Calibrating refractometer

[Monbees]

I've recently bought a refractometer (from Hong Kong via eBay). Usually try to purchase UK only in case of problems but none available when l looked. It is the same make and design, ATC, as demonstrated by Stuart Spinks on his YouTube channel.

There is a little screwdriver but mine does not contain the little glass block and dioptric oil. Is this because the refractometer is already accurately calibrated, or should l contact the seller? (Don't want to appear ignorant, altho' l don't mind appearing so on this forum). The instructions alas are all in Chinese although from the diagrams there is no indication of little glass block or oil.

I extracted a super of honey mid/late May as l suspected OSR as is usual for my bees. Only about 25% of each frame was capped, but doing the shake test on all the frames, no honey came out. Just to be sure l bought the refractometer which shows the moisture content as 15%. Reading previous posts here this seems a bit low hence my query about the need to re-calibrate the refractometer. Incidentally the honey is dark golden and has a good consistency, three weeks in the bucket and no sign of granulation.

Lesley

 

[Erichalfbee]

It should be calibrated already
You can check with extra virgin olive oil which is 26.5

 

[Antipodes]

Is there a space within the protective foam (within the case) that looks like it is shaped for a little vial of the dioptric oil?

Mine had the glass block wrapped up in thin brown paper, like a lolly, in the area alongside the screwdