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Unread 02/13/2008, 08:39 PM   #1
themolt
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American Marine Pinpoint ph Owners/Experts

Having some calibration issues on a new monitor purchased on ebay. Please take the time to read.

I received a new kit. Probe had the calcium stuff around tip (normal i read), but there seemed to be a little dry cotton swab or filter floss type of stuff in the tip. Tip was not directly in swab and it did not appear that moist.

Calibration 1: Cleaned probe with fresh water, inserted into #7 American marine buffer. Read something like 6.5 or 6.6. Tweaked this with the screw to 7.

Cleaned probe, inserted into #10 Milwaukee buffer. Read something like 7.3 or 4. Tried to tweak the 4,10 screw and hit a wall around 7.7 or so and it would not go anymore.

So I felt screwed and confused.

Calibration 2: Cleaned probe in vinegar for a few hours. Inserted into #7 Milwaukee (kept consistent) and read 6.5, tweaked to 7.

Cleaned and inserted into #10 Milwaukee and read 7.11. Tried to tweak higher and hit wall.

More confused and angry.
-------------------------------------
This does not seem right. It reads the #7 buffer within .5, but it 2.5 off for the #10 buffer.

What am I doing wrong? or do I need to use American Marine only buffer solutions? or is this a faulty unit (can't understand if it read # fine).

Any input appreciated.


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Unread 02/13/2008, 09:02 PM   #2
jmart55
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Buffer should be buffer, shouldn't matter what brand as long as it's clean, I like the singles instead of bottles. Maybe a bad probe, was it new or used. I would get a new probe and check worst case you'll have an extra probe. Sorry, not a big help.


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Unread 02/13/2008, 09:06 PM   #3
mbbuna
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to start, insert the screwdriver and make sure both adjustment screws are in the middle of the range. do this by first turning the first screw <-- this way and then---> that way and figure out where the middle is. repeat on the next screw. then start the calibration. make sure you have the switch in the right position when you change screws during calibration.

also if your using the plug in adaptor this can cause interference and i would suggest not using it at all and just use the batteries


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Unread 02/13/2008, 09:36 PM   #4
themolt
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Quote:
Originally posted by mbbuna
to start, insert the screwdriver and make sure both adjustment screws are in the middle of the range. do this by first turning the first screw <-- this way and then---> that way and figure out where the middle is. repeat on the next screw. then start the calibration. make sure you have the switch in the right position when you change screws during calibration.

also if your using the plug in adaptor this can cause interference and i would suggest not using it at all and just use the batteries
can you explain the process to find the middle a little bit better please? do you mean put the probe in #7 and line up 7 to 7 and 4,10 to 7?

what switch are you talking about? this may be what i am missing. i just see on/off and then a screw for 7 and screw for 4,10.

i use 9v battery



Last edited by themolt; 02/13/2008 at 09:48 PM.
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Unread 02/13/2008, 10:23 PM   #5
mbbuna
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i just grabbed my monitor and looked at it and i think i was confusing some things between the "monitor" and the "controller"

let me try again

looking at my monitor, on the left below the lcd screen is the on/off switch. below that is the first screw with "7" next to it. below that is the second screw with "4 or 10" next to it.

both these screws will turn about 2 or 3 times (2 or 3 full turns from start to finish)before bottoming out. what you need to do is find out where the middle point is before you start. the actual position of the screw does not determine the reading because every probe is different, that's why they can be turned so much.

so start with the top screw that has the 7 next to it. turn it counter clock wise untill it stops. then turn it clock wise (counting how many full turns you make) untill it stops again. then divide the number of turns in half and that is the middle of the range. turn the screw until you are in the middle of the range.

repeat on the second screw with 4 or 10 next to it.

then turn the monitor on and start the calibration with the #7 solution and #7 screw. when you have it set at 7 rinse the probe and move to the #10 solution and #4 or #10 screw.

keep going back and forth between the two solutions and screws untill both #'s are correct respectivly


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Unread 02/13/2008, 10:36 PM   #6
themolt
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with nothing on, i can turn my screws 50 times or more either way. does not let me know when its bottomed out.


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Unread 02/13/2008, 10:40 PM   #7
mbbuna
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to find the middle it doesnt matter. all you are doing is putting the screw in the middle so you have equal amount of turns both ways. don't even look at the LCD when doing this because it doesnt matter. you can turn the whole thing off and do it if you like


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Unread 02/13/2008, 10:52 PM   #8
themolt
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Quote:
Originally posted by mbbuna
to find the middle it doesnt matter. all you are doing is putting the screw in the middle so you have equal amount of turns both ways. don't even look at the LCD when doing this because it doesnt matter. you can turn the whole thing off and do it if you like
hmm. still not getting this. i could turn this damn thing 200 times i feel like and it would not hit a stop point for me to know when to divide in half to find the middle. (if i understand correctly) also if this is important why does it not say that in the instructions.

shouldn't the probe just pick up on the fact that the buffer solution is around 10, but not exactly. it certainly had 7 pretty close.

i appreciate your advice though, but i think i will call American Marine tomorrow.


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Unread 02/13/2008, 10:54 PM   #9
mbbuna
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sent you a PM


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Unread 02/13/2008, 10:59 PM   #10
themolt
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sent one back.


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Unread 02/14/2008, 07:54 AM   #11
Randy Holmes-Farley
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Buffer should be buffer, shouldn't matter what brand as long as it's clean,

Almost true. Some brands are not accurate, unfortunately:

A Comparison of pH Calibration Buffers
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-02/rhf/index.htm


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Unread 02/14/2008, 07:56 AM   #12
Randy Holmes-Farley
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One good option is to call Lou Dell, the owner of American Marine. I'm sure he'll help figure out what is going on, which may include a broken probe.

Here's the contact info:

http://www.americanmarineusa.com/company.html

Tel. 800.925.4689
FAX 914.763.5367


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