Milwaukee testers customer service sucks!

[JoeRocket2]

I am a newer grower & purchased a Milwaukee SM100 PH meter shown below....my 1st PH meter.




Over the period of 2 grows the time it took to get a reading went from abour 5 seconds with minimal stirring of the probe, to 3-4 minutes with constant probe agitation to get the reading to stop slowly adjusting to the correct (?) level.

When I first really noticed it I questioned my hydro store guy about it after about 3 months of use & he said it was normal for the probe reading speed to slow from new but then stabilize after a bit. The meters instructions talked about the importance of keeping the probe wet with storage solution & I was religous about that.

By the time my 2nd grow was done the meter had gotten to the 3-4 minute timeframe to get a reading & I contacted the manufacturer about it. They 1st said that it sounded like I needed a new probe and mentioned their 6 month warranty period that had expired in my case, but were happy to explain that if I search Google I will find tons of retailers to sell me a new one. They then explained the importance of cleaning the probe at least monthly if not weekly with rubbing alcohol to prevent buildup on the probe sensor that causes the type of problem I'm experiencing.

I explained to them that nowhere in their manual supplied with the meter did it mention cleaning the probe regularly nor the consequences of not cleaning it......there is NO MENTION AT ALL OF CLEANING!!! I even included a link on their site to the manual included with the meter that is identical to what I rec'd with mine that has nothing about cleaning.....storage only.

They have not since returned my e-mails regarding their lack of care instructions supplied with the meter and my request to help me out somehow on a new probe.

My hydro store guy just says he can only warranty them for 6 months!!

At 1st I decided to buy a different brand of meter for $100 instead of replacing a $50 probe for theirs & giving them more business. But then I thought of a better & more fair way to do things....I bought a new probe today & when I get back from vacation & get growing again in about 2-3 months I'll just warranty the old one telling them it's the one I just got recently.....that way I get my orig probe replaced as they should have & then the 2nd one I paid for I can save as a spare!

The meter seems to perform well if all is cleaned & maintained well, but I would never again purchase another meter from them based on their lack of instructions & warranty support thereafter.

 

[JoeRocket2]

Bump

Want to save others the headache!

 

[Kush09]

I just got the same meter as well. I was expecting a instruction manual with details on how to maintain, use, store, etc. Instead, it came with a single little piece of folded paper which was called the user manual. Total reading time - less than 60 seconds. I was also not happy that it explained to calibrate with ph7 and ph4 solution, but it only came with some ph7 solution. Also, it explained to store with the storage solution, while none is included, and there are no directions on how to do so either. Never mentions cleaning meter either. There was also a white crust around the protective cap, is this normal?

 

[FreezerBoy]

Thanks for sharing. Sorry for your pain. FWIW you bought the "best." I did my reading before buying (for once) and determined while Milwaukee is the runaway finest producer of pH meters, pH meters were complete crapshoots. I admit I have but a single bucket to measure but the ease, speed and accuracy of the $3 test drop kits are unbeatable.

 

[Greyskull]

I had a negative experience with them... my first experience with buying "higher tech" grow stuff. PH-51 Waterproof Digital PH Tester.

Bullshit. Thing worked for 3 mos, then the probe went bad. Then the probe went bad again.

Hello Hanna 9813.

 

[yamaha_1fan]

I recently bought a Milwaukee SM-102 and I double checked the warranty and it has a 1 year probe warranty and 2 year warranty on the unit.

So far it has been working pretty good. I am going to double check cleaning and storing. Currently I store the probe with 7.0 calibration solution.


Kush I believe it is normal for the white crust to be there

 

[samba]

I've been thinking of getting this meter,but have I understood something wrong? Isn't this a permanent meter, meaning it is constantly in the rez? My cheap hongkong ebay meter worked great,but is getting slow to by now (3moths) and I thought it was its cheapness that was the problem,but I guess its the same with them all...
Should I just order 2-3 more of the cheap ones? I could get 4 for the price of 1 Milwaukee SM100

 

[imnotcrazy]

I have had a SM-802 probe last me 2 years before the calibrated reading was far off enough to cause the current issue I am dealing with in my Ebb & Flow systems..But the probes are only good for @ a year or so on these meters to begin with according to the manufacturers. How long was it sitting on the shelf where you purchased it from to begin with??? Storing it in 7PH calib. or storage solution only keeps the probe from failing prematurely.

Kush: That "white crust" is the salts from the Storage Solution, provided by the manufacturer for shipping. But, as you can see, the cap is NOT watertight, which is why I mentioned that you have to consider that the meter may have sat quite some time on a shelf prior to purchase. Meanwhile that storage solution is either concentrated from evaporation OR completely gone. Not pointing fingers, but do you know any shops who replace that while a meter sits on their shelves.

Not trying to be defensive of Milwaukee or their products (although I own 2 SM-802) but it's assumed when purchasing these meters you have an idea of the use and storage of the probe. Most are intended for the chemistry industry.

Now to add, I don't know if Hanna is any better as far as instruction wise, but they will fail just as easily, WATERPROOF or not. As I've been asked by some grower friends to look at a meter or two of theirs because water infiltrated the shitty "waterproof" seal.

It's all in the care of the meter, and IMO if working with a reserviour you are better off to get a in the rez. style meter so it never has the opportunity to dry out as well as you being able to save some loot on storage solution(s). Also, purchasing from a larger, authorized dealer, can sometime assist in having any problems resolved. The quantity of product they move give them some pull @ the MFG. service departments.

 

[samba]

Shiiiit, IF THATS THE CASE I'm NOT forking out 100$ for a Milwaukee!
I'll just get 4 of the cheap ones!
http://www.gainexpress.com/product_...ducts_id=65&osCsid=mjmgobve6gr42lcn07kdumcsj0
25$ a pop, and it looks exacly like the one I have now,it worked fine for some months!

 

[samba]

I bought a new probe today & when I get back from vacation & get growing again in about 2-3 months I'll just warranty the old one telling them it's the one I just got recently.....that way I get my orig probe replaced as they should have & then the 2nd one I paid for I can save as a spare!

This might interest you:
http://www.gainexpress.com/product_...ucts_id=507&osCsid=mjmgobve6gr42lcn07kdumcsj0
or
http://www.gainexpress.com/product_...ucts_id=508&osCsid=mjmgobve6gr42lcn07kdumcsj0
shipped for about 20$!

 

[imnotcrazy]

UPDATE

UPDATE

I recently purchased a replacement MA-850 probe for my existing SM-802 meter as well as another SM-802 (makes for quicker work in my rooms).

Anyway, I came upon an issue with the NEW Milwaukee SM-802 where, if the cable was flexed @ the probe it would cause my readings to go erratic, sometimes stabilizing @ 0.00ec.

I called the MFG. and in good faith, they are sending me a replacement probe, free of charge no questions, besides place of purchase and a mailing addy for the Replacement probe they are sending.


Also, I never mentioned to the original poster, rinsing the probe under luke warm water after each use prevents buildup of anything during the life of the probe...