Buckleys BathyCorrometer Pro' User manual

BathyCorrometer
®
Pro’
Operating Instructions
English
Version
Please read carefully before use

Instruction Manual
2
BathyCorrometer®Pro’
Description 3
Probe tips 3
Shorting plug 3
Battery 3
Technical data 4
Unpacking 5
Operation 5
BathyCorrometer® Pro’ Unit 5
Charger 6
Calibration 7
Electronics calibration check 7
Test procedure using K-series or K-SAT reference electrodes 7
Using zinc and magnesium test blocks 10
Half-cell electrode replacement 11
Maintenance 11
Safety 12
Electromagnetic compatibility 12
Long-term storage 13
Laying-up 13
Recommissioning 13
Disposal information 13
EC declaration of conformity 14
UKCA declaration of conformity 14
Contact details 15
Product Registration 16

BathyCorrometer® Pro’
3
Description
The BathyCorrometer® Pro’ (BCM) is an underwater corrosion voltmeter powered
by an integral, rechargeable battery pack. The unit is fitted with a 3½ digit, high
impedance (1MΩ) liquid crystal display (LCD) voltmeter.
The unit can read voltages from 0.000V to -1.999V DC. The structure to water
potential is detected by an internal Ag/AgCl/seawater half-cell electrode of
robust and proven construction. The reference electrode is mounted behind the
red protective nose cone and sited 5cm from the probe tip.
NOTE: The BathyCorrometer®Pro’ displays the reading correctly; as a negative
polarity whereas the older Mk5 BathyCorrometer® displays a positive reading.
Probe Tips
Six stainless steel probe tips are supplied with the instrument. They are provided
with a standard point suitable for use on steel work with coatings of either paint or
tape as used on piles, under sea pipelines and through thicker coatings, marine
growth and similar.
The probe tip is fitted to the front of the instrument by screwing it onto the stainless-
steel stud and tightened with the spanner provided. A definite ‘bottoming’ should
be felt as the probe is screwed fully home. Silicone grease smeared on the outside
of the probe will assist fitting.
Shorting Plug
The unit is activated by use of the shorting plug provided. This should be removed
when the instrument is not in use to conserve battery power. Silicone grease
smeared on the moulded pins of the plug will greatly ease its insertion. The plug
MUST be inserted into the handle socket before the instrument is immersed in
water, otherwise spurious readings and damage to the socket will occur.
Battery
Under normal usage a fully charged battery will provide in excess of 100 hours’
operation. Low battery level is indicated by a battery symbol appearing in
the top left of the LCD display. As the battery is nickel-metal hydride it has the
advantage of no memory effect (unlike nickel-cadmium) and can be charged
at any time.
The BCM should only be charged using the charger supplied. Use of an incorrect
charger may damage the electronics and would not be covered by warranty.

Instruction Manual
4
Technical data
BCM unit operating depth: Up to 300m
(pressure tested to 600psi/42bar)
Display: 3½ digit LCD, 12.7mm digit height
Range: 0.00 to -1.999V
DC accuracy: 0.05% typical (±1 count)
Input impedance: >1MΩ
Operating temperature range: 0 to 30°C
Temperature stability: ±100 ppm/°C
Storage temperature range: 0 to 50°C
Operating time (fully charged): 100hr +
Reference electrode: Silver/Silver Chloride Seawater
Accuracy Ag/AgCl: ≈ +250mV VS SHE
Temperature coefficient: -0.6mV °C
Half-cell effective life: 1-2 years
Contact with structure: Hardened stainless steel probe
Handle bulkhead socket for: On/Off, charging, reference test,
remote readout
Weight in air: 2.5Kg
Weight in water: 0.85Kg negative buoyancy
Instrument size: 100mm diameter x 275mm long
Carrying case size: 505mm x 380mm x 200mm
Charger input voltage: 100V-240V AC 50-60Hz
Charger input current: 100mA
Maximum charger output voltage: 4.8V DC @ 350mA
9.6V DC @ 150mA
Charge indicator: Multi-function red/green LED

