Nieuwkoop DM-5 Mode D'emploi page 6

Practical hints
1. A fluctuating needle may have any of the following causes:
The soil does not completely cover the electrodes. A high salt content in the soil, a high iron, magnesium
content etc. The soil has recently been manured so that you actually measure the manure.
2. Rust on the electrodes clean and free from rust. Surface corrosion will detrimentally affect the sensitivity of
the instrument, which in that case will no longer indicate reliable pH, and moisture values may be removed
with sand. After cleaning, wait at least half an hour before taking readings.
3. H.T. masts or other sources of stray currents in the neighbourhood of the soil to be measured are likely to
cause the instrument to give too high pH and moisture readings. Accurate readings are impossible in places
such as these.
4. The operation of the instrument being based on current generation through contact with the soil, the readings
will depend to some extent on degree in which the soil has been packed down, and on the moisture content of
the soil. It is recommended therefore to take the average of 5 or 6 readings.
5. The instrument should be handled with the utmost care. Do not drop it, do not expose it to strong vibrations,
impact etc. We wish to emphasise that the pH-meter is meant to test whether the soil has the correct pH value
so that in case of deviation you can protect your crop from damage in time.
If the result is negative, you can take action immediately and this save yourself quite a bit of trouble. The
moisture tester incorporated in the instrument is NOT intended for determining the exact moisture content in
the soil but ONLY to determine whether the soil has the right moisture content for taking pH readings.
Specification:
Scale
Moisture
Accuracy
Size
Weight
: pH 3½ - 8
: 0 - 100%
: 10%
: 160 x 50 mm
: 170 grams
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