General DSMM600 User manual
4-IN-1 SOIL CONDITION METER
USER’S MANUAL
DSMM600
Please read this manual carefully and thoroughly before using this product.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Key Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
What’s in the ackage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
roduct Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 –4
Setup Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Install Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Operating Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 –5
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Operating & Maintenance Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 –7
Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Return for Repair olicy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
INTRODUCTION
Thank you four purchasing eneral Tools & Instruments' ( eneral's) DSMM600
4-in-1 Digital Soil Condition Meter. Please read this manual carefully and
thoroughly before using the instrument.
The DSMM600 is ideal for measuring the temperature, pH and moisture content
of soil and the intensity of sunlight shining on it. The meter cannot accurately
gauge the intensity of grow lights because most light bulbs lack the full
spectral range of sunlight.
KEY FEATURES
• Measures soil pH and temperature
• Also gauges soil moisture content within 5 levels and sunlight intensity
within 9 levels
• Large backlit triple readout LCD
• °F/°C switch
• Auto Power Off
• Low battery indication
• CE approved
2
WHAT’S IN THE PACKAGE
The DSMM600 comes in a blister pack with this user’s manual inside the fold-
over card.
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Figure 1 shows the names and locations of the meter’s controls, indicators and
physical structures. Figure 2 shows all possible indications on the LCD.
Familiarize yourself with the labels, positions, and functions of all buttons and
switches and the meaning of all display indications before moving on to the
Setup Instructions and Operating Instructions.
A. pH/Temp switch (on back)
B. ON button
C. Moisture/pH/temperature sensor
D. Sunlight sensor
E. Backlit triple readout LCD
F. C/F OFF button
. Battery compartment (on back)
H. Sensor-tipped probe
I. Sensor cap
3
AD
E
F
H
I
B
G
C
Fig. 1. The DSMM600’s controls,
display and physical structures
A. Sunlight intensity readout
B. Indicates main readout
is showing pH
C. Main readout
D. Moisture level readout
E. Indicates main readout is
showing temperature
F. Low battery icon
SETUP INSTRUCTIONS
INSTALL BATTERY
To open the battery compartment, turn the meter over and lift the tab at the
bottom of the battery compartment cover (Fig. 1, Callout ). Remove the cover
and set it aside. Then plug a “9V” Alkaline battery into the wired socket inside
the compartment. The terminals of the battery and the socket mate in only one
way, with the smaller male terminal plugging into the larger female terminal.
Close the battery compartment by replacing its cover and snapping it shut.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
To power on the meter, press the ON button (Fig. 1, Callout B). The meter will
immediately display the sunlight intensity, moisture level and temperature of
the ambient environment on the three readouts (Fig. 2, Callouts A, D and C).
Note that the green LCD backlight comes on automatically when the meter
powers on. It will remain on for 90 seconds. To reactivate the backlight after
it goes out, briefly press (but do not hold) the C/F OFF button twice. The first
press will change the temperature unit from °F to °C and turn the backlight
back on. The second press will switch back to °F.
Also note that the meter will automatically power off after any 5-1/2 minute
period during which no front-panel buttons are pressed. This Automatic Power
Off (APO) function extends battery life.
4
!
Fig. 2. All possible
display indications
To power off the meter, press and hold the C/F OFF button for at least
3 seconds.
To measure the conditions of soil in a pot or garden plot, first remove the
protective sensor cap (Fig. 1, Callout I). Then insert the probe slowly and
vertically into the soil:
• For plants in pots less than 1 ft. in diameter, insert the probe halfway
between the plant stem and the edge of the pot. Be careful not to
damage delicate roots by inserting the probe close to a plant’s stem.
• For plants in larger pots, insert the probe one-third of the distance
between the stem and the edge of the pot.
• If the pot is deep, push the probe deeper—where plant roots are denser.
The upper and lower readouts of the DSMM600 are dedicated to sunlight and
moisture levels. The meter does not indicate the precise value of either level;
instead, it displays the “ballpark” range containing the current reading. The
Specifications section of this manual correlates the names of displayed ranges
(HGH-, NOR, WET+, for example) with the sunlight or moisture level value
measured. (NOR is shorthand for normal, HGH- and NOR- mean slightly less
than high and normal, NOR+ is slightly higher than normal, and WET+ and
DRY+ should be interpreted as extremely wet and dry.)
To maximize the accuracy of sunlight readings, point the light sensor at the top
front of the meter (Fig. 1, Callout D) toward the sun.
The middle (main) readout shows soil pH or soil temperature, depending on the
position of the switch at the top of the back of the meter body (Fig. 1, Callout A).
To display soil pH instead of soil temperature on the main readout, slide the
switch to the left (the pH position). Note that doing so causes the lower,
moisture level readout to disappear.
