Cleaning And Maintenance - bluelab Guardian Monitor Care And Use Manual

13.0 Cleaning and maintenance

Cleaning the Bluelab Conductivity/Temperature Probe
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". Never use scented varieties as they contain oils that contaminate the
conductivity/temperature probe. Follow the steps below to clean the conductivity/temperature probe.
Remove shroud.
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Hold the body and pull the shroud off.
Holding your hand around the shroud for a
few seconds will warm the shroud and help
with removal.
Clean conductivity/temperature
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probe face.
Place one or two drops of Bluelab
Conductivity Probe Cleaner onto the
conductivity/temperature probe face and
rub with your finger or Bluelab Chamois
firmly and vigorously.
Rinse conductivity/temperature
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probe face.
Rinse off all traces of cleaner under running
water using the same finger or other side of
Bluelab Chamois.
Check that the water forms a film on
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the conductivity/temperature probe
face with no "beads" of water.
If beading is present repeat the cleaning
process.
Refit the shroud firmly and test to
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ensure the conductivity/temperature
probe has been adequately cleaned.
See below for instructions on how to test.
Testing the Bluelab Conductivity/Temperature Probe
The conductivity/temperature probe is tested in 2.77EC, 27.7 CF,
1385 ppm (500 scale) or 1940 ppm (700 scale) solutions.
Use the standard solutions in the table to the right.
Bluelab solutions are recommended.
NOTE: The shroud MUST be left on the probe when taking readings.
Place a small amount of the correct standard solution into a clean container.
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Place the conductivity/temperature probe into the solution; ensuring that it is
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adequately submerged.
Wait until the conductivity reading stabilizes. The conductivity reading should
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be within 0.1 EC, 1 CF, 50 TDS or 70 ppm of the values in the table above.
If after testing, the reading is lower than 2.77 EC;
Ensure that the 2.77 EC standard solution is fresh and uncontaminated and of a qualified brand; if you
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are unsure, use new solution. NEVER add water to solutions.
Wait 1 – 2 minutes for the conductivity/temperature probe to reach the solution temperature. In extreme
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temperatures 5 – 10 minutes may be necessary.
NOTE: Conductivity/temperature probes that read low will usually only require cleaning to achieve an
accurate result.
If the reading remains higher than 2.9 EC after testing all of the above, evaporation may have occurred
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during storage causing the solution to increase in concentration.
Clean, Contaminated, Oily, beading
smooth film uneven film visible
TDS PPM
EC CF
(EC x 500) (EC x 700)
2.77 27.7 1385 ppm 1940 ppm
13.0 Cleaning and maintenance
Cleaning the Bluelab pH Probe
To ensure accurate readings the pH probe tip needs to be rinsed in water after each use and cleaned
regularly using the following instructions. The storage cap must always be put back on after cleaning.
Rinse pH probe tip under fresh water.
1
Fill a small container with clean water.
2
Add a small amount of Bluelab pH Probe Cleaner or mild detergent
(dish washing liquid).
Gently stir the pH probe tip in the mixture.
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Ensure that you do not 'knock' the pH probe on the side of the
container as this may cause damage to the glass of the pH probe.
Rinse well under fresh running water to remove all traces of the
detergent mixture.
If the pH probe tip requires removal of heavy contamination:
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Gently brush pH probe tip around the glassware with a few drops
of Bluelab pH Probe Cleaner or mild detergent (dishwashing liquid)
and a soft toothbrush.
Rinse pH probe tip well under fresh running water to remove
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all traces of the detergent mixture.
Calibration of the pH probe is required after every clean.
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See the pH calibration, section 10. When finished, always place
the storage cap back onto the pH probe.
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