Bluelab pH Controller User Manual

Care and use guide

*6 months

for pH probe

1 Bluelab

Connect Stick

required to

data log

(sold seperately)

Contents

page page

English

Features 3

Bluelab pH Controller Connect 3

What’s in the box? 4

IMPORTANT - Bluelab pH Probe care 5

Set up the Bluelab Connect So ware 6

Installing the pH controller connect 6

Connect the Bluelab pH Probe 6

Connect the Bluelab Temperature Probe 6

SAFETY - Handling pH up or pH down solution 6

Set up inlet dosing tube 7

Set up outlet dosing tube 7

Connect power adaptor 8

Display menu and buttons 8

Factory settings 9

Set the dose direction for pH up or down solution 12

Set the dosing OnTime and O Time 13

Set alarms (optional) 14

View current settings 14

Priming the pump 15

Set the mode 15

Change the screen backlight and/or contrast 16

Using the connect so ware 16

Hydrating the pH probe 17

Cleaning the pH probe 17

Troubleshooting guide 18

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 19

Technical speci cations 20

Bluelab pH Controller Connect accessories and spare parts 21

Change the display language 9

pH calibration 10

Placement of the probes 12

Set the required pH 12

Limited product guarantee 23

Limitation of liability 23

Contact details 23

English

Features

ONE Bluelab Connect Stick is required, sold seperately

Flashing high and low alarm with safety control lockouts

Local and Cloud data logging capability (download Free Bluelab Connect Software)

‘Plant-safe’ green back lit LCD with adjustable brightness and contrast

Adjustment of control settings from a local PC via connect software

Auto resume dosing on restart after power loss

Option to view data and current status remotely via Google Docs™*

Water resistant, wall mount design

Automatic control and monitoring of system pH with reservoirs up to 200 US Gallons / 760 Liters

13 foot (4 meter) acid/alkaline resistant tubing supplied

Large, easy to read display International power supply

Simple push button pH calibration with on screen instructions

Separate Bluelab Temperature Probe (for pH ATC)

Easy to navigate menu to program and adjust settings Replaceable double junction pH probe

Dosing lockouts to protect from over-dosing Replaceable peristaltic pump and tubing

What is Plant Safe? Green lights are safe for continued growth during a plant’s fruiting stage when hours of darkness are required.

What are Dosing Lockouts for? They are a built-in safety feature that stops pH dosing if an error is detected in the system (see FAQs for more detail).

Bluelab pH Controller Connect

pH display successful pH calibration symbol

Alarm on

symbol

Control dosing

up or down

symbols

pH calibration

button

pH controller

connect status

Peristaltic

pump with

cover

Inlet tube

Outlet tube

Power input

ATC symbol

ATTENTION

If it dries, it dies!

Bluelab Temperature Probe (for pH ATC)

pH probe BNC connector

Temperature probe input

Keep your pH probe tip wet

at all times to avoid permanent damage

Enter button

Menu button

Up button

Down button

Bluelab pH Probe

pH probe storage cap

PLEASE FOLLOW THE MANUAL STEP BY STEP BEFORE FIRST USE BEGINS

1.0 What’s in the box?

Please verify the box contents from the information below.



English

6 7 8 9

Bluelab pH Controller Connect

Bluelab pH Probe with storage cap

Bluelab Temperature Probe

Bluelab pH Probe holder with suction cup

24V DC 0.4Amp power supply

Europe plug adaptor

UK plug adaptor

North American plug adaptor

resistant dosing tube with connectors

calibration solution sachets

NZ / Australia plug adaptor

13 foot (4 meter) Acid/Alkali

4 x mounting fasteners

20ml pH 7.0 and pH 4.0 single-use

Inlet tube cap for pH stock solution

Replaceable peristaltic pump with cover

2.0 IMPORTANT - Bluelab pH Probe care

pH probes DO NOT last forever. They age through normal use and will eventually fail. The life time of a pH probe depends on the environment it is used in and the way that it is treated. To receive a long life from your Bluelab pH Probe, please ensure you follow the guide below.

English

pH probes contain glass and are therefore FRAGILE. With good care, they will give a long service life.

Bluelab pH Probe

pH probe holder suction cup

BNC connector

pH probe storage cap

pH probe tip

pH probe KCl storage solution

Glass tube inside plastic barrel

Glass bulb

DO NOT let the pH probe tip dry. IF IT DRIES IT DIES!

DO NOT bend the probe; this will break its internal glass tube.

DO NOT knock the probe; this will break its internal glass tube or external glass bulb.

DO NOT plunge a cold pH probe into a hot liquid, or a hot probe into cold liquid. Sudden

temperature changes can crack the glass and permanently damage the probe.

