I
Disconnected thermocouple lead wires
I
Defective circuit board
FE 1 / Failed to Read/Write To Memory
1
Press any key to clear the
[FE 1]
message.
2
Turn off the power to the controller for 10 seconds.
Then restart.
If the
[FE 1]
error persists, return the controller to the
factory for evaluation.
FE 4 / Unstable Analog-to-Digital
Conversion; Errors Detecting
Thermocouple Signal
If the temperature changes by more than 80°F / 26°C
during a 10-second period,
[FE 4]
will appear in the display.
Reasons:
I
A failed component on the circuit board
I
You have tested the thermocouple with a propane torch
or match, raising the temperature very fast.
1
Press any key to clear the
[FE 4]
message.
2
Turn off the power to the controller for 10 seconds.
Then restart.
If the
[FE 4]
error persists, return the controller to the
factory for evaluation.
FTL / Firing Too Long
I
The temperature change is less than 27°F / 15°C per
hour and the firing time is two hours longer than the cur-
rent segment was programmed to fire. This message can
appear during heating-up segments. It doesn’t appear
during cooling segments.
I
A FULL rate doesn’t shut off the
[FTL]
code.
Check for worn or burned out elements, defective relays,
low voltage and defective thermocouple. Reprogram a
slower rate in heating-up segments.
Note:
To avoid the
[FTL]
message, fire the kiln at a
slower rate.
Pointer:
During a Ramp-Hold firing, Present Sta-
tus shows the actual firing rate of the current seg-
ment instead of the rate you programmed. If you
think your kiln is heating or cooling too slowly,
compare the rate shown in Present Status with the
rate you programmed for that segment.
HTDE / High Temperature Deviation
[HTDE]
appears along with a continuous beeping alarm.
Causes:
I
During a heating-up ramp or a hold, the temperature is
100°F / 56°C above the programmed temperature.
I
During a cooling-down segment, the temperature is
100°F / 56°C above the segment’s starting temperature.
I
A fast rate caused the controller to overshoot the target
temperature.
I
A relay is stuck in the closed position, sending power to
the elements.
See “Power Failures,” next page.
Note:
You can disable the
[HTDE]
alarm for a seg-
ment by programming a FULL rate (9999°).
[HTDE]
will continue to operate during the hold
and in all other segments that have slower rates.
LAG / Thermocouple Lag
The heating rate is slower than 9°F / 5°C per hour and the
kiln temperature is more than 100°F / 56°C away from the
programmed temperature. The LAG error is inactive
above 500°F/260°C.
Causes:
I
On kilns that use a portable controller, the thermocou-
ple fell out of the firing chamber.
I
A bare spot on the thermocouple lead wires has touched
a grounded object inside the kiln switch box causing the
thermocouple to short out.
Note:
Check for worn or burned out elements, de-
fective relays, low voltage and defective
thermocouple.
LID / Safety Switch for Lid or Door
Reasons
[LID]
appears in the display:
I
The kiln is equipped with a safety switch, which turns off
power to the elements when the lid or door is open.
[LID]
appears while the lid is open during firing.
I
The safety lid switch is out of adjustment and has shut
off the elements even though the lid is closed.
I
On the back of the Sentry Xpress circuit board, at the
top right side, is a small two-pin terminal. If the connec-
tor plug on that terminal is missing,
[LID]
will appear in
the display during firing. The elements will not turn on.
(If the two-pin connector plug is missing, you can buy
another from a computer supply store.
I
The safety lid switch is broken, or a wire connected to
the safety switch has come loose.
Sentry Xpress 5 Cone-Fire / Ramp-Hold
26
Do not leave your kiln unattended during operation.
The lid switch two-pin terminal is on the back of the circuit board in the up-
per right corner. Look for the connector marked LID.
