Oakton pHTestr 30 Instruction Manual

Operating Instructions

®

pHTestr

Large Screen
Waterproof pH/Temperature Tester
Double-Junction Sensor

Applications

• Aquaculture

• Aquariums

• Boilers

• Car washes

• Ecology studies

Before You Begin

Your instrument has been factory calibrated and usually works well out of
the box. However, after extended periods of non-use, it’s best to soak the
sensor in electrode storage solution, pH buffer for 10 minutes or so. A brief
rinse with deionized (DI) water is OK, but avoid soaking or storing in deionized
water as this will shorten the pH electrode life. Prior to taking measurements,
periodic calibration with certified standards is recommended for best accuracy.

pH Buffer Set Selection

pHTestr features USA (pH 4.01, pH 7.00 and pH 10.01) or NIST (pH 4.01,
pH 6.86, and pH 9.18) standards. Select either one to suit your requirements.

1. While pressing the HOLD/ENT button, switch on the unit by pressing the
ON/OFF button.

2. Release the HOLD/ENT button. The display will flash either USA or NIST.

3. Press CAL button to toggle between the two buffer set standards.

4. Press the HOLD/ENT button to confirm the selection of the buffer set.

With meter
powered off, press
HOLD/ENT and
ON/OFF at the
same time. First
release ON/OFF
button, then
HOLD/ENT button.

30 Pocket Tester

• Food sectors

• Hydroponices

• Labs

• Pools

• Sanitation plants

Figure 1: Buffer Selection Sequence

• Spas

• Steam generators

• Water & wastewater

treatment

• Water quality testing

• More!

After buffer
selection, whole
LCD segment
lights up and
goes back to
measurement
mode.

pH Calibration

Calibration should be done regularly, preferably once a week. You can calibrate
up to three points using either the USA or the NIST buffer set standards.

1. Press ON/OFF button to switch unit on.

2. Dip electrode about 2 to 3 cm into the pH standard buffer solution.

3. Press the CAL button to enter calibration mode. The ‘CAL’ indicator will be
shown. The upper display will show the measured reading based on the last
calibration while the lower display will indicate the pH standard buffer solution.

Note: To abort calibration, press the CAL button.

4. Allow about 2 minutes for the reading to stabilize before pressing the
HOLD/ENT button to confirm the first calibration point. The upper display
will be calibrated to the pH standard buffer solution and the lower display
will then search for the next pH standard buffer solution.

5. Repeat with other buffers if necessary. Rinse electrode before dipping into
next buffer.

Note: The calibration mode allows you to perform up to three calibration points
before returning to the measurement mode automatically. However, if you opted
to have only one or two calibration points, simply skip the remaining calibration
points by exiting to the measurement mode by pressing the CAL button.

To do a 1 point calibration
only, press CAL button at this
point to exit to the measurement
mode. Otherwise, proceed to
second buffer for a second
buffer for a second point
calibration.

To do a 2 point calibration only, press
CAL button at this point to exit to the
measurement mode. Otherwise,
proceed to third buffer for a third
buffer for a third point calibration.

After the third point calibration, the meter will
automatically return to the measurement mode.
At any point, an error message ‘Er. 1’ will be
displayed momentarily if the confirmed pH value
is not within the pH calibration window.

Figure 2: Example of pH Calibration Sequence

pH Measurement

1. Press the ON/OFF button to switch the unit on.

2. Dip the electrode about 2 to 3 cm into the test solution. Stir and let the
reading stabilize. For semi-solid samples using pHSpear, rotation is ideal
for sample contact.

CAUTION: Testing dry samples is not accurate and can lead to sensor damage
or breakage. Soils must be wet and free of particulates that may scratch the
glass sensor. Excessive force into dry samples can cause glass breakage.

3. Note the pH value or press HOLD/ENT button to freeze the reading. To
release the reading, press HOLD/ENT again.

4. Press ON/OFF to turn off unit. If you do not press a button for 8.5 minutes,
the unit will automatically shut off to conserve batteries.

