Lubricate Your Refractometer

[Brew12]

why the holy heck are there 2 sets of hinges on refractometers?

The 2 hinges allow a wider range of manufacturing tolerance. The placement of a single hinge would need high precision and greatly increase manufacturing costs.

 

[Katrina71]

Thanks for the article. My 10 year old did his yesterday. Luckily, he is already a WD40 fan.

 

[ryan quave]

I soaked mine in some vinger overnight as they where very stiff form years of salt then oit some oil on it. Came out like new

 

[zer0salinity]

I've noticed that the hinge would rust over or get contaminated with salt over time due to capillary action of the salt water mixture entering the hinge. This is where I would move the clear lid around a little and press down firmly against the crystal to get a reading. I've also ventured off into the digital refractometers as well since I like to read a digital display, but nothing beats old school refractometers.

 

[LJLKRL05]

I rinse mine with fresh water after each use. Hinges have not gotten sticky yet.

 

[cracker]

Alright al ready it . I'll do it! Think a tiny drop of very fine machine oil would be Ok?

 

[redfishbluefish]

I wouldn't drop it on....too much......put the machine oil in a small cup and dab it on with a toothpick or finishing nail or something similar.

 

[WhalesLovePineapple]

Hey @redfishbluefish thanks for posting this helpful article! I made a video of me doing it just to see the difference and wow I really neglected to keep my equipment in check! Mine was really bad haha -

 

[redfishbluefish]

Excellent video @WhalesLovePineapple . For those more visual, highly recommend watching this video. You captured a couple points that are more easily shown in the video then with words on a page.

** The stiffness of the hinges, and it not swinging freely.
** Lubricating the hinge points.
** Showing how easily the hinges should swing back and forth after lubrication.


Again, excellent! Thanks for sharing. WATCH THIS VIDEO!!!!

 

[WhalesLovePineapple]

Thanks for watching! I hope it helps people take better care of their refractometer!

 

[FLSharkvictim]

I calibrate mine every second or third time I use my Refrac

 

[vetteguy53081]

I rinse the sensor part in RO after each use bur since going digital, I rarely use the Refractometer

 

[Makers Marc]

91 posts about lubing up your tools [emoji1787][emoji1787][emoji1787]

 

[Freenow54]

I'm telling your wife

 

[HeyLookItsCaps]

Now I know some of you are thinking I'm a nut case. Well, I am

We should all be licensed card carriers of this motto doing what we do.

My refractometer is stiffer than a board so I ran a brush along it and tried to work some of the corrosion out which moved it from “bad hip” level down to “bum knee” level. Never considered lubricating it like I would a firearm or tool, and I’m not sure why. Going to do this today as I actually calibrated yesterday, will post

 

[Koh23]

Didnt think that this matters, but.....

Just cleaning mine, will see after lubrication, but i have habbit if calibrating every time i check salinity....

And, to my suprise, calibration is the same using ro water and salifert solution, not sure why is that, but when i calibrate at 35, and clean refractometer, then use rodi water, it says 0..... Vice versa, when i calibrate with rodi at 0, solution says 35.....

 

[Garf]

Didnt think that this matters, but.....

Just cleaning mine, will see after lubrication, but i have habbit if calibrating every time i check salinity....

And, to my suprise, calibration is the same using ro water and salifert solution, not sure why is that, but when i calibrate at 35, and clean refractometer, then use rodi water, it says 0..... Vice versa, when i calibrate with rodi at 0, solution says 35.....

Mine doesn’t, it’s miles away, about 4ppt from memory.

 

[HeyLookItsCaps]

Didnt think that this matters, but.....

Just cleaning mine, will see after lubrication, but i have habbit if calibrating every time i check salinity....

And, to my suprise, calibration is the same using ro water and salifert solution, not sure why is that, but when i calibrate at 35, and clean refractometer, then use rodi water, it says 0..... Vice versa, when i calibrate with rodi at 0, solution says 35.....

Dang! You calibrate every time? I do mine maybe once a year!!

 

[Freenow54]

Didnt think that this matters, but.....

Just cleaning mine, will see after lubrication, but i have habbit if calibrating every time i check salinity....

And, to my suprise, calibration is the same using ro water and salifert solution, not sure why is that, but when i calibrate at 35, and clean refractometer, then use rodi water, it says 0..... Vice versa, when i calibrate with rodi at 0, solution says 35.....

This is why I love this forum. Was totally ignorant to the calibration fluid. I always wondered

 

[Koh23]

Yes, every time, no real reason for that i assume, but, it cant hurt, so why not....

I have really old refractometer, 10 years is in my hands, bought it second hand, i know its time for a new one, but....

So i like to calibrate it every time, once a week i check salinity, not too much of problem....

Yes, it reads the same, salifert solution, and ro water..... I guess i can try to measure aquaforrest sample solution from ca kit, that is also labeled 35ppt....

I will see what reads in that case.....