Care and use guide
Contents page
Features 2
Quick guide 2
Before use 3
To operate 3
Important - pH pen probe care 4
Cleaning 5
Battery replacement 5
Hydration 6
Calibration 6
Error messages 7
Troubleshooting guide 7
Technical speci cations 8
Bluelab Probe Care Kit - pH 8
Bluelab pH Probe KCl Storage Solution 8
Product guarantee 9
Contact details 9
a handy solution made easy
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Features
Backlit LCD display Low battery indicator
Hold reading function Fully waterproof
Fully guaranteed for 1 year Auto off function
Double junction probe
(not replaceable)
Automatic Temperature
Compensation (ATC)
Successful calibration indicator Selectable units for
°C and °F
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Quick guide
Low battery warning
Appears when
batteries are low.
Power button / hold
Short press to turn on.
Short press to hold reading.
Long press to turn off.
Calibrate button
See calibration section.
Units button
Hold until units fl ash then
short press to change units.
Screen will change back
when no buttons have been
pressed for 3 seconds.
Check mark/tick to
indicate successful
calibration
Disappears 30 days after
calibrating probe as a
calibration due reminder.
Storage
cap can be
placed onto
loop while
being used.
Storage cap
The probe must not be allowed to dry out. Always place storage cap back onto
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probe tip after each use. Add 3-5 drops of KCl storage solution to the round hole
(wetting seal) in the cap each week to keep the probe wet. See section 3.0
ATTENTION
If it dries, it dies!
Keep your probe tip wet
at all times to avoid permanent damage
1.0 Before use begins
Hydrate in KCl storage solution for 24 hours before you start using the pH pen.
See section 6.0
Calibrate the pen before you start using the pen.
See section 7.0
2.0 To operate
Turn pen on
Press power button.
To turn pen off
Press and hold the power button until OFF is
displayed.
NOTE: The pen will automatically turn off after
4 minutes to conserve battery power.
Measure pH
Remove storage cap, place probe in solution and wait
for reading to stabilize.
To hold reading
If you want to “hold” the reading on the screen, short
press the power button. To exit the hold function press
the power button again.
To change temperature units
Hold down the units button for 3 seconds until the
temperature units start fl ashing. Short press the units
button again to cycle between °F and °C. To exit this
mode don’t press anything for 3 seconds.
NOTE: You can change units while in hold mode by
holding down the units button.
Rinse and replace storage cap
To ensure accurate pH readings always rinse the
probe in clean fresh water before replacing the cap.
Add 3-5 drops of KCl storage solution in to the wetting
seal of the cap each week. The cap is tight to ensure a
good seal and should click when on correctly.
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2
1
2
3
1 second alternating displays
Power button
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3
5
3.0 IMPORTANT - pH pen probe care
pH probes do not last forever. They age through normal use and will
eventually fail. The lifetime of a probe depends on the environment it is used
in and the way it is treated. To ensure you receive a long life from your pen,
please ensure you follow the guide below.
Storing the pH pen
When storing the pH pen, the probe tip must be kept moist.
Add 3-5 drops of KCl storage solution into the wetting seal
inside the storage cap once a week. Never use RO, Distilled
or De-ionized water. Place the seal and cap over the probe tip.
Long term storage
For long term storage, remove the cap and place the pen upright in a plastic container.
Cover the probe tip with KCl storage solution to ensure constant hydration. Check the
container regularly and top up the KCl storage solution as needed.
If the probe has been accidentally allowed to dry out:
The probe must be ‘hydrated’ for 24 hours in KCl storage solution (never use RO,
Distilled or Deionised water). Following this; carry out a calibration to check if the
probe has already suffered permanent damage.
English
Temperature probe
Glass bulb
Storage cap
Wetting seal
Wick
DO NOT let the probe tip dry. IF IT DRIES IT DIES!
DO NOT knock the pen; this will break its external glass bulb or internal
glass tube.
DO NOT touch the glass bulb with your fi ngers as this will contaminate the
glass.
DO NOT plunge a cold probe into a hot liquid (or visa versa) - sudden
temperature changes can crack the glass and permanently damage the pen.
DO NOT soak or rinse the pH probe in RO (Reverse Osmosis), Distilled
or De-ionized water. Pure water changes the chemistry in the reference,
causing the probe to die.
DO NOT immerse in oils, proteins or suspended solids that will leave a
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coating on the glass bulb.