BathyCorrometer® Pro’
5
Unpacking
Please check that all items are present in the kit by referring to the relevant
datasheet for your kit (Basic, Standard or Complete).
If any items are missing contact your supplier immediately.
The packaging should be kept for future use should the unit need to be
returned for repair or put into storage.
Operation
BathyCorrometer® Pro’ unit
Fit a stainless steel pointed probe tip to the end of the instrument using a
smear of silicone grease to prevent damage of the O-ring seal. Use the
spanner provided to ensure the probe tip is tightened fully.
Smear the shorting plug pins with silicone grease and insert the plug into the
bulkhead socket in the handle of the BathyCorrometer® Pro’; this switches the
BathyCorrometer® Pro’ on. Screw the shorting plug retaining ring into the
handle to prevent the shorting plug from being accidentally removed.
Note: The shorting plug must NOT be removed from the BCM while immersed.
The BathyCorrometer® Pro’ has been fully tested and calibrated during
manufacture. However, some drying out of the Ag/AgCI/seawater half-cell
electrode may occur, therefore, it is recommended that prior to initial use
the unit is soaked in seawater for a minimum of 30 minutes.
Note: DO NOT immerse the unit in fresh/tap water.
The BathyCorrometer® Pro’ is now ready for use. If required, the calibration
can be checked prior to use, see section entitled ‘Calibration’.
To take a reading under water, push the pointed probe onto the structure
ensuring that a good electrical contact is made to the steel structure.
The structure to seawater potential at that point can now be seen on the
display. After use, wash the BathyCorrometer® Pro’ in clean seawater to

Instruction Manual
6
remove any debris from inside the red nose cone then recharge the unit
using the battery charger supplied.
BathyCorrometer® Pro’ Charger
The BathyCorrometer® Pro’ battery charger is
supplied with several mains plug options
(European, UK, USA, Australia, Asia), select the
correct configuration for your mains supply,
clicking it into position on the charger input.
It is recommended that the BathyCorrometer® Pro’ is charged for 8 hours
before initial use. Connect the charger to the BathyCorrometer® Pro’.
Connect the charger to the mains supply, the small indicator light on the
charger should illuminate. If the indicator does not illuminate check the
connection to the BathyCorrometer® Pro’ and that the mains power is on.
The normal time to recharge the battery from fully discharged is 14 hours, but
it can be left on charge for up to 48 hours without damage to the battery.
The battery may be recharged after use. Allow a charge time of 12 minutes
for each hour’s use.
There is no indication on the charger or the BathyCorrometer® Pro’ that the
battery is charged. If the charger is turned off it will not discharge the BCM.
When charging is complete, disconnect the charger from the mains supply
and then from the BathyCorrometer® Pro’.
Note: The BathyCorrometer® Pro’ is NOT compatible
with older BathyCorrometer chargers and MUST only be
charged with a BathyCorrometer® Pro’ Charger.
Similarly, the charger provided with this unit is NOT
compatible with earlier models, and should not be
used to charge them.

BathyCorrometer® Pro’
7
Calibration
IMPORTANT
BathyCorrometer®recalibration should only be undertaken by Buckleys
trained and approved technicians with access to the appropriate electrical
and pressure testing equipment.
Recalibration by unqualified technicians will invalidate the BathyCorrometer’s
warranty.
There are two elements of the BCM that affect calibration, the electronics and
the Ag/AgCI/seawater half-cell electrode.
Electronics Calibration Check
The BCM electronics can be checked with the aid of a BathyCorrometer®
CalChecker Pro’. When connected to the BCM this produces a precision output of -
1.900V DC which can be compared with the reading on the BCM. This is a
verification check as the electronics are contained inside the body of the BCM and
cannot be adjusted without breaking the water-tight seal.
If the BCM is more than ± 2mV out from the -1.900V test voltage, ensure the
CalChecker Pro’ is not at fault. This can be carried out using a calibrated precision
multimeter. It is advised at this point that the BCM should be returned to the
manufacturer or certified test house for repair.
The warranty will be void if repairs are undertaken by anyone other than the
manufacturer or a certified test house. With the BathyCorrometer® CalChecker Pro’
switched off, the display should read ‘.000’. When the CalChecker Pro’ is switched
on, the display should read ‘-1.900’.
Test procedure using screw-on K Series or K-SAT Reference Electrode
The BathyCorrometer®may be checked with the aid of verification tools either
purchased with this kit or available separately.
In line with Buckleys policy of continuous product improvement, a revised reference
cell (6004-0111) known as the K-SAT cell has been introduced to replace the
previously available K Series (6004-0005) cell.
Both the K Series and K-SAT electrodes provide a stable, known voltage to calibrate the
BathyCorrometer®. Both reference electrodes are accurate external reference
electrodes with an Ag/AgCl element contained in a potassium chloride solution of
known chloride content. However the reference voltage produced by the K-SAT cell is
196mV with respect to a Standard Hydrogen Electrode, as opposed to the 208mV of the K
Series cell.

