Troubleshooting
Problem
Cause
Action
Power on but
no display
Batteries
Insert batteries
Batteries
Verify correct polarity
Batteries
Replace batteries
Unstable
readings
Electrode
Immerse electrode more deeply in sample
Electrode
Condition electrode before first use
Electrode
Remove air bubbles caught under
electrode
Electrode
Clean electrode
Electrode
Replace electrode
Slow
response
time or
reading drift
Clogged junction
Soak in 4.07M Potassium Chloride (KCl)
at 60°C for 30 minutes
Strong alkaline
measurement
Soak in 0.1M Hydrochloric acid (HCl)
overnight
Deteriorated gel layer
Replace electrode
Protein coating on
electrode surface
Soak in 1g Pepsin dissolved in 10 mL of
0.1M HCl for 30 minutes or as needed
Oil, paint, dyes,
suspended solids on
electrode
Rinse electrode alternately with materials
solvent then a buffer 7.00
Dry bulb
Dehydrated membrane,
long term storage
without wetting
Soak electrode tip in wetting cap filled
with 1 mL 7.00 buffer for 24-48 hours
Static charge Wiping electrode
Rinse electrode in 7.0 buffer and blot. Do
not wipe electrode
Same
readings in
different
buffers and
samples
Cracked or broken
electrode
Replace electrode. Use bulb guard. Avoid
plunging electrode into bottom of
container and stir bars.
Erratic LCD
display
Samples have low ionic
strength (lack salt); e.g.
distilled, deionized,
boiled, lake water (high
pressure)
For each 50 mL of sample add 1 drop (50
m
L) of saturated Potassium Chloride
(KCl). No alteration in pH will occur by
inert KCl.
Unexpected
readings
Buffers
Calibrate with fresh buffers
Buffers
Calibrate with buffers that bracket sample
pH
Display
frozen
HOLD function
Press MODE/HOLD or turn meter off
Button response
Remove batteries press ON/OFF button
for 3 seconds. Reinsert batteries (stored
data will be lost)
Steady “
-1
”
display
Wait
Reading not stable yet
13