Care and use guide Contents page Features 2 Bluelab Combo Meter 2 Introduction 3 Preparing for use 3 Calibration 4 Changing nutrient and temperature display units 6 Measuring hydroponic elements 7 Battery replacement 7 Cleaning the conductivity/ temperature probe 8 Cleaning the pH probe 9 Hydrating the pH probe 10 Storing the Bluelab Combo Meter 10 Error messages 11 Technical specifications 11 Troubleshooting guide 12 Bluelab pH Probe replacement 13 Bluelab probe care 13
English Features Measures pH, conductivity / nutrient (EC, CF, ppm 500 and ppm 700) and temperature (°C, °F) Lightweight and portable Replaceable double junction pH probe Large easy to read display Over range and under range indicators Simple push button pH calibration Low battery indicator Successful pH calibration indicator 2 x AAA alkaline batteries included No calibration required for conductivity Auto off function and temperature Bluelab Combo Meter pH probe connection socket (BNC fitting) Display B
English 1.0 Introduction The Bluelab Combo Meter has three press buttons; ‘pH / calibrate’, ‘nutrient / units’ and ‘temp / units’. The buttons have a short press and long press function. A short press means a button is released in about one second. The long press is a button being held for at least three seconds and released when the display starts flashing. Turning the Combo Meter on 1 A short press of any button turns the Combo Meter on.
3.0 Calibration English pH calibration is required before first use to ensure that the first reading is accurate. • The Bluelab Conductivity/Temperature Probe DOES NOT require calibration. • The pH of the Bluelab Combo Meter DOES require calibration. For accurate pH readings the pH probe is cleaned and recalibrated when: • The reading is different to what you were expecting. • The batteries have been removed or changed. • The pH probe is replaced with a new one or is disconnected from the Combo Meter.
3.0 Calibration cont. English To calibrate the pH 1 Clean pH probe tip. See Section 8.0 (the pH probe does not require cleaning before the first use). 2 pH 7.0 calibration a) Turn pH meter on. Rinse pH probe tip in fresh water, shake off excess water and place in a pH 7.0 calibration solution. Wait for at least one minute or longer if required for reading to stablize to a constant value. b) Long press the ‘calibrate’ button. When the display shows CAL release button.
4.0 Changing nutrient and temperature display units English Nutrient and temperature can be displayed in different units. The units available are shown in the tables below. Changing nutrient units displayed 1 To select unit a) Press and hold the ‘nutrient/units’ button until the display starts flashing. Release, then short button press the same button to scroll through the available units. Release when the required unit is displayed.
5.0 Measuring hydroponic elements English The values measured in a hydroponic solution by the Bluelab Combo Meter include nutrient (conductivity), temperature and pH levels. Taking a conductivity/nutrient reading 1 2 3 4 Short press the ‘nutrient/units’ button to select conductivity. Insert the conductivity/temperature probe into solution where there is strong movement of the solution, or stir the solution with the conductivity/temperature probe.
7.0 Cleaning the conductivity/temperature probe Cleaning the Bluelab Conductivity/Temperature Probe English Cleaning the conductivity/temperature probe periodically ensures accurate readings. The conductivity/temperature probe is cleaned using the Bluelab Conductivity Probe Cleaner, or “Jif” a trade name for a liquid scourer cream used in home bathrooms and kitchens. Similar products are called “Liquid Vim”, “Soft Scrub”, “Cif cream”, or “Viss”.
8.0 Cleaning the Bluelab pH Probe English To ensure accurate readings the pH probe tip needs to be rinsed in water after each use and cleaned prior to calibration using the following instructions. The storage cap must always be put back on after cleaning. Always ensure it contains enough Bluelab pH Probe KCl Storage Solution to cover the probe tip. 1 Remove storage cap from pH probe. Hold the top of the storage cap, twist the cap to loosen then remove. 2 Rinse pH probe tip under fresh tap water.
English 9.0 Hydrating the pH probe Hydrate the pH probe in Bluelab pH Probe KCl Storage Solution when: • the probe tip has not always been stored in KCl storage solution, to improve the reading response speed. • the probe tip has been accidentally allowed to dry out Never use RO (Reverse Osmosis), De-ionized or Distilled water. Pure water changes the chemistry in the reference, causing the probe to die. 1 Loosen, then remove the storage cap. Place the pH probe upright in a plastic container.
.0 Error messages English An error message will only appear following pH calibration failure. ‘Err’ will be displayed for a few seconds then the display will show the previous reading. Successful pH calibration indicators will disappear. The Bluelab Combo Meter is in an uncalibrated state, therefore recalibration is required. See causes of Error messages below.
13.0 Troubleshooting guide Trouble Reason Correction English Contaminated conductivity/ Clean conductivity/temperature probe temperature probe. (see Section 7.0). Nutrient reading low Solution temperature low/ high. Wait 5 to 10 minutes for reading to stabilize to a constant value. Temperature of conductivity/temperature probe different to solution temperature. Contaminated pH probe / glassware not clean. Wait 5 to 10 minutes for conductivity/ temperature probe to reach solution temperature.
Bluelab pH Probe replacement English The Bluelab pH Probe is the only part of the Bluelab pH Meter that requires replacing. pH probes do not last forever. They age through normal use and will eventually fail. To ensure you receive a long life from your pH probe, please read the instructions provided with it.
English Bluelab Combo Meter product guarantee Bluelab Corporation Limited guarantees this product for a period of 5 years (60 months) from the date of sale to the original purchaser. (This guarantee does not cover the Bluelab pH Probe. The Bluelab pH Probe is covered by a separate 6 month guarantee.) 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.