DO NOT immerse in oils, proteins or suspended solids that will leave a coating on the glass bulb.

DO NOT ‘kink’ or bend the lead sharply.

DO NOT attempt to lengthen the lead on the pH probe.

DO NOT wet the BNC connector at the end of the lead.

Always remove pH probe storage cap before use

1. Grip the top of the cap and gently twist the base one rotation clockwise to loosen slightly.

2. Next slowly slide the cap off the pH probe. DO NOT completely remove the base of the cap from the top of the cap.

3. Store the storage cap in a safe place.

Storing the pH probe

When storing the pH probe, the pH probe tip must be kept moist.

To prepare the pH probe for storage, add enough Bluelab pH Probe KCl Storage Solution to the storage cap so the probe tip is covered. Then replace the cap and store in a secure place. DO NOT use RO (Reverse Osmosis), Distilled or De-ionized water. Pure water changes the chemistry in the reference, causing the probe to die.

Removing pH probe

storage cap

If the pH probe has been accidentally allowed to dry out;

The pH probe must be ‘hydrated’ for 24 hours in KCl storage solution (never use

RO, Distilled or De-ionized water). Following this; carry out a calibration to check if the probe has already suffered permanent damage.

Ensure probe tip is covered by

the KCl storage solution in cap

English

6.0 Connect the Bluelab Temperature Probe

Insert the temperature probe connector to the base of the pH controller connect where ‘ATC’ is labelled. Ensure the connector is fully inserted.

4.0 Installing the pH controller connect

Select a suitable location that is:

• Less than 5.65 feet / 2 meters from your reservoir. The probes must be immersed in solution at all times.

• Less than 4.9 feet / 1.5 meters from an electrical mains outlet.

• Less than 5.56 feet / 2 meters from pH Up or Down solution. The inlet tube must reach the bottom of the container.

• At a suitable height to see the display and for easy operation (recommend slightly below eye level when standing).

NOTE: Avoid placing the pH controller connect where it can be damaged by direct sunlight, water, nutrient salts or pH adjuster.

Fix the fasteners through the desired mounting holes in the top and bottom of the case.

5.0 Connect the Bluelab pH Probe

Connect the pH probe to the pH controller connect by lining up the lugs of the BNC ﬁ ttings.

Fasten securely by pushing the pH probe connector on and twisting one quarter turn.

3.0 Set up the Bluelab Connect So ware

Note the 4 character KEY CODE on the rear of the Bluelab pH Controller Connect.

Follow instructions in the Bluelab Connect Stick ‘Getting Started’ guide to install the connect stick and connect software. Add the pH controller connect to the software.

7.0 SAFETY - Handling pH up and down solutions

Bluelab pH Up or pH Down Solutions are available in North America. They can be used undiluted with the pH controller connect. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use and handling.

CAUTION: Wear eye protection and gloves when handling this product. Harmful if swallowed. Keep out of the reach of children. Store under cool and dry conditions. Not for food, drug or household use. Read MSDS before use.

Mounting holes at top

Inserting Twisting Attached

Mounting holes at bottom

temperature probe connection

9.0 Set up outlet dosing tube

Insert the remaining dosing tube with connector into the RIGHT peristaltic pump tube. This is the ‘outlet dosing tube’.

Cut the outlet dosing tube so that the tube sits above the maximum solution level of the reservoir/tank. The pH stock solution must drip into the nutrient reservoir/tank.

Note: If the outlet dosing tube is immersed in reservoir/tank solution, it could create a syphon. This would cause the pH stock solution to overﬂ ow.

8.0 Set up inlet dosing tube

To straighten tube:

Bend tube in the opposite direction and straighten by running through closed ﬁ ngers.

Insert one end of the dosing tube with connector into the LEFT peristaltic pump tube. This is the ‘inlet dosing tube’.

Ensure the inlet dosing tube will reach the bottom of the pH stock solution container.

There also needs to be enough tube left for the outlet dosing tube to go into the reservoir/tank.

Cut the inlet dosing tube to the desired length. Use inlet tube cap supplied to place on

Bluelab Up or Down 500ml or 1 Liter bottles. This will hold the tube in position. Insert the inlet dosing tube through the hole in the cap and pierce the induction seal on the bottle.

English

Inlet ‘’ arrow on pump cover

Left pump tube

Connector

Inlet dosing tube

pH stock solution

Inlet tube cap

Dosing tube reaches bottom of container

Outlet ‘’ arrow on pump cover

Right pump tube

Connector

Inlet dosing tube

pH stock solution

Outlet dosing tube

Nutrient solution reservoir / tank

+ 16 hidden pages

Bluelab pH Controller User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual