JSA Photonics HH-100B User manual

JSA Photonics LLC, 11701 Sky Valley Way, Albuquerque, NM 505-975-1534
[email protected]m , www.jsaphotonics.com
HH-100B Portable Electronic Hydrometer
Operating Instructions 05/01/2019
This field instrument is based on novel optical technology developed by JSA Photonics and
provides the user with a safe and convenient ability to directly measure the specific gravity (SG)
and the corresponding state-of-charge (SOC) of open port, lead acid batteries. These batteries
are commonly found in starting, lighting and ignition systems, stationary back up battery
systems and motive power applications. It is intended for use by trained professional
maintenance personnel. See disclaimer **below.
Introduction
This device is used by submerging the active area of the glass probe (about 1”) shown above in
the battery electrolyte. The active area must be completely submerged. The instrument is self-
calibrating and automatically initiates self calibration mode when the “on” button is pressed. It
is designed to be used at normal room temperature although may be used within the range of
10-30 C without significant impairment of accuracy. Also note that the specific gravity of
battery electrolyte does depend on the temperature and the unit is calibrated at 20 C. Step by
step operation is described below.
Cal
Adj
On
Safety Considerations
1. Batteries can be dangerous. They
contain hazardous chemicals and
considerable energy.
2. Battery servicing and testing should
only be done by personnel familiar
with safety and proper safety
equipment.
3. Failure to follow proper handling
procedure may result in serious
personal injury.
4. Contact with battery fluid can cause
severe burns and eye damage. If you
come in contact with the fluid
immediately rinse the area with cold
water and consider consulting a
physician.
5. Do not service batteries near open
flames or electrical sparks. Explosions
may result.
On
Active
Area

JSA Photonics LLC, 11701 Sky Valley Way, Albuquerque, NM 505-975-1534
[email protected]m , www.jsaphotonics.com
Basic Operating Procedures
The probe must be clean and dry before each use. It may be gently cleaned using a wet soft
cloth or paper towel with tap water and then dried. This is essential to obtain correct
readings.
Carefully remove the battery cap from the cells to be measured. Be careful not to come
into contact with the battery fluid.
Holding the unit in one hand press and hold the black button on the side of the unit. Do
not release the button until the measurements are complete. “HH100B” will appear on
the display. After a short delay the unit will initiate a self-calibration mode and display
its internal calibration reference voltage which is approximately 2.50 volts. For example
“Cal = 2.54”. Small deviations from this value are normal.
After a short delay the internal ambient temperature in centigrade degrees will be
displayed for example T= 27.2 C. Note that 20 ◦C (68°F) is approximately room
temperature. If your unit is equipped with a probe temperature option, the unit will
display the probe temperature.
While holding the on button gently submerge the active area of the probe in the battery
fluid. Do not press the probe up against the plates of the battery or exert any pressure
on the probe. The active region of the probe must be fully immersed in the fluid for
correct results. See figure above.
After a short delay the specific gravity reading will appear. For example “SG=1.234”. If
the display reads “SG = low” that means the SG is below 1.10 . SG = low is also the
normal indication when the probe is not immersed at all. If the display reads “SG = high”
it means that the SG is above 1.35. See note* below.
Without releasing the “on” button proceed to measure other cells of interest.
*The approximate charge level of the battery can be found by referring to the table on front
panel of the device. Note that these are guidelines only and the specific relationship between
SG and % SOC depends on the manufacturer and battery type and should be available from the
battery manufacture. Typically a SG reading of 1.1 corresponds to a fully discharged battery or
SOC = 0 %. An SG of 1.3 corresponds to SOC =100% or fully charged but these readings can vary.
Precautions
The HH-100 is designed primarily for indoor use and its SG readings are referenced to 20° C
(68°F) . The unit may be used outdoors for brief periods of time but should not be stored
in temperature extremes. Operation over an ambient temperature range of 10-30 °C
(50-86°F) will not significantly impair the accuracy however if the temperature of the
probe is significantly different than the battery fluid, errors may result and corrections
may be necessary.

