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pH meters slow response... Time to buy a new one?

Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2025 3:38 pm
by LALman
Our Orion pH meter is at least 20 years old. For many water samples in the 7-8.5 pH range, the instrument constantly drifts upward and refuses to settle. But responds quickly to a buffer. Is this just regular behaviour or is it time to look for a new meter?

Re: pH meters slow response... Time to buy a new one?

Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2025 6:58 pm
by bcd_GCLCMSMS
How old is the probe?

The meter response is greatly influenced by the probe.. Also, I believe the Orion reads out to the hundreth's place and has temperature correction. Both of those items increase the time to settle.

Re: pH meters slow response... Time to buy a new one?

Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2025 1:52 pm
by Consumer Products Guy
pH meters themselves are pretty straightforward. I would instead purchase at least two brand-new electrodes.

A lab should have a brand-new spare in a drawer (and I think the same for chromatography columns).