NIEUWKOOP PH2010 User manual

USER MANUAL
PH2010
pH SOILTESTER

PH2010
pH SOILTESTER
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How to use the pH-meter
1. Take the instrument out of its case and check that the needle indicates
pH 7 (fig.1). If this is not the case it can be very simple adjusted. Remove
the cover and glass window from the instrument and carefully turn the
adjusting screw clockwise or counter-clockwise, as the case may be.
2. The electrode is very vulnerable and should carefully cleaned with
water and dried with a clean cloth before and after use (fig.2). This is
very important since otherwise the reading is not correct. After
cleaning, the electrodes should not get in contact with anything, not
even with your hands since these always give off some transpiration,
however slight, and this would adversely affect the readings.
3. Fill the soil holder with the soil under test and pack the soil so as to be
sure that the complete electrode surface will be in contact with it.
Insert the instrument into the soil until the silver-colored electrodes are
completely covered with soil. Then turn the instrument two or three
times about its longitudinal axis to ensure good contact between soil
and electrodes (fig.3). Black earth, clay. loam etc. should have a
moisture content (shown on the meter) between 50 and 70%. If the soil
is too wet, the water should be pressed out until the moisture content is
at a minimum 50%. Humus rich soil may have higher moisture content,
even exceeding 100% as is often the case. If the soil is too dry, the pH
cannot be measured; in that case it should first be moistened with
distilled water; readings can then be taken after about 2 hours.
4. To measure the moisture content in the soil, press the white button; the
moisture content can be read off immediately. After use, clean the
electrodes thoroughly with water and wipe off with a dry cloth (fig.2).
Normal soil used for cultivation will seldom have a moisture content
below 30% as is the case e.g. with dry sand.
5. It takes the needle about three minutes to get stabilized. Next the pH
can be read off (fig.4). DO NOT allow the meter to stay in the soil for
more than 5 minutes. This will prevent undue corrosion of the
electrodes.

PH2010
pH SOILTESTER
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
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Practical hints
1. A fluctuating needle may have any of the following causes:
2. The soil does not completely cover the electrodes. A high salt content in the soil, a high iron,
magnesium content etc. The soil has recently been manured so that you actually measure the
manure.
3. Rust on the electrodes clean and free from rust. Surface corrosion will detrimentally affect the
sensitivity of the instrument, which in that case will no longer indicate reliable pH, and moisture
values may be removed with sand. After cleaning, wait at least half an hour before taking
readings.
4. H.T. masts or other sources of stray currents in the neighborhood of the soil to be measured are
likely to cause the instrument to give too high pH and moisture readings. Accurate readings are
impossible in places such as these.
5. The operation of the instrument being based on current generation through contact with the
soil, the readings will depend to some extent on degree in which the soil has been packed
down, and on the moisture content of the soil. It is recommended therefore to take the average
of 5 or 6 readings.
6. The instrument should be handled with the utmost care. Do not drop it, do not expose it to
strong vibrations, impact etc. We wish to emphasize that the pH-meter is meant to test
whether the soil has the correct pH value so that in case of deviation you can protect your crop
from damage in time.
7. If the result is negative, you can take action immediately and this save yourself quite a bit of
trouble. The moisture tester incorporated in the instrument is NOT intended for determining the
exact moisture content in the soil but ONLY to determine whether the soil has the right moisture
content for taking pH readings.
Specification
Scale : pH 3½ - 8
Moisture : 0 - 100%
Accuracy : 10%
Size : 160 x 50 mm
Weight : 170 grams