Care and use guide
Contents page
Features 2
To operate 2
Cleaning and maintenance 3
Battery replacement 3
Troubleshooting guide 4
Technical specications 4
Information about the scales available on
the Bluelab Truncheon
®
Nutrient Meter 5
Bluelab measurement conversion chart 6
Bluelab limited warranty 7
Contact details 8
1.0 To operate
Using the Bluelab Truncheon
®
Nutrient Meter to measure nutrient conductivity
involves placing the probe sensor head in the solution, followed by measuring
and reading conductivity values on the stem scale indicator light. Figure 1
shows the Bluelab Truncheon
®
Nutrient Meter (Truncheon Meter).
Figure 1. Bluelab Truncheon
®
Nutrient Meter
Measure conductivity
Place probe into nutrient solution and take
reading as indicated by the ashing lights.
Note: If the lights are dancing between two
values, the reading is between those two values
eg. lights dancing between ‘6’ and ‘8’ indicates a
reading of ‘7’.
Note: For very cold or very hot temperatures it will
take 1-2 minutes for the probe to reach solution
temperature. To help decrease time taken to
reach the solution temperature, place the probe
in an area where there is a strong movement of
solution, or stir solution with the probe.
Obtain another reading
To take another reading, simply place back in
solution.
Clean probe
We recommend the probe be cleaned once
every two weeks according to the Cleaning
and Maintenance instructions. This can vary
depending on frequency of use.
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1
2
3
Stem Scale
Probe
Value indicator light
Features
Blueglow light display No calibration required
Provided with EC, CF and ppm scales Fully
waterproof
Fully guaranteed for 5 years
(with proof of purchase)
Auto turn on/off function
2.0 Cleaning and maintenance
Cleaning the Truncheon Meter probe frequently ensures accurate readings.
Clean the probe with a liquid scourer cream used in home bathrooms and
kitchens such as ‘Jif’, ‘Liquid Vim’, ‘Soft Scrub’, ‘Cif’, or ‘Viss’. Never use scented
varieties of cleaner as they affect the probe functions.
Remove shroud
Twist the shroud 90 degrees and then remove the
shroud.
Clean probe face
Place one or two drops of unscented liquid scourer,
such as ‘Jif’, ‘Liquid Vim’, ‘Soft Scrub’, ‘Cif, or ‘Viss’
on the probe face. Rub probe face with your nger or
Bluelab Chamois rmly and vigorously to clean.
Rinse probe
Rinse off all traces of cleaner under running water
using the same nger or other side of Bluelab
Chamois. Check that the water forms a lm on the
probe face with no ‘beads’ of water. If beading is
present repeat the cleaning process.
Replace shroud
3.0 Battery replacement
The Truncheon Meter is powered with 3 x AA type standard or alkaline
batteries. Do not use rechargeable batteries. Do not mix brands of batteries.
Do not mix old with new. Do not put upside down. Follow these steps to replace
the batteries.
Remove old batteries
Unfasten battery cap and tip out old batteries.
Check for corrosion
Batteries that have been inside the unit for a long length
of time may corrode. Check battery contacts and batteries
for any sign of corrosion. Contacts should be cleaned rst if
corrosion is found before proceeding to step 3.
Fit new batteries
Insert the new batteries positive (+) end down into the body.
Replace battery cap
Refasten battery cap. There must be no space left between
the cap and body to ensure the unit remains 100%
waterproof.
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1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
Twist
Remove
4.0 Troubleshooting guide
Trouble Correction
Truncheon Meter turns off
before reading taken.
Take out of solution for 3-5 seconds.
Dip in solution again and take reading.
Truncheon Meter not lighting
when dipped in solution.
Clean the probe. If this is unsuccessful, replace
batteries. Do not use rechargeable batteries.
Truncheon Meter gives low
readings.
Clean the probe.
Ensure unscented cleaner is used eg. plain ‘Jif’, ‘Soft
Scrub’, ‘Liquid Vim’, ‘Cif’ or ‘Viss’.
5.0 Technical specications
Range
2 – 36 CF 140 – 2520 ppm (EC x 700)
0.2 – 3.6 EC 100 – 1800 ppm (EC x 500)
Resolution 1 CF, 0.1 EC, 70 ppm (700), 50 ppm (500)
Accuracy
± 0.1 EC, ± 1 CF, ± 50 ppm (1385 ppm at 500 ppm),
± 70 ppm (1939 ppm at 700 ppm)
Temperature compensation Automatic
Operating temperature 0 - 50 °C, 32 - 122 °F
Calibration Factory calibrated
Limitation of Liability
Under no circumstances shall Bluelab Corporation Limited be liable for any claims,
losses, costs and damages of any nature whatsoever (including any consequential loss)
that result from the use of, or the inability to use, these instructions.
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4
Information about the scales available on the
Bluelab Truncheon
®
Nutrient Meter
CF and EC
CF and EC are measures of electrically charged nutrient ions in a solution.
Pure water will not conduct electricity. Water usually conducts electricity because it
is full of impurities, in our case, electrically charged nutrient ions. The two black dots
on the end of a nutrient probe are called electrodes. When these are placed in a
solution, an electrical current passes from one electrode, through the water to the other
electrode and counts the number of electrically charged ions present. This represents
the units measured - EC or CF.
ppm measures parts per million
There are many different scales used for different industries around the world and
for many different reasons! Did you even know there are more than two scales? The
most widely used scales in Hydroponics are the 500 scale, 650 scale and the 700 scale.
What’s the difference?
The ppm 500 scale is based on measuring the KCl or potassium chloride content of
a solution. The ppm 700 is based on measuring the NaCl or sodium chloride content
of a solution. Individual nutrient ions have different electrical effects! The true ppm of
a solution can only be determined by a chemical analysis. ppm cannot be accurately
measured by a CF or EC meter.
They are present on Bluelab products as a conversion guide only.
The conversion is as follows;
2.4 EC x 500 = 1200 ppm (500 scale) or 1200 ppm / 500 = 2.4 EC
2.4 EC x 700 = 1680 ppm (700 scale) or 1680 ppm / 700 = 2.4 EC
If you are wanting to measure your solution in ppm, you will need to know the
following:
• What ppm scale is your meter using?
• Which calibration standard should you use for your meter?
• What ppm scale is your nutrient referring to?
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5
Bluelab Measurement Conversion Chart
mS/cm
2
Millisiemen per cm
2
EC CF
ppm 500
TDS
ppm 700
0.1 0.1 1 50 70
0.2 0.2 2 100 140
0.3 0.3 3 150 210
0.4 0.4 4 200 280
0.5 0.5 5 250 350
0.6 0.6 6 300 420
0.7 0.7 7 350 490
0.8 0.8 8 400 560
0.9 0.9 9 450 630
1.0 1.0 10 500 700
1.1 1.1 11 550 770
1.2 1.2 12 600 840
1.3 1.3 13 650 910
1.4 1.4 14 700 980
1.5 1.5 15 750 1050
1.6 1.6 16 800 1120
1.7 1.7 17 850 1190
1.8 1.8 18 900 1260
1.9 1.9 19 950 1330
2.0 2.0 20 1000 1400
2.1 2.1 21 1050 1470
2.2 2.2 22 1100 1540
2.3 2.3 23 1150 1610
2.4 2.4 24 1200 1680
2.5 2.5 25 1250 1750
2.6 2.6 26 1300 1820
2.7 2.7 27 1350 1890
2.8 2.8 28 1400 1960
2.9 2.9 29 1450 2030
3.0 3.0 30 1500 2100
3.1 3.1 31 1550 2170
3.2 3.2 32 1600 2240
3.3 3.3 33 1650 2310
3.4 3.4 34 1700 2380
3.5 3.5 35 1750 2450
3.6 3.6 36 1800 2520
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Bluelab
®
limited warranty
Bluelab
®
Corporation Limited (Bluelab) provides a warranty on its products
(Bluelab
®
Truncheon
®
Nutrient Meter
™
) under the following terms and conditions:
How Long Does Coverage Last?
Bluelab
®
warrants the Bluelab
®
Truncheon
®
Nutrient Meter
™
(Product) for a period of 60-months from date of
purchase by original purchaser or consumer. Proof of purchase, to Bluelab’s sole satisfaction, is required for the
warranty to be effective (store sales receipt for Product showing model number, payment and date of purchase).
This warranty is non-transferable and terminates if the original purchaser/consumer sells or transfers the Product
a third party.
What is Covered?
Bluelab
®
warrants the Product against defects in material and workmanship when used in a normal manner, in
accordance with Bluelab
®
instruction manuals. If Bluelab
®
is provided with valid proof of purchase (as dened
above) and determines the Product is defective, Bluelab
®
may, in its sole discretion either (a) repair the Product
with new or refurbished parts, or (b) replace the Product with a new or refurbished Product.
