For those who use the pHep5 pH meter or a similar meter with a short
probe with a bulky shaped electrode-end, how do you manage to store
your probe in KCl so that it remains fully immersed without the
solution evaporating?

I've always driven my cyclindrical probes through a rubber bung which
fits into a bottle of KCl solution. That way it's totally sealed and
the probe remains submerged. But the probe for the pHep5 is quite
short and bulky at the electrode end so this method does not seem
possible. I don't trust the cap not to dry out, so any suggestions for
storage?

Thanks,

Ben

Hi Ben,
This is far from a recommended practice in industry but...

I have that meter and do nothing special, mine is over 2 years old. I
put a few drops of pH 7 buffer in that 'collar' in the cap once in a
while. My meter is not sluggish, but if it was I would use contact
lense cleaner to clean it.

I think I get away with this for 2 reasons:

The probe is sealed and it's probably gel filled, not solution filled.

Wine is not too tough on the probe, it comes right off when rinsed.

Pen style meters are tough to store in general, they are usually
considered quick point checkers and throw away devices in industry.

If it were a problem with mine I would get a nalgene bottle and use
the probe cover to outline my hole. Then I would use a warm exacto
knife to cut it out, that's the only easy way I can think of the make
a reusable container. (I would want mine sealed if I made one, I
agree it's best to store a probe wet.) If nalgene bottles were tough
to find, I would 'liberate' one of our tiny Tupperware or Rubbermaid
containers.

If cutting that out and getting a good fit were impossible, I would
cut the hole bigger. Then smear a bit of vaseline on the perimeter of
the meter where the cover fits for a mold release. Then use RTV to
make a reusable slot in the container cover, just goop it around the
meter base and the hole on both sides. That would be a pain, I would
try to get that hole right first.

Joe


> For those who use the pHep5 pH meter or a similar meter with a short
> probe with a bulky shaped electrode-end, how do you manage to store
> your probe in KCl so that it remains fully immersed without the
> solution evaporating?
>
> I've always driven my cyclindrical probes through a rubber bung which
> fits into a bottle of KCl solution. That way it's totally sealed and
> the probe remains submerged. But the probe for the pHep5 is quite
> short and bulky at the electrode end so this method does not seem
> possible. I don't trust the cap not to dry out, so any suggestions for
> storage?

Hi Ben,
This is far from a recommended practice in industry but...

I have that meter and do nothing special, mine is over 2 years old. I
put a few drops of pH 7 buffer in that 'collar' in the cap once in a
while. My meter is not sluggish, but if it was I would use contact
lense cleaner to clean it.

I think I get away with this for 2 reasons:

The probe is sealed and it's probably gel filled, not solution filled.

Wine is not too tough on the probe, it comes right off when rinsed.

Pen style meters are tough to store in general, they are usually
considered quick point checkers and throw away devices in industry.

If it were a problem with mine I would get a nalgene bottle and use
the probe cover to outline my hole. Then I would use a warm exacto
knife to cut it out, that's the only easy way I can think of the make
a reusable container. (I would want mine sealed if I made one, I
agree it's best to store a probe wet.) If nalgene bottles were tough
to find, I would 'liberate' one of our tiny Tupperware or Rubbermaid
containers.

If cutting that out and getting a good fit were impossible, I would
cut the hole bigger. Then smear a bit of vaseline on the perimeter of
the meter where the cover fits for a mold release. Then use RTV to
make a reusable slot in the container cover, just goop it around the
meter base and the hole on both sides. That would be a pain, I would
try to get that hole right first.

Joe


> For those who use the pHep5 pH meter or a similar meter with a short
> probe with a bulky shaped electrode-end, how do you manage to store
> your probe in KCl so that it remains fully immersed without the
> solution evaporating?
>
> I've always driven my cyclindrical probes through a rubber bung which
> fits into a bottle of KCl solution. That way it's totally sealed and
> the probe remains submerged. But the probe for the pHep5 is quite
> short and bulky at the electrode end so this method does not seem
> possible. I don't trust the cap not to dry out, so any suggestions for
> storage?

Hi Ben,
This is far from a recommended practice in industry but...

I have that meter and do nothing special, mine is over 2 years old. I
put a few drops of pH 7 buffer in that 'collar' in the cap once in a
while. My meter is not sluggish, but if it was I would use contact
lense cleaner to clean it.

I think I get away with this for 2 reasons:

The probe is sealed and it's probably gel filled, not solution filled.

Wine is not too tough on the probe, it comes right off when rinsed.

Pen style meters are tough to store in general, they are usually
considered quick point checkers and throw away devices in industry.

If it were a problem with mine I would get a nalgene bottle and use
the probe cover to outline my hole. Then I would use a warm exacto
knife to cut it out, that's the only easy way I can think of the make
a reusable container. (I would want mine sealed if I made one, I
agree it's best to store a probe wet.) If nalgene bottles were tough
to find, I would 'liberate' one of our tiny Tupperware or Rubbermaid
containers.

If cutting that out and getting a good fit were impossible, I would
cut the hole bigger. Then smear a bit of vaseline on the perimeter of
the meter where the cover fits for a mold release. Then use RTV to
make a reusable slot in the container cover, just goop it around the
meter base and the hole on both sides. That would be a pain, I would
try to get that hole right first.

Joe


> For those who use the pHep5 pH meter or a similar meter with a short
> probe with a bulky shaped electrode-end, how do you manage to store
> your probe in KCl so that it remains fully immersed without the
> solution evaporating?
>
> I've always driven my cyclindrical probes through a rubber bung which
> fits into a bottle of KCl solution. That way it's totally sealed and
> the probe remains submerged. But the probe for the pHep5 is quite
> short and bulky at the electrode end so this method does not seem
> possible. I don't trust the cap not to dry out, so any suggestions for
> storage?

Hi Joe,

Thanks for the response.

> I have that meter and do nothing special, mine is over 2 years old. I
> put a few drops of pH 7 buffer in that 'collar' in the cap once in a
> while. My meter is not sluggish, but if it was I would use contact
> lense cleaner to clean it.

That's good going.

> If it were a problem with mine I would get a nalgene bottle and use
....
> cut the hole bigger. Then smear a bit of vaseline on the perimeter of

Thanks for the suggestions. Rethinking it, I may be able to go the
rubber bung route as before if I invert the direction of probe
insertion into the bung. If that doesn't work I'll try the nalgene
bottle.

Ben