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In this Issue: Maintaining pH Equipment Compass Repair
Catalog of Horrors
For a lot of folks, this time of year can be a little scary at times. But unlike many people there's not a lot that scares an Outdoor Pro. After all, we're accustomed to walking around the woods after dark. We're not a creepy bunch — just hard workers trying to accomplish as much as we can before the sun goes down. That said we're not completely immune to a good case of the heebie-jeebies. In fact just flipping through a copy of the latest Ben Meadows Catalog can sometimes make us a little jumpy. Take this image, for example:
As horrifying as these images can be, they are nothing compared to one photo that has terrified thousands. Click here if you want to see it. Just remember; there are some things you simply cannot unsee. You've been warned. . .
Have a safe and happy Halloween!
Jack Ben Meadows Team Leader j.schaffer@benmeadows.com
The Care and pHeeding of your pH Equipment
Maintaining and controlling proper pH levels is essential to many agricultural, industrial and environmental processes. In agriculture, proper pH of the soil ensures nutrients will efficiently be passed on to crops. For drinking water, processing plants have to control pH in order to produce safe drinking water. Environmentally, pH monitoring and control are critical to prevent damage or deterioration of the quality of all plant, animal and human life.
This month we will be looking at the proper conditioning, calibrating and storage of your pH equipment.
Conditioning The pH electrodes are shipped moist with storage solution. On occasion, after an electrode has been sitting in storage for a period of time, white crystals may appear near the bulb of the electrode or around the electrode cap. These crystals result from the potassium chloride solution (KCl) that has evaporated and crystallized. Prior to using the electrode for the first time, to condition it soak it in a pH buffer solution of 4 for at least one hour. Then rinse with tap water and proceed to calibration.
Calibration How do you calibrate? To properly calibrate a pH meter, you must choose a minimum of two buffers for a two point calibration (except pH meters that have only a 1-point calibration feature), one always being pH 7, and a second point which covers the expected pH of your sample. For example, if you are measuring an acidic solution (pH below 7); you would choose the pH 4.01 and 7.00 buffers to calibrate the meter. Likewise, if you were measuring mostly basic samples (pH above 7); you would choose pH 7.00 and pH 10.00 buffers for calibration. Some meters refer to calibration as standardized and slope. To standardize a pH meter means to calibrate at a pH of 7.00. After doing this, you slope the meter to either the pH 4.01 or 10.00 buffers.
Storage After measurements have been made, the electrode should be stored in a manner which will keep the bulb of the electrode moist or hydrated.
All electrodes are shipped with a protective cap, also called a "rubber boot". This cap can be used to hold a small amount of liquid. Add a few drops of potassium chloride (KCl) electrode storage solution or 4.01 or 7.0 buffer solution to the cap. Then place the cap back on the electrode. This method works for long or short term storage.
If you are using pocket tester you can add a few drops of you storage solution of choice to a small sponge or folded paper towel and insert that into the cap. Then place the cap back in place to keep the electrode moist.
By following the conditioning, calibrating and storage suggestions above you can be sure of a long life and accurate readings for you pH electrodes and meters. To see all the available calibration, cleaning and storage solutions available from Ben Meadows click here.
Compass Repair
You come across your father’s old KB-14 compass and find the liquid has turned blue-green. The Sight Master you have used since your Introduction to Forestry class has developed an air bubble in the capsule. Or maybe you’ve thrown your field vest into the back of the truck one to many times and all the liquid has drained out of a compass that is more to you than just another tool.
You don’t have to send these still useful instruments to the big compass holster in the sky! With the help of Ben Meadows Repairs those old compasses can be repaired and refurbished to look and work like new. Our repairs department will replace the capsule, do a complete reconditioning and cleaning and calibrate your compass for just $56.95 (plus shipping).
If you are interested in having one of our Repairs Experts (like Tiff, pictured to the left) bring that old treasure back to life we'd be honored to help. Just box up your compass with your return address, name and telephone number in the box and send it to:
Ben Meadows Attn: Repairs Department 401 S. Wright Road Janesville, WI 53546
The Natural Resource Editor's Challenge!
Last month we asked this question:
According to our catalog, for what would you use a Bogorov Counting Chamber?
Tom from Arkansas knows that a Bogorov Counting Chamber is used to count zooplankton.
We're sending Tom a PMI Kershaw 5-in-1 Carabiner Tool!
Take a look at our latest catalog or use our Web site (www.benmeadows.com) for help with this month's challenge. Don't have a catalog? You can get a free copy by clicking here. Now here's the question:
Who are these people?
Need a hint? They have something to do with a Ben Meadows program that rhymes with, collarsnips.
If you know, send us the correct answer along with your name and how to contact you. Send us the right answer and you'll be entered into a drawing. The winner will receive a PMI Kershaw 5-in-1 Carabiner Tool (a $60 value)!
Send your answers to: editor@benmeadows.com
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CONTACT INFORMATION
If you have any specific questions about product specifications, applications or compliance issues, call one of our Technical Support Specialists at 1-800-241-6401 or e-mail them at: productpros@benmeadows.com.
If you have any questions about the list or its contents, send e-mail to the Editor at: editor@benmeadows.com.
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