YSI YSI-ProDSS User manual

MULTIMETER: YSI-ProDSS
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
•YSI-ProDSS multimeter
•data sheet, clipboard, pencil
Note: The ambient temperature range over
which the battery pack can be discharged is -
2 °C to 6 °C (-4°F to 14 °F). Use of the battery
pack outside of this temperature range may
damage the performance of the battery pack or
reduce its life expectancy.
INITIAL INSTRUMENT PREPARATION:
1. CABLE CONNECTION
Inspect the cable connection between the
handheld meter and the cable. If cable is not
connected to the meter, make sure t e
connectors are clean and dry before
connecting!
If connecters are clean and dry,
align the keys on the cable assembly connector
with the slots on the instrument connector. Push
together firmly, and then
twist the outer ring
clockwise until it locks
into place. The metal pin
should “snap” into place
and be visible through
small hole in the outer
ring (see image).
2. SENSORS AND GUARD CHECK
If any of the individual sensors are not
connected, refer to “Settings and
Troubleshooting” section for sensor installation.
If there is an empty “slot” with no sensor
installed, a port plug or sensor must be
installed or t e bulk ead will be damaged!
1. Remove calibration cup: firmly hold the
calibration cup with one hand and twist the
cup’s retaining nut counterclockwise until it
loosens (no need to keep turning; once it is
loose you can remove it). Remove the cup
and set aside in a clean, dry place.
2. Firmly hold the bulkhead with one hand and
turn the sensor guard counter-clockwise until
completely unthreaded. Set aside the sensor
guard in a clean dry place. Use caution
once t e sensors are exposed!
3. Conduct a quick visual inspection of the
sensors; clean any debris on the sensor tips
with a lint-free cloth and rinse with water .
Carefully “test” the connection of each sensor
by grasping the sensor near the bulkhead
between your thumb and finger, and try to
turn the sensor to determine if it is loose. If
the sensor moves or twists at all (sensors
should firmly be in place), reconnect the
sensor guard and inform the team leader.
(See “Settings and Troubleshooting” section
under “Sensor Installation”.) If sensors are
firmly in place, proceed to next step.
4. Carefully slide the sensor guard over the
sensors and push it toward the bulkhead until
the sensor guard threads align with the
bulkhead threads. Carefully finger-tighten
the sensor guard clockwise.
NOTE: If any resistance is felt, loosen the
sensor guard completely to prevent cross-
threading. Incorrect installation may cause
damage to the sensor guard or bulkhead.

PREPARING FOR SAMPLING:
1. Turn on the meter by pushing the power
key . (To turn off the meter, hold down
the power key for 1.5 seconds.) If the meter
does not turn on, inform the team leader and
see the “Settings and Troubleshooting”
section under “Battery Troubleshooting”.
C arging t e Internal Li-Ion Battery Pack
Use YSI designated charging equipment only!
If the battery is not charged, the meter must be
charged from the AC power adapter (strongest
charge source) , directly from a computer USB
connection, or from an external, portable USB
battery pack. When using the AC adapter, turn
the unit on first so it recognizes the AC adapter.
Once the charging signal appears on the screen,
it can be turned off. It takes approximately 14
hours to charge the ProDSS battery with the unit
turned off. For maximum battery life, if practical,
don’t charge until the battery is ≤4 %, and bring
the battery back up to ≥8 %.
Expected battery life:
• 2 hours at 25% (default) LCD brightness
• 14 hours at 1 % LCD brightness
2. The main display, or “Run” screen, will
appear. Take note of the battery charge at
the top right, displayed as a percentage. If
the charge is low, inform your team leader.
3. Study the main “Run” screen. Confirm the
following:
•The battery charge is >1 %. If not, inform
your team leader.
•The date and time are correct:
The date and time should be displayed at
the top of the screen; if not, refer to the
“Settings and Troubleshooting” section
under “Date/Time”.
•Logging is correct:
At the top of the screen in the green bar,
it should read “Log One Sample”; if not,
refer to the “Settings and
Troubleshooting” section under “Logging
Data”.
•Individual parameter units are correct:
temperature - °C
barometer – inHg
dissolved oxygen saturation – DO %
dissolved oxygen concentration –DO mg/L
specific conductivity (at 25 °C)–SPC µS/cm
salinity – SAL ppt
turbidity – FNU
If any parameters are not displayed or do not
match the units on the Run screen (see photo
below), notify your team leader and refer to
the “Settings and Troubleshooting” section
under “Sensor Display Details”.
Pro
-
DSS main display:
1. Logging mode—Single
(“One Sample”) or
Continuous (“Start
Logging”)
2. Current screen/menu
3. Date/Time
4. GPS signal indicator
5. Battery charging
indicator
6. Battery charge %
7. USB/PC connection
indicator
8. Scroll bar
9. Message area
1 .Displayed
measurements

