Specifications

ManualsBrandsSentry ManualsConsumer electronicsSentry Xpress Sentry Xpress 4.0

aragon digital kilns are powered by the

12-key Sentry micro processor or the

smaller 3-key Sentry Xpress. These

micro processors are the result of intensive ef

fort between Paragon Industries, L.P. and

Orton Ceramic Foundation. These

user-friendly controllers add convenience and

accuracy to your firings.

Owning a Sentry is like hiring an assistant

to watch your kiln. Nevertheless, please re

member that you should monitor the kiln occa

sionally during firing, especially near the

expected shut-off. (We do not warrant against

over-fires. Please see Warranty, page 27.)

Sentry 12-Key 2.0

throughout firing

and cooling in your choice of °F or °C

goes back one step with

each key press during programming. Use

this feature to correct programming errors.

adds five minutes to a

temperature hold with each key press dur

ing firing. Helpful for glass with holds.

lets you check the pro

gram you are about to fire.

to re

mind yourself to close a vented lid or to

check the kiln near firing completion.

The Sentry

2.0 can operate types K, S or R

thermocouples.

report mechanical

problems such as a disconnected thermo

couple, bad voltage, temperature deviation.

for the program

in active memory. Gives you peace of

mind.

Set the time that the firing is to

start. The kiln will turn on at that time.

show when the relays are

powered.

permit fast removal of the controller. The

controller is very reliable. Nevertheless,

replacing the Sentry 2.0 or Sentry Xpress

takes only minutes. Remove 4 screws.

The Sentry 2.0 can be installed on all exist

ing Paragon 12-key digital kilns. It uses the

same size faceplate as the earlier DTC 100 -

1000 series. Upgrade a switch-operated kiln

with the wall-mount version. (See page 21.)

Thermocouples

The thermocouple senses temperature in

side the kiln. The standard thermocouple on

most Paragon kilns equipped with the Sentry

2.0 is the Type-K. It is hermetically sealed in a

metal sheath for long life.

Though a precision instrument, the thermo

couple wears with use, resulting in a gradual

shift in temperature readout. (This wear occurs

mostly above 2000°F.) If you fire pottery, con

sider the deluxe Type-S (page 21), noted for its

extreme longevity.

Two Firing Modes

The Sentry 2.0 operates in two modes: ce

ramic Cone-Fire, and custom-firing

Ramp-Hold. The Sentry 2.0 on ceramic kilns

comes with both Cone-Fire and Ramp-Hold.

The Sentry 2.0 on enameling, jewelry, heat

treating and glass kilns comes with Ramp-Hold

mode only.

Ceramic Cone-Fire Mode

Cone-Fire fires to pyrometric cones. Among

the exciting features:

Adjustable cooling rate.

Cool slowly to achieve dramatic shifts in

glaze color and crystalline development.

Try this with iron reds. Enjoy the richer

look of gas firing.

Alter the standard

Cone-Fire Slow, Medium and Fast firing

speeds with the Options key.

skips past Pre-Heat and

Hold during firing.

maintains a drying, or candling,

temperature of 200°F for the period you

specify at the beginning of firing.

Enter a cone number. This

feature shows temperature for that cone.

soaks the ware at the end of a

Cone-Fire. This produces higher gloss and

richer, deeper colors in some glazes.

Ramp-Hold Custom Programming

Ramp-Hold allows you to infinitely adjust

each part of the firing cycle. Vary the firing to

obtain different effects from the same glaze.

Ramp-Hold programs are divided into seg

ments. Each segment has a target temperature,

firing rate, and, if desired, a temperature hold.

of one 18-segment

and three 10-segment programs, even

when the kiln is unplugged.

shows which segment

the kiln has reached during firing.

For deeper colors,

especially iron reds, experiment with slow

cooling.

is available in every segment.

AOP Vent

The “Auxiliary Output” is available on most

Paragon kilns that have the Sentry 2.0. The

AOP is a relay-powered electrical receptacle

mounted to the kiln. You can plug an Orton

Vent Master into the AOP to control when the

vent operates during firing. (See page 21 for

vent, page 21 for AOP.)

Three-Zone Firing

Standard digital kilns are single zone;

3-zone is a factory-installed option on most

models. Three zone is faster and more accurate

than on previous 3-zone controllers because of

the Sentry’s time-temperature algorithm. This

eliminates the temperature lag adjustment.

Sentry Xpress 3-Key

This powerful little gem is packed with fea-

tures. On ceramic kilns, the controller includes

Cone-Fire and 8-segment Ramp-Hold modes.

On glass and jewelry kilns, it includes Single

Speed and 8-segment Ramp-Hold modes.

(Note: Ramp-Hold and Cone-Fire on the Sen

try Xpress do not include some of the advanced

features of the Sentry 2.0.)

during firing.

of the

current segment during firing.

during Ramp-Hold firing.

maintains the target temperature.

Ramp-Hold mode can

store 4 custom programs.

lets you check the pro

gram you are about to fire.

throughout firing

and cooling in your choice of °F or °C

show whether you are in pro

gram, review, or firing mode.

Sentry 12- and 3-Key Controllers

The Sentry Xpress 4.0 micro processor is manufactured by the

Orton Ceramic Foundation and displays the CE mark.

Hr./Min.

When Lit

HIGHER

°C

°F

When Off

When Lit

START/

STOP

LOWER

Program

Review

Run

MICRO PROCESSOR

SENTRYXpress

4.0

Enter

Program

Skip Seg.

Add Hold

Change Temp.

T/C Offset

Alarm

Delay

Review