APERA INSTRUMENTS / PH8500-BR / AI5551

Follow beverage pH.
Keep temperature in the record.

Bring a consistent pH method to beer, wine, juice, kombucha and coffee with the PH8500-BR. Its supplied LabSen 213 combines a glass pH sensor and temperature sensor in one refillable electrode. A Long-Life reference, ceramic junction and 3M KCl electrolyte support general aqueous beverage work, while the PH8500 keeps readings organized.

Choose BR for liquid beverage samples, not for direct penetration into grains, fruit or other solids. The supplied probe is LabSen 213, not 223, and the kit is not a food-safety certification system.

A reference chosen for the sample

LabSen 213 uses a Long-Life reference with a ceramic junction and refillable 3M KCl electrolyte. The hemispherical glass membrane is intended for immersion in liquids. The blue gel inside the sensing element is distinct from the reference electrolyte you replenish through the blue-plugged refill opening.

A readable record at the sample

The backlit display shows pH and temperature together, with a stability indicator and calibration icons. The silicone sleeve and folding stand support handheld or bench work. IP57 protects the instrument under its specified conditions; keep connectors dry and do not treat the glass electrode as impact-proof.

From a reading to a working file

Save manually or at a timed interval within the 500-set meter capacity. A user-set clock supplies date and time. USB connects to Web PC-Link on desktop Chrome or Edge for Windows or Mac, with CSV export and a browser-print report workflow. This is not Bluetooth or ZenTest.

Know what this configuration supplies.

Brewing and fermentation samples

Track beer, wine or kombucha samples at defined process checkpoints. Consistent sampling, temperature and calibration matter more than comparing numbers collected under different conditions.

Juice and coffee development

Compare suitable liquid formulations while recording their actual temperature. Suspended solids, oils, sugars and persistent deposits can affect the method and require additional cleaning or sample preparation.

General water and TRIS buffers

LabSen 213 also supports compatible general aqueous solutions and TRIS buffers. For protein-heavy dairy work, consider the dedicated LabSen 823 configuration rather than assuming both reference chemistries are interchangeable.

Prepare the electrode.
Standardize the comparison.

Connect the blue BNC lead to pH/mV and the black RCA lead to temperature. Remove the storage bottle, rinse the electrode with distilled or deionized water, and open the blue refill plug before measuring. Both leads are needed for automatic temperature compensation; a BNC socket alone does not establish compatibility with another meter.

Use clean buffer portions and perform at least a two-point calibration with a new electrode. Start with pH 7.00 in the USA series, then choose a second point around the expected sample range; the meter supports one to three points. Rinse between solutions and avoid rubbing the sensing membrane. Set the clock before collecting dated records.

Let the sensing end and junction contact the liquid fully, without hitting the vessel. Wait for a stable reading and record temperature alongside pH. A high temperature rating does not guarantee suitability for every hot beverage or process. Automatic compensation corrects electrode response, not the sample’s chemical change in pH, and does not guarantee a 25°C-equivalent result.

3M KCl inside.
3M KCl for storage.

Refill the internal reference with 3M KCl when its level falls to about half the electrode height. This is separate from keeping the external storage bottle filled with the same specified solution. Use 3M KCl, such as Apera AI1107, for LabSen 213; Protelyte is not the specified substitute.

Rinse away residue after use, return the electrode to its 3M KCl storage bottle, tighten the cap and close the refill plug. Replace contaminated storage solution. Pure water is useful for rinsing, not long-term storage. Protect the glass and keep the electrical connectors clean and dry.

For stubborn deposits, follow the electrode manual’s bounded cleaning procedure with the specified electrode cleaner, then recondition in the correct storage solution and recalibrate. Do not improvise aggressive chemical mixtures or treat a temperature rating as solvent resistance. Strong acids, strong alkalis and dehydrating media need a separate suitability review.

A stable reading is the start of the record.

Use the physical meter controls for measurement and calibration, then record or save a stable result. A held display and a stored record are different functions. Screen values in photographs are illustrative, not measurements of your sample.

Choose the correct buffer family and calibration points for the intended work. Temperature compensation addresses electrode response; it does not make different sample temperatures, preparation methods or chemistry equivalent. Follow the exact probe instructions before extending the method to a new sample.

Record locally.
Transfer deliberately.

The PH8500 can retain up to 500 sets with date, time, measurement value, unit, temperature and the last calibration record. Manual saving follows a stable indication. Timed logging can be configured from one minute to 99 hours 59 minutes. Keep the clock and sample identification procedure consistent; deleting stored values cannot be undone.

The current Web PC-Link workflow uses USB with a compatible desktop Chrome or Edge browser on Windows or Mac. It supports CSV output and browser-print reporting. Check the exact instructions and connection before relying on a field data workflow; do not assume Firefox, Bluetooth or ZenTest support.

When connected to PC-Link, new records go to software rather than meter memory. Export and back up important records before closing the tool. This does not establish automatic permanent backup, an immutable audit trail, electronic signatures, regulatory compliance or guaranteed background operation.