Hoping to score on a conductivity probe

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I have two Orion model 128 conductivity meters, but only one probe. It was a great probe (4 electrodes, etc.), but has a big crack in it that seems to hold together despite wiggling. But I'm worried about it. I haven't used it in almost a decade, but the values seem to change on wiggling. lol

I saw an old Orion 160 conductivity meter and probe for sale on ebay that was being sold for parts since it claimed it didn't work, claiming messed up digits on the meter (a pic showed the messed up digits). I am hoping the only problem is the meter and not the probe, so I offered $30, and it arrives Monday.

Fingers crossed it wasn't a wasted $30 for a broken device with a broken probe. lol

If the probe is working, it's likely a great deal. :)

 

[KrisReef]

Keep us posted. We want pictures of the results especially if you take a hammer to the instrument.

Hopefully you’ll get a good replacement probe that doesn’t require a hammering.

 

[Miami Reef]

Has it arrived? Following.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

USPS tracking said it was arriving by 9 pm last night. At 9 pm it just changed to “in transit”. Quite a bit less than useless.

This morning it apparently gave up trying to predict and just says:

Moving Through Network
In Transit to Next Facility, Arriving Late

 

[Miami Reef]

Uch. :face-with-rolling-eyes:

Thanks for the update. I’ll be checking back.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Becoming concerned that USPS has lost this package. Two days ago it was at a facility that I could drive to in 90 minutes.

Now it just says arriving later than expected, "but is still on its way". Not very convincing.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Well, first disappointment if the day. Meter (known to be broken) came with no electrode despite clearly showing it in the pictures. Complaining now, but even if I get one, they will probably look around for a known broken one.

 

[Miami Reef]

Does the “Thermo Scientific 013005MD Orion DuraProbe 4-Electrode Conductivity Cells” work with your meter?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Does the “Thermo Scientific 013005MD Orion DuraProbe 4-Electrode Conductivity Cells” work with your meter?

Not sure, but probably. But don’t get one for me. :)

In any case, the seller replied that it “fell out” during packing and they are sending it. lol

Fingers crossed it works. :)

 

[Miami Reef]

It is the model that will work for your meter. I checked online.

I have a good feeling about the probe they are sending you. :)

 

[rishma]

In any case, the seller replied that it “fell out” during packing and they are sending it. lol

And this is why I really don’t eBay. I feel like I have a 50/50 chance of dealing with some BS. It’s fun when it works out, and I really hope it does.

 

[Miami Reef]

And this is why I really don’t eBay. I feel like I have a 50/50 chance of dealing with some BS. It’s fun when it works out, and I really hope it does.

30 bucks is well worth the gamble because these probes are over 600 bucks.

The hope is that only the meter is broken, which Randy doesn’t even need.

I’m very excited to see what condition the probe comes in…assuming it doesn’t manage to “fly” out of the box like the last time. Lol

 

[rishma]

30 bucks is well worth the gamble because these probes are over 600 bucks.

The hope is that only the meter is broken, which Randy doesn’t even need.

I’m very excited to see what condition the probe comes in…assuming it doesn’t manage to “fly” out of the box like the last time. Lol

I definitely get the value proposition here. The response from the seller was a trigger for me I guess

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It is the model that will work for your meter. I checked online.

I have a good feeling about the probe they are sending you. :)

Thanks. :)

 

[RelaxingWithTheReef]

Thanks. :)

Be careful sourcing the probe as Orion used a few different connectors across their conductivity meter product lines. I ran into the same problem sourcing a probe for my ebay meter.

@Miami Reef - I believe the 013005MD has a "miniDIN" connector. According to the selection guide on page 4 below, it will not fit the 128 that requires the "Water Proof 8-Pin DIN", just like the meter I have. I believe WP 8-Pin DIN probe is discontinued, and it was quite painful trying to find a used one.

https://www.ankersmid.com/AutoFiles/doc/6609_ThermoScientific-Orion Conductivity cells.pdf

 

[Miami Reef]

@Miami Reef - I believe the 013005MD has a "miniDIN" connector. According to the selection guide on page 4 below, it will not fit the 128 that requires the "Water Proof 8-Pin DIN", just like the meter I have. I believe WP 8-Pin DIN probe is discontinued, and it was quite painful trying to find a used one.

I think you’re right.

This probe (013005A) says it will work with the Orion 128. It’s on a 5% sale!

Please don’t look at the price; my eyes are burning.

https://www.capitolscientific.com/T...alpmtGBSltnEgWoZqG2mwv8_aYf1TpmsaAnAjEALw_wcB

 

[Miami Reef]

it was quite painful trying to find a used one.

Did you ever end up finding one, though? How did you find it, and how much did you end up paying?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

FWIW, the used meter I got is the 162, so the probe should fit my 128, though I’m not sure what probe it actually is. Still in transit.

 

[Tamberav]

And this is why I really don’t eBay. I feel like I have a 50/50 chance of dealing with some BS. It’s fun when it works out, and I really hope it does.

You can just open a ticket on eBay as not described and they will refund you.

Being a seller on eBay is a lot more risky than a buyer. It’s easier to scam as a buyer since eBay tends to always side with buyers.

 

[rishma]

You can just open a ticket on eBay as not described and they will refund you.

Being a seller on eBay is a lot more risky than a buyer. It’s easier to scam as a buyer since eBay tends to always side with buyers.

Understood. It’s the whole potential hassle that turns me off. Just not for me. I guess I have a low tolerance for it.