Sketchy readings from PH probe

[Dolfan-Mike]

I'm getting really crazy PH readings from my Apex system for the past days.

I'm using the original Apex Jr, with a brand new Pinpoint PH probe. About 4 months ago I saw odd readings when the pumps went off and the water level changed. I worked with American Marine and the sent me a new probe. Now this probe is reading really bad results again, I'm seeing PH values of 5.6! I have verified the PH with two separate tests one at the LFS and the PH is actually about 8 where it should be.

I have run through the validation process several times and when I finish the process leaving the probe in the 10ph solution it reads 10, but then putting it back into the tank and waiting and I'm down in the 5.6-6.5 range with my reasoning to where these reading are coming from.

So I'm back trying to understand where the issue is? I'd get a new probe but I don't want to unless I know that is the issue. I can't think of a failure within the Apex unit or the modules but I gues that is possible.

Any thoughts? Ideas? Thanks

 

[00W]

I'm getting really crazy PH readings from my Apex system for the past days.

I'm using the original Apex Jr, with a brand new Pinpoint PH probe. About 4 months ago I saw odd readings when the pumps went off and the water level changed. I worked with American Marine and the sent me a new probe. Now this probe is reading really bad results again, I'm seeing PH values of 5.6! I have verified the PH with two separate tests one at the LFS and the PH is actually about 8 where it should be.

I have run through the validation process several times and when I finish the process leaving the probe in the 10ph solution it reads 10, but then putting it back into the tank and waiting and I'm down in the 5.6-6.5 range with my reasoning to where these reading are coming from.

So I'm back trying to understand where the issue is? I'd get a new probe but I don't want to unless I know that is the issue. I can't think of a failure within the Apex unit or the modules but I gues that is possible.

Any thoughts? Ideas? Thanks

Exactly how are you calibrating the probe?

 

[Dolfan-Mike]

Exactly how are you calibrating the probe?

I follow the calibration process right from the Apex Jr display. Basically 7.0 level then 10.0 level then it updates.

 

[00W]

I follow the calibration process right from the Apex Jr display. Basically 7.0 level then 10.0 level then it updates.

Don't have Apex can't answer there but if you're using the pinpoint I'd calibrate just it, 7,10,7,10,turning the screw and see what it says.
Like I said I don't have any automation, wouldn't know where to go with the Apex just my suggestion.
My pinpoint is faultless.
Never had an issue.
Don't know if that helps but trying anyways.
Might be some miscommunication somewhere.

 

[Dolfan-Mike]

Don't have Apex can't answer there but if you're using the pinpoint I'd calibrate just it, 7,10,7,10,turning the screw and see what it says.
Like I said I don't have any automation, wouldn't know where to go with the Apex just my suggestion.
My pinpoint is faultless.
Never had an issue.
Don't know if that helps but trying anyways.
Might be some miscommunication somewhere.

It's a PinPoint probe but not a Pinpoint monitor. I'm guessing your direction about adjusting the screw is related to that monitor. There is no equivalent method for Apex.

 

[n2585722]

When the readings jump is anything turning on or off at that time. Also try adding tank water to a glass or cup and set the probe in the glass or cup to isolate the probe from the tank and see if the reading changes. If it does you may have a device that is leaking current into the tank where the probe is at. It can be inductively added to the tank and not a direct contact with the water also.

 

[Dolfan-Mike]

When the readings jump is anything turning on or off at that time. Also try adding tank water to a glass or cup and set the probe in the glass or cup to isolate the probe from the tank and see if the reading changes. If it does you may have a device that is leaking current into the tank where the probe is at. It can be inductively added to the tank and not a direct contact with the water also.

That was a good suggestion that I had not done, but isolating the probe in a container of tank water showed no difference. The bad readings are pretty much constant, the readings for the past 5-6 hours are just hovering around 5.5, and I have verified that PH is about 7.9

 

[n2585722]

Recheck the calibration. New probes will drift at first. The longer they are in the tank the less drift they will have and usually stop in about 5 days.

 

[Dolfan-Mike]

Recheck the calibration. New probes will drift at first. The longer they are in the tank the less drift they will have and usually stop in about 5 days.

This probe isn't new, it's been in use since about mid-July. It was just replaced by the manufacturer, and until the past week it was working OK.

 

[Dolfan-Mike]

You can see here that the readings were good up until a couple days ago, then things just went kinda nuts on readings

 

[n2585722]

This probe isn't new, it's been in use since about mid-July. It was just replaced by the manufacturer, and until the past week it was working OK.

I would still recheck the calibration of the probe. Something also may have formed on the probe tip also. Be careful with the tip the glass bulb is fragile. I use a Milwaukee probe MA991 in my iV and it seems to be the most stable of any I have used. I still use a PinPoint in the sump.

 

[Dolfan-Mike]

I'm curious if anyone has had issue with the Apex system itself having this type issue? I use the Neptune System PM1 module to add to my main module to get PH monitoring. Not sure if maybe the module itself could be going flaky???

 

[Dolfan-Mike]

Well I took a chance and ordered a cheapo probe off Amazon to just get a second try to rule out the probe, and immediately I've got proper, consistent readings.