Apera PH60 - What a difference cleaning it makes...

[jesse-99]

So I stopped using my Apera PH60 tester for pH readings because the readings were crappy compared to my Taylor kit reading. I realized today, it's user error. I had been following the Quick Start/Use laminated card that comes with the unit, but I also noticed that that laminated quick guide doesn't say ANYTHING about proper storage and well, I was not properly storing it . I found out that the probe should be stored damp/wet with the cover/cap fully closed to keep the tip from drying out. I was not doing that and my unit seemed to get less responsive over time, even calibrating it didn't help.

The good news was, I foiund that cleaning the probe in the 3M KCL Storage Solution for a couple of hours, and then recalibrating the probe (7.0, 4.0 and then 10.0) totally fixed all my issues. Not only does it read correctly now with both the Taylor and TF-PRO pH blocks (yes, I have to use both, cause I need to double-check things being color blind) but the PH60 also reads SUPER fast now.

I bought this on Amazon to get me a proper cleaning and calibration and couldn't be happier: Amazon.com

Now I know to store the probe tip with some moisture on it and in its protective cap/cover to keep the tip from drying out. Passing this along for others who might struggle with their Apera PH60 meter.

(I use mine because I'm color blind and color based pH reading tests have been a real struggle for me in the past, though I think I've managed to train my eye properly and have gotten way better).

HTH someone else.

 

[HermanTX]

Well Done. I have been very happy with mine.
After I use it, I rinse in distilled water to remove all the chlorine water then I put KCL in the cap and store it that way as you indicated.

 

[jesse-99]

Oh that's even different than I thought. So you literally store your probe in KCL solution? Like, all the time?? I thought it the cap just needed to be wet/moist so it doesn't dry out?

 

[HermanTX]

Oh that's even different than I thought. So you literally store your probe in KCL solution? Like, all the time?? I thought it the cap just needed to be wet/moist so it doesn't dry out?

The cap is about 1/4 full. It is not full. I store my meter on its side so the KCL is laying horizontally. The key is just to have moisture around the probe. Although the directions recommend you store it in KCL solution if it won't be used for a long time.

 

[jesse-99]

How quickly does your meter register the smiley face? Mine used to take forever and it was NEVER correct. Now it seems to register a smiley face within 2-10 seconds of going in the sample water and it's been spot on with both TF PRO and Taylor pH test blocks. I'm really happy. Maybe I'll store in a bit of KCL like you're doing then. Do you use yours daily or ... ?

 

[ngsm13]

This is excellent to know, I had even considered buying a new one because I thought I screwed mine up by not using KCL over winter storage.

 

[jesse-99]

@HermanTX This makes it seem like storing with KCL in the cap overnight is a bad idea?

 

[jesse-99]

This is excellent to know, I had even considered buying a new one because I thought I screwed mine up by not using KCL over winter storage.

LOL hey, that's -exactly- what I was going to do too at first, buy another one. Glad I didn't... and glad my post helped you save a few bucks too.

 

[wireform]

They want it to be moist with the KCL and not to soak in it. Once the cap is on it'll remain moist as air can't get to it.

 

[HermanTX]

How quickly does your meter register the smiley face? Mine used to take forever and it was NEVER correct. Now it seems to register a smiley face within 5-10 seconds of going in the sample water and it's been spot on with both TF PRO and Taylor pH test blocks. I'm really happy. Maybe I'll store in a bit of KCL like you're doing then. Do you use yours daily or ... ?

It registers really quick as well. Definitely within 20 sec. I use mine on avg every 2nd day. I always use the pH meter reading in my PM app even though I may also use the pH color comparator at times - just because I have the reagent to use up.
The color comparator has a 0.2 accuracy whereas the meter has a .01 so don't always expect the 2 to align.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

I leave mine submerged in KCl all the time contra to what the directions say. I’ve used enough pH probes in my life to know that the thin conductive glass bulb can easily get damaged when not in solution. The bit about the conductivity probe is only there for the person that would erroneously turn on the probe while it is still submerged. The high conductivity KCl could damage the EC circuit.

The key is to store it wet and then rinse it off prior to turning it on. You can either swirl it in the pool or rinse it at the sink. I have RO tap water that can be used to quickly rinse the probe.

 

[jesse-99]

Great info! I'm excited to be using my Apera PH60 again, lol. Today I've been doing extra tests just for fun,

 

[BDY]

Love my Apera… +1 for storing it wet in KCl. The cap even has a fill line for it and their website recommended storing wet.

