vinmetrica SC-200 User manual

SC-200 manual 1Version 2.3c
Vinmetrica SC-200™
User Manual
The Vinmetrica SC-200 is a simple and robust device that provides high accuracy in determination of
pH and titratable acidity (TA) levels in wine. These are essential parameters to control in the effort to
make high quality wines.
Materials provided in the kit:
1. Vinmetrica SC-200 pH/TA controller unit
(Part number SC-200-1)
2. pH Electrode (Part number SC-200-7), blue
polycarbonate housing, with storage bottle and
storage solution
3. pH/TA reagent set (Part number SC-200-8)
pH 4.01 calibration solution
pH 7.00 calibration solution
TA titrant (0.133N NaOH)
4. One 5 mL syringe
5. One 5mL serological pipette
6. 100 mL polypropylene beaker
Things you will need:
1. Two standard AA batteries (alkaline type).
2. Distilled water (DI water), which can be found at most grocery stores (aka purified water or water
purified by deionization).
3. It’s handy to have a wash bottle for rinsing. These are available from Vinmetrica (Part number SC-
100-17)
4. (Optional) Deluxe Lab Accessory Kit which includes: magnetic stirrer, burette (10mL or 25mL),
lab support stand, burette clamp and electrode holder. Available from Vinmetrica (Part Number
SC-300-9)
Figure 1. The SC-200 instrument
and pH electrode with storage
solution.

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Why Test for pH and TA?
Monitoring your wine's pH is especially important for the first few months of the wine making process.
Proper pH and Titratable Acidity (TA) levels influence mouth feel and provide wine stability. During
malolactic fermentation, the pH can increase somewhat and should be monitored. Typically, wine pH
and TA are inversely related; when pH goes up, TA goes down and vice versa. Adjustments may be
made to your wine to prevent wine instability. See Appendix B for more information on adjustments.
Theory of operation:
The SC-200 kit provides a pH electrode and reagents for calibration and determination of pH and
titratable acidity (TA) values in wines and other samples. The pH value is simply determined by
placing the calibrated electrode into a sample and reading the value. TA is determined by titrating a
5mL sample of wine to an endpoint pH of 8.2* with the TA titrant (0.13N NaOH) from the syringe in
the kit. From the known concentration of the TA titrant and its volume required to reach the endpoint,
the TA is simply calculated (results are in units of g/L tartaric acid).
Potential measurements: In firmware versions 2.1.1 and higher (July 2014), the SC-200 can display
the voltage reading of an electrode attached to the pH connector. This can be useful with probes like
the Vinmetrica Dissolved Oxygen System, potassium, sodium, and others.
*In some countries, pH 7.0 is taken as the endpoint; see Instrument Operation: Step 4, Page 4

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Setup:
Setting up the SC-200 for the first time:
1. The SC-200 (Figure 1) runs on two standard AA batteries (alkaline cells recommended). To
insert the batteries, open the battery housing on the bottom of the back of the unit by removing
the two screws and gently prying off the lid. Install the batteries then close the housing. If
desired, you can prop the unit up using its folding stand.
2. Low Battery Detection: When the battery level is getting low, the instrument shows a low
battery icon on the upper left side of the display but continues to operate without impairment to
any function. Replace the batteries as soon as practicable. When the battery level drops too far,
the instrument does not operate. It rapidly flashes the low battery icon for 3.0 seconds, beeps
and shuts itself off.
3. Auto Shut-off: The SC-200 shuts off after 30 minutes. If this happens unexpectedly, just press
the POWER button to resume from where you were.
4. Attach the pH electrode via the BNC connector protruding from the top (Figures 2 & 3).
5. About the pH electrode: The pH electrode is fragile and should always be handled carefully.
Remove the liquid storage bottle from the electrode by unscrewing the cap FIRST, then gently
removing the bottle and pulling the cap off the electrode. Rinse the electrode in a little distilled
water before and after each use. Electrode care: Do not touch the glass bulb, nor attempt to
wipe it with anything. When necessary, you may gently blot excess liquid away from the
electrode surface, but avoid directly touching it. When finished, push the electrode through the
hole in the cap about an inch, then gently screw the bottle onto the cap so that the electrode is in
contact with the solution in the bottle. The pH electrode should always be kept in the liquid
storage bottle with plenty of pH electrode storage solution (available from Vinmetrica;
Part Number SC-200-10) when not in use.
Figure 2. Attach the pH
Electrode to the BNC connector
on the SC-200
Figure 3. Be sure the Electrode
is screwed into place on the
BNC connector.

