Please read the manual completely before using the STARTER 300 portable pH meter to avoid
incorrect operation.
STARTER 300 has an excellent performance/price ratio and is designed with many useful features.
Other accessories such as different electrodes for different applicat ions, bottle buffer solutions are
also available from OHAUS.
Starter 300 offers many practical features such as:
x Ergonomic, multifunctional design for ambidextrous measurements or table top use
x Integrated table top stand for counter use and semi-permanent installations
x Integrated labeling design for quick product identification
x IP54 protection against dust and water
x Ohaus renowned user friendly software
1.1Definition of Signal Warnings and Symbols
Safety notes are marked with signal words and warning symbols. These show safety issues and
warnings. Ignoring the safety notes may lead to personal injury, damage to the instrument,
malfunctions and false results.
Signal Words
WARNING For a hazardous situation with medium risk, possibly resulting in
CAUTION For a hazardous situation with low risk, resulting in damage to the
Attention For important information about the product.
Note For us eful information about the product
Warning Symbols
injuries or death if not avoided.
device or the property or in loss of data, or injuries if not avoided.
CAUTION: Read all safety warnings before installing, making connections, or servicing this
equipment. Failure to comply with these warnings could result in personal injury and/or property
damage. Retain all instructions for future reference.
x Use the equipment only in dry locations.
x Dry off any liquid spills immediately. The instrument is not watertight.
x When using chemicals and solvents, comply with the instructions of the chemical producer
and the general lab safety rules.
x Use only approved accessories and peripherals.
x Operate the equipment only under ambient conditions specified in these instructions.
x Do not operate the equipment in hazardous or unstable environments.
x Service should only be performed by authorized personnel.
Remove the battery cover screw using a coin or screwdriver and remove the battery cover.
Insert the batteries in the battery compartment as shown.
Replace the battery cover and tighten the battery cover screw .
2.3Installing the electrode clip
The electrode clip is an electrode holder that can be placed on either side of the housing.
Attach the clip by inserti ng th e tabs into the recess.
Slide the clip forwar d to lock i n position.
Slide the shaft of the sensor into the clip from above.
2.4Installing the IP54 seal components
Use the small plastic tool as shown to install the seal components:
STARTER 300 has an integrated table stand as shown, which can be pushed out to use the meter
on a lab bench or desk. To close the stand, push the middle edge of the stand toward the meter.
Please note:
If a temperature electrode is used, Automatic Temperature Compensation (ATC) and the sample
temperature are displayed on the screen. You may then choose to skip MTC setup (below).
If the meter does not detect a temperature electrode or one is not used, the meter automatically
switches to Manual Temperature Compensation (MTC) mode and MTC appears on the screen.
MTC can be set as follows:
Power the meter on by pressing
Press and hold until the setup icon appears on the display and the current
temperature unit blinks (°C or °F).
Press
Press
Then
Continue with MTC temperature setting by using
compensation accordingly
Press button-
Press
The default MTC temperature value setting is 25 °C (77eF). Note:eC = 5/9 (eF - 32)
or to switch between eC and eF .
to confirm your selection.
or to adjust temperature
to confirm the setting
to return to the measurement screen.
3.2Selecting a predefined buffer group
After confirming the MTC value (or if you are using ATC) you have the option of making a buffer
group selection. In most cases the default buffer group will be used, buffer group b1.
If it is necessary to switch the buffer group, use buttongroup among 4 buffer groups shown in section 4.1.1 in this manual. Press button-
f)Rinse the pH electrode and store properly
For pH electrode preparation: pH electrode should be rinsed with pure water before and after
using. Check if the electrode is physically damaged. (Be careful with the glass bulb)
The pH electrode should be stored in the included storage bottle; the solution in the bottle is 3M
KCl. After placing pH electrode into the sample or buffer solution, carefully stir with the electrode
for several seconds then wait 30 to 60 seconds for the signal to be stabilize, and then press the
button to operate (Calibration or measurement).
WARNING Do not operate the equipment in hazardous environments. The
equipment is not explosion protected.
WARNING When using chemicals and solvents, comply with the instructions of the
chemical producer and the general lab safety rules.
STARTER 300 will turn off the power automatically without any press operation after 10 minutes.
4.1 Calibration
4.1.1 Buffer group
STARTER 300 can perform 1-, 2- or 3- point calibrations.
There are 4 buffer groups in the meter, you can select the buffer group you prefer (see 4.3),
default buffer group is b1 (US standard), and the buffer value will be automatically recognized
during calibration.
The 4 predefined buffer groups are (at 25°C):
STARTER 300 automatically corrects for the temperature dependence of t he buffer pH values
given in the following table - buffer group b1.
pH electrodes need to be calibrated with pH standard buffer solution before a proper pH
measurement can be made. Calibration is to display the correct pH value when meter receives
the mV value signal from the pH electrode.
Slope: the linear coefficient between mV and pH according to theoretical value (e.g. -
59.16mV/pH @ 25°C which means 100% slope);
Offset: the mV value when pH value is 7.00. (Theoretical value is 0 mV);
4.1.2 Performing 1-point calibration
When performing calibration, Ohaus recommends using Auto End Point Mode. After powering
the meter on, be sure the top of the screen shows
Mode.
to ensure the meter is in Au t o E n d p o i n t
Auto or Manual End point Mode:
oPress and hold
oWhen in Manual Mode, to manually reach a pH measurement or calibration value,
you need to press buttonsample reading or calibration value freezes,
the display.
oWhen in Auto End Point Mode, the meter determines when the reading is stable
then displays and locks the reading or calibration value automatically, the reading
freezes and
the display.
oPlease note stability criterion : the signal of the sensor input may not change by
more than 0.1mV in 6 seconds.
Note: With the 1-point calibration only the offset is adjusted. If the sensor was previously
calibrated with multi-point calibration the previously stored slope will remain. Otherwise theoretical
100% slope (-59.16 mV / pH) will be used.
to change the End Point Mode.
when reading is stable and displays : then the
blinks 3 times and freezes on
blinks 3 times then disappears; blinks 3 times and freezes on
When STARTER 300 is in pH measurement mode (see 4.2) and Auto End point Mode.; place
the pH electrode in your chosen calibration buffer, stir for 10 seconds, and wait 30-60 seconds,
then:
Press button-
and appear on the top of the screen, is blinking during calibration.
The meter reaches the calibration (e.g. 7.00) value with the temperature display on the
screen.
The 1-point calibration is finished. There are now 3 options (OHAUS recommends conducting at
least a 2 point calibration);
1.Press buttonslope are shown on the display for 3 seconds then return to the measurement
screen.
2.Press buttonmeasurement screen.
3.Rinse pH electrode then put into another buffer , press buttonpoint calibration.(see 4.1.3)
. “Cal 1” displays on the bottom left of the screen and “Cal ” is blinking.
to store the 1-point calibration and exit, the offset and the
to reject the calibration, the meter then returns to the
to do the 2-
4.1.3 Performing 2-point calibration
Perform 1-point calibration as described above.
Rinse the pH electrode with pure water.
Place the electrode in the next calibration buffer, stir and wait, then press button-
2” displays on the bottom left of the screen and “Cal ” is blinking.
top of the screen,
The meter reaches the calibration (e.g. 4.01) with the temperature display on the screen.
The 2 point calibration is finished. There are now 3 options :
is blinking during calibration.
and appear on the
, “Cal
1.Press button-
2.Press buttonmeasurement screen.
3.Press buttonslope are shown on the display for 3 seconds then return to the measurement
screen.
Note: To perform a 3 point calibration, follow the instructions for performing a 2 point calibration
using a third buffer.
to reject the calibration, the meter then returns to the
to store the 2-point calibration and exit, the offset and the
Page 14
EN-12 STARTER 300 Portable pH Meter
4.2 Sample measurement
4.2.1 pH measurement
Place the electrode in the sample, stir for 10 seconds, and wait 30-60 seconds.
Press button-
during measurement.
When meter reaches the proper value, t he pH value with the t emperature is displayed on t he
screen.
to start the pH measurement, appears on the display. is blinking
4.2.2 mV measurement
Press button- to switch between pH and mV measurement.
Follow the same procedure as for pH measurement to perform a mV measurement.
4.3 Temperature measurement
For better accuracy, we recommend to use either a built-in or a separate temperature electrode.
If a temperature electrode is used, ATC and the sam ple temperature are displayed.
If the meter does not detect a temperature electrode, it automatically switches to the manual
temperature compensation mode and MTC appears. MTC temperature should be set. (See
section 3.1 in this manual)
Note: STARTER 300 accepts NTC 30 kΩ temperature sensor.
4.4 Using the memory
4.4.1 Storing a reading
The STARTER 300 can store up to 30 results.
Press button-
result has been stored.
when the measurement reaches its final reading, M01 indi cat es that one
If you press buttonstore further data you will have to clear the memory. (See 4.4.3 below)
when M30 is displayed, FUL displays to indicate the memory is full. To
4.4.2 Recalling from memory
Press and hold button- to recall the stored values from memory when the current
measurement reaches its final reading and freezing.
Repeat the self-diagnosis procedure and make
sure that you finish pressing all five keys within
two minutes.
Error 2
Measured values out of range
Check if the electrode is properly connected and
placed in the sample solution.
Error 3
Measured buffer temperature
out of range (
°C)
Keep the pH buffer temperature within the range
for calibration
Error 4
Offset out of range
offset > 60mV or
Make sure the pH buffer is correct and fresh;
Clean or replace the pH electrode.
Error 5
Slope out of range
Make sure the buffer is correct and fresh; Clean
or replace the pH electrode.
Error 6
Meter cannot recognize the
buffer
Make sure the buffer is correct and fresh; check if
the buffer has not been used more than once.
Error 9
The current data set has
already been stored once
An endpoint reading can only be stored once.
Perform a new measurement to store.
5 MAINTENANCE
5.1 Error message
<5 or >40
< - 60 mV
For further technical support please contact Ohaus. (US please contact 1 -800-672-7722)
5.2 Meter maintenance
Never unscrew the two halves of the housing!
The STARTER 300 series instruments do not require any maintenance other than replacement of
depleted batteries. To clean, use a damp cloth.
The housing is made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). This material is susceptible to
damage by some organic solvents, such as toluene, xylene and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK). Any
spillage should be immediately wiped off.
5.3 Electrode maintenance
Make sure the electrode is filled with electrolyte solution. Always store the electrode according to
the electrode instruction manuals and do not allow it to dry out.
If the electrode response becomes sluggish or the slope is not acceptable, try the following:
oSoak the electrode in 0.1M HCl for at least 8 hours.
oFor fat or oil contaminant, degrease the membrane with cotton wool soaked in either
acetone or a soap solution.
After electrode treatment, a new calibration should be performed. If the electrode slope is still not
acceptable, the electrode might need to be replaced.
Press and hold and simultaneously until the meter displays the full screen. Each
icon blinks one after the other.
This checks whether all icons are correctly shown. The next step is to check that the keys are
functioning correctly. This requires user interaction.
When b
blinks, five icons are displayed.
Press the five keys in any order. Each time you press a k ey an icon disappears from the
screen, continue to press the other keys until all the icons have disappeared.
When the self-diagnosis has been completed successfully, PAS appears. If self-diagnosis fails,
error message Err 1 appears. In this case, repeat the self-diagnosis.
Note: You have to finish pressing all five keys within 2 minutes, otherwise Err 1 appears and you
will have to repeat the procedure.
5.5 Recover factory settings
When the meter is off, press and hold & & together for 3 seconds, the
90 W x 150 D x 35 H mm / 0.18 kg
(without batteries)
Display
Liquid crystal
Input
BNC, impedance > 10e+12 Ω
Cinch, NTC 30 kΩ
Temperature-compensation
ATC & MTC
IP protection
IP54
Housing
ABS
6 TECHNICAL DATA
6.1 Specifications
Ambient conditions
x Altitude: Up to 2000 m
x Specified Temperature range: 5°C to 40°C
x Humidity: maximum relative humidity 80 % for temperatures up to 30°C decreasing linearly to
50% relative humidity at 40°C
x Installation category: N/A
x Pollution degree: N/A
x Operability is assured at ambient temperatures between 5°C to 40°C
This product conforms to the EMC Directive 2004/108/EC and the Low Voltage
Directive 2006/95/EC.
In conformance with the European Directive 2002/96/EC on Waste Electrical
and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) this device may not be disposed of in
domestic waste. This also applies to countries outside the EU, per their specific
requirements. Please dispose of this product in accordance with local
regulations at the collecting point specified for electrical and electronic
equipment. If you have any questions, please contact the responsible authority
or the distributor from which you purchased this device. Should this device be
passed on to other parties (for private or professional use), the content of this
regulation must also be related. Thank you for your contribution to
environmental protection.
FCC Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class
A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a
commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential
area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct
the interference at his own expense.
ISO 9001 Registration
In 1994, OHAUS Corporation, USA, was awarded a certificate of registration to ISO 9001 by
Bureau Veritus Quality International (BVQI), confirming that the OHAUS quality
management system is compliant with the ISO 9001 standards requirements. On June 21,
2012, OHAUS Corporation, USA, was re-registered to the ISO 9001:2008 standard.
STARTER 300 automatically corrects for the temperature dependence of the buffer group pH value
given in the following tables (b2, b3, b4), you can find b1 in 3.1.1.
Ohaus products are warranted against defects in materials and workmanship from the date of
delivery through the duration of the warranty period. During the warrant y period Ohaus will repair,
or, at its option, replace any component(s) that proves to be defective at no charge, provided that
the product is returned, freight prepaid, to Ohaus.
This warranty does not apply if the product has been damaged by accident or misuse, exposed to
radioactive or corrosive materials, has foreign material penetrating to the inside of the product, or
as a result of service or modification by other than Ohaus. In lieu of a properly returned warranty
registration card, the warranty period shall begin on the dat e of shipment t o the authorized dealer.
No other express or implied warranty is given by Ohaus Corporation. Ohaus Corporation shall not
be liable for any consequential damages.
As warranty legislation differs from state to state and country to country, please contact Ohaus or
your local Ohaus dealer for further details.