I’ve been trying to calibrate it monthly but that’s just gut feel. How long do you guys go between calibrations?

 

[mgtfp]

I also store mine in KCl. I found that it's not even worth calibrating a newly arrived sensor that came with just a drop of water in the cap. Only after storing it for a couple of days in KCl mine started to hold its calibration.

 

[HermanTX]

Love my Apera… +1 for storing it wet in KCl. The cap even has a fill line for it and their website recommended storing wet.

I’ve been trying to calibrate it monthly but that’s just gut feel. How long do you guys go between calibrations?

Calibrate every 3-4 months. I use it every 2nd day on average during the summer (April to November for my area)

 

[HermanTX]

@HermanTX This makes it seem like storing with KCL in the cap overnight is a bad idea?

View attachment 505848

This post confused me. So I took a picture of the instructions that came with my Apera pH probe which directly conflicts with the above. See the picture which clearly states it is recommended to store probe in KCL for long term storage.

For short term storage, between testing which I do every 2 days during the summer. I add about a quarter inch of KCL to my cap. The probe is stored horizontally so it is not soaking in it but there is sufficient KCL for moisture. And as others have stated, storing the probe in KCL does not do it any harm.

• When I remove the cap, I do see some white crystals as indicated, and I rinse the probe with pool water before turning it on.
• Then I shake it, then I put in a small container of pool water to read the pH.
• After that, I turn it off, I rinse it with distilled water to remove the chlorine water, then shake it again
• Then put the cap back on with the KCL fluid in it.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

This post confused me. So I took a picture of the instructions that came with my Apera pH probe which directly conflicts with the above. See the picture which clearly states it is recommended to store probe in KCL for long term storage.

For short term storage, between testing which I do every 2 days during the summer. I add about a quarter inch of KCL to my cap. The probe is stored horizontally so it is not soaking in it but there is sufficient KCL for moisture. And as others have stated, storing the probe in KCL does not do it any harm.

• When I remove the cap, I do see some white crystals as indicated, and I rinse the probe with pool water before turning it on.
• Then I shake it, then I put in a small container of pool water to read the pH.
• After that, I turn it off, I rinse it with distilled water to remove the chlorine water, then shake it again
• Then put the cap back on with the KCL fluid in it.

View attachment 506005View attachment 506006

That procedure is fine.

pH probes are all the same in the sense that the glass bulb needs to stay wet or, at the very least, in a moist/humid container. The glass that makes up the bulb is a very specialized high ionic conductivity glass. The solution INSIDE the bulb where the silver electrode resides, is a chloride solution as well. The pH probe works the way it does because the outer glass surface attracts hydrogen ions to it and the degree to which the surface of the glass bulb is covered with hydrogen shifts the voltage that the silver wire senses. This change in voltage is directly proportion to pH and the circuitry is tuned to detect that.

The danger of storing a pH probe in regular water or distilled water is the concentration of the solution INSIDE the bulb will decrease due to diffusion and osmotic flow of ions out of the bulb. That change in solution conductivity causes the pH probe to not read correct values. Drying out the bulb is just as bad because that can cause physical damage to the thin glass as it dehydrates. The glass bulb maintains a certain concentration of free ions in it and needs hydration to maintain its physical strength.

 

[SpaWife]

This is all so fascinating and helpful.

I've just purchased the yellow pH meter from TFTestKits. Do I need to store that with some buffer liquid inside the cap? I've just removed that cap for the 1st time since receiving it, and I notice some crystalized white stuff in parts that were inside the cap.

 

[ngsm13]

This is all so fascinating and helpful.

I've just purchased the yellow pH meter from TFTestKits. Do I need to store that with some buffer liquid inside the cap? I've just removed that cap for the 1st time since receiving it, and I notice some crystalized white stuff in parts that were inside the cap.

I threw mine in the trash. The Apera is far superior/reliable/accurate.

 

[TheMauiBeach]

The instructions with my PH60 say to store it in 3M KCL solution. I found this thread and thought I was doing something that would damage the probe. I just got my PH60 a couple of weeks ago. I did some searching to see what I could find. It appears there are many versions of the instructions, but I also found an Apera FAQ dated 8/30/2022, that explains it a bit more. For the PH60 storing the probe in the KCL solution is a "highly recommended best practice."