5
This is the AR6 Set Up screen. Use the
right/left arrow keys to select the set up
parameter you wish to change. Use the up/
down arrows to make the changes. The
following is a brief description of the
parameters and available options:
Baud Rate
Default 19,200 bps
Sets the baud rate of the RS232C serial port. Options
are 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600 and 19200 bps.
Calibrate Routine
Default Setting: 1 point
Selects 1 point 2, 3, 4 or 5 point calibration. The default
calibration is a 1 point water, or low refractive index
standard calibration. Up to 5 points may be selected.
Contact Reichert for additional certified calibration liquids.
Temp Disp
Default Setting: ON
ON - Instrument screen continually shows actual prism
temperature. OFF - Temperature is not displayed
continually, but shown only when READ or CALIBRATE
is pressed.
Channel
Default Setting: Channel 1 (Sucrose)
Options 1-15. Channel 1 is the default “Brix” or
International Commission for Uniform Methods of Sugar
Analysis sucrose scale. Channels 2-15 are user
programmable channels. For directions and an
explanation of the necessity of custom channel
generation, please request the Technical Bulletin:
“Custom Channel Generation for the Automatic
Refractometer Line”. Be sure to notify the representative
that your instrument utilizes software version 12.6.
In Channel 1 the refractive index reading is converted to
% Solids as sucrose (Brix) when readings are taken in
the % Solids or % Solids - TC (temperature compen-
sated to 20°C) modes. In the refractive index – TC Mode
the reading is temperature compensated to a 20°C
reading based on the temperature coefficient of sucrose.
Scans
Default Setting: 128
Sets the number of times the linear array is scanned to
take a reading. Options are 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256. This
number represents the number of times the refractometer
actually analyzes the sample every time a “read” is
performed. The higher the number of scans, the more
precise the result will be. A higher number of scans will
require longer to accomplish. Typically 256 scans will take
approximately 14 seconds, whereas 8 scans will take 4
seconds. Any time the number of scans is changed, the
instrument must be re-initiated and re-calibrated.
Delay Timer
Default Setting: 0 seconds
Sets a delay timer from the time the “READ” or
“CALIBRATE” buttons are pushed until the actual
reading is taken. This parameter can be set from 15
seconds to 4 minutes in 15 second intervals. A
countdown timer is displayed on screen after pushing the
READ or CALIBRATE buttons when this
option is used.
Interval Timer
Default Setting: Off
This option allows the instrument to take readings at
definable intervals. The interval is set in HH:MM:SS
format Once activated and defined, the instrument will
continually take readings until a lock-out error occurs
such as a lack of sample, or until SETUP is pressed and
the option is disabled. The interval timer will begin its
countdown to the next reading once the current reading is
finished and the result is displayed. This feature is
mutually exclusive of the Delay Timer and
Auto
Equilibration feature.
Auto Equilibration
Default Setting: Off
Auto equilibration is a feature which will automatically
detect when the sample and prism have reached a
thermal equilibrium state. Thermal
equilibrium is essential for accurate
measurement of refractive index (and thus
% solids). This feature may be set from 1 to 10. This
translates into stability of temperature in 0.01 degree
increments. A higher number represents a looser
tolerance, a lower number represents a tighter tolerance.
When this feature is activated and a “READ” is initiated,
the instrument will begin monitoring the temperature. A
graph will be displayed of the dynamic well temperature.
Once the temperature stabilizes, the instrument will
automatically take the reading.
Sample Indexing
Default Setting: Off
Sample readings can be easily labeled and numbered. To
activate, select the “on” setting and press “set up”. A
display will feature a section to enter the desired label
(alphabetic, numeric, and/or symbols), a section to define
reading increments, and an instruction section. Once the
labelling scheme is set, follow the instructions to see a
preview of the first ten readings. In this screen you will be
offered options to see the next 10 labels, re-define the
labeling, or exit and begin readings.
Calibration Tolerance
Default Setting: 1
The most common cause of calibration difficulties is the
condition of the prism. A refractometer is a high-precision
optical instrument Thoroughly clean the prism with soap
and water or alcohol, followed by a rinse with distilled
water. Wipe dry with a soft tissue or cloth. If you are still
having difficulty, increase the value of the calibration
tolerance. This will “loosen up” the instrument’s tolerance
for the calibration standard. It is important to verify that
the values of the calibration standards are equivalent to
those programmed into the instrument Be aware that
every solution has a unique refractive index and