Any part or Product that is replaced by Bluelab
®
shall become its property. Further, if a replacement part or Product
is no longer available or is no longer being manufactured, Bluelab
®
may at its sole discretion replace it with a
functionally-equivalent replacement part or product, as an accommodation in full satisfaction of the warranty.
What is NOT covered?
This warranty does not apply to equipment, component or part that was not manufactured or sold by Bluelab
®
,
and shall be void if any such item is installed on a Product. Further, this warranty does not apply to replacement of
items subject to normal use, wear and tear and expressly excludes:
• Cosmetic damage such as stains, scratches and dents
• Damage due to accident, improper use, negligence, neglect and careless operation or handling of Product not
in accordance with Bluelab
®
instruction manuals, or failure to maintain or care for Product as recommended by
Bluelab
®
• Damage caused by use of parts not assembled/installed as per Bluelab
®
instructions
• Damage caused by use of parts or accessories not produced or recommended by Bluelab
®
• Damage due to transportation or shipment of Product
• Product repaired or altered by parties other than Bluelab
®
or its authorised agents
• Product with defaced, missing or illegible serial numbers
• Products not purchased from Bluelab
®
or a Bluelab
®
-authorised distributor or reseller.
How Do You Get Service?
To begin a warranty claim you must return the Product to the point of purchase with valid proof of purchase (as
dened above). In California, you can also return the Product to any Bluelab-authorised distributor or reseller, with
valid proof of purchase.
Limitation of Liability & Acknowledgments
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THIS WARRANTY AND THE REMEDIES SET OUT ABOVE ARE EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU
OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, GUARANTEES AND REMEDIES (ORAL OR WRITTEN, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED).
EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THIS WARRANTY AND TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, BLUELAB IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR
SPECIAL, INCIDENTIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL LOSS OR DAMAGES, OR ANY OTHER LOSS OR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM SALE OR USE
OF THE PRODUCT, OR BREACH OF WARRANTY, HOWEVER CAUSED, INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOST PROFITS, PERSONAL INJURY OR
PROPERTY DAMAGE.
IT IS UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED BY CONSUMER UPON PURCHASE OF A PRODUCT THAT, EXCEPT AS STATED IN THIS WARRANTY,
BLUELAB IS NOT MAKING AND HAS NOT MADE ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY OR OTHER REPRESENTATION REGARDING
THE PRODUCT, AND DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE TO THE EXTENT
PERMITTED BY LAW. ANY WARRANTIES WHICH ARE IMPOSED BY LAW AND CANNOT BE DISCLAIMED ARE HEREBY LIMITED IN
DURATION TO THE PERIOD AND REMEDIES PROVIDED IN THIS WARRANTY.
SOME JURISDICTIONS (STATES OR COUNTRIES) DO NOT ALLOW EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION FOR INCIDENTIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES, OR LIMITATION ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT BE
APPLICABLE.
IF ANY PROVISION OF THIS WARRANTY IS JUDGED TO BE ILLEGAL, INVALID OR UNENFORCEABLE, THE REMAINING PROVISIONS OF
THE WARRANTY SHALL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT.
Governing Law; Authority
This warranty is governed by the laws of the state of country where Product is purchased, without regard to its
choice of law principles. Except as allowed by law, Bluelab does not limit or exclude other rights a consumer may
have with regard to the Product. No Bluelab distributor, employee or agent is authorised to modify, extend or
otherwise change the terms of this warranty.
Register your guarantee online at bluelab.com
guarantee.
The Bluelab
®
Truncheon
®
Nutrient Meter
™
comes with a 5 year
limited written guarantee. Proof of purchase required.
lets talk.
If you need assistance or advice - we’re here to help you.
North America Ph: 909 599 1940 NZ Ph: +64 7 578 0849
Fax: +64 7 578 0847 Email: [email protected]
get online.
Looking for specications or technical advice?
Visit us online at bluelab.com or facebook.com/getbluelab
post.
Bluelab
®
Corporation Limited
8 Whiore Avenue, Tauriko Business Estate
Tauranga 3110, New Zealand
Instruction Manual English TRUNV2_V02_190916
© Copyright 2011, all rights reserved, Bluelab
®
Corporation Limited