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Note: It is recommended to replace your pH electrode storage solution once per year or if the solution
becomes cloudy or moldy.
Instrument Operation:
1. Turn on the instrument by pressing the POWER button briefly (Note: depressing the POWER
button longer than two seconds at start-up will cause the instrument to enter Test Mode; see
Appendix A). The instrument will go through a power-up sequence. After a few seconds the
instrument will start in whatever mode was last selected. The mode is indicated by the yellow
LED panel on the left. Select the desired mode by pressing the MODE button.
2. pH mode: In this mode, the meter measures the pH. The pH electrode must be attached. If the
instrument has not yet been calibrated, the message “doCal” scrolls across the screen, and you
need to do a calibration (see Calibration of pH below). We recommend calibrating the
electrode at least once per day of use.
3. Potential mode (Firmware version 2.1.1 and higher) (pH LED flashing) In this mode the
instrument displays the voltage reading coming from an electrode attached to the pH connector.
(In version 2.1.2 and higher, the voltage is in millivolts). This can be used with certain
electrodes, for example, Vinmetrica’s Dissolved Oxygen System, ORP, potassium, or sodium
electrodes, or to view the raw voltage of a pH electrode. In this mode, when the red STOP
LED is illuminated, the values on the screen are negative; otherwise the values are positive. On
newer instruments (version 2.2.d and higher), the sign of the mV reading is displayed on the
screen directly. Latest firmware versions 2.1.3 and 2.2.E read a range of about +430 to -240
mV; older versions read about +330 to -330 mV.
4. TA mode: In this mode, you can determine the titratable acidity by a simple titration. As in the
pH mode, the pH is displayed and the pH electrode must be attached. The green “PROCEED”
LED is lit if the pH is below the TA endpoint (normally 8.2, but can be set to 7.0, see Appendix
A, Test Mode, section 16) while the red “STOP” LED is lit if the pH is above the TA endpoint.
(see below under Measuring TA by Titration)
5. CAL mode: This is for calibrating the pH electrode, which must be attached to the instrument.
The display initially shows CAL for a few seconds as it prepares to read pH once the readings
settle. Thereafter, the display shows the measured pH level with two decimal places.
6. Calibration works with one of the following calibration sets:
pH 4.01 and 7.00 or “4/7”
pH 7.00 and 10.00 or “7/10”
pH 3.00 and 7.00 or “3/7”

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Vinmetrica recommends use of the 4/7 set provided with the kit.
7. The pH electrode: The pH electrode should always be kept in the liquid storage bottle with
plenty of storage solution (pH electrode storage solution; Part Number SC-200-10) when not in
use. If there is an odor or if the liquid is cloudy or moldy, or you suspect the electrode storage
solution has been compromised please replace it immediately. Over time, improper storage of
the electrode can damage its functionality.
Procedures:
Calibration of pH:
1. Be sure the pH electrode is attached to the unit, then select CAL mode by pressing the MODE
button until the “CAL” LED illuminates.
2. Choose a calibration set of solutions that corresponds to the range you are working in. Usually
for wine this will be at pH values below 4, so use the 4/7 set. If you have a source of a pH 3.00
reference solution, you can use this in place of pH 4.
3. Rinse the electrode with DI water, shake or blot off excess liquid gently, and place the electrode
into a small vessel (you can use the Reference Solution cap) containing the pH 7.00 reference
solutions. Gently stir or agitate the solution continuously.
IMPORTANT! Always keep the electrode moving in the solution during calibration and
measurement; letting it sit static will cause drift and inaccurate readings!
4. The instrument will determine which calibration solution is being used, and will display the
apparent pH value. This may be different by as much as 0.40 from the value of the reference
solution (e.g. the LCD may display 7.40 when the pH electrode is sitting in the pH 7.00
reference solution). When the pH level is sensed as stable, the nominal value is shown on the
display, flashing, and the “CAL” LED flashes to convey that calibration for this value is ready.
Press the ENTER button to accept the calibration.
5. The display stops flashing, scrolling the message 'Good CAl', and four beeps are rapidly
sounded to indicate success. [Note: if an error occurs during this process, the message 'BAd
CAl' will scroll and a single beep will sound; the instrument will then continue to wait for a
stable pH level. Repeat step 4.] Following the 'Good CAl' message, the display will now show
the calibrated pH value.
6. Now rinse the electrode again and place it in the second member of the calibration set (e.g., pH
4.01 reference solution). Repeat the process to get a second 'Good CAl' message. Exit into pH
or TA mode.