4.0 Cleaning
To ensure accurate readings the probe needs to be rinsed in water before
replacing the storage cap and cleaned regularly using the following instructions.
Rinse probe tip under fresh water.
Fill small container with clean water.
Add a small amount of Bluelab pH Probe Cleaner or
mild detergent (dish washing liquid).
Gently stir the probe tip in the mixture.
Ensure that you do not ‘knock’ the pen on the side of
the container as this may cause damage to the glass
probe. Rinse well under fresh running water to remove
all traces of the detergent mixture.
If the probe requires removal of heavy contamination:
Gently brush around the glassware with a few drops
of Bluelab pH Probe Cleaner or mild detergent
(dishwashing liquid) and a soft toothbrush.
Rinse well under fresh running water to remove all
traces of the detergent mixture.
Calibration of the probe is required after every clean.
See the pH calibration in section 7.0. Place storage cap
back onto the probe.
5.0 Battery replacement
The pH pen is powered with 1 x AAA alkaline battery. Do not use rechargeable
batteries. A low battery warning is indicated by a battery symbol appearing on
the screen. Only remove the battery cap when the batteries require changing.
Battery life is expected to be 350 hours.
To remove old battery
Undo battery cap fasteners. Remove battery cap and tip out the
old battery.
Check for corrosion
Flat batteries may leak and cause corrosion. Check battery
contacts and the battery for any sign of corrosion. Battery
contacts should be cleaned fi rst if corrosion is found before
proceeding to step 3.
Fit new battery
Insert the new batteries positive (+) end down into the body.
Ensure waterproof battery cap seal is clean
Seal will fail if any dirt is present.
Replace battery cap
Tighten fasteners on battery cap until there is no space left
between the cap and body.
This ensures the unit remains 100% waterproof.
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2
English
3
Detergent
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5
6
5
1
2
3
Waterproof seal
4
5
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6.0 Hydration
Hydrate the pH pen tip in Bluelab pH Probe KCl Storage Solution before fi rst
use and after cleaning to improve the reading response speed.
Never use RO, Deionized or Distilled water.
Pure water changes the ions, causing the probe to die.
Remove the storage cap.
Place the pH pen upright in a small plastic container.
Add enough Bluelab pH Probe KCl Storage Solution to
submerge the probe tip.
Leave to soak for at least 24 hours.
After hydration, always calibrate the pH pen to ensure
accuracy. See section 7.0.
7.0 Calibration
pH calibration is required before fi rst use to ensure that the fi rst reading is
accurate. Calibration is also required when:
• The check mark/tick has disappeared from the LCD screen (30 days after last calibration)
• The reading is different from what you expected
• After cleaning and hydration
• After changing the batteries
pH 7.0 and pH 4.0 solutions are required for calibration.
You may also calibrate using pH 7.0 and pH 10.0 solutions if your readings will
normally be higher than 7.0 pH.
Excluding fi rst use, YOU MUST CLEAN the probe before
calibrating. See section 4.0.
Hydrate the probe before fi rst use and after cleaning, see
section 6.0
After hydration, rinse probe in fresh water and place in pH
7.0 solution.
Wait for the reading to stabilize.
Press the cal button until CAL is displayed.
Release button. When CAL 7 is displayed, 1 point calibration
is complete.
Rinse probe in fresh water and place it in either pH 4.0
or pH 10.0 solution (use pH 10.0 solution if you expect to
measure above 7.0 pH).
Wait for reading to stabilize.
Press the cal button until CAL 4 or CAL 10 is displayed
CAL 4 or CAL 10 should be displayed (depending on what
solution you are calibrating in). The check mark/tick is
displayed when a 2 point (or 3) calibration is completed.
NOTE: For a three point calibration repeat the steps using
pH 7.0, pH 4.0 then pH 10.0 solution.
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2
3
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1
2
3
4
5
pH 7.0
pH 4.0
or
pH 10.0
KCl
Storage
Solution
Hold until
Hold until
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9.0 Troubleshooting guide
Trouble Reason Correction
Drift - readings
slowly varying
Glassware not clean Clean glassware, hydrate and calibrate.
Wick contaminated
or blocked
Soak probe in KCl storage solution for 24
hours and retest. Do not measure proteins or
oils with this unit. Replace unit.
Glassware aged Replace unit.
Displays similar pH
reading in all buffers
no matter what the
buffer value is
Glassware broken Replace unit.
Unsuccessful
calibration
Buffers inaccurate Replace buffers.
Glassware not clean Clean glassware.
Glassware aged
(glassware will not
clean)
Replace unit.
Probe not hydrated Soak probe in KCl storage solution for 24
hours and retest.
Noisy - readings
jumping
Contact zone not
immersed
Lower pen into solution at least 2cm/1”.
Displays pH 7
for all buffers
Broken glassware Replace unit.
Incorrect sample
reading following
successful
calibration
Ground loop (often
occurs in process
systems)
Verify by removing the sample from its
environment and measuring in a glass
beaker. May require electrical circuitry to be
checked in system.
Wick blocked Soak probe in KCl storage solution for 24
hours and retest. Do not measure proteins or
oils with this unit. Replace unit.
8.0 Error messages
The following error messages appear for the following reasons.
Temperature
under range
Temperature
over range
pH over
range
pH under
range
pH calibration
failed
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Hardware error
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10.0 Technical speci cations
Measurement range 0.0 - 14.0 pH
Resolution 0.1 pH
Accuracy (at 25°C / 77°F) ± 0.1 pH
Temperature compensation Automatic
Operating temperature 0 - 50 °C, 32 - 122 °F
Calibration Manual calibration, 2 or 3 points
Units pH, °F and °C
Power source 1 x AAA alkaline battery
Bluelab Probe Care - pH
The instrument is only as accurate as
the probe is clean!
Probe cleaning is one of the most
important parts of owning and operating
any Bluelab meter, monitor or controller.
If the probe is contaminated (dirty) it affects
the accuracy of the reading displayed.
Bluelab Probe Care Kit - pH contents:
› Cleaning instructions inside box lid
› 500ml pH4.0 and pH7.0 calibration
solutions
› Plastic cups
› Bluelab pH Probe Cleaner
› Toothbrush (probe cleaning instrument)
Bluelab pH Probe KCl Storage
Solution
The perfect solution to store and hydrate
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your Bluelab pH products.
Bluelab pH Probe KCl Storage Solution is designed
to increase response time and maximize the life of
Bluelab pH pens and pH probes.
For best results, use the KCl solution to store the pH pen/
probe after use and hydrate monthly.
Instructions are on the label of the bottle.
Use Bluelab pH Probe KCl Storage Solution with:
› Bluelab pH Pen
› Bluelab Soil pH Pen
› Bluelab pH Probes
› Bluelab Soil pH Probes
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Bluelab pH Pen product guarantee
Bluelab Corporation Limited guarantees this product for a period of 1 year
(12 months) from the date of sale to the original purchaser. The product will be
repaired or replaced, should it be found faulty due to component failure, or faulty
workmanship. The faulty product should be returned to the point of purchase.
The guarantee is null and void should any internal parts or fi xed external parts be
tampered with or altered in any way, or should the unit have been incorrectly operated, or in any way
be maltreated. This guarantee does not cover reported faults which are shown to be caused by any
or all of the following: contaminated measuring tip (see instruction manual for cleaning instructions),
broken glassware or drying of the pH probe glassware, fl at or damaged batteries or batteries that have
been incorrectly inserted, or damaged battery contacts or connections caused by incorrect battery
replacement or ingress of moisture from incorrect positioning of the battery cap and waterproof seal.
NO RESPONSIBILITY will be accepted by Bluelab or any of its agents or resellers should any damage or
unfavourable conditions result from the use of this product, should it be faulty or incorrectly operated.
Register your guarantee online at www.getbluelab.com
Limitation of Liability
Under no circumstances shall Bluelab Corporation Limited be liable for any claims, losses, costs
and damages of any nature whatsoever (including any consequential loss) that result from the
use of, or the inability to use, these instructions.
To watch instruction videos, visit our online video library:
vimeopro.com/bluelab/videos
If you need assistance or advice - we’re here to help you.
Phone: +64 7 578 0849 Fax: +64 7 578 0847
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Email: support@getbluelab.com
Looking for specifi cations or technical advice?
Visit us online at www.getbluelab.com
Bluelab Corporation Limited
8 Whiore Avenue, Tauriko Industrial Park
Tauranga 3110, New Zealand
Instruction Manual English PENPH_V02_310513
© Copyright 2011, all rights reserved, Bluelab Corporation Limited
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