OM17-pH Detector Operating Instructions pH Detector Table of Contents Section 1 1-1 1-2 Warranty Safety Section 2 2-1 2-5 pH Detector Assembly and Set-up Electronics Overview and Set-up Section 3 3-1 3-4 3-4 3-7 3-9 Section 4 4-1 4-2 4-3 Field Operations Data-Logger Display Calibration pH Controller set-up Probing Maintenance and Service Wash system/Winterizing Adjustments/Troubleshooting
OM17-pH Detector SECTION 1 pH Detector Sensor DataLogger Version 1.03 Warranty Veris Technologies warrants this product to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date of delivery to the purchaser. Veris Technologies will repair or replace any product returned to Salina, Kansas, which appears upon inspection to be defective in materials or workmanship.
OM17-pH Detector Important! Read the following SAFETY PROCEDURES before operating the Veris system: • Read and understand all instructions on safety decals • Pinch point hazard: to prevent injury, stand clear when raising or lowering any part of the Veris implement. • Install all transport locks before transporting or working underneath. • Detach and store implements in an area where children normally do not play. Secure implement by using blocks and supports.
OM17-pH Detector SECTION 2 pH Detector Assembly and Set-up OVERVIEW: The pH Detector collects a geo-referenced pH reading each time the pH electrode is inserted into the soil.
OM17-pH Detector Tools required for Assembly and Field Operation adjustments -3/16” allen wrench -7/16”, 1/2”, 3/8”, 9/16”, 3/4” wrenches and/or sockets -pliers Handle installation: If probe handle was removed for shipping, reinstall by attaching pivot bolt, and installing pins and cotter hairpins at top and bottom of rod actuator (Figure 3). Install brake lever using 3/16” allen wrench, and zip-tie cable to handle (Figure 4).
OM17-pH Detector Attaching pH Detector to ATV Mount tank to rear rack of ATV using nylon straps or zip ties through holes in tank base(Figure 4). Figure 5 Slide receiver hitch tubing inside lower main frame tube of pH Detector. If your ATV is equipped with large receiver hitch, slide receiver hitch tubing directly into ATV receiver hitch and pin (Figure 5). If your ATV has a hole, or small receiver hitch, it will be necessary to use end of hitch tubing with threaded holes.
OM17-pH Detector Figure 8a and 8b Bolt pH controller to unit (Figure 9).
OM17-pH Detector Electronics Overview and Set-up The Veris Sensor Data-Logger kit includes the items shown in Figure 10. Sensor Data-Logger Shipping/storage case SD memory card (shipped in DataLogger card slot) Mounting bracket Power cord (cig. lighter end) Serial cable USB SD card reader Figure 10 Use protective shipping/storage case to protect electronics components whenever electronics are shipped. Keep all diagnostics and operations manual with system when mapping.
OM17-pH Detector Figure 11 DataLogger (rear) Reset button: Can be used to reboot DataLogger Alarm Vol: Used to adjust volume of auditory alarm GPS input: Connect GPS cable here. It is designed to accept GPS input in NMEA 0183 format via an RS232 connector. (GPS must send GGA and either VTG or RMC strings at a 1hz rate, at 4800 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity.) pH: Serial cable from pH Controller attaches here. Power port: The Sensor Data-Logger is shipped with an accessory power cord.
OM17-pH Detector Important – Do not allow moisture to enter the Sensor Data-Logger, and do not pass strong magnets near the unit. Mount instrument in a location that is as free as possible from vibration and electrical interference. Use adjustable mounting brackets to position electronics for optimal visibility. Figure 13 Attach 12 volt leads to battery, making sure not to reverse polarity. Route wires under tank and seat but do not allow them to be pinched.
OM17-pH Detector SECTION 3 Field Operations Testing functions: Turn external controller power switch on, and check operation using status LED’s. Power light should light, wash LED should light when wash pump switch is activated, and limit switch LED’s should light when they are deployed. (In order to active the lower switch (#1), probe must be in soil.
OM17-pH Detector -Flush and fill tanks with tap water; clean any foreign matter out of tank using clean-out cap. Make sure inlet is in sump (Figure 3), and strainer is attached to end of line (Figure 4). Figure 3 Figure 4 Pump priming: In order to prime the pumps, loosen quick coupler and operate pump until water flows (Figure 6). Wash adjustment: This was set at the factory but may have slipped during shipping.
OM17-pH Detector Insert pH electrode into electrode holder. Finger-tighten plastic screw as tightly as possible by hand. If a wrench is used, be careful not to over-tighten as damage to the electrode may occur . Figure 7 Route electrode cables away from sampling mechanisms to prevent damage. Lower probe to maximum depth and tie strap cable as shown in Figure 8. Do not tighten zip ties until probe has been moved full stroke to make sure wire slack is in correct area.
OM17-pH Detector Sensor DataLogger display Here are the display readings that you will see when operating the Sensor DataLogger: Starting up… Figure 10 The unit is ready to operate. The DataLogger is informing you of the firmware version its programmable interface chip (PIC) contains. Press any of the four keys, and the next screen will appear: Figure 11 Press 2 and enter Setup menu. (Press 4 to Exit this window). Figure 12 Press 1 to calibrate ion-selective (ISE) pH electrode.
OM17-pH Detector Figure 14 Figure 15 The instrument will read the electrodes for 10 seconds, displaying the output (as it counts seconds): Figure 16 After 10 seconds, the instrument will display the final pH reading and offer the options to 1) Accept pH 4 buffer readings; 2) Redo pH 4 buffer readings; or 3) Exit pH electrode calibration. If the readings are satisfactory, press 1; if the readings are suspect, press 2 to return to re-do pH 4.
OM17-pH Detector After accepting the pH 7 buffer readings, the electronics firmware will determine if the electrode’s response is sufficient to provide suitable readings. A score is displayed for the electrode; the acceptable score range is between 75 and 102. If electrode is within this range, the instrument will display the following screen: Figure 18 If an ‘X’ is displayed beside the electrode’s score, this indicates that the electrode did not perform well enough for continued reliable use.
OM17-pH Detector pH Controller Set-up After calibration, you may wish to change the pH Controller default parameters. Press 2 and enter Setup menu. (Press 4 to Exit this window). Figure 120 Figure 21 Maximum log time is the longest time in seconds the pH controller will wait for the pH readings to settle. The controller usually cycles before this maximum time is reached. The minimum setting for the maximum log time is 20 seconds.
OM17-pH Detector Figure 24 The DataLogger is displaying the map file number it is creating, in case you want to record it along with any other information about the field. Press any key to begin new map file. After starting the file, pressing the #4 key will stop the file. If DataLogger freezes at the screen shown in Figure 23 or Figure 24, check formatting of SD card—must be FAT format. USING A VERIS SD CARD IN OTHER DEVICES CAN CAUSE FILE CORRUPTION.
OM17-pH Detector Probe Operations Release the brake and step on the foot lever to insert the probe chamber into the soil (Figure 27). This movement will activate the upper limit switch to initiate the electronic process, and a brief wash burst will occur. Figure 27a and 27b Once the probe chamber is in the soil, insert the electrode holder by continuing to lower the handle. In tight soil, it may be necessary to assist door opening with hand lever (Figure 28).
OM17-pH Detector Figure 29 Allow the sampler to remain in the soil while the readings settle, as indicated by the In Progress red LED (Figure 30). When the Done green LED lights, the measurement is complete (Figure 31). The pH readings on the display show what the electrode is reading at every second. The minimum recording time is 7 seconds; the maximum time is determined in the pH settings menu. The pH value that is recorded is the final values at the end of the logging duration.
OM17-pH Detector At any time during the mapping process, you can press the #4 key to stop the file. If you create more than one file from the same field, you can bring the files into a spreadsheet program or GIS and combine for whole field map display. After #4 key is pressed during Data Acquisition, the following screen will be displayed: (if data was collected during Data Acquisition) Figure 33 DATA IS ONLY STORED ON THE SD CARD. NO INTERNAL FILES ARE CREATED.
OM17-pH Detector Data quality tips As you collect pH data, monitor the performance of the system by observing the following: -During ‘Cycling’ phase or during manual washing, does pH electrode readings get close to the wash water pH? If not, electrode may not be cleaning properly.
OM17-pH Detector SECTION 4 Maintenance and Service pH Electrodes electrode body electrode face reference junctions antimony measurement tip Figure 1 • Antimony is harmful if ingested into your skin, mouth, or lungs -Do not touch antimony electrode tip -Do not ingest antimony material when sanding tip -Always use proper soaker solution: Veris part #23395 -Keep moist; put in soaker solution if mapping (washing) is interrupted for one hour of more -If soaker solutions is unavailable, use pH buffer 4; never
OM17-pH Detector Wash System If wash water develops algae, flush and fill tanks with tap water; clean any algae or other foreign matter out of tank. Clean filter at least once per week of operation. Clean filter at end of suction line weekly. Figure 3 Winterizing: When temperatures are dipping below freezing, prevent freeze damage to the wash system as follows: drain tank, open up check diaphragms and drain, and run pumps until empty.
OM17-pH Detector Adjustments/troubleshooting: Electrode holder won’t go into soil: 1) If door is not completely open when electrode holder tries to enter, electrode breakage may result (Figure 5). Raise electrode holder and see if door closes completely. If rock or other obstruction is present, clear it and see if door closes properly. Electrode holder hitting door Figure 5a Door didn’t close when electrode holder was raised Figure 5b 2) Verify that door hand lever hasn’t slipped.
OM17-pH Detector 3) Verify that bottom jam nut on pivot rod hasn’t slipped. If hand lever does not move door, retightening pivot rod jam nut is required. Retighten by holding top of rod with adjustable wrench and tightening jam nut on lower end of pivot rod (Figure 7).
OM17-pH Detector Figure 9 Upper switch needs to be in activated position only when electrode holder is fully inserted into the probe chamber (Figure 10).
OM17-pH Detector Excessive movement of assembly while driving: tighten up spring tension on main springs (Figure 11). Tighten adjustment bolt to increase spring tension Figure 11 Probe doesn’t stay locked in up position for washing: tighten spring plunger to increase pressure (Figure 12.
OM17-pH Detector Lubrication Weekly: Apply dry powdered graphite to slides in wear blocks shown in Figure14.