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Paragon Digital Controllers
Every Paragon Kiln featured and stocked by Dogwood Ceramic Supply is controlled by a digital controller. Starting in the Spring 2001 Paragon has equipped most kilns with the Orton Sentry 2.0 Controller. The Sentry 2.0 Controller is the result of intensive effort between Paragon Industries and the Orton Ceramic Foundation to achieve a highly reliable and accurate digital controller which would allow the manufacturer to continually upgrade the product as microprocessor technology improves. Since 2001, the Sentry Digital Controllers has undergone multiple internal upgrades to improve performance and reliability.
Why Digital? Digital controllers are much more precise than the old fashion mechanical controller found on other kilns and digital controllers are extremely accurate. A mechanical controller may be accurate within 1 to 2 cone values (40 to 80 degrees) depending upon calibration and may drift through out this performance range from firing to firing. On the other hand the Sentry 2.0 controller and its matching thermocouple is accurate to within a few degrees Fahrenheit.
Are Digital Controllers durable? Yes! Like any electronic product, digital
controllers can fail, but, when compared to the mechanical controllers found on
kilns of yesteryear, digital controllers are extremely durable. And when a
digital controller does fail, just remove a few screws and the controller is
replaced within seconds. How durable is the Sentry 2.0 Controller? The Sentry
2.0 Controller is backed with the best warranty in the kiln industry...a
30
month warranty!
When combined with its low cost and industry leading warranty the Sentry 2.0 digital controller represents the best value for operating kilns.
Instruction time at Dogwood Ceramic Supply. New kiln customers are being briefed on the proper operation of Orton Sentry 2.0 Digital Controller that is standard equipment on most Paragon Kilns. Dogwood Ceramic Supply is one of just a small handful of US distributors that has an active mockup of the Orton Sentry 2.0 Digital Controller on our sales floor for use by prospective customers.
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 above is the non-ceramic
controller without the Cone-Fire mode. If the controller had been the
ceramic version the "1" key would have the word "Cone" added to the key. Recently the Firing Cost feature was added to the "8" key (not shown above).
The Sentry 2.0 Controller can be installed on all existing
Paragon 12-key digital kilns as it uses the same size faceplate (front panel) as the earlier DTC
100 - 1000 series.
Basic features of the Sentry 2.0 Controller:
◊ Temperature Display throughout firing and cooling in your choice of °F or °C.
◊ To compute Firing Costs simply 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.
◊ The controller can be factory preset 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.
◊ The Stop/Back Key goes back one step with each key press during programming. Use this feature to correct programming errors.
◊ The Add Time Key adds five minutes to a temperature hold with each key press during firing. Helpful for glass with holds when predicting the absolute end point is more difficult.
◊ Program Review lets you check that the program you are about to fire is correct.
◊ The Audible Temperature Alarm can be used to remind yourself to close a vented lid or to check the kiln near firing completion.
◊ The Sentry 2.0 can operate K, S or R thermocouples.
◊ Extensive Error Messages to report simple mechanical problems such as a disconnected thermocouple or failing elements as well as complex issues such as voltage irregularities with the commercial power source
◊ 14 Segment Display is easier to read than the previous 7 segment.
◊ Program Safety Lock to protect the program in active memory.
◊ Delay Fire sets 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 while increasing the reliability of the connections. Replacing the Sentry 2.0 or Sentry Xpress takes only minutes.
◊ Choice of thermocouples and optional 3 Zone Controls.
And the Best Feature?
30 Month Warranty.
Ramp-Hold Custom Programming
Ramp-Hold is available as a
standard mode on every 12 Key Sentry 2.0 Digital Controller. The Ramp-Hold
mode 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.
◊ One 18-segment and eight 10-segment programs can be stored in the controller. The controller retains the programs in memory even when the kiln is unplugged.
◊ Preset 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.
Cone-Fire Programming
In addition to the basic features and Ramp-Hold modes, the controller can be simply programmed by the user to set 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 load to be fired load to achieve the perfect firing at the lowest possible costs by adjusting the temperature end point and the rate of climb.
See Speed is not your friend for information about the importance of the preheat mode.
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 sufficiently powerful enough for the average kiln user. 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 such as the Paragon Xpress 1193.
Basic Features of the Sentry Xpress 3-key Controller on Paragon Kilns
◊ Design programs with up to 8 segments (steps) in Ramp-Hold mode.
◊ Fire to a single temperature at a single speed in the simplified Single Speed mode.
◊ Ramp-Hold mode can store 4 programs.
◊ Skip a segment in Ramp-Hold during firing without having to stop the kiln to reprogram.
◊ Change the target temperature in Ramp-Hold during firing without having to stop the kiln to reprogram.
◊ Hold (soak) the temperature in both Single Speed and Ramp-Hold.
◊ Control both heating and cooling in Ramp-Hold.
◊ Program Review lets you check the program you are about to fire.
◊ Program the Temperature Alarm to sound when the kiln reaches a specific temperature.
◊ Temperature display throughout firing and cooling in your choice of °F or °C
◊ Thermocouple Offset adjusts the thermocouple readout.
◊ Set the Delay to turn on the kiln later to suit your schedule.
◊ Error Messages report mechanical problems such as a disconnected thermocouple, stuck relay or broken element.
◊ 12 Month Warranty
◊ Ceramic Kilns (rated to above 2000˚F) add Cone and firing speed (fast, medium or slow).
| Warranty Warning:
Paragon offers a full (no pro-rating) warranty on all Sentry
Controllers. The 12 Key (Sentry 2.0) Controller is an industry leading 30 month
warranty. The simpler 3 Key (Sentry 3.0) Controller is warranted for 12 months. PLEASE compare warranties between competing brands of digital controllers. Short warranty terms are common place. In the most extreme instance, the competing digital controller is warranted for only 90 days. Other manufacturers have found favor with pro-rated warranties. The time interval may be significant, but the pro-rating kicks in from the first day of ownership. And as anybody that has bought tires, beds etc, the pro-rating terms can make the warranty worth less than the paper it is printed on. |
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12590 Dedeaux Road
Gulfport Mississippi, 39503
Telephone (228) 831-4848 Fax (228) 831-3111
Showroom Business Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday 10AM to 5PM
Thursday 1PM to 6PM
Closed Wednesday and Sunday
Every Paragon Kiln is controlled by a digital controller such as the Orton Sentry 2.0 Controller. The Sentry 2.0 Controller is the result of intensive effort between Paragon Industries and the Orton Ceramic Foundation to achieve a highly reliable and accurate digital controller.