User Guide
ExStik
TM
pH Waterproof Meters
Models PH100 & PH110
Patent Pending
ExStik
TM
Description
Front Panel Controls
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Battery compartment cap
LCD Display
MODE / HOLD button
CAL / RECALL button
ON/OFF button
Electrode collar
Electrode (refillable on PH110)
(Electrode cap is not shown)
Display
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Bargraph reading
Measurement reading
BAT (low battery) and
HOLD (data hold) indicators
Temperature display
Bargraph scale designations
Units of measure
Calibration indicators
RENEW and CAL indicators
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PH100-PH110 V5.3 02/08
Overview
pH Overview
pH is a unit of measure (ranging from 0 to 14pH) indicating the degree of acidity or
alkalinity of a solution. pH tests are the most commonly performed measurements in water
analysis and reports the negative log of the hydrogen ion activity of a solution which is an
indicator of acidity or alkalinity. Solutions with a pH less than 7 are considered acidic,
solutions with a pH higher than 7 are known as bases, and solutions with a pH of exactly 7
are neutral.
The pH scale is logarithmic so, for example, if sample A is 1 pH less than Sample B, this
means that Sample A is 10 times more acidic then Sample B. A difference of 1 pH
represents a ten-fold difference in acidity.
Getting Started
•
For new meters, remove the battery cap and then remove the battery insulating strip.
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•
Remove the cap from the bottom of the ExStik to expose the electrode glass surface
and reference junction
•
Before first use or after extended storage, soak the electrode (with its cap removed) in a
pH 4 solution for about 10 minutes
•
White KCL crystals may be present in the cap. These crystals will dissolve in the soak or
they can be simply rinsed with tap water
•
Always calibrate close to the expected measurement value
•
A sponge is located in the electrode protective cap. Keep this sponge soaked with a pH 4
solution to preserve Electrode life during storage
Replacing Electrodes
The ExStik is shipped with an electrode attached. Electrode life is limited and is
dependent on (among other factors) frequency of use and care. If the electrode needs to
be replaced, follow these steps for removing and connecting electrodes. Note that the
PH110 has a refillable electrode and the PH100 does not.
1. To remove an electrode, unscrew and completely remove the electrode retaining
collar.
2. Gently rock the electrode from side to side, pulling it away from the meter, until it
disconnects.
3. To attach an electrode, carefully plug the electrode into the meter socket (note that
the electrode connector is keyed, ensuring proper connection).
4. Secure the electrode in place by tightly turning the collar in place. (a rubber gasket
seals the electrode with the meter).
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Automatic Electrode Recognition
When the ExStik is turned on, it recognizes the type of electrode that is connected and
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displays the appropriate unit of measure. Attach electrode before turning the ExStik on.
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Powering the ExStik™
If the batteries are weak, the ‘BAT’ indicator appears on the LCD. Press the ON/OFF key
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TM
to turn the ExStik
on or off. The auto power off feature shuts the ExStik
off
automatically after 10 minutes of inactivity to preserve battery life.
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PH100-PH110 V5.3 02/08
Operation
Overview
When the electrode is placed in a solution, the main display and bargraph indicate the pH
reading while the lower display reads temperature (readings flash until they have
stabilized). The bargraph is ‘center zero’, i.e. at pH 7 there is no display. As the pH rises,
the bar moves from the center to the right. If the pH drops, the bar moves from the center
to the left.
pH Calibration (1, 2, or 3 points)
A two point calibration with a buffer of 7 plus 4 or 10 (whichever is nearest to the expected
sample value) is always recommended. A one point calibration (choose the value closest
to the expected sample value) is also valid. For best accuracy, always calibrate at the
sample temperature.
Place the electrode into a buffer solution (4, 7, or 10) and momentarily press the CAL
key. pH 7 should be calibrated first, then 4 and/or 10 pH.
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2. The ExStik automatically recognizes the solution and calibrates itself to that value.
Note: If the solution is more than 1pH off from the 4, 7, or 10pH standard, the
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ExStik will assume an error and abort the calibration. CAL and END will be
displayed.
3. During calibration, the pH reading flashes on the main display.
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4. When calibration is complete, the ExStik automatically displays ‘END’ and returns
to normal operation mode.
5. The appropriate circled indicator , , or will appear on the LCD when a calibration
has been completed. The calibration data is stored until a new calibration is
performed.
6. For a two or three point calibration, repeat steps 1-4.
Note: Always turn the meter off and then on before calibrating to allow sufficient time to
complete the calibrations during one power cycle. If the meter auto powers off during
calibration the calibrations remain valid, but new calibrations will turn the circled
indicators off.
1.
Changing the Displayed Temperature Units
Press and hold the CAL button for approx. 3 seconds. The C or F icon will change first
and the numerical temperature value will change
after
the button is released. If the
Calibration mode is accidentally accessed ‘CAL’ appears on the LCD. Simply turn the
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ExStik off and start again.
o
o
Data Hold
Momentarily press the MODE button to freeze the current reading. The HOLD display icon
will appear along with the held reading. The held reading will also be stored in memory.
Momentarily press the MODE key to return to normal operation.
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PH100-PH110 V5.3 02/08
15-Storing Readings into Memory
1.
Momentarily press the MODE button to store a
reading. The LCD will briefly display the
memory location number and then the value
stored (Data Hold will activate).
Momentarily press MODE again to return to
normal operation.
Repeat step 1 to store the next reading and so
on.
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After 15 readings are stored the ExStik will return to memory location 1 and start
overwriting existing data with newly stored data.
2.
3.
4.
Recalling Stored Readings
Note: Check that the HOLD symbol is not displayed. If it is, exit the HOLD function by
momentarily pressing the MODE button.
1. Momentarily press the CAL button and then press the MODE button immediately after
CAL is displayed; the storage location number (1 through 15) will flash. If the CAL
mode is accidentally accessed (display flashing), press the CAL button again to exit.
2. The last reading stored will be displayed first. To advance through the stored
readings, momentarily press the MODE button. The location number is displayed first,
followed by the reading stored in that location.
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3. To exit the recall mode, momentarily press the CAL button and the ExStik will return
to normal operation.
CAL Reminder Display
When the ExStik is turned on in the pH mode for the 15th time without recalibration, the
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‘CAL’ icon appears on the LCD indicating that the ExStik may require calibration. Some
applications may require recalibration of the electrode more frequently than others. The
CAL display is simply a reminder and will turn off when the pH electrode is recalibrated.
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RENEW Display
A flashing ‘RENEW’ warning indicates that the probe may be nearing the end of its useful
life. If cleaning or recalibration does not cause the RENEW icon to disappear, replace the
electrode. The RENEW display appears when the output of the pH electrode fails a
diagnostic test.
Considerations
•
If the unit appears to be locked (display frozen) it is possible that the Data Hold mode
has been inadvertently accessed by pressing the MODE button. Simply press the
MODE button again or turn the meter off and restart if the display appears frozen.
If the meter does latch up and no button presses revive it, remove the batteries, push
the ON button for 3 seconds and then reinsert the batteries.
Note that if the batteries are removed, any stored readings will be discarded. Also, the
user calibration data for pH will be cleared. New user pH calibration data is required.
Factory calibration data for all models will be retained, however.
•
•
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PH100-PH110 V5.3 02/08