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Measuring pH:
1. Make sure the pH electrode is attached. Calibrate it as described above, if necessary. Select pH
mode with the MODE button.
2. Rinse the pH electrode with DI water. Gently shake off or carefully blot away excess liquid.
3. Place the electrode in the solution to be tested and stir or agitate gently in a constant manner.
Be careful not to let the electrode strike any surfaces.
4. Allow the pH reading to stabilize, stirring or gently agitating continuously. Typically this takes
about 10-15 seconds. Read the pH value on the display.
Measuring Titratable Acidity (TA) by Titration:
1. Sample pretreatments: If you are working with a sample of must, we recommend homogenizing
your sample in a blender before proceeding. Take 100 mL or more of your must and put it in a
blender on high for 30 seconds. Allow solids to settle for 2 minutes before sampling or use a
cheese cloth or mesh strainer to remove solids.
If your sample has appreciable outgassing of CO2, as in a sparkling wine or newly-fermenting
must, degas the sample by repeated shaking, then venting, in a closed small jar or sample bottle
until no more gas evolves.
2. Fill the syringe with the TA Titrant (0.133N NaOH). Expel bubbles and set the plunger on the
syringe to a readable point, preferably the 5.0 mL point. [Note: the 5.0 mL setting allows
determination of up to 10 g/L TA in a standard 5 mL wine sample.] If you are using the burette,
use the syringe to dispense the TA titrant into the top of the burette. Make sure the burette
stopcock is in the closed (the red handle is horizontal) position. When filling the burette make
sure the TA titrant has completely filled the bottom of the burette including the tip. Sometimes
bubbles can be trapped in the tip of the burette but can usually be dislodged by opening and
closing the stopcock while the burette is above a waste container. If you spill any TA titrant on
the outside of the burette, be sure to clean it up with a paper towel or dry rag. If the spilled
titrant is not cleaned from the outside of the burette you may introduce these spilled titrant
droplets into the wine sample leading to an inaccurate reading. Be sure to record your starting
burette or syringe volume.
Caution: the TA Titrant is caustic and can cause damage to clothing, skin and eyes. We
recommend use of laboratory safety glasses and latex or nitrile gloves during this
procedure. If any solutions contact skin or eyes, flush with plenty of water.

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3. Place 5.0 mL wine or must in the titration vessel (100 mL polypropylene beaker). We
recommend using the 5 mL pipette provided in the kit: draw sample up to the 0 mL mark, then
dispense the sample into your titration vessel by letting the tip of the pipette touch the side of
the vessel while the sample drains. For best accuracy, do not blow out the liquid that remains in
the tip. Add about 15 ml of deionized (DI) water or distilled water).
4. Turn on the instrument. Make sure the pH electrode is attached. If necessary, calibrate it as
described above. Select TA mode with the MODE button.
5. If you are using a magnetic stirrer, place the stir bar in the plastic beaker, set the beaker on top
of the magnetic stirrer and turn on the magnetic stirrer. Be sure the stir bar will not strike the electrode
in the following steps. If you have an electrode holder, adjust the height.
Optional: The magnetic stirrer has two modes. Pressing the "light bulb" button on the magnetic stirrer
activates a light underneath the sample and the stirrer. The power button activates just the stirrer. After
pressing either button, the stirrer remains active for 60 seconds, a feature to conserve its batteries. If
during the titration it turns off, simply press the button again for it to continue. We recommend using
the light mode because it helps us indicate when the stirrer stops. Plus when doing TA titrations
watching the wine turn from deep red to dark green is cool!
Note: When using the magnetic stirrer, be sure that the electrode does not touch the spinning stir bar as
there is a chance that it can damage the glass bulb of the pH electrode. If you are using the Vinmetrica
Electrode Holder, adjust the electrode’s height so that its probe end is above the level of the stir bar.
6. Rinse the electrode briefly with DI water. Insert the electrode into the titration beaker so that the
tip is fully submerged to just above the circulation gaps (cutouts at the tip of the electrode).
7. If you are stirring manually, begin now; use a moderate swirling motion. If the electrode is not
held in a stand, hold it against the side of the beaker with one finger and grasp the beaker with
the remaining fingers so that the two move together while swirling (Figure 4).
Figure 4. Manual stirring
technique. Hold the
electrode against the side of
the titration beaker and
swirl gently; add TA Titrant
with other hand.

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8. Verify that the pH is less than 7 and the green “PROCEED” LED is lit. If the pH is greater than
this, there is a problem. Stop and check your sample and equipment.
9. Titrate the sample by adding the TA Titrant drop wise from the syringe or burette, being sure to
note the starting volume mark on the syringe or burette. During the titration, the pH will
gradually rise from its starting value (below 4 usually). As you approach pH 7, go slowly in
adding successive drops of titrant so as not to overrun the endpoint. Be sure to mix thoroughly
after each successive drop of titrant and keep the solution mixing constantly. Take the endpoint
as the first addition of TA Titrant that causes the pH to stay above the TA endpoint (8.2 or 7.0,
depending on your setup; see Appendix A -Test Mode, section 16) for longer than 15 seconds.
The red "STOP" LED and the beeper will provide additional indication of the endpoint. Read
the endpoint volume off of the syringe or burette. To silence the beeper after the endpoint,
select pH mode.
10. Calculate the TA value as:
𝑻𝑨 ( 𝒈/𝑳 𝑻𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒄)=𝑉 ∗ 0.133 ∗75
𝑆
where V = mL Titrant used to reach the endpoint; 0.133 = normality of the Titrant, S = mL
sample. If you use 5 mL of sample as directed, and the Titrant is 0.133 N as supplied, then the
calculation is simply
𝑻𝑨 = 𝟐 ∗ 𝑽 (𝑖. 𝑒. 2 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑠 𝑉)
Note: to express these values as % tartaric acid, divide by ten; e.g. if the TA is 7.1 g/L, that is
equivalent to 0.71 % tartaric acid.
Finishing up:
1. Turn off the instrument.
2. Be sure to rinse and store the pH electrode in its storage solution as directed under 'Setting up
the SC-200 for the first time' on page 3 of this manual (item 5).
3. Store all reagents tightly capped and away from heat and sunlight.
Technical assistance: [e-mail] tel. [phone]

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WARRANTIES AND LIABILITIES
1. The materials provided in the kit, as described on pages 1 and 2 above, (“Materials”) are
warranted as follows: The SC-200 instrument and non-reagent accessories are warranted
against defects in workmanship for 24 months from date of purchase. The reagents are
warranted to perform as described herein up until any stated expiration date or 6 months after
purchase, whichever is later. The pH electrode is warranted for 12 months. THE
WARRANTIES IN THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS ARE IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER
WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, NONINFRINGEMENT, OR FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE, SAID WARRANTIES BEING EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED.
2. Buyer agrees that its sole and exclusive remedy against Vinmetrica shall be limited to the
repair and replacement of Materials or parts of Materials, provided Vinmetrica is promptly
notified in writing, prior to the expiration of the warranty period specified above, of any
defect. Vinmetrica’s liability for any damages due Buyer shall be limited to the purchase price
of the Materials.
3. VINMETRICA'S MAXIMUM LIABILITY FOR ALL DIRECT DAMAGES, INCLUDING
WITHOUT LIMITATION CONTRACT DAMAGES AND DAMAGES FOR INJURIES TO
PERSONS OR PROPERTY, WHETHER ARISING FROM VINMETRICA’S BREACH OF
THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, BREACH OF WARRANTY, NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
LIABILITY, OR OTHER TORT WITH RESPECT TO THE MATERIALS, OR ANY
SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE MATERIALS, IS LIMITED TO AN AMOUNT
NOT TO EXCEED THE PRICE OF THE MATERIALS. IN NO EVENT SHALL
VINMETRICA BE LIABLE TO BUYER FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR
SPECIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION LOST REVENUES AND
PROFITS.
HAZARDS AND TOXICITY
All Materials offered by Vinmetrica are intended for use by individuals who are familiar with
laboratory procedures and their potential hazards. The Materials contain chemicals which may be
harmful if misused. Due care should be exercised with all Materials to prevent direct human contact.
Glassware can break and chemicals can splash during experiments; Always use safety glasses. We
strongly recommend using nitrile or latex gloves and wearing long pants, long sleeves and closed toed
shoes. Keep out of reach of children.
6084 Corte Del Cedro Suite 105, Carlsbad CA 92011
www.vinmetrica.com [phone] [e-mail]
Copyright 2010-20. Sportsman Consulting, LLC DBA Vinmetrica. All rights reserved.

SC-200 manual 10 Version 2.3c
Appendix A - Test Mode
Test Mode provides various special functions that may be useful in testing or adjusting the device, for
example, if troubleshooting is necessary.
5. To enter Test Mode, first turn off the instrument. Now press and hold the POWER button about
2-3 seconds, then release. You should now see the firmware version number. The latest version
3.2.E, or 3.1.3 on older models.
6. Test Mode is organized into sections. Press the POWER button briefly to move to the next section.
After the last section, Test Mode restarts the first.
7. Combinations of the yellow MODE LEDs are illuminated to indicate the section number as
shown in the table below.
8. The Stop LED (red) is illuminated when an error is detected by the instrument. The Proceed
LED (green) is illuminated to indicate no error detected. The green LED does not guarantee
proper functioning; it only indicates that no problem could be automatically detected.
9. To exit Test Mode, hold the POWER button down (5-10 seconds) until the instrument shuts off.
If the device does not shut off after 10 seconds of holding down the button, move to the next
section by releasing, then pressing again the POWER button briefly; then try to exit again.
Yellow
LEDs
Section
Equipment Required
Description
1. Version
None.
The version number of the instrument
firmware is displayed, e.g. 3.1.2
2. Burn-in
None
The instrument goes through a continuous
“burn-in” cycle, exercising sound, LEDs,
and display.
3. pH
pH probe or precision
voltage source. Do
not exceed +/- 0.5 V.
An uncalibrated pH level is shown in two
alternating parts. First, the integer portion
of pH level is shown (1 to 14). Next, three
decimal places are shown. Readings above
14.000 are shown as "---". Readings below
0.000 are shown as
" ___".
4. SO2
SO2 probe or SO2
probe simulator (e.g.,
500 kOhm resistor)
[NA] The SO2 current in nanoamperes is
displayed. For values under 10, one
decimal place is shown.
5. pH Voltage
pH probe or precision
voltage source. Do
not exceed +/- 0.5 V.
The raw voltage output from the
instrument's pH amplifier is displayed as
X.XX volts. Readings can range from 0.00
to 4.10.
6.SO2 Voltage
SO2 probe or
SO2 probe simulator.
[NA] The raw voltage output from the
instrument's current amplifier is displayed
as X.XX volts. (.XXX if less than 1.00)