JSA Photonics LLC, 11701 Sky Valley Way, Albuquerque, NM 505-975-1534
[email protected]m , www.jsaphotonics.com
A display reading of “caution” may mean several conditions. The most likely condition is
that the probe is not clean. Clean and dry the probe and start over. It also may indicate
that you are operating at an abnormal ambient temperature. In which case you may
proceed anyway as long as the ambient temperature is approximately equal to the
battery fluid temperature as described below. Lastly the condition may mean that the
instrument is out of calibration.
The instruments calibration will render most accurate results when the probe
temperature during self calibration is approximately equal to the battery fluid
temperature. If possible give the probe sufficient time to reach the temperature of the
battery fluid before initiating operation.
Safety glasses and gloves should be worn during all battery maintenance operations.
The battery cap may have a residual amount of acid on its lower surfaces. After
removal, place the cap on a disposal paper towel. The probe itself may have a few drops
of residual acid on after removal from the battery. Do not touch the probe. Wipe it very
gently with a paper towel. Dispose of the towel.
This instrument is very sensitive and should be handled gently. Do not handle or place
any mechanical force on the probe. Failure to observe this precaution may result in
disturbing the instrument calibration.
If the “on “ button is released you have to start all over again beginning with cleaning
and drying the probe
Troubleshooting
A reading of SG = Low or SG = High may indicate that:
1. The instrument is out of its normal range ; i.e SG is less than 1.10 or greater than 1.35
which is the nominal SG range of most batteries.
2. The probe is not immersed in a valid electrolyte. For example the instrument is operated
in air.
3. Instrument failure.
The display does not light or registers when the instrument is energized
may indicate:
1. A dead or defective battery.
2. Instrument failure.
An incorrect SG reading means that the instrument is out of calibration or the probe was not
sufficiently clean and dry before starting the measurement: out of calibration.

JSA Photonics LLC, 11701 Sky Valley Way, Albuquerque, NM 505-975-1534
[email protected]m , www.jsaphotonics.com
Maintenance and Calibration
To replace the standard 9V battery, open the panel on the back side of the instrument.
The probe should be cleaned regularly. Clean very carefully with a cotton swab or paper towel
and tap water or alcohol.
Do not clean the display with anything other than water and a soft cloth.
A calibration solution (shelf life 1 year) is available to enable routine checks and adjustment of
calibration. Insure the unit and solution re at normal room temperature. Follow normal
measurement procedures and fully insert the probe in the solution container and observe the
reading. It should correspond to the reading on the Cal Fluid container ± .01. If not, you may
adjust the calibration by CAREFULLY insert a small screwdriver in the hole on the right side of
the instrument and adjusting the SG until it corresponds to the required value. See Cal Adj in
the figure above. Rinse the probe carefully with clean, cool water and dry. This solution
contains common over- the-counter glycerol which is harmless but nevertheless should be
kept out of the reach of children.
**The user of this device hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless JSA Photonics against
all liability for any personal injury or illness, loss or damage to property, or costs, including court
costs and attorneys fees that may result from or arise in its use .
Antifreeze Concentrations
The HH-100 is capable of measuring antifreeze concentrations. Caution: Never remove a
radiator cap from a hot engine. Burns may result. Radiator servicing should only be done by
qualified service personnel. The concentration should be measured by immersing the probe of
the HH-100 in radiator overflow. User is advised to consult the vehicle operating manual for
the correct antifreeze type. Insure that the anti-freeze is at approximately the same
temperature as the probe.
Most commercial anti-freeze solutions are mixtures of Ethylene Glycol and Propylene Glycol.
The freezing points of these solutions are shown in the graph below. The corresponding
antifreeze concentration can be read from the graph below given the SG reading. For example
the recommended antifreeze concentration is approximately 40% for most conditions. The
corresponding SG reading from the bottom graph is approximately 1.30.

JSA Photonics LLC, 11701 Sky Valley Way, Albuquerque, NM 505-975-1534
[email protected]m , www.jsaphotonics.com
The equivalent SG reading to determine the concentration of a typical antifreeze solution such as
Prestone on the HH-100B is shown below. Determine the concentration from the SG reading using the
chart below. Refer to the above graph to estimate the freezing point of the solution.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
1.150 1.200 1.250 1.300 1.350 1.400
Concentration %
SG