or other heat source.
Pointer:
Raising the thermocouple temperature
fast with a lighter or propane torch may cause an
[FE4]
error. This will not harm the controller,
though. See page 26.
1
From
[IDLE]
, press the
Up Arrow
repeatedly until
[DIAG]
appears. Press
Start/Stop
.
2
With the arrow keys, you can rotate between
[AMPS]
and
[TEST]
. Select
[TEST]
and press
Start/Stop
. Each relay will turn on for 2 minutes,
one relay at a time.
3
After testing the relays, kilns equipped with the
AOP1 outlet will display
[J3-3]
for two minutes to
test power to the AOP outlet.
Pointer:
The relays are tested for 2 minutes each,
followed by the AOP1 outlet. You can press the
Start/Stop
key during a 2-minute test to advance
to the next relay before the 2 minutes are over.
F/C / Select Between °F and °C
Temperature Display
The controller operates in your choice of Fahrenheit or
Celsius temperature. 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 the
Up Arrow
repeatedly until
[F/C]
appears.
2
Press
Start/Stop
. Use the arrow keys to select
[ F]
or
[ C.]
.
3
After selecting one of the above, press
Start/Stop
.
[IDLE]
will appear.
°F/°C Temperature Conversion Formulas
Below are formulas for converting temperture between
°F and °C. Converting a firing rate requires a different for-
mula than converting a temperature that you are firing to:
Firing to a Temperature
(i.e. “Fire to 1600°F.” 1600°F = 871°C)
(°C x 1.8) +32 = °F
(°F - 32) ÷ 1.8 = °C
Firing Rate or 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
LIM / Set a Maximum Temperature
for Your Kiln
Your kiln has a maximum temperature rating, which is
listed on its electrical data plate. In a classroom setting
where students use kilns, you may want to lower the maxi-
mum rating to the temperature of a particular clay or glass.
The
[LIM]
option allows you to do that.
Set the maximum temperature of the clay or glass in the
[LIM]
(temperature limit) option. When the kiln goes 1 de-
gree over that temperature, the kiln will shut off.
[OTL]
(Over Temperature Limit) will appear in the display.
The adjustment range is from 200°F / 93°C up to the tem-
perature rating listed on the safety data plate of your kiln.
1
From
[IDLE]
, press the
Up Arrow
key repeatedly
until
[LIM]
appears.
2
Press
Start/Stop
. Change the maximum tempera-
ture with the arrow keys.
3
Press
Start/Stop
to return to
[IDLE]
.
COST / View the Electrical Cost
of a Firing
Your Sentry Xpress controller can give you the electrical
cost of a firing. This will help you determine how much to
charge for the ware that you sell. It will also enable you to
experiment with saving electricity by adjusting your firing
schedules. For instance, how much extra electricity would
you use if you slowed the firing rate? How much does it cost
to add slow cooling to a ceramic glaze firing?
Before the controller can give you the cost of your fir-
ings, you will need to enter the wattage of your kiln in the
[KW]
option, page 23, and the cost of electricity in the
[CENT]
option, page 23.