Field Procedures 3 17
th
Edition, 2 15
4. Select Site and Data ID:
a) Select the System button , and then
select logging.
b) Before selecting a site and data ID, make
sure the Use Site List and Use Data ID List
check boxes have been selected
c) Select Site [site name] . Scroll down until
you find the desirable site, and hit Enter.
d) Select Data ID [sample type] . Scroll down
until you find the desirable sample type
(Primary Sample or Replicate).
e) Hit Escape to return to the Run Menu.
NOTE: You will generally change the site
settings and sample type for each set of
readings you take.
5. Place the probe in the stream. Set the meter
in a safe place on the bank for about 1
minutes to let the meter warm up and the
probe stabilize to stream temperature. If you
can safely place the probe at your sampling
location (see below), you may do so.
SAMPLING:
1. Place t e probe at t e sampling point:
Standing downstream or to the side of the
probe, place it in the current facing
downstream, in a place with steady flow,
adequate depth, good mixing, and no surface
turbulence. Do not sample downstream
of w ere your team as disturbed t e
bottom.
2. Stabilize and log readings:
After the probe has acclimated to the stream
conditions, turn on the Auto Stable feature:
a) Hit the probe button , then select Auto
Stable.
b) Confirm the following:
- Parameters are set to [on] (pH is in ISE)
- Continuous Mode and Log Samples boxes
are checked
- Sample Period(s) is set to [12]
- Sample Count is set to [1 ].
AutoStable screen should match the image
below:
c) Scroll to the bottom of the screen and
select Start Auto Stable.
On the Run Screen there will be a flashing
red symbol next to each parameter that
was selected for Auto Stable. Wait until
these flashing red symbols become green;
at this point the sensors have stabilized.
Once all the parameters have stabilized,
press Enter to log a reading.
Jumping Turbidities: If t e water ain’t clear
… you may see turbidities jumping up and down
and not stabilizing, reflecting natural conditions
of the water. In such a case, you’ll have to
watch the turbidity readings over a period of
several minutes and estimate the average, to the
nearest whole number. You should consider
both the extremes and the most frequent
numbers. It’s possible to collect a basketful of
real-time measurements and then average them
later at the office, but that would involve another
protocol which we haven’t written yet!
3. If you’re taking replicates at t is site:
Remove probe from stream, shake off water,
and replace in stream. Then:

a) From the Run Screen, select the
System button .
b) Scroll down and select Logging. In the
Logging menu, select Data ID and select
Replicate.
c) Exit back to the Run Screen and collect
and record a second reading (same as
above). NOTE: Don’t forget to switch
the Data ID back to Primary in preparation
for the next site.
4. Remove the probe from the stream. Fill the
calibration cup with ~2” of clean water
(stream water if clear, purified if not) and
tighten. If you plan to do a DO drift check,
loosely screw the cup onto the bulkhead to
allow for atmospheric venting and keep the
probe in an upright position in the shade.
5. Record t e meter number , if the data
sheet directs you to do so. If you are not
submitting the data to Clallam County, record
the latest calibration dates for DO (“Winkler”),
pH, conductivity, turbidity, and temperature.
Select the File button , select View GLP,
and scroll through to see when the
instrument was last calibrated.
6. Record t e data: Select the File button
and then select View Data and Show
Data. (If no data is displayed, make sure you
have the right date and time entered at the
bottom.) Scroll down until you find the
proper site and data ID (Primary Sample or
Replicate). Then record the readings on your
data sheet, in the following order, using our
rounding convention as necessary (see
Quality Assurance protocol):
a) Temperature: to nearest .1°C
b) Pressure: to nearest . 1 inHg
c) DO % Saturation: to nearest .1%
d) DO Concentration: to nearest .1 mg/L
e) Specific Conductivity: to nearest whole
µS (microSiemens)
f) Salinity: to nearest .1 ppt (parts per
thousand)
g) pH: to nearest .1
h) Turbidity: to nearest whole FNU
7. If you performed replicates, record those
readings as well, and check the “Water
Chemistry—General” protocol to see if your
pairs of readings are within the acceptable
precision limits; resample as needed.
8. Record time and full initials of a single
sampler taking responsibility for the data; this
should be someone who has been properly
trained (see “Quality Assurance” protocol).
9. DO drift c eck—optional, but desirable to
perform while “getting to know” the instru-
ment, until we’re completely confident in it:
a) Hit Esc to return to the “Run” Screen to
view the DO% saturation. If you haven’t
already, fill the calibration cup with ~2” of
clean water (stream or purified), and allow
the probe to stabilize:
STABILIZATION CRITERION: During
a period of 2 minutes, bot DO Sat %
and temp (°C) stay wit in 0.1 of t eir
initial readings.
b) Do NOT hit any buttons on the meter.
When stabilization is reached, you’ll want
the DO % Saturation reading to be
between 98-1 2%; if not, you’ll need to
re-calibrate the meter and re-take the
readings, or your data may be flagged as
“estimated” or “rejected”.
c) If the stabilized DO % Saturation reading
is satisfactory, record it to the nearest
.1%.
d) Record the time and sampler’s initials.
1 .Turn off t e meter, fully tig ten t e
calibration cup and place the unit in the
field bag.
COMMON SENSE AND EXPECTED RANGES:
Please compare your readings with the
expected ranges on the datasheet. If you’re outside
the expected range, consider re-sampling or
troubleshooting with your fellow samplers.
Conductivity readings in particular have a
nasty habit of being wacky. Stream conductivity is
rarely lower than 25 µS. If your readings are lower
than this, you might not have held the probe
completely underwater. Try taking another set of
readings.