HOLD Function

This feature lets you freeze the display for a delayed observation.

1. Press HOLD/ENT button to freeze the measurement. A ‘HOLD’ indicator will
be displayed and the measurement will be frozen.

2. Press HOLD/ENT again to release the measurement. The ‘HOLD’ indicator
will not be displayed anymore indicating the held measurement is released.

Figure 4: Example of HOLD Function

User Reset

You can reset the pH calibration to the factory default by using the user reset
function. Buffer set selection and temperature user calibration are not affected
by the user reset function.

1. Switch off the unit.

2. While pressing the CAL button, press and release the ON/OFF button to
enter the ‘User Reset’ selection menu. The screen will display ‘rSt’ on the
bottom display with a flashing ‘nO’ selection.

3. Use the CAL button to toggle between ‘nO’ and ‘YES’ selection.

• nO deactivates reset selection

• YES activates the reset selection

4. Press the HOLD/ENT button to confirm the selection made.

5. If you have selected ‘YES’, the unit will show ‘CO’ momentarily and proceed
to the measurement mode with the calibration reset back to factory default
value.

6. If ‘nO’ is selected, the unit will proceed to the measurement mode without
any calibration reset performed.

With meter
powered off, press
CAL and ON/OFF at
the same time. First
release ON/OFF
button, then
CAL button.

Figure 5: User Reset Sequence

After reset, whole
LCD segment lits
up and goes back to
measurement mode.

ATC - Automatic Temperature Compensation

Through its built-in temperature sensor, the measurement error due to the
changes in electrode sensitivity due to changes in temperature is compensated
to give the actual pH reading of the sample measured.

Note: To exit this program without confirming the calibration, press the
CAL button before the automatic confirmation takes place.

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Temperature Calibration

From the measurement mode,

1. Press the HOLD/ENT button to bring the unit to the ‘HOLD’ mode.

2. Press the CAL button for 3 seconds to switch to the °C or °F mode setting
selection screen. Pressing the CAL button continuously for 3 seconds allows
you to toggle in between the °C and °F mode setting selection screen.

3. Release the CAL button to confirm your mode selection and the display will
go to the temperature calibration mode with the upper display flashing.
The upper display shows the current measured temperature reading based
on the last set offset and the lower display shows the current measured
temperature reading based on factory default calibration.

4. Dip the unit into a solution of known temperature and allow time for the
built-in temperature sensor to stabilize.

5. Press the HOLD/ENT button to set the upper display to the temperature
value of the solution.

6. Once the new temperature setting is reached, the new value is automatically
confirmed and returns to the measurement mode if no button is pressed after
5 seconds.

Note: To exit this program without confirming the calibration, press the
CAL button before the automatic confirmation takes place.

Continuous pressing of CAL button (about 3 seconds) to
toggle between temperature setting of degrees Celsius
and Farenheit

Release CAL
button to
start entering
the new
temperature

During calibration, upper display will
flash. Press HOLD/ENT to increase offset
up to +5 °C (+9 °F) from default value. It
will roll over to -5 °C (-9 °F) from default
value and start increasing again.

Figure 6: Temperature Calibration Sequence

When the
temperature offset
value is reached,
the new value
is automatically
confirmed if no key
is pressed for 5
seconds.

Electrode Maintenance

1. Rinse the electrode with electrode storage solution after each measurement.
Care has to be taken not to damage the sensor’s glass electrode.

2. In aggressive chemicals, dirty or viscous solutions, and solutions with heavy
metals or proteins, take readings quickly and rinse electrode immediately

afterward. Mild detergent can be used to wash the electrode clean.

3. If possible, keep a small piece of paper or sponge in the electrode cap—
moistened with clean water or electrode storage solution (NOT de-ionized
water)—and close the cap over the electrode.

