bluelab Commercial trunchelon nutrient meter Guide

Care and use guide
Contents page
Features 2
To operate 2
Cleaning and maintenance 3
Battery replacement 3
Troubleshooting guide 4
Technical specications 4
Conductivity and understanding
the measuring scales 5
Bluelab measurement conversion chart 6
Product guarantee 7
Contact details 8

1.0 To operate
Using the Bluelab Commercial Truncheon®Nutrient Meter (see Figure 1) to
measure nutrient conductivity involves placing the probe sensor head in the
solution, followed by measuring and reading conductivity values on the stem
scale indicator light.
Figure 1. Bluelab Commercial Truncheon®Nutrient Meter
Measure conductivity
Place probe into nutrient solution and take reading as
indicated by the ashing lights.
Note: If the lights are dancing between two values, the reading
is between those two values. Some example readings are
shown in the table below:
Note: For very cold or very hot temperatures it will take 1-2
minutes for the probe to reach solution temperature. To help
decrease time taken to reach the solution temperature, place
the probe in an area where there is a strong movement of
solution, or stir solution with the probe.
Obtain another reading
To take another reading, simply place back in solution.
Clean probe
We recommend the probe be cleaned once every two
weeks according to the Cleaning and Maintenance
instructions. This can vary depending on frequency of use.
Features
Fully waterproof Battery operated
Auto on/off function No buttons, switches or knobs
No calibration required Daylight readable blue LED’s
Provided with EC, CF, ppm 500 and ppm 700 scales
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1
2
3
Stem Scale
Probe Value indicator light
Lights ashing
between these
EC values
Repeating pattern of
ashing lights (EC)
Reading
EC value
0.8 and 1.0 0.8 - 1.0, 0.8 - 1.0, 0.8 - 1.0 0.9
2.8 and 3.2 2.8 - 2.8 - 3.2, 2.8 - 2.8 - 3.2 2.9
2.8 - 3.2 - 3.2, 2.8 - 3.2 - 3.2 3.1

2.0 Cleaning and maintenance
Cleaning the Commercial Truncheon Meter probe frequently ensures accurate
readings. Clean the probe with a liquid scourer cream used in home bathrooms
and kitchens such as ‘Jif’, ‘Liquid Vim’, ‘Soft Scrub’, ‘Cif’, or ‘Viss’. Never use
scented varieties of cleaner as they affect the probe functions.
Remove shroud
Twist the shroud 90 degrees and then remove the
shroud.
Clean probe face
Place one or two drops of unscented liquid scourer,
such as ‘Jif’, ‘Liquid Vim’, ‘Soft Scrub’, ‘Cif, or ‘Viss’
on the probe face. Rub probe face with your nger or
Bluelab Chamois rmly and vigorously to clean.
Rinse probe
Rinse off all traces of cleaner under running water
using the same nger or other side of Bluelab
Chamois. Check that the water forms a lm on the
probe face with no ‘beads’ of water. If beading is
present repeat the cleaning process.
Replace shroud
3.0 Battery replacement
The Commercial Truncheon Meter is powered with 3 x AA type standard or
alkaline batteries. Do not use rechargeable batteries. Do not mix brands of
batteries. Do not mix old with new. Do not put upside down. Follow these steps
to replace the batteries.
Remove old batteries
Unfasten battery cap and tip out old batteries.
Check for corrosion
Batteries that have been inside the unit for a long length
of time may corrode. Check battery contacts and batteries
for any sign of corrosion. Contacts should be cleaned rst if
corrosion is found before proceeding to step 3.
Fit new batteries
Insert the new batteries positive (+) end down into the body.
Replace battery cap
Refasten battery cap. There must be no space left between
the cap and body to ensure the unit remains 100%
waterproof.
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1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
Twist
Remove

