Spectrum Technologies 2305G User manual
Cardy Nitrate
NO3–Meter
PRODUCT MANUAL
Item 2305G
2
Contents
Introduction …………………………….. 3
Meter Components and Functions …….. 4
Handling Precautions ……….……………. 6
Calibrating Solutions …………………….. 8
Calibration ……………………………….. 9
Measurement Procedure …...…………….. 12
Special Setting Modes …......…………….. 14
Replacing the Sensor ...................…………. 18
Installing and Replacing Batteries ….…….. 19
Preparing Soil Samples ....................…….. 20
Collecting Tissue Sap ...........………....….. 23
Preparing Soil-less Media ............…..…….. 24
Specifications …………………………….. 26
Soil Test Kit Accessories …………….….. 27
Sufficiency Levels ....…………………….. 28
Warranty …………….……………………. 34
This manual will familiarize you with the features and
operation of your Cardy Nitrate meter. Please read this
manual thoroughly before using your meter. For customer
support or to place an order, contact Spectrum
Technologies, Inc between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. CST.
Phone: (800) 248-8873 or (815) 436-4440
Fax: (815) 436-4460
E-mail: [email protected].
Website: www.specmeters.com
3
Congratulations on the purchase of your Cardy Nitrate
(NO3-) meter. This manual describes how to use your
Cardy meter and how to keep it working accurately for
many years. Read it thoroughly in order to make effective
use of your meter.
Nitrogen is one of the most important elements required
for plant growth. It is a key component in chlorophyll, the
pigment in plants that harnesses the sun’s energy to con-
vert CO2into carbohydrates and makes plants green.
Tools that provide increased management of N offer sig-
nificant economic benefits to plant growers of all types.
In addition, applying just the right amount of nitrogen at
the right time can help safeguard the environment by re-
ducing the amount of residual soil nitrate
(NO3-) available to leach into ground water
This self-contained, waterproof, digital meter delivers
high quality answers to nitrate level questions in soils,
plants, and water- based solutions. The replaceable pen-
type sensor makes the measurement of small samples
much more convenient. When replacement of the sensor
is required, the sensor cartridge snaps in and out of the
meter at a touch.
The readout of the measurement value is an LCD display.
It a has a total display range of 14 - 1400 ppm NO3--N.
The display can be set to readout in units of nitrate (NO3-)
or nitrate-nitrogen (NO3--N).
Introduction
4
Meter Components
And Functions
No. Name Description
1 Flat sensor Consists of a liquid junction (electrode
A) and response membrane (electrode B).
Both electrodes must be covered by sam-
ple to enable accurate measurement.
2 Light shield
cover Cover used to shield sensor from light.
Because the sensor is affected by light,
attach the light shield cover before start-
ing measurement.
3 Lithium
batteries CR2032
5
No. Name Description
4 MEAS
button Used during measurement. Press
the button for ½ second to evaluate
the stability of the measured value.
The screen will lock onto a stable
value. If this button is pressed for 5
seconds, the meter will go into the
special setting mode (p. 14)
5 ON/OFF
button Press and hold for at least 2 seconds
to turn meter ON or OFF.
6 CAL
button Press and hold for at least 2 seconds
to calibrate the meter.
7 Waterproofing
gasket Provides waterproof seal for meter.
8 MEAS
icon Flashes during calibration and lights
steadily when meter locks onto a
measurement.
9 CAL
icon Flashes during measurement and
lights steadily when calibration is fin-
ished.
10 Battery alarm
icon Lights when batteries are low in
power and need to be replaced.
12 Stability
icon Lights only when the measured value
has stabilized.
13 Display Flashes when the measurement is
out of range. When Hi is displayed,
the result is too high. Dilute the sam-
ple and take measurement again.
14 Measurement
unit display The default setting is “NO3-”. See
“Special Setting Modes” (p. 16) for
instructions to change modes.
11 Temperature
alarm icon Flashes when the measuring envi-
ronment temperature is out of range
(not between 5º and 40ºC).
6
• When using the meter for the first time, or after sev-
eral weeks of inactivity, the sensor may be slow to re-
spond. Put some reference solution on the sensor and
wait 10 to 60 minutes before switching the meter on.
Handling Precautions
• Neither the meter nor sensor is waterproof by itself.
The sensor must be securely mounted on the meter
before use.
• The sensor is made of PVC and may get scratched if
not handled with care.
• Do not leave the meter in areas of direct sunlight or
high temperature/humidity
• Do not clean the meter with organic solvents.
• Never drop the meter or apply exces-
sive force to it.
7
• Sensor B is made of PVC.