Self-Diagnostic Messages

3 Bars indicates battery is full (100%)

Low Battery
Indicator

2 Bars indicates 50% of the battery life is left

1 Bar indicates 25% of the battery life is left

Blinking battery casing indicates the need to replace
batteries with fresh ones as specified by manufacturer

Electrode is not in contact with solution or electrode is
failing

Over Range/
Under Range
Signal

Error

Message

Or / Ur

(Still)

ATC / Or / Ur

(Blinking)

Er.0

Er.1

Replacement sensor is not connected properly to the
unit during sensor replacement

Measured pH value or temperature value exceeds its
specified maximum or minimum value

Blinking ‘ATC’, ‘Or’ or ‘Ur’ indicates that there is a short
or open circuit at the built in temperature sensor

Temperature calibration error of attempting to calibrate
unit to a value which is out of range or under range

pH calibration error of attempting to confirm a
calibration value which is not within the specified
calibration window

Changing Batteries

1. Open battery compartment lid (with attached lanyard loop).

2. Remove old batteries; replace with fresh ones. Note polarity.

Electrode Replacement

You can replace the electrode module at the fraction of the cost of a new tester.
When the tester fails to calibrate or gives fluctuating readings in calibration
standards, you need to change the electrode.

1. With dry hands, grip the ribbed collar with electrode facing you. Twist the
collar counterclockwise (see picture A). Save the ribbed collar and O-ring
for later use.

2. Pull the old electrode module away from the unit.

3. Align the four tabs on the new module so that they match the four slots on

the unit (see picture B).

4. Gently push the module onto the slots to sit it in position. Push the smaller
O-ring fully onto the new electrode module. Push the collar over the module
and thread it into place by firmly twisting clockwise.

Note: It is necessary that you recalibrate the tester prior to measurement after
an electrode replacement.

Rotate collar away from you

Rlbbed collar

Figure 7: Removal of collar

from tester

Insert Electrode Module

Electrode Module

Small O-ring

Figure 8: Example of electrode

Small Tab Large Tab

module fitting alignment

Large
O-ring

Warranty

The waterproof pHTestr is warranted to be free from manufacturing defects for
1 year and electrode module for 6 months, unless otherwise specified. If
repair, adjustment or replacement is necessary and has not been the result of
abuse or misuse within the time period specified, please contact your local
distributor for assistance.

Return Of Items

Authorization must be obtained from your distributor before returning items
for any reason. When applying for authorization, please include information
regarding the reason the item(s) are to be returned.

Note: We reserve the right to make improvements in design, construction and
appearance of products without notice. Prices are subject to change without
notice.

Accessories

Item Order Code

pHTestr 30 pocket tester 35634-30
Replacement sensor for pHTestr 30 35624-38
Replacement button cell batteries, 1.5 V. Pack of 6 09377-16
NIST-traceable calibration with data for pH pocket testers 17101-45

Specifications

Description pHTestr 30

pH range –1.00 to 15.00 pH
Resolution 0.01 pH
Relative accuracy ±0.01 pH
Calibration points Up to 3 points

Buffer set standard selection
Calibration window

(USA buffer set standard)
Calibration window

(NIST buffer set standard)
Temperature 0 to 50.0°C / 32.0 to 122.0°F
Temperature compensation ATC
Temperature resolution 0.1°C / 0.1°F
Temperature accuracy 0.5°C / 0.9°F
Temperature
calibration window
Auto off After 8.5 minutes from last key press
User reset Yes
Nonvolatile memory backup Yes
LCD Dual
Power requirement 4 x 1.5 V “A 76” micro alkaline batteries
Battery life More than 500 hrs
Operating temperature 0 to 50°C / 32 to 122°F
Dimensions 6.5"L x 1.5"dia. (165 x 38 mm)
Weight 3.25 oz (90 gm)

USA: 4.01/7.00/10.01

NIST: 4.01/6.86/9.18

±1.00 pH (pH 4.01 & pH 10.01),

±1.50 pH (pH 7.00)

±1.00 pH (pH 4.01 & pH 9.18),

±1.25 pH (pH 6.86)

±(5°C / 9°F) from default value

www.4oakton.com

1065O100_MAN_35634-30 August, 2017

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