4
Meter Operation
The HydroSCOUT meter is fully factory calibrated and is ready to operate. Each time the meter is turned on, the micro-
processor recalibrates the pressure transducer to zero and performs a QC check on the output voltage. While these
checks are being preformed, relevant information on the meter will be displayed such as the software version loaded
into memory and the current selected measurement program. The meter also has other built-in QC checks to verify
measurement integrity (see “Error Codes” below).
Turning the Meter On
Press the <ON> key to turn the meter on. The software version will then be displayed for 5 seconds (-E30-,
-E34-, etc.) followed by the currently selected measurement program (“
A 0-20%
”
,
“
b 1-100%
”, “
c ind
”, etc.).
When the meter has completed all QC checks, the display reads “
tUbE
”, indicating that the meter is ready to
read a sample (NOTE: It may take a few seconds to zero the sensor and for the display to read “
tUbE
”).
Making a Measurement
The factory default program is Program A. To make measurements using the default program or the currently
selected program: insert the reaction tube into the bottom of the meter until it seats firmly, press the <READ>
key and allow the meter to stand upright until the result is displayed. The results are displayed in the units
appropriate to the selected program, preceded by the program letter.
NOTE: THE METER MUST BE
KEPT UPRIGHT WHEN A MEASUREMENT IS MADE. INVERTING THE METER WHILE A
TUBE IS INSERTED CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE PRESSURE TRANSDUCER.
Selecting a Program
To select a new program, press the <ON> key once the meter has completed a reading or after the meter has
been turned on and has completed all QC checks (display reads “
tUbE
”). The display will change to the next
program in the list after displaying the current program, e.g., “
b 1-100
%
”, indicating that Program B has been
selected. Press the <ON> key to scroll through the available programs from A to G followed by “
OFF
” and
then, back to “
A 0-20
%
” again. Press the <READ> key at any point to fix the selection at the displayed
program or to turn the meter off when “
OFF
” is displayed. To begin using the selected program, press the
<READ> key and the meter will reset to zero and display “
tUbE
”. The meter is now ready to read a sample.
NOTE: AN ERROR WILL RESULT IF THE METER IS TURNED ON OR THE PROGRAM IS CHANGED
WHILE A REACTION TUBE IS IN THE METER.
Turning the Meter Off
The HydroSCOUT meter will turn off automatically after 5 minutes of non-use. To turn off manually, push
the <ON> key until the meter displays “
OFF
” and then push the <READ> key.
Error Codes
The HydroSCOUT performs several QC checks each time the unit is turned on and during each reading to verify that
the displayed result is valid. Each time the meter is turned on the pressure transducer output is measured and compared
to acceptable values. A high voltage causes an “
Err l
” code to be displayed indicating that a tube has been left in the
meter while turning it on. (An “
Err l
” displayed with no tube in place indicates that the transducer has been damaged.)
A low voltage causes an “
Err 2
” code to be displayed indicating that the pressure transducer has been damaged and
must be serviced. If the voltage is acceptable, the meter then sets zero and is ready to take readings by displaying the
word “
tUbE
”. During readings of samples, the pressure is measured a number of times and the trends are analyzed. If
the readings are trending upward, the pressure is re-measured and re-analyzed. If this pattern continues, an “
Err 3
”
code is displayed indicating that the reaction is not complete and the reading should be repeated. If the pressure is
trending downward, an “
Err 5
” code is displayed indicating that the tube is leaking and that the sample testing should
be re-run from the start. Once a reading has stabilized, the result is calculated and displayed. If the pressure is outside
of the linear range, an “
Err 4
” code will be displayed indicating that the sample should be rerun using a smaller sample
size or a dilution technique and a different program. (See Table 1)