Instruction Manual
8
The effect of this is that the voltage reading obtained by a correctly-functioning
silver-silver chloride (Ag-AgCl) half-cell in 3% sea water at 25C will be approximately -
54mV for the K-SAT cell, rather than the -42mV expected with the earlier K Series.
As with all Silver-Silver Chloride chemistry, the exact voltage obtained will
depend on the conditions, particularly water temperature and salinity. A
tolerance of +/-10mV for the K Series/K-SAT cell indicate acceptable
performance.
The K-SAT cell is grey in colour in order to make them easily distinguishable
from K-Series cells:
It is perfectly acceptable to use either the original K-Series, or the new K-SAT
cells, individually or in combination, providing caution is taken to apply the
correct reference voltage.
The following instructions should be used to check the calibration of the
BathyCorrometer®Pro’.
It should be noted that the K-Series/K-SAT should be left in the test solution for at
least 30 minutes before being fitted to the BathyCorrometer®Pro’.
Screw cap Threaded tie rod
•Unscrew the white probe cone.
•Smear the O-ring on the K-Series reference
electrode with silicone grease.
BathyCorrometer®Body
•Screw the K-Series reference electrode onto the threaded rod
ensuring a tight connection and correct seating of the
O-ring. Remove the screw cap from the K-Series electrode.

BathyCorrometer® Pro’
9
Note: The values recorded for the Ag/AgCI electrode are dependent on
the salinity and temperature of the seawater at the time of measurement.
•Grease and fit the shorting plug and immerse the
BathyCorrometer®Pro’ in a seawater test solution (3% salinity),
ensuring that the level covers the red nose cone. Allow the
electrodes (K-Series and internal Ag/AgCI electrode) to stabilise.
•The voltage difference between the K-Series reference electrode and the
internal Ag/AgCI electrode can be read directly from the display on the
BathyCorrometer®Pro’.
•The nominal voltage displayed should be -42mV ± 10mV for a K Series cell.
•The nominal voltage displayed should be -54mV ± 10mV for a K-SAT cell.
The test should be repeated with another K-Series/K-SAT to confirm the
accuracy of the internal Ag/AgCl/seawater half-cell electrode.
Plastic container
K-Series/K-SAT
Electrode
Clean plastic
container with 3%
instant seawater
solution at 25ºC
Shorting plug
Will read -42mV ± 10mV
between K-series electrode
and Ag/AgCl electrode
or
-54mV ± 10mV between K-
SAT electrode and Ag/AgCl
electrode

Instruction Manual
10
Using Zinc & Magnesium test blocks
Verification of the operation of the BathyCorrometer®Pro’ can be carried out using
Zinc and/or Magnesium test blocks.
Zinc/magnesium test blocks are not a substitute for accurate calibration and are only
to be used as a convenient means of checking the meter.
The potential of the test blocks can vary depending upon surface condition and
method of pretreatment and will be subject to variation. For accurate conformation of
the Ag/AgCl/seawater half-cell electrode only the K-Series reference electrodes
should be used.
Potential measurements taken should be recorded which will indicate if there is any
significant variation in the electrodes. Differences in the order of 0.00 to 0.03V1(0-30
millivolt) or so between readings are quite possible and will mainly be caused by
variations in water salinity and/or changes in water temperature. As a guide, readings
taken in a 3% salinity solution at an ambient temperature of 25°C are as follows:
Zinc (Zn) = 1.00 - 1.08V
Magnesium (Mg) = 1.40 - 1.70V
Tarnished/dirty test blocks will give a lower reading than clean ones. The test blocks
should not be left in the seawater solution after use. Only one test block should be
used at a time.
Commercial grade magnesium anodes are either high-purity 99% magnesium or a
magnesium, zinc, aluminium alloy. Buckleys supply the Mg/Al/Zn alloy material for
testing the BathyCorrometer®Pro’. The aluminium content of the anode would be
between 5.3 to 6.7 wt% and the zinc content typically 2.5 to 3.5%. The open-circuit
potential for the anode in seawater would be typically -1.5V vs Ag/AgCl/seawater.
The magnesium test blocks should not be considered as accurate reference
electrodes as the potential can show significant variations with the potential range
typically varying by +/-100mV.
The readings obtained will also depend on the water temperature, salinity and the
level of surface contamination and corrosion present on the test block’s surface.
The magnesium test block is provided to confirm that the BathyCorrometer®Pro’
can read structure to electrolyte potentials at the upper end of the expected
potential range. The typical reading obtained when using a magnesium test
block should be in the range from -1.40 to -1.70V when used to check silver-silver
chloride half-cells.
For accurate calibration checks on the BathyCorrometer®Pro’ internal
Ag/AgCl/seawater electrode the K Cell calibration electrodes should be used.