YSI 550 DO Operation Manual Download Page 5

YSI Incorporated

YSI 550 DO Handheld Instrument

3

SECTION 1 GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The YSI 550 Handheld Dissolved Oxygen Instrument is a rugged, micro-processor based, digital
instrument with a field-replaceable YSI dissolved oxygen probe. The YSI 550 DO Instrument is
impact-resistant and waterproof.

The YSI 550 DO Instrument is designed for field use and is available with cable lengths of 12 or 25
feet. The body of the probe has been manufactured with stainless steel to add rugged durability and
sinking weight. The large Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) is easy to read and is equipped with a
back-light for use in dark or poorly lighted areas.

The YSI 550 DO Instrument’s micro-processor allows the system to be easily calibrated with the
press of a few keys. Additionally, the micro-processor performs a self-diagnostic routine each time
the instrument is turned on. The self-diagnostic routine provides you with useful information about
the function of the instrument circuitry and the quality of the readings you obtain. For a list of these
diagnostic features, see Section 6, Troubleshooting.

The system displays temperature in either  

o

C or 

o

F by pressing the MODE key and the down arrow

at the same time. The instrument also displays dissolved oxygen in either mg/L (milligrams per
liter) or % air saturation. The system requires only a single calibration regardless of which
dissolved oxygen display you use, however, it will calibrate in mg/L or % saturation. You can
switch back and forth from % air saturation to mg/L with a single push of the MODE key.

A detachable calibration chamber is mounted to the back of the instrument. A small sponge in the
chamber can be moistened to provide a water saturated air environment which is ideal for air
calibration. This chamber is also designed for transporting and storing the probe. When the probe is
stored in the chamber, the moist environment will prolong effective membrane performance and
probe life.

The YSI 550 DO Instrument is powered by 4 C-size alkaline batteries. A new set of alkaline
batteries will provide approximately 2000 hours of continuous operation. When batteries need to be
replaced, the LCD will display a "LO BAT" message. When the LO bat message appears, the
instrument will have approximately 50 hours of life left, depending on how much the back light is
used. If the backlight is used often, the batteries will be depleted quicker.

The YSI 550 DO Instrument case is waterproof with an IP-67 rating. The YSI 550 DO Instrument is
100% corrosion proof and can be operated in a wet environment without damage to the instrument.

1.1 KEYPAD LAYOUT

The YSI 550 DO keypad consists of six keys. See Figure 1. 
There are four function keys, and up and down arrow keys. The
top left key that has a green circle and line is the ON/OFF key.
The top right key is the backlight. The bottom left is the Mode
key, and the bottom right is the Enter key. 

Figure 1

Summary of Contents for 550 DO

Page 1: ...YSI 550 Handheld Dissolved Oxygen and Temperature System Operations Manual ...

Page 2: ......

Page 3: ...N 7 3 2 CHOOSING THE RIGHT MEMBRANE 7 3 3 PROBE PREPARATION 7 3 4 MEMBRANE CAP INSTALLATION 7 3 5 PROBE OPERATION AND PRECAUTIONS 8 3 6 PROBE MAINTENANCE 9 3 7 HOW TO REPLACE THE DO PROBE TIP 10 SECTION 4 CALIBRATION 12 4 1 BEFORE YOU CALIBRATE 12 4 2 THE CALIBRATION PROCESS 12 SECTION 5 PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION 15 SECTION 6 TROUBLESHOOTING 17 SECTION 7 WARRANTY AND REPAIR 19 APPENDIX A SPECIFICATI...

Page 4: ...ii ...

Page 5: ...bration regardless of which dissolved oxygen display you use however it will calibrate in mg L or saturation You can switch back and forth from air saturation to mg L with a single push of the MODE key A detachable calibration chamber is mounted to the back of the instrument A small sponge in the chamber can be moistened to provide a water saturated air environment which is ideal for air calibrati...

Page 6: ...anything else please complete the Warranty Card and return it to YSI Incorporated Your purchase of this quality instrument will then be recorded in YSI s customer database Once your purchase is recorded you will receive prompt efficient service in the event any part of your YSI 550 DO Instrument should ever need repair 2 3 BATTERIES There are a few things you must do to prepare your YSI 550 DO ins...

Page 7: ...e display can be easily read Pushing the LIGHT key again will turn the back light off The light will power off automatically after two minutes of non use 2 5 CHANGING THE TEMPERATURE UNITS The YSI 550 DO Instrument can display the temperature units in either Fahrenheit or Celsius To change the units that are displayed turn the instrument on Pressing both the down arrow key and the mode key at the ...

Page 8: ...nstrument with minimum effort If the hand strap is adjusted correctly it is unlikely that the instrument will be easily dropped or bumped from your hand The YSI 550 DO Instrument s hand strap can be conveniently used from either side of the instrument To switch the hand strap from one side to the other simply pull the two velcro strips apart Pull the strap free of the upper and lower hooks and the...

