More Alkatronic issues

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

I’m starting to wonder if I have a lemon. I have never been able to calibrate the PH probe. It was accurate out of the box though. However, I had to change hoses and now this thing is useless. It’s reading over 3.5 DKH high. It freezes when calibrating the PH with 7.0. Never does anything. Will stay saying calibrating 7.0 for hours. I have to shut the machine off to reset it. I’ve tried countless times to try and set the baseline, that’s a joke. I dilute to 1/10th to input .84, and it won’t take any value entered. Zero. Seriously what the heck. Why do some people say these are the most stable units and others have the same experience as me? I’m literally 5 minutes from opening my front door and seeing if I can punt this over my neighbors fence.

I’m going to try a help ticket, but I don’t put much merit in service these days.

 

[Dan_P]

I’m starting to wonder if I have a lemon. I have never been able to calibrate the PH probe. It was accurate out of the box though. However, I had to change hoses and now this thing is useless. It’s reading over 3.5 DKH high. It freezes when calibrating the PH with 7.0. Never does anything. Will stay saying calibrating 7.0 for hours. I have to shut the machine off to reset it. I’ve tried countless times to try and set the baseline, that’s a joke. I dilute to 1/10th to input .84, and it won’t take any value entered. Zero. Seriously what the heck. Why do some people say these are the most stable units and others have the same experience as me? I’m literally 5 minutes from opening my front door and seeing if I can punt this over my neighbors fence.

I’m going to try a help ticket, but I don’t put much merit in service these days.

How did this story end? Was it a lemon (sounds kinda like it)?

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

How did this story end? Was it a lemon (sounds kinda like it)?

This is kinda interesting I posted on something (see picture) that got the owner of Focustronic’s attention. I had this incredible gentleman from Australia reach out to me. So, the Alkatronic App that is available to download should not be used and needs to be removed from the App Store. You should only use the Focustronic app to access the Alkatronic. While the Alkatronic app functions, it’s reached its EOL and isn’t supported and creates significant issues if used. The SD card in my unit was corrupted due to me using the Alkatronic app. The PH probe works fine and we were able to isolate the problem to the SD card. However, I wasn’t able to figure out how to reprogram a new SD card. I then had to go out of town for work. I have an appointment with this person again on Sunday to format the disc and put the new program on it.

Also, I discovered that for the Mastertronic No3 tests, API is the preferred reagent, not Tropic Marin. (Anyone need tropic Marin reagent, I have 4 BNIP ready to go). I loaded it with API, mixed it like he said and the thing was nearly identical to my Hanna HR. Like .2 off.

The crazy thing here is, this person shared with me he writes the manuals for FT. And is a volunteer. What a find. I think I see the light at the end of tunnel.

 

[Dan_P]

This is kinda interesting I posted on something (see picture) that got the owner of Focustronic’s attention. I had this incredible gentleman from Australia reach out to me. So, the Alkatronic App that is available to download should not be used and needs to be removed from the App Store. You should only use the Focustronic app to access the Alkatronic. While the Alkatronic app functions, it’s reached its EOL and isn’t supported and creates significant issues if used. The SD card in my unit was corrupted due to me using the Alkatronic app. The PH probe works fine and we were able to isolate the problem to the SD card. However, I wasn’t able to figure out how to reprogram a new SD card. I then had to go out of town for work. I have an appointment with this person again on Sunday to format the disc and put the new program on it.

Also, I discovered that for the Mastertronic No3 tests, API is the preferred reagent, not Tropic Marin. (Anyone need tropic Marin reagent, I have 4 BNIP ready to go). I loaded it with API, mixed it like he said and the thing was nearly identical to my Hanna HR. Like .2 off.

The crazy thing here is, this person shared with me he writes the manuals for FT. And is a volunteer. What a find. I think I see the light at the end of tunnel.

You are getting great tech support!

 

[ReeferBud]

Did you ever fix this?

I’m having the same problem.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

The fix is I need a new SD card and then I need to load the new software on the new sd card and install it. I’m out in front of my skis on following the direction they gave me. I’m having a hard time with it. They told me they would reach out to me Sunday and do a video call again with me and do it together. They didn’t and haven’t been in touch again. IF you did what I did and used the Alkatronic app that is in the Apple (or Google) store, they you hosed the Alkatronic and it needs new software. I think it’s freaking rediculous that they continue to allow the Alkatronic app to exist and know that it is causing issues with later models of the unit. I bought this unit brand new, and I haven’t even run 1/2 a gallon of reagent through it. The Aquawiz is looking very appealing right now. But I’m very invested here. I’m very disappointed in Focustronic, the company, the support, etc. They also told me not to use Tropic Marin No3 reagent but to use API. Great, so my No3 is pretty dialed now. But. I have $300 in reagent that I won’t use now. At least BRS will take it back I think. Sorry, just frustrated.

 

[ReeferBud]

Thanks!

Do you have the regular Alkatronic or Alkatronic Pro?

What do you mean NO3?

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

Regular Alkatronic.

No3 = Nitrate. On my Mastertronic my Nitrate reading has always been way off. The “internet” fix is to put a bigger pill in. That didn’t work for me, and he explained why. With the API No3 reagent you need to shake it excessively for 3 minutes to suspend the metal in the reagent. Then, once suspended and put in the MT, the MT mixes the API every 12 hours regardless of being tested that day or not. It’s been within an acceptable margin since switching.

 

[Luckyduck]

How did this story end? Was it a lemon (sounds kinda like it)?

This is kinda interesting I posted on something (see picture) that got the owner of Focustronic’s attention. I had this incredible gentleman from Australia reach out to me. So, the Alkatronic App that is available to download should not be used and needs to be removed from the App Store. You should only use the Focustronic app to access the Alkatronic. While the Alkatronic app functions, it’s reached its EOL and isn’t supported and creates significant issues if used. The SD card in my unit was corrupted due to me using the Alkatronic app. The PH probe works fine and we were able to isolate the problem to the SD card. However, I wasn’t able to figure out how to reprogram a new SD card. I then had to go out of town for work. I have an appointment with this person again on Sunday to format the disc and put the new program on it.

Also, I discovered that for the Mastertronic No3 tests, API is the preferred reagent, not Tropic Marin. (Anyone need tropic Marin reagent, I have 4 BNIP ready to go). I loaded it with API, mixed it like he said and the thing was nearly identical to my Hanna HR. Like .2 off.

The crazy thing here is, this person shared with me he writes the manuals for FT. And is a volunteer. What a find. I think I see the light at the end of tunnel.

Reddie! He is currently helping me too!! Mine keeps getting pH probe error dkh 0.00. Went thru calibration of the whole, system on video call with him and still having the issue.. Y homework was to do it again and see if it still shows the error. It does. So I need to get back with him. I'm wondering if my SD card is shot as well. How did this turn out for you?

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

Reddie! He is currently helping me too!! Mine keeps getting pH probe error dkh 0.00. Went thru calibration of the whole, system on video call with him and still having the issue.. Y homework was to do it again and see if it still shows the error. It does. So I need to get back with him. I'm wondering if my SD card is shot as well. How did this turn out for you?

Yeah - they said my SD card was corrupted. I replaced it. Then they said I had to order on probe replace ment circuit board. Again. I did and it wasn’t the fix. Ultimately Andrew gave up and said he doesn’t know what else to try. The Alkatronic was maybe 5 months in service. Not even a gallon of reagent had gone through it. But because I purchased it during the big BRS sale in Feb of ‘24 and I put it in service 12/1/2024. They told me to bad. It’s pretty sad considering they can dial into your machine and see when you put it online. But whatever. Also, 30 days later and my Mastertronic stopped working. $150 in parts since it was purchased at the same time. Focustronic products are some of the worst purchases I have personally made.

 

[Luckyduck]

Reddie! He is currently helping me too!! Mine keeps getting pH probe error dkh 0.00. Went thru calibration of the whole, system on video call with him and still having the issue.. Y homework was to do it again and see if it still shows the error. It does. So I need to get back with him. I'm wondering if my SD card is shot as well. How did this turn out for you?

Yeah - they said my SD card was corrupted. I replaced it. Then they said I had to order on probe replace ment circuit board. Again. I did and it wasn’t the fix. Ultimately Andrew gave up and said he doesn’t know what else to try. The Alkatronic was maybe 5 months in service. Not even a gallon of reagent had gone through it. But because I purchased it during the big BRS sale in Feb of ‘24 and I put it in service 12/1/2024. They told me to bad. It’s pretty sad considering they can dial into your machine and see when you put it online. But whatever. Also, 30 days later and my Mastertronic stopped working. $150 in parts since it was purchased at the same time. Focustronic products are some of the worst purchases I have personally made.

Man that really suck dude! Very frustrating. I'm still dealing with mine. It worked for a year and a half then a month or so ago after I replaced all of the hoses and pH probe it wouldn't work anymore. Incorrect Calibration message. The pH probe is fine, the pump have been calibrated at this point a dozen times. It won't even run a test. It's interesting because if I press clear data under the setting tab it will actually perform a test but it's waaaaay off! As soon as I calibrate the pumps though "Incorrect Calibration". Reddie from Australia has been very helpful video calling with me several times. We have calibrated the unit several times but still the same result. Finally yesterday we did the SD card. I had very high hopes but unfortunately yet again incorrect calibration. We have one last thing to try but at this point I have zero faith in this machine. Not to his discredit but he said I would really benefit from a MasterTronic. I'll tell you what... Not a snowballs chance in hell! With the problems I've having with this machine and seemingly zero fix I would not invest another dollar into this brand. I truly appreciate Reddies help but this company seems to put out garbage.