TF kit issues

[mrjetson707]

I bought the tf-100 kit in September of 2021, a little less than 2 years ago. my pool was replastered so I didn't do any testing for about 6 months. I went to do a test today and my magnetic speed stir only works if I hold the button down, and the light just kinda flickers. Im also super careful with my test kit. Never dropped it and i keep it in my closet so it doesnt get extream temperatures. also my R-0870 powder has turned grey. Anyone else have similar issues and will someone will TFP rectify my issue with the speedstir?

edit: It was suggested to take the batteries out overnight and try again the next day. I did that and the speed stir works. my reagent also seems to still be good. I wanted to update the post in case someone reads this in the future

 

[mknauss]

Email [email protected]

 

[JJ_Tex]

Have you tried replacing the battery on your speed stir? When the batteries need replacing they get “stuck” spinning.

 

[mrjetson707]

Have you tried replacing the battery on your speed stir? When the batteries need replacing they get “stuck” spinning.

yes. I put brand new batteries and it does the same thing

 

[mknauss]

Do realize reagents should be replaced every year. Some might go two years.

Good call on the battery JJ -- likely suspect.

 

[mrjetson707]

Do realize reagents should be replaced every year. Some might go two years.

Good call on the battery JJ -- likely suspect.

I wasn't sure if the reagent thing was normal but the speedstir shouldn't have broken already. less than 2 years and my pool was out of commission for 6 months. I put brand new batteries in and that wasn't the problem

 

[mknauss]

Odd on the speed stir. I have one that is 8 years old. Works fine.

 

[Mdragger88]

The powder will turn darker over time as it is exposed to moisture. If it turns pink when added to the sample it should be ok to use.
Tft reagents are guaranteed for 1 year I believe.

 

[BDY]

Make sure batts are not rechargeable as well
As the contacts and springs are in good shape and touching…

 

[YippeeSkippy]

If the bottom of my test vial gets wet it seems to interfere with the magnetic bean spinning around...rule that out.

Maddie

 

[mrjetson707]

Make sure batts are not rechargeable as well
As the contacts and springs are in good shape and touching…

looks all good in there

 

[mrjetson707]

The powder will turn darker over time as it is exposed to moisture. If it turns pink when added to the sample it should be ok to use.
Tft reagents are guaranteed for 1 year I believe.

so the reagent should still work fine even if it's discolored?

 

[cdadams1223]

so the reagent should still work fine even if it's discolored?

As mentioned above, if you drop some into the vial of 10mL pool water and it turns red...it's working just fine.

 

[wireform]

I've seen new batteries act as not so new so be sure the batteries being replaced are up to snuff. What you describe is indicative of weak batteries.

 

[mrjetson707]

I've seen new batteries act as not so new so be sure the batteries being replaced are up to snuff. What you describe is indicative of weak batteries.

I replaced the batteries not long ago. then when I had the issue, I used another set of new batteries. it seems to me like there's a connection issue

 

[wireform]

Take a box cutter, razor or anything sharp and scour the four contacts the batteries press against as sometimes there's oxidation not letting it make good contact.

 

[RLP]

Nate recently reported that its almost always the batteries.

 

[Newdude]

I had a family member (rhymes with strife) whom thought she. I mean *they* were helping by putting dead batteries back in the battery basket. Maybe they didn't work in XYZ but would still work in something else, was the reasoning that caused me to throw out the whole basket. It had been going on for a long time and the remaining good batteries were likely worth less than a tester.

 

[PoolStored]

We've had at least three members with this issue this spring. Ever Single Time It Has Been The Batteries. Use only Alkaline batteries, not lithium or rechargeable. Make sure they are new batteries, not "new" batteries out of a pack you bought a year or two ago. Make sure the orientation is correct (battery nub on the flat, and batter flat side on the spring), and they make good contact.

 

[midlifecrisis]

I also had issues and replacing the batteries did not work. Nate suggested I leave the batteries out for a while. I removed them overnight then reinstalled the same new batteries I pulled out and everything worked just fine. I'm sure it didn't need to set overnight, but at least a little while seemed to do the trick. maybe try that.