Page 9: ...with the YSI 550 DO Instrument This kit contains six cap membranes and a bottle of electrolyte solution YSI recommends the 5906 membranes for all applications 3 3 PROBE PREPARATION The YSI 550 DO probe is shipped dry Before using the YSI 550 the protective membrane cap on the probe tip must be removed the new membrane cap must be filled with electrolyte solution and installed Follow the instructio...

Page 10: ... readings are a result of loose wrinkled damaged or fouled membranes or from large more than 1 8 diameter bubbles in the electrolyte reservoir If erratic readings or evidence of membrane damage occurs you should replace the membrane and the electrolyte solution The average replacement interval is two to four weeks 3 If the membrane is coated with oxygen consuming e g bacteria or oxygen producing o...

Page 11: ...layer and restore proper performance The cleaning can be chemical or mechanical Chemical cleaning Remove the membrane cap and soak the entire anode section in a 14 ammonium hydroxide solution for 2 to 3 minutes followed by a thorough rinsing with distilled or deionized water The anode should then be thoroughly wiped with a wet paper towel to remove the residual layer from the anode Mechanical clea...

Page 12: ...e side of the DO sensor module see figure 1 Turn the wrench counter clockwise and remove the screw You do not have to remove the screw all the way to release the sensor 4 Pull the DO sensor out of the module The DO sensor is keyed or has a flat side so that it can not be removed improperly 5 Insert the new probe Make sure that the inside of the module and the o ring of the sensor are clean with no...

Page 13: ...e installed Follow the instructions below to install the electrolyte solution and membrane CAUTION Make sure that you do not cross thread the screw Use the hex key wrench to tighten the screw in properly making sure that the screw does not stick out on either side of the cable end The probe guard will not thread on properly and damage may result if the screw is allowed to stick out on either side ...

Page 14: ... If you observe this interference please relocate the probe cable away from heavy industrial equipment power and control cables or communications equipment cables which may be causing the interference To accurately calibrate the YSI 550 you will need to know the following information The approximate salinity of the water you will be analyzing Fresh water has a salinity of approximately zero Seawat...

Page 15: ...the mg L mode or the air saturation mode by pressing the MODE key If you are working in a dark area and have difficulty reading the LCD press the LIGHT key to activate the back light of the YSI 550 The ON OFF key turns the instrument on or off For best results Each time the YSI 550 DO Instrument is turned off re calibrate before taking measurements Calibrate at a temperature within 10 C of the sam...

Page 16: ...MODE key the LIGHT key and the ON OFF key You can move back and forth from reading dissolved oxygen in the mg L mode or the air saturation mode by pressing the MODE key If you are working in a dark area and have difficulty reading the LCD press and hold the LIGHT key to activate the back light of the YSI 550 The ON OFF key turns the instrument on or off For best results Each time the YSI 550 DO In...

Page 17: ...le is consumed during the test It is therefore essential that the sample be continuously stirred at the sensor tip If stagnation occurs your readings will be artificially low Stirring may be accomplished by mechanically moving the sample around the probe tip or by rapidly moving the probe through the sample The rate of stirring should be at least 1 foot per second DISCUSSION OF MEASUREMENT ERRORS ...

Page 18: ...less than 100 humidity The worst possible case would be calibration at 0 humidity The error varies with the calibration temperature as follows Temperature Calibration Error at 0 humidity 0o C 0 09 mg L 10o C 0 14 mg L 20o C 0 21 mg L 30o C 0 33 mg L 40o C 0 50 mg L APPROXIMATING THE ERROR It is unlikely that the actual error in any measurement will be the maximum possible error A better error appr...

Page 19: ...ing is incorrect C Probe not in 100 water saturated air during Cal procedure D Membrane fouled or damaged E Probe anode is fouled or dark F Probe cathode is tarnished G System requires service A Recalibrate w correct value 4 B Moisten sponge and place in Cal chamber w probe and Recal 2 4 C Replace membrane 3 4 D Clean anode 3 E Clean cathode 3 F Return system for service 7 5 LCD displays LO BAT or...

Page 20: ...ce 7 10 Secondary display reads Er 8 or Main display reads Er 7 A Sample temperature is more than 50o C 122o F B System requires service A Reduce the sample temperature B Recalibrate using correct altitude and salinity compensation 4 C Return system for service 7 11 Secondary display reads Er 9 or Main display reads Er 7 A Sample temperature is more than 50o C 122o F B System requires service A Re...

Page 21: ...rranty period or at least 90 days from date of repair or replacement Limitation of Warranty This Warranty does not apply to any YSI product damage or failure caused by i failure to install operate or use the product in accordance with YSI s written instructions ii abuse or misuse of the product iii failure to maintain the product in accordance with YSI s written instructions or standard industry p...

Page 22: ...ociates 212 E 2nd Street Suite 203 Pass Christian Mississippi 39571 Phone 800 333 2252 228 452 4612 Fax 228 452 2563 West Region EQUIPCO Sales and Service 1110 Burnett Avenue Suite D Concord CA 94520 Phone 800 550 5875 Fax 510 674 8655 t rt at St rda ra St arna rt arna rna t rna nnana aar r arand nntt d and aatt Hapr an rnt r an ndana n nn a r nnta rana ana pp aaa nn nt a aa ana raa St ata rt ata ...

Page 23: ...ding 6 5 6 13 Shinjuku Shinjuku ku Tokyo 160 Phone 81 3 5360 3561 Fax 81 3 5360 3565 SPECIALTY SERVICE CENTERS Aquaculture Aquatic Eco Systems Inc 1767 Benbow Court Apopka Florida Phone 407 886 3939 Fax 407 886 6787 Aquacenter 166 Seven Oaks Road Leland Mississippi 38756 Phone 601 378 2861 Fax 601 378 2862 Wastewater Q C Services P O Box 68 Harrison Maine 04040 Phone 207 583 2980 Q C Services P O ...

Page 24: ...st be taken to insure the safety of our service personnel 1 In a manner appropriate to each device decontaminate all exposed surfaces including any containers 70 isopropyl alcohol or a solution of 1 4 cup bleach to 1 gallon tap water are suitable for most disinfecting Instruments used with wastewater may be disinfected with 5 Lysol if this is more convenient to the user 2 The user shall take norma...

Page 25: ...___________________ City _______________ State ______ Zip ________ Country __________________ Model No of Device ______ Lot Number _________ Contaminant if known _____________________ Cleaning Agent s used _____________________ Radioactive Decontamination Certified Answer only if there has been radioactive exposure ___ Yes ___ No Cleaning Certified By _________________________ Name Date ...

Page 26: ...ichever is greater 0 2 C Range 0 20 mg L 0 200 air saturation 5 to 45 C temperature Resolution 0 01mg L 0 1 air saturation 0 1 C temperature Temperature Units Celsius or Fahrenheit user selectable Temperature Specifications Accuracy 0 3 C Range 5 to 45 C Resolution 0 1 C Altitude Compensation Yes Salinity Compensation Yes Temperature Compensation Automatic Power 4 alkaline C cells Size 4 7 in widt...

Page 27: ...ceiver plug the YSI Instrument into a different outlet so that the computer and receiver are on different branch circuits If necessary the user should consult the dealer or an experienced radio television technician for additional suggestions The user may find the following booklet prepared by the Federal Communications Commission helpful How to Identify and Resolve Radio TV Interference Problems ...

Page 28: ...ilable from YSI or any YSI Authorized Dealer YSI Model Number Description 559 Replacement DO Module 5906 6 Cap Membranes and Electrolyte Solution 5238 Probe Reconditioning Kit sanding tool and disks for cathode cleaning 5060 Carrying Case Soft sided 5080 Carrying Case Hard 5085 Hands Free Holster 5065 Leather Carrying Case 550 556 650 ...

Page 29: ...pt 20 0 ppt 36 1 ppt 25 0 ppt 45 2 ppt 0 0 14 62 13 73 12 89 12 10 11 36 10 66 1 0 14 22 13 36 12 550 11 78 11 07 10 39 2 0 13 83 13 00 12 22 11 48 10 79 10 14 3 0 13 46 12 66 11 91 11 20 10 53 9 90 4 0 13 11 12 34 11 61 10 92 10 27 9 66 5 0 12 77 12 02 11 32 10 66 10 03 9 44 6 0 12 45 11 73 11 05 10 40 9 80 9 23 7 0 12 14 11 44 10 78 10 16 9 58 9 02 8 0 11 84 11 17 10 53 9 93 9 36 8 83 9 0 11 56 ...

Page 30: ...5 6 51 6 18 28 0 7 83 7 44 7 08 6 73 6 40 6 09 29 0 7 69 7 32 6 96 6 62 6 30 5 99 30 0 7 56 7 19 6 85 6 51 6 20 5 90 31 0 7 43 7 07 6 73 6 41 6 10 5 81 32 0 7 31 6 96 6 62 6 31 6 01 5 72 33 0 7 18 6 84 6 52 6 21 5 91 5 63 34 0 7 07 6 73 6 42 6 11 5 82 5 550 35 0 6 95 6 62 6 31 6 02 5 73 5 46 36 0 6 84 3 52 6 22 5 93 5 65 5 38 37 0 6 73 6 42 6 12 5 84 5 56 5 31 38 0 6 62 6 32 6 03 5 75 5 48 5 23 39...

Page 31: ...E CONVERSION CHART To Convert From To Equation Feet Meters Multiply by 0 3048 Meters Feet Multiply by 3 2808399 Degrees Celsius Degrees Fahrenheit C 9 5 32 Degrees Fahrenheit Degrees Celsius F 32 5 9 Milligrams per liter mg L Parts per million ppm Multiply by 1 ...

Page 32: ...1700 1725 Brannum Lane Yellow Springs Ohio 45387 USA 800 765 4974 937 767 7241 FAX 937 767 9320 Item 655126 Drawing A655126 Revision A ...

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