OK, I have ordered the NACL calibration solution from Science Company: $4.95 for the product, $17.12 for the shipping. That is common when you live in Alaska. I will let you know what I find before and after calibration.
Allen -------------------------------------------------- From: "Ben McCafferty" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2008 8:00 AM To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: Toggle Power Switch > > My solution is 342ppm. The calibration solution only ensures that your > device is reading correctly; it does not matter what the calibration point > is. If you're off at 342, you're off at 20 also. I also use a pH meter > for > brewing, and it uses a 2-point calibration, i.e. it has one buffer at 4.01 > and the other at 7.01. Some meters even use 3-point calibration, which is > even more accurate. > > I'd be curious to know what you find--take a reading before calibration, > and > then again with the same water right after calibration. With pH, I have > to > calibrate about once a month. With TDS, I don't know how fast the meter > goes out of calibration. > > talk soon, > bmc > "Faith will move mountains, but you'd better bring a shovel....." > > > >> From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> Reply-To: <[email protected]> >> Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 07:49:32 -0800 >> To: <[email protected]> >> Subject: Re: Toggle Power Switch >> >> >> I have not looked at this for more than a year, but I recall that the >> calibration solutions or standards were in the 500-1000 PPM range, and I >> did >> not think that would be helpful when I wanted to measure more in the >> 20-50 >> PPM range. I shall get a calibration solution of Na Cl . >> >> Allen >> >> -------------------------------------------------- >> From: "Ben McCafferty" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2008 5:57 AM >> To: <[email protected]> >> Subject: Re: Toggle Power Switch >> >>> >>> The Science Company in Denver stocks several models, and very >>> inexpensive >>> too. I would strongly suggest spending the few extra dollars for one >>> that >>> has automatic temperature correction. >>> >>> http://secure.sciencecompany.com >>> >>> Search on "tds" and you'll find lots there. If you search "tds meter" >>> you'll only get one result. I have the bright blue TDS-EZ and it works >>> fine, but does not have ATC so I have to do a little math. >>> >>> Allen, I would argue that using the meter for very small measurements >>> makes >>> it even more critical to calibrate it, because any variance is a much >>> higher >>> percentage of your reading. Same place sell calibration solution for a >>> few >>> bucks. >>> >>> tx, >>> bmc >>> "Faith will move mountains, but you'd better bring a shovel....." >>> >>> >>> >>>> From: Allen Worrall <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >>>> Reply-To: <[email protected]> >>>> Date: Mon, 6 Oct 2008 08:09:13 -0800 >>>> To: <[email protected]> >>>> Subject: Re: Toggle Power Switch >>>> >>>> >>>> A TDS meter. www.tdsmeter.com >>>> >>>> Model TDS-4. I do not remember where I purchased it, but it was >>>> on-line, >>>> and >>>> I think from an aquarium supply company. It is made by a company called >>>> HM >>>> digital. They also make a model TDS-4TM which I think has a thermometer >>>> in >>>> it. It can be calibrated if you can find a calibration solution. All >>>> the >>>> calibration solutions I saw were at a much higher level of TDS than >>>> what >>>> I >>>> am measuring, and I did not think that would be worthwhile, so I have >>>> never >>>> calibrated it. For the purposes I am using the meter, I do not think >>>> high >>>> accuracy is necessary. >>>> >>>> Allen >>>> -------------------------------------------------- >>>> From: "TWG" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >>>> Sent: Monday, October 06, 2008 5:53 AM >>>> To: "Brewtus" <[email protected]> >>>> Subject: Re: Toggle Power Switch >>>> >>>>> >>>>> How do you measure TDS? >>>>> >>>>> On Oct 5, 3:06 pm, "Allen Worrall" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >>>>>> I work the same way. My timer is an Intermatic Heavy Duty Model TN311 >>>>>> or >>>>>> maybe it is Model TN3II. It is a mechanical timer and works well. I >>>>>> also >>>>>> rarely use the red on-off switch on the front of the machine. As Ray >>>>>> said, I turn it off when I go on vacation, but I also use it when I >>>>>> partially drain my steam boiler, which I do once a week on Sunday >>>>>> morning. In addition to the Cafiza blind portafilter treatment, I >>>>>> turn >>>>>> off the red switch, run about 200-300 cc of boiling water out of the >>>>>> hot >>>>>> water valve of the machine, then turn the red switch on and allow the >>>>>> pump to pump new water into the steam boiler. >>>>>> >>>>>> I do this of course to try to keep the TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) >>>>>> in >>>>>> the steam boiler low, to minimize scaling. I put distilled water into >>>>>> my >>>>>> water reservoir, and add just a little tap water to make the TDS >>>>>> reading >>>>>> about 10-20 PPM. I find that is enough to allow the sensor in the >>>>>> steam >>>>>> boiler to work. This morning the TDS reading of the water I removed >>>>>> from >>>>>> the steam boiler was 110 PPM (I allow it to cool before I measure the >>>>>> TDS). My tap water is 250-275 PPM TDS. >>>>>> >>>>>> Allen >>>>>> >>>>>> From: Ray Sachs >>>>>> Sent: Sunday, October 05, 2008 9:01 AM >>>>>> To: [email protected] >>>>>> Subject: Re: Toggle Power Switch >>>>>> >>>>>> If that timer is on backorder, the are plenty of other good ones out >>>>>> there. I'm not sure what make my timer is, but its been working >>>>>> flawlessly for a couple of years now. Those things aren't exactly >>>>>> rocket >>>>>> science these days. Most wristwatches are more complicated. Every day >>>>>> the >>>>>> machine is on and warmed up when I come downstairs to make the first >>>>>> shots. It either turns off by itself at 1 pm or I turn it off >>>>>> manually >>>>>> sooner. The only time I touch the on-off switch on the espresso >>>>>> machine >>>>>> is when we're leaving town for a day or few or longer. Then I flip it >>>>>> off >>>>>> so the timer won't turn it on everyday while we're gone. Otherwise, I >>>>>> never hit that switch. >>>>>> >>>>>> -Ray >>>>>> >>>>>> On Sun, Oct 5, 2008 at 1:18 AM, mpsadeghi <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >>>>>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> Thanks for the informative reply and for the advice, Brewtus Maximus! >>>>>> This is great! Seems like the right way to go so I took you up on >>>>>> your recommendation and ordered the intermatic. They're on back order >>>>>> but I'll let you know how it goes when i get it set up. I hadn't read >>>>>> the reviews about the melting red rocker switches and am now thankful >>>>>> that i have my simple switch...which heck, isn't so bad to look at >>>>>> after all. And i do agree, especially after today's maiden voyage, >>>>>> simpler interface is better. By the way, the maiden voyage was so fun >>>>>> and rewarding once I got things dialed in. Coming from a little, >>>>>> putt- >>>>>> putt Francis Francis, when I pulled the lever up on my Brew2, it was >>>>>> like turning the lights on to a vast, new world! Ha! Again, I >>>>>> appreciate the guidance and insight! >>>>>> >>>>>> buzzing from all the test pulls, >>>>>> >>>>>> Marc >>>>>> >>>> >>>>> >>> >>> >>> >>>> >>> >> >> > > > > > > --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Brewtus" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/brewtus?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
