I have bought the Milwaukee ph51 pen,
and I’ve been happy with it so far, Ive had it for roughly 4-5 weeks now. But I think Ive done a blunder. Because I did not store it properly in storage solution (I have stored it with cap), and now it has started to act up. Just bounching from pH 4.2 to 7.9 and way back down, never settles on a value or number. Ive tried to change the batteries, and let it sit in plain water for 15-20min. But it won’t give me an exact measurement.
As I said, I have had the pen for 4-5 weeks. Do anyone know if this is fixable? If I get new calibration solution and storage solution. Can I save it? Or is the probe fried?
Unfortunately you will probably have to replace it. Luckily, most pH meters only need to have the tip replaced (the tip should unscrew, check your manual). I’m surprised it went bad so quickly from not being stored properly so you could also email the manufacturer.
Rehydration in water is not as effective as using pH storage solution. Those solutions have the ionic content that mimics what’s on the inside of the probe’s bulb.
If you were trying to obtain a pH reading of plain water, that water might not have enough ionic strength to present a steady pH reading. 4 & 7 pH calibration solutions should be used to assess if your pH meter is measuring properly.
Thanks alot for all your answers and insight. Its highly apriciated
I will first try to recondition (Thanks for the link) and recalibrate it , maybe change batteries while Im at it, and see if that do the trick. If not I will take it back to the store where I bought it or contact the manufacturer.
Great news guys I bought a couple of those 20ml sachets of pH4.01 and ph7.01 solutions, also a electrode rinse sachet (they didnt have storage solution in stock).
First I reconditioned the electrode by soaking it in the ph4.01 buffer solution for about 30min. Then I rinsed in the Electrode rinse solution for just 20 sec, then flushed it in lukewarm tapwater. Then I recalibrated it according to instructions in the manual, and now its as good as new I was so happy. And because the shop was out of storage solution, I put aprox 0.5-1ml of the ph4.01 buffer solution in the rubber cap that followed with the pen , so the electrode is now stored upright in a cup with the rubber cap filled with 4.01 solution.
I use the pH-pen every other day, atleast 4 times a week. Do you think tapwater is sufficient for storing, or should I continue with the buffer solution?
And my last question; Can the bags just be left unsealed until the next calibration? or should they be poured into small glasses with lids?
Thanks again everyone for your answers and help. That saved me a lot of money and headaches
I was so happy. And because the shop was out of storage solution, I put aprox 0.5-1ml of the ph4.01 buffer solution in the rubber cap that followed with the pen , so the electrode is now stored upright in a cup with the rubber cap filled with 4.01 solution.