To resume showing soil temperature on the main readout, slide the pH/Temp
switch to the right. If the soil temperature is lower than 16°F (-9°C), Lo will
appear on the main readout. If the soil temperature is higher than 122°F
(50°C), HH will appear on the main readout.
5
SPECIFICATIONS
pH Measurement Range: 3.5 to 9.0
pH Accuracy and Resolution: ±0.5 pH units
Temperature Measurement Range: 16° to 122°F (-9° to 50°C)
Temperature Accuracy/Resolution: ±1.8°F (1°C)/1° (F or C)
Moisture Level Ranges: <5% (DRY+), 5 to 10% (DRY), 10 to 20%
(NOR), 20 to 30% (WET), >30% (WET+)
Light Level Ranges: <500 Lux (LOW-), 500 to 5000 Lux
(LOW), 5000 to 10,000 Lux (LOW+),
10,000 to 25,000 Lux (NOR-), 25,000 to
60,000 Lux (NOR), 60,000 to 80,000 Lux
(NOR+), 80,000 to 100,000 Lux (HGH-),
100,000 to 120,000 Lux (HGH),
>120,000 Lux (HGH+)
LCD Size: 1.8 in. (46mm) diagonal; main readout
has 0.48 in. (12mm) high digits
Auto Power Off Trigger: 5-1/2 minutes of front-panel inactivity
Backlight Duration: 90 seconds
Operating Temperature: 41° to 104°F (5° to 40°C)
@ 5 to 95%RH, non-condensing
Storage Temperature: -4° to 140°F (-20° to 60°C)
@ <85%RH (without battery)
Dimensions of Meter Body: 4.8 x 2.5 x 1.4 in. (122 x 63 x 36mm)
Dimensions of Probe
(Length x Diameter): 7.9 x 0.24 in. (200 x 6mm)
Weight (without battery): 2.9 oz. (81g)
Power Source: (1) “9V” Alkaline battery (not included)
OPERATING & MAINTENANCE TIPS
When the Low Battery icon appears in the center of the display (Fig. 2, Callout
F), it’s time to change the “9V” battery that powers the meter (although
measurements will remain valid for several hours after the icon first appears).
To change the battery, follow the instructions on p. 4.
Take the average of multiple measurements to improve accuracy.
6
Do not leave the probe inserted in soil longer than necessary to make a
measurement.
Do not drop the meter, bend the probe, or use the probe to break up clumps of
soil.
Wipe the probe clean with a soft, damp cloth and dry it before and after each
measurement.
Slide the sensor cap (Fig. 1, Callout I) over the end of the probe after each
measurement session.
Do not disassemble the meter body or the probe; doing so voids the product’s
limited warranty.
Remove the battery if you do not expect to use the meter for an extended
period of time (months or years).
WARRANTY INFORMATION
eneral Tools & Instruments’ ( eneral’s) DSMM600 4-in-1 Soil Condition Meter
is warranted to the original purchaser to be free from defects in material and
workmanship for a period of one year. Subject to certain restrictions, eneral
will repair or replace this instrument if, after examination, the company
determines it to be defective in material or workmanship. The warranty period
begins on the date of purchase. You are encouraged to register your product
online. eneral will extend your warranty an additional 60 days if you register at
www.generaltools.com/ProductRegistry.
This limited warranty does not apply to damages that eneral determines to be
from an attempted repair by non-authorized personnel or misuse, alterations,
normal wear and tear, or accidental damage. The defective unit must be
returned to eneral Tools & Instruments or to a eneral-authorized service
center, freight prepaid and insured.
Acceptance of the exclusive repair and replacement remedies described herein
is a condition of the contract for purchase of this product. In no event shall
eneral be liable for any incidental, special, consequential or punitive damages,
or for any cost, attorneys’ fees, expenses, or losses alleged to be a
consequence of any damage due to failure of, or defect in any product
including, but not limited to, any claims for loss of profits.
Register now at www.generaltools.com/ProductRegistry to receive a 60-day
extension to your warranty.
7
RETURN FOR REPAIR POLICY
Every effort has been made to provide you with a reliable product of superior
quality. However, in the event your instrument requires repair, please contact
our Customer Service to obtain an R A (Return oods Authorization) number
before forwarding the unit via prepaid freight to the attention of our Service
Center at this address:
eneral Tools & Instruments
80 White Street New York, NY 10013 212-431-6100
Remember to include a copy of your proof of purchase, your return address,
and your phone number and/or e-mail address.
8
GENERAL TOOLS & INSTRUMENTS
80 White Street
New York, NY 10013-3567
PHONE (212) 431-6100
FA (212) 431-6499
TOLL FREE (800) 697-8665
e-mail: [email protected]
www.generaltools.com
DSMM600 User’s Manual
Specifications subject to change without notice
©2013 GENERAL TOOLS & INSTRUMENTS
NOTICE - WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR T POGRAPHICAL ERRORS.
MAN# DSMM600 12/03/13
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