What does the message OFFSET mean?
The message OFFSET indicates: The sensor voltage at pH 7.00 is outside the limit value, the sensor is too old, the cable is defective, no sensor is connected or the calibration has been performed with buffer 4 solution.
Remedy: Check the sensor cable for any signs of damage and repeat the calibration. Take care to use the buffer solution correctly. If this does not work, replace the sensor and calibrate again.
What deviations during the calibration are usual and how are they connected to the temperature?
It is difficult to give a precise answer without information about the sensor, particularly the age of the sensor. Good sensors have deviations in the range from 0.02 to 0.05 pH levels when calibrating.
The input voltage differs for each sensor, as each sensor has its own individual properties. For the majority of our sensors, it is between -30 and +30 mV at pH 7.
Both input voltages (pH 7 and pH 4) are important when assessing the quality of a sensor. The greater the difference between these two values, the better the sensor and the precision of the measurement and control. The differences should be over 140-150 mV.
The temperature sensor should always be used during calibration. The pH level varies according to temperature, so that it is always best to measure the pH level with temperature compensation. The deviation is between 20 and 30 °C, 0.17 pH levels, and the relationship is nonlinear.
What does DELTAV mean in the display?
This message indicates that the potential difference per full pH unit is smaller than 30 mV. The pH sensor is either too old, defective or was accidentally calibrated twice with the same buffer solution.
Remedy: Repeat the calibration and take care to use the buffer solution correctly. If this does not work, connect a new sensor and calibrate again.
Do you need to unscrew the screw connection of the temperature sensor, before you can use it?
No, the pH sensor is meant. It is located in a protective cap which is filled with a storage solution. Before the calibration the pH sensor needs to be taken out of this protective cap by loosening the screw connection and to be immersed, without the cap (and storage solution), into the aquarium water.
Why does the controller permanently indicate a too high/low pH value? And why doesn’t the calibration work although the sensor is new?
The cause can probably be fixed quite easily. The protective cap of the pH sensor needs to be removed before insertion into the aquarium / before the calibration, to carry out control / calibration correctly. The protective cap serves as storage and “reactivation” of the sensor with the storage liquid. It has to be removed for use inside the aquarium and during the calibration because no water from outside can pass through.
If the controller still displays an error, even after the removal of the protective cap, please read the FAQ with the several error messages in detail.
How often does the JBL pH/CO2 Control have to be calibrated?
In the menu you have the chance to choose the interval before the next calibration reminder. The following calibration intervals are available:
30 days
45 days
60 days
However it is highly recommended not to select the 60 days setting, since each pH sensor wears continuously and the measured values become subject to change. Thus the more often you carry out a calibration the more reliable are the measurement results.
How long is the cable of the pH sensor?
The cable has a length of 2m.
Why does the pH value jump in the display of the JBL ProFlora pH Control Touch?
If the pH value is subject to greater fluctuation, this is an indication of interference from another electronic device. Ballasts in light bars, for instance, create an electromagnetic field if they are not shielded against interference. This can disturb the sensitive sensor. When you unplug the power plug from the outlet the pH value should suddenly stabilise. You can carry this process out with every electrical device in the aquarium to find the source of interference.
By using separated power-carrying cables further disturbances can be avoided. Separating electrical circuits may also prove to be a good idea. The JBL pH Control Touch units are manufactured and tested in accordance with EMC directives and do not interfere with other technical items. Thus the JBL pH Control Touch does not expose wearers of pacemakers to any danger.
If another technical item disturbs your pH control, then it has not been electromagnetically shielded in accordance with this technical standard.
How does the JBL pH-Control recognise a “bad“ sensor?
The pH sensor transmits a voltage to the measuring device, which convert the voltage into the pH value.
This voltage does NOT remain constant throughout the service life of the sensor! It needs to be calibrated regularly. The device is thus informed about the age-related change in voltage and can display reliable values again.
The calibration takes place at pH 7 and pH 4.
At pH 7 a new sensor transmits a voltage of 0 mV (+/- a few mV) to the measuring device. The more the voltage at pH 7 deviates from 0, the older the sensor is. The deviation can occur at + or -. At a deviation of more than +40 or -40 mV the device rejects the sensor.
The error message OFFSET appears.
NOTE: The same error message appears if you accidentally begin to calibrate at 4!!
At pH 4 the sensor transmits a voltage of about +186 mV (when 7 is at 0 mV). This means that between the single steps (4-5; 5-6 and 6-7) there is in each case a difference of about 62 mV. The smaller this difference, the older the sensor. With differences below 30 mV the device rejects the sensor.
The error message DELTAV appears.
NOTE: The same error message also appears, when you accidentally calibrate twice at 7!!
IMPORTANT: Rejected sensors can often be brought “back into operation” if you soak them intensively in storage solutions (for several days)!
The display for the temperature at the JBL ProFlora pH Control Touch indicates N/A. What does this mean?
A display of N/A means that the pH controller is not receiving any input value. This may be due to the following:
1) There is no contact in the plug, perhaps caused by a slightly corrosive coating. Please check the contact points of the plug.
2) The temperature sensor is not connected.
Note: The JBL pH Control Touch can also be operated without a temperature sensor. In this case, the controller adjusts to a water temperature of 25 °C.
JBL pH-Control, JBL pH-Sensor: What deviations are common when calibrating and how do they correlate with the temperature?
It is difficult to give a precise answer without information about the sensor, particularly the age of the sensor. Good sensors have deviations in the range from 0.02 to 0.05 pH levels when calibrating.
The input voltage differs for each electrode, as each electrode has its own individual properties. For the majority of our electrodes, it is between -30 and +30 mV at pH 7.
Both input voltages (pH 7 and pH 4) are important when assessing the quality of an electrode. The greater the difference between these two values, the better the electrode and the precision of the measurement and control. The differences should be over 140-150 mV.
The temperature sensor should always be used during calibration. The pH level varies according to temperature, so that it is always best to measure the pH level with temperature compensation.
Why does the pH value jump in the display of the JBL ProFlora pH Control?
If the pH value is subject to greater fluctuation, this indicates a source of interference through another electronic device. Ballasts in light bars, for instance, create an electromagnetic field if they are not shielded against interference. This can disturb the sensitive sensor. When you unplug the power plug from the outlet the pH value suddenly stabilises. You can carry this process out with every electrical device in the aquarium to find the cause.
Through the use of separated power-carrying cables further disturbances can be avoided. Separating electrical circuits may also prove to be an advantage. The JBL pH controllers are manufactured and tested in accordance with DIN EN 55014-2 and do not interfere with other technical items. Thus wearers of pacemakers are not exposed to any danger through the JBL pH Control.
Should another technical item disturb your pH control, then it is not electromagnetically shielded according to this technical standard.
If the error still persists try removing the temperature sensor from the controller. If the value now remains stable, the temperature sensor may be defective.
There is a fuzzy, white organism on the JBL pH Sensor. What can that be ?
It is a harmless fungus which will disappear on its own after a while.
Can the JBL storage solution be used to regenerate electrodes ?
Yes, it can. The storage solution is also intended for the regeneration of pH electrodes. However, please note the following:
Any regeneration always depends on the state of the electrodes, their age and the water in which they are used.
1) Maintenance: An electrode should never be allowed to dry up or be stored in a dry condition. This damages the membrane so that the flow of ions through the membrane is no longer ensured. An electrode that has dried up or been stored in a dry condition can sometimes be reactivated for several weeks’ use if it is laid in the storage solution for approx. 3 days.
Please note, too, that any guarantee claims no longer apply if the electrodes are stored in a dry condition or sent in dry.
2) pH electrodes age with time i.e. ions escape from the electrode into the environment. The period of aging depends on how they are used.
3) If pH electrodes are used in soft to very soft water, they age faster. In this case, it is advisable to place the electrodes in the storage solution for 1-2 days every 4 weeks or so.
Do I need a night switch-off when I use the JBL Proflora pH Control Touch or the JBL PROFLORA CO2 CONTROL?
You need a separate soleniod valve (JBL ProFlora v002 or JBL PROFLORA CO2 VALVE) to control the CO2 supply. A further night switch-off for CO2 systems, controlled by a pH control unit is not needed, as the CO2 supply will not be turned on in the absence of CO2 consumption, or it will happen less frequently when CO2 degassing occurs at the water surface. That is why the control units do not need a timer
