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Paragon Digital Controllers

   Paragon uses two types of Digital Controllers, the 12 Key Sentry 2.0 Digital Controller found on all high performance Paragon kilns and the Sentry Xpress 3-key Controller which is used on smaller and simpler kilns.  The Sentry controllers were developed from a joint effort of Paragon and the Orton Ceramic Foundation to achieve a highly reliable and accurate digital controller than could be internally upgraded as microprocessor technology improves.  The Sentry Digital Controllers have used on all Paragon Kilns since early 2001 and has undergone several internal upgrades over the past 7 years.

Sentry 2.0 12 Key Digital Controller

    The Sentry 2.0 12 Key Digital Controller operates in two distinct modes, a Ramp-Hold mode that allows the user to program steps of varying rates of climbs and lengths of temperature holds into a firing program and the conventional Cone-Fire mode for pottery and ceramics.  The Ramp-Hold mode is available on all Sentry 2.0 Controllers while the Cone-Fire mode is available only on "ceramic" kilns that are rated to above 2000°F.   The Sentry 2.0 Digital Controller seen below is the non-ceramic controller without the Cone-Fire mode.

The Sentry 2.0 Controller can be installed on all existing Paragon 12-key digital kilns. It uses the same size faceplate as the earlier DTC 100 - 1000 series.

Every Sentry 2.0 Controller includes many exciting features: 

• Temperature Display throughout firing and cooling in your choice of °F or °C 
• Firing Cost Enter the cost of electricity and kiln amperage in Options. After the kiln fires to completion, press the 8 key for the cost of electricity to fire that load. 
• Rate At the factory, we can configure a controller for you to show rate as degrees of temperature change per hour (the default), degrees of temperature change per minute, or elapsed time needed to reach a temperature. 
• Stop/Back Key goes back one step with each key press during programming. Use this feature to correct programming errors. 
• Add Time Key adds five minutes to a temperature hold with each key press during firing. Helpful for glass with holds. 
• Program Review lets you check that the program you are about to fire is correct. 
• Audible Temperature Alarm to remind yourself to close a vented lid or to check the kiln near firing completion. 
• Thermocouple Selection The Sentry 2.0 can operate types K, S or R thermocouples. 
• Extensive Error Messages to report mechanical problems such as a disconnected thermocouple, bad voltage, temperature deviation. 
• 14 Segment Display is easier to read than the previous 7 segment. 
• Program Safety Lock for the program in active memory. Gives you peace of mind. 
• Delay Fire Set the time that the firing is to start. The kiln will turn on at that time. 
• LED Lights show when the relays are powered. 
• Quick Release Molex Connectors permit fast removal of the controller. Replacing the Sentry 2.0 or Sentry Xpress takes only minutes.

    And the Best Feature?  30 Month Warranty.

Ramp-Hold Custom Programming 

Ramp-Hold allows you to infinitely adjust each part of the firing cycle. Vary the firing to obtain different effects. 

Ramp-Hold programs are made of segments. Each segment has a temperature, firing rate, and, if desired, a temperature hold. 

• Skip Segment skips past any segment. 
• Program Storage of one 18-segment and eight 10-segment programs, even when the kiln is unplugged. 
• Present Status shows which segment the kiln has reached during firing. 
• Cooling Control both heating and cooling. For deeper colors, especially iron reds, experiment with slow cooling. 
• Hold is available in every segment up to 99 hours. 

AOP Vent 

    The “Auxiliary Output” is available on most Paragon TnF kilns. The AOP is a relay-powered electrical receptacle mounted to the kiln. You can plug an Orton KilnVent into the AOP to provide electrical power to the vent as well as control when the vent operates during firing. 

Cone-Fire Programming 

    User controller of the speed (fast, medium or slow) as well as preheat, hold time at the end of the firing and controlled cool down mode.  The Cone-Fire Mode on the Sentry 2.0 is the most advanced firing system on the market as the Cone-Fire programming even adjusts for weight of the firing load to achieve the perfect firing at the lowest possible firing costs by adjusting the firing end point and the rate of climb.

Sentry Xpress 3-key Digital Controller

    The Sentry Xpress 3-Key Digital Controller is a simpler version of the 12 key Digital Controller and is used on kilns that do not normally the need the firepower of the more powerful controller.  In spite of being a scaled down version of a digital Controller the Xpress 3-Key remains quite powerful.  Like the 12-Key Digital Controller, the 3-Key version operates in two distinct modes, a Ramp-Hold mode that allows the user to program steps of varying rates of climbs and lengths of temperature holds into a firing program and the conventional Cone-Fire mode for pottery and ceramics.  The Ramp-Hold mode is available on all Xpress 3-Key Controllers while the Cone-Fire mode is available only on "ceramic" kilns that are rated to above 2000°F.   The Xpress 3-Key is seen below mounted on the Fusion 7 Glass Kiln.

Features of the Sentry Xpress 3-key Controller on Non-Ceramic Paragon Kilns

Cone-Fire Programming for ceramic kilns 

    User controller of the Cone and firing speed (fast, medium or slow).