Because the PVC’s plasti-
cizer may seep into the fluid
being measured, never drink
any fluid that has come in
contact with the sensor.
• The batteries provided with
the meter are for monitoring
and may have a short life.
• When replacing batteries, replace both at once.
• Never dispose of batteries in an open flame or attempt
to recharge them. Keep used batteries out of reach of
children.
• Replace the batteries when the low voltage alarm icon
illuminates. When the voltage is low, you may not be
able to turn the meter on.
• The sensors cannot be repaired. They must be re-
placed when they get damaged or when performance
deteriorates due to age.
• Measurement of organic solvents, oils, adhesives, ce-
ment, alcohols or concentrated acids (pH less than 2)
will shorten the sensor’s life.
• Some sample types (such as oily plant sap) may not
yield stable values.
• To ensure a waterproof seal, check that the water-
proofing gasket is not scratched or dirty and is prop-
erly seated in the groove.
• Wash off any calibration solution that comes into con-
tact with hands or exposed skin. If fluid gets in the
eyes, rinse them immediately and see a doctor.
• White powder may appear on sensor electrode A (the
liquid junction) when using the meter in low-humidity
environments. Liquid may appear on the electrode in
high humidity environments. The appearance of pow-
der or liquid is normal. Simply wash it off with water
before using the meter.
8
Calibrating Solutions
NO3
-(nitrate) versus NO3
--N (nitrate-nitrogen)
The sensor of the Cardy meter measures NO3-nitrate ion ac-
tivity similar to the way a pH sensor measures H+ion activ-
ity. Decide whether you desire the meter LCD display to
express the sample concentration as NO3-nitrate or NO3--N
nitrate-nitrogen. (Note: this is similar to referencing length
as 6 in. or ½ ft.). Laboratory analysis and university guide-
lines are generally expressed as NO3--N nitrate-nitrogen.
To convert NO3--N nitrate-nitrogen to NO3– nitrate:
multiply or divide
NO3--N x 4.42 = NO3– NO3--N / .226 = NO3–
Therefore:
2000 ppm NO3– nitrate = 450 ppm NO3--N nitrate-nitrogen
150 ppm NO3– nitrate = 34 ppm NO3--N nitrate-nitrogen
The following table shows the concentrations of the various
calibration standards in each unit of measurement.
Description ppm NO3
- ppm NO3
--N
#2311 450 ppm NO3--N * 2000 450
#2312 34 ppm NO3--N *150 34
#2336 450 ppm NO3--N ** 2000 450
#2334L 34 ppm NO3--N ** 150 34
* For use with plant sap, water and nutrient solutions.
** For use with soil samples (contains aluminum sulfate).
9
Calibration
Selecting the Calibration Mode.
The meter is shipped with the meter in 2-point calibration
mode. The calibration mode can be changed as follows
(see also “Special Settings Modes” , p. 14)
1. With the meter on, press and hold
the MEAS button for at least 5 sec-
onds to enter the special setting
mode. When all the LCD elements
illuminate, release the MEAS but-
ton so the number 1 appears. If the button is held too
long, the LCD will display the word “Unit”. In this case,
press and hold the MEAS button to get back into meas-
urement mode and repeat this step.
2. Press and hold the CAL button
until the CAL icon and the number
3 appear. If you pass number 3,
press and hold the CAL button until
it cycles around to number 3
3. Press the MEAS button to dis-
plays the current calibration mode
(1- or 2-point). Press the CAL but-
ton until the desired number of cali-
bration points appears (It will tog-
gle between 1 and 2).
4. Press the MEAS button to save the calibration mode.
The meter will return to standard measurement mode.
10
One-Point Calibration (ppm NO3-- N mode)
1. Press and hold the ON/OFF button
for, at least, two seconds to power the
unit on.
2. Open the light shield cover and add
enough of the 450 ppm NO3-- N refer-
ence solution to cover the space be-
tween electrodes A and B. Rinsing the
sensor pad with reference solution be-
forehand will increase the accuracy of
the calibration.
3. Close the light shield cover
and press the CAL button un-
til the CAL icon flashes (a
minimum of 2 seconds).
4. When the calibration has been finalized, the CAL icon
will stop flashing. The reference solution concentration
will be displayed along with the icon. The meter has
not properly calibrated if the CAL icon remains flashing
or if the ERR symbol is displayed on the LCD. In this
case, confirm you have used the correct calibration solu-
tion, wash the sensor thoroughly and try to re-calibrate the
sensor.
5. Wash the sensor with tap water and remove any adher-
ing droplets before taking measurements.
6. Press the MEAS button to return to measurement mode.
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