ProDSS Settings & Troubles ooting
Table of Contents:
1. Sensor, Port Plug, Guard Installation
•Sensor installation
•Port Plug Installation
•Sensor Guard Installation
2. Battery Pack Troubleshooting
3. System Settings
•Date/Time
•Logging Data
•Sensor Display Details
4. DO Calibration
1. SENSOR, PORT PLUG, GUARD
INSTALLATION
Perform sensor/port plug installation in a clean,
dry environment; do not install in t e field!
The ports on the ProDSS bulkhead are universal;
therefore, you can install any sensor into any
port. For highest accuracy, always install a
conductivity/temperature sensor to compensate
all measurement data for temperature and
dissolved oxygen data for conductivity.
Before installing a sensor or port plug,
make sure t at t e sensor and
bulk ead
connectors are clean and dry.
If there is
an empty “slot” with no sensor or port plug
installed, a port plug or sensor must be
installed or t e bulk ead will be
damaged!
Equipment needed for sensor/port plug
installation:
•Sensor(s) and or port plug(s)
•Bulkhead
•Krytox or silicone o-ring lubricant
•Sensor installation/removal tool
•Lint-free cloth
Sensor Installation
1. Inspect the bulkhead port for contamination.
If the port is wet, carefully dry with a lint-free
cloth.
2. Apply a thin coat of lubricant to the sensor o-
rings. Wipe off any excess lubricant with a
lint-free cloth.
3. Carefully align the sensor and bulkhead
connectors by inserting the sensor into the
port and then gently rotating the sensor until
the connectors align. Once aligned, push the
sensor toward the bulkhead until the sensor
seats in the port.
4. Carefully finger-tighten the retaining nut
clockwise. NOTE: If any resistance is felt,
loosen the retaining nut completely to
prevent cross-threading. Incorrect installation
may cause damage to the sensor or bulkhead
that is not covered by the warranty.
5. Use the sensor installation/removal tool to
tighten the retaining nut clockwise until snug,
about a ¼ to ½ additional turn of the
retaining nut. NOTE: Do not over-tighten the
retaining nut. Over-tightening can cause
damage to the sensor or bulkhead not
covered by the warranty.
Port Plug Installation
If there is an empty slot in the bulkhead, install a
port plug. Never submerge t e bulk ead
wit out a sensor or port plug installed in
all ports!
1. Apply a thin coat of lubricant to the o-rings
on the plug port. Wipe off any excess
lubricant with a lint-free cloth.

2. Insert the port plug into the empty port and
press until firmly seated.
3. Finger-tighten the port plug clockwise to
install. If necessary, use the sensor
installation tool to make sure that the plug is
fully seated into the port.
NOTE: The o-rings will not be visible if a port
plug is correctly installed. Do not over-
tighten the port plug; over-tightening can
cause damage to the port plug or bulkhead
not covered by the warranty.
Sensor Guard Installation
Without the sensor guard, the sensors are
extremely vulnerable to environmental damage.
1. Carefully slide the sensor guard over the
sensors and bulkhead. Push the sensor guard
toward the bulkhead until the sensor guard
threads align with the bulkhead threads.
2. Carefully finger-tighten the sensor guard
clockwise.
NOTE: If any resistance is felt, loosen the sensor
guard completely to prevent cross-threading.
Incorrect installation may cause damage to the
sensor guard or bulkhead that is not covered by
the warranty.
2. BATTERY PACK
TROUBLESHOOTING
If the instrument is not turning on, do the
following:
1. Attempt to charge the unit: Using YSI
charging equipment only, plug unit into
the AC adapter with the USB connector.
If this does not power on the unit, proceed
to next step.
2. Remove battery pack cover and examine
battery pack (see figure below):
NOTE: Do not remove t e battery pack if
it is ot to t e touc , is producing an
odd odor, or is leaking a fluid. Removing
and examining the battery pack needs to be
done with extreme care by a team leader
and in a dry, clean place, preferably not in
t e field!
a) Remove the battery pack cover by
unscrewing (counter-clockwise) the
four screws with a flat or Phillips head
screwdriver (the retaining screws are
captured into the cover and are not
removable).
b) Inspect the battery pack; make sure
the battery pack connector is properly
connected to the instrument.
c) If the connectors do not appear to be
properly connected, grasp the battery
pack connector with two fingers and
pull the connector straight up to
disconnect and remove. Inspect the
connector and instrument pin
connectors for any debris or damage.
If the connectors look OK, align the
battery pack connector wire terminals
with the three instrument pins and
connect the battery pack.

d) If connectors look properly connected,
reinstall the battery cover and attempt
to charge the unit again. If the unit
still will not turn on, the battery pack
may need to be replaced. (Before
ordering a new battery pack, call YSI
at 8 .765.4974 and troubleshoot
problems with a ProDSS tech.)
e) If a new battery pack has been
ordered, refer to the YSI manual for
battery removal/disposal and
replacement.
3. SYSTEM SETTINGS
Date/Time
If the date and time are inaccurate, press the
system button , go to the Date/Time
submenu option, scroll down to Date and hit
Enter. In the numeric entry screen, use the
arrow keys to maneuver around. If entire date
needs to be corrected, click the delete entire
entry
key . If not, use the backspace key
to partially correct the date. After correcting
the date, hit Enter. Scroll down to Time and hit
Enter, then follow similar instructions as for date
correction to correct the time. When finished, hit
the Esc. or left arrow button until you are back to
the Run screen.
Logging Data
If the logging settings are inaccurate, press the
system button , scroll down to the logging
submenu option, go to the Continuous Mode,
and uncheck the box by pressing Enter. The box
should become unchecked . Press the Esc
button to return the Run Screen. In the green
bar at the top of the screen it should now read
“Log One Sample”.
Sensor Display Details
If there is a parameter not displayed on the Run
Screen, either the sensor is not installed
correctly, or it is not working properly. To check
if the sensor is installed properly, refer to the
above section on Sensor, Port Plug, Guard
Installation and carefully examine the sensors.
If the units do not match on the Run Screen, go
to the probe button and scroll down to
Display submenu and hit Enter. Scroll down
and select the desired parameter. A submenu
will appear with multiple parameter unit options;
select the proper unit (see protocol above) and
return to the Run Screen.
(see next page for DO calibration procedure)

Field Procedures 8 17
th
Edition, 2 15
Temperature sensor
4. DO Calibration
It would be unusual to have to calibrate the Pro-
DSS for DO in the field, but if you find that a drift
check fails, you can perform the following
procedure.
WARNING: Field-calibrating the Pro-DSS for
DO because of a failed drift check will probably
invalidate all readings taken with the instrument
since its last full in-office calibration, which may
impact the data taken by other sampling teams.
1. Rinse the sensors and calibration cup if they
have been in dirty water.
2. Make sure there are no water droplets on the
DO sensor cap or temperature sensor (see
photo below). With a Kimwipe or lint-free
cloth, carefully wipe off any large droplets
from the DO sensor tip and the temperature
sensor by inserting the Kimwipe through the
open slots in the sensor guard. If large
droplets cannot be removed by wiping them
away through the guard, remove the sensor
guard to get to the sensors. Note that the
temperature sensor does not need to be
completely dry; drying the sensor at its base
is hard to do and is not necessary.
3. Pour a small amount of clean water (1/8
th
inch) gently down the side of the calibration
cup.
4. Gently insert the sensor and guard into the
calibration cup and partially tighten the
calibration cup to the bulkhead.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Do not fully tighten
the cup; atmospheric venting is required
for accurate calibration. Make sure the
DO and temperature sensors are not
submerged in water.
5. Set the unit aside right side up and wait 5 to
15 minutes for complete air saturation in the
cup chamber.
6. Select the Calibration button , then
select DO, then DO%.
7. Confirm stabilization by watching the actual
readings
on the screen; if DO% and Temp
remain within ± .1 for 2 minutes, the sensor
is stable.
8. After observing stabilization, press Accept
Calibration. “Calibration Successful!” will be
displayed on the screen.
NOTE: If you see a calibration error
message, verify the barometer reading and
inspect the sensor cap. Clean and/or replace
the sensor cap as needed (see the separate
Maintenance protocol).