Application
Can I use Sentinel temporarily to troubleshoot a valve?
Sentinel is designed for continuous monitoring and delivers greatest value over time. Its learn-in process (Primary and Secondary phases) enables increasingly accurate detection of valve behavior and emerging issues, making it ideal for ongoing diagnostics rather than short-term troubleshooting.
Comments: Comparable to continuous monitoring systems (e.g., TPMS) that provide ongoing insight rather than point-in-time diagnostics.
Can I use it with a motorized valve?
Sentinel can be applied with motorized valves when used in conjunction with an upstream solenoid. This configuration aligns with Sentinel’s detection approach and is supported within its extensible application framework.
Do I need it for every valve?
Sentinel is typically deployed on critical control points such as liquid feed and hot gas valves, where monitoring delivers the highest operational and efficiency impact. Deployment can be selectively expanded as needed.
Comments: Broader deployment scenarios (e.g., suction stop, dual solenoids) are possible and being evaluated.
Does it tell me all failures of my valve?
Sentinel identifies improper valve behavior, including functional failures and abnormal activity patterns. While it does not diagnose specific internal component faults today, its data supports faster root-cause identification and will continue to evolve with expanded analytics.
Comments: Future analytics will likely correlate activity signatures with common failure modes.
Does it tell me my HEV is open too far?
Sentinel provides relative activity monitoring that enables comparison across similar valves (e.g., HEVs), supporting data-driven optimization and adjustment strategies.
Once installed, how do I maintain the product?
Sentinel is maintenance-free by design and includes continuous self-diagnostics to ensure reliable operation and prompt reporting of any device-related issues.
Bluetooth / App
Can I control the device via the app in real time?
Yes. The app enables configuration and control functions such as recalibration, factory reset, mode selection, and parameter adjustments for real-time system interaction.
Can I export data from the app?
Yes. The app supports exporting data (e.g., CSV/PDF), depending on the capabilities of the user’s device and storage configuration.
Do I need to be near the device to access data?
Proximity is required for Bluetooth-based diagnostics. For full visibility and continuous monitoring, integration with PLC or cloud-based services is recommended.
Why am I not seeing data during valve cycling?
During initial calibration (learn-in phase), Sentinel establishes baseline behavior. After successful completion (typically three cycles), real-time data becomes available.
Commercial
Can I purchase one and install on a single valve?
Sentinel deployments are typically structured to ensure meaningful system-level insights and ROI. While it is feasible, applications are typically evaluated collaboratively (e.g. hot gas + liquid valves or multiple evaporator groups to ensure representative sampling and align with customer success criteria.
How does Sentinel support energy cost analysis?
Sentinel detects when leakage or inefficiencies occur. Combined with estimated leak rates, its analytics tools (e.g., parasitic load calculator) help quantify energy impact and savings opportunities. Go to the link below to download a free copy of our ROI Tool.
https://hantech.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Sentinel-ROI-Model-06.xlsx
Typical payback is less than three years, driven by energy savings, reduced downtime, and improved labor efficiency.
How does Sentinel reduce administrative burden?
Sentinel automates valve condition monitoring, reducing reliance on manual inspections and training requirements while improving safety, uptime, and decision-making speed.
Is Sentinel for remote monitoring?
Yes. Sentinel supports cloud-based monitoring services, enabling centralized visibility, analytics, and performance optimization enterprise-wide.
Why do I need Sentinel?
Sentinel enhances system efficiency, reduces energy waste, enables predictive maintenance, and improves operational safety through continuous valve monitoring.
Installation
How do you install Sentinel?
Sentinel systems can be easily installed by users. Installation involves mounting detectors (sensors), connecting cables, powering the analyzer, and then completing setup via Bluetooth or MODBUS. The system automatically begins operation in learn-in mode for calibration.
Can the detector be insulated?
Sentinel is designed for direct exposure to industrial environments. Insulation is not required but can be installed over the detector if desired.
Does valve brand matter?
No. Sentinel monitors valve activity independent of valve manufacturer. Adapter kits support common valve types.
Maintenance
Do I need more technicians to handle alarms?
No. Sentinel improves maintenance efficiency by enabling prioritized, planned maintenance rather than reactive repairs, allowing better utilization of existing resources.
Do I need to recalibrate after repair?
Recalibration is recommended to ensure optimal performance, although not strictly required in all cases. See link below for technical bulletin and details.
How will I know if a component fails?
Sentinel provides clear visual and app-based diagnostics, including LED indicators and alerts identifying component-specific issues
Technical
Can I adjust alarms to avoid nuisance alerts?
Yes. Alarm thresholds and delays are configurable, allowing tuning to application conditions while maintaining meaningful detection sensitivity.
Can Sentinel quantify flow?
Sentinel provides relative activity measurement rather than direct flow quantification, enabling trend analysis and condition monitoring.
How does it detect leaks?
Sentinel uses non-intrusive sensing to detect flow activity in the pipe, identifying leakage levels as low as ~1% of valve capacity under controlled conditions.
How do I know it is working?
Continuous LED status indication and built-in diagnostics confirm proper operation at all times.
What happens if the cloud goes down?
Sentinel continues local monitoring and indication. Remote data access is restored once connectivity resumes. Integration with PLC systems can provide additional redundancy.