4.0 Troubleshooting guide
Trouble Correction
Truncheon Meter turns off
before reading taken.
Take out of solution for 3-5 seconds.
Dip in solution again and take reading.
Truncheon Meter not lighting
when dipped in solution.
Clean the probe. If this is unsuccessful, replace
batteries. Do not use rechargeable batteries.
Truncheon Meter gives low
readings.
Clean the probe.
Ensure unscented cleaner is used eg. plain ‘Jif’, ‘Soft
Scrub’, ‘Liquid Vim’, ‘Cif’ or ‘Viss’.
5.0 Technical specications
Range 0.4 – 6.0 EC 200 – 3000 ppm (EC x 500)
4 – 60 CF 280 – 4200 ppm (EC x 700)
Resolution 0.1 EC, 1 CF, 50 ppm (500), 70 ppm (700)
Accuracy at 2.77EC and
25°C / 77 °F
± 0.1 EC, ± 1 CF, ± 50 ppm (1385 ppm at 500 ppm),
± 70 ppm (1939 ppm at 700 ppm)
Temperature compensation Automatic
Operating temperature 0 - 50 °C, 32 - 122 °F
Calibration Not required
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Conductivity and understanding the measuring scales
Conductivity tells you how much food is in your solution.
Getting a grip on the different measuring scales
All these scales measure the concentration of dissolved solids in a solution. They just
use different processes and scales to do so.
EC is the only absolute measure of conductivity for nutrient solutions. EC is measured
in millisiemens mS/cm2. It’s the standard everywhere outside North America. It
also gives the most accurate conductivity measure. This is because different tester
manufacturers use different standards to convert from EC to ppm - often resulting in
inaccurate and confusing ppm readings (use our conversion chart on page 6).
CF is closely related to EC. It just doesn’t have the decimal point.
ppm verses TDS. The ppm 500 scale is the same as TDS. TDS - Total Dissolved Solids
- is represented as ppm by some meters. A TDS reading of 50 means that there are 50
milligrams of dissolved solids in each litre of water. 50ppm.
The ppm 700 scale as no relation to TDS, so 70 milligrams of dissolved solids in a
litre of water is 70 ppm. However, the actual ppm of a solution can only be measured
accurately by chemical analysis.
Understanding these scales
We saw that EC measures are the most accurate. Most ppm meters measure in EC. They
then convert this to a ppm value.
The conversion factor from EC to ppm can vary, but those most widely used for measuring
nutrient solutions are the ‘EC x 500’ scale. It is worth remembering the ppm 500 scale is
sometimes called TDS.
No ifs or buts!
Measure conductivity every day.
• If you don’t know which ppm scale to use, ask your nutrient
manufacturer or use EC
• Avoid over-diluting or cover-concentrating your nutrient solution
• Start with a quality nutrient
• Completely change the reservoir solution every 7 days
• Top up the nutrient level between changes - so your plants have
the right amount of food.
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Bluelab measurement conversion chart
mS/cm2
Millisiemen per cm2EC CF ppm 500
TDS ppm 700
0.1 0.1 150 70
0.2 0.2 2100 140
0.3 0.3 3150 210
0.4 0.4 4200 280
0.5 0.5 5250 350
0.6 0.6 6300 420
0.7 0.7 7350 490
0.8 0.8 8400 560
0.9 0.9 9450 630
1.0 1.0 10 500 700
1.1 1.1 11 550 770
1.2 1.2 12 600 840
1.3 1.3 13 650 910
1.4 1.4 14 700 980
1.5 1.5 15 750 1050
1.6 1.6 16 800 1120
1.7 1.7 17 850 1190
1.8 1.8 18 900 1260
1.9 1.9 19 950 1330
2.0 2.0 20 1000 1400
2.1 2.1 21 1050 1470
2.2 2.2 22 1100 1540
2.3 2.3 23 1150 1610
2.4 2.4 24 1200 1680
2.5 2.5 25 1250 1750
2.6 2.6 26 1300 1820
2.7 2.7 27 1350 1890
2.8 2.8 28 1400 1960
2.9 2.9 29 1450 2030
3.0 3.0 30 1500 2100
3.1 3.1 31 1550 2170
3.2 3.2 32 1600 2240
3.3 3.3 33 1650 2310
3.4 3.4 34 1700 2380
3.5 3.5 35 1750 2450
3.6 3.6 36 1800 2520
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Bluelab®limited warranty
Bluelab® Corporation Limited (Bluelab) provides a warranty on its products (Bluelab®
Commercial Truncheon®Nutrient Meter™) under the following terms and conditions:
How Long Does Coverage Last?
Bluelab®warrants the Bluelab® Commercial Truncheon®Nutrient Meter™ (Product) for a period of 60-months from
date of purchase by original purchaser or consumer. Proof of purchase, to Bluelab’s sole satisfaction, is required
for the warranty to be effective (store sales receipt for Product showing model number, payment and date of
purchase). This warranty is non-transferable and terminates if the original purchaser/consumer sells or transfers
the Product a third party.
What is Covered?
Bluelab® warrants the Product against defects in material and workmanship when used in a normal manner, in
accordance with Bluelab® instruction manuals. If Bluelab® is provided with valid proof of purchase (as dened
above) and determines the Product is defective, Bluelab® may, in its sole discretion either (a) repair the Product
with new or refurbished parts, or (b) replace the Product with a new or refurbished Product.
Any part or Product that is replaced by Bluelab® shall become its property. Further, if a replacement part or Product
is no longer available or is no longer being manufactured, Bluelab® may at its sole discretion replace it with a
functionally-equivalent replacement part or product, as an accommodation in full satisfaction of the warranty.
What is NOT covered?
This warranty does not apply to equipment, component or part that was not manufactured or sold by Bluelab®,
and shall be void if any such item is installed on a Product. Further, this warranty does not apply to replacement of
items subject to normal use, wear and tear and expressly excludes:
• Cosmetic damage such as stains, scratches and dents
• Damage due to accident, improper use, negligence, neglect and careless operation or handling of Product not
in accordance with Bluelab® instruction manuals, or failure to maintain or care for Product as recommended by
Bluelab®
• Damage caused by use of parts not assembled/installed as per Bluelab®instructions
• Damage caused by use of parts or accessories not produced or recommended by Bluelab®
• Damage due to transportation or shipment of Product
• Product repaired or altered by parties other than Bluelab®or its authorised agents
• Product with defaced, missing or illegible serial numbers
• Products not purchased from Bluelab®or a Bluelab®-authorized distributor or reseller.
How Do You Get Service?
To begin a warranty claim you must return the Product to the point of purchase with valid proof of purchase (as
dened above). In California, you can also return the Product to any Bluelab-authorised distributor or reseller, with
valid proof of purchase.
Limitation of Liability & Acknowledgments
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THIS WARRANTY AND THE REMEDIES SET OUT ABOVE ARE EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU
OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, GUARANTEES AND REMEDIES (ORAL OR WRITTEN, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED).
EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THIS WARRANTY AND TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, BLUELAB IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR
SPECIAL, INCIDENTIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL LOSS OR DAMAGES, OR ANY OTHER LOSS OR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM SALE OR USE
OF THE PRODUCT, OR BREACH OF WARRANTY, HOWEVER CAUSED, INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOST PROFITS, PERSONAL INJURY OR
PROPERTY DAMAGE.
IT IS UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED BY CONSUMER UPON PURCHASE OF A PRODUCT THAT, EXCEPT AS STATED IN THIS WARRANTY,
BLUELAB IS NOT MAKING AND HAS NOT MADE ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY OR OTHER REPRESENTATION REGARDING
THE PRODUCT, AND DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE TO THE EXTENT
PERMITTED BY LAW. ANY WARRANTIES WHICH ARE IMPOSED BY LAW AND CANNOT BE DISCLAIMED ARE HEREBY LIMITED IN
DURATION TO THE PERIOD AND REMEDIES PROVIDED IN THIS WARRANTY.
SOME JURISDICTIONS (STATES OR COUNTRIES) DO NOT ALLOW EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION FOR INCIDENTIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES, OR LIMITATION ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT BE
APPLICABLE.
IF ANY PROVISION OF THIS WARRANTY IS JUDGED TO BE ILLEGAL, INVALID OR UNENFORCEABLE, THE REMAINING PROVISIONS OF
THE WARRANTY SHALL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT.
Governing Law; Authority
This warranty is governed by the laws of the state of country where Product is purchased, without regard to its
choice of law principles. Except as allowed by law, Bluelab does not limit or exclude other rights a consumer may
have with regard to the Product. No Bluelab distributor, employee or agent is authorized to modify, extend or
otherwise change the terms of this warranty.
Register your guarantee online at bluelab.com

guarantee.
The Bluelab® Commercial Truncheon®Nutrient Meter™ comes with
a 5 year limited written guarantee. Proof of purchase required.
lets talk.
If you need assistance or advice - we’re here to help you.
North America Ph: 909 599 1940 NZ Ph: [phone]
Fax: [phone] Email: [email protected]
get online.
Looking for specications or technical advice?
Visit us online at bluelab.com or facebook.com/getbluelab
post.
Bluelab®Corporation Limited
8 Whiore Avenue, Tauriko Business Estate
Tauranga 3110, New Zealand
Instruction Manual English TRUNCOMV2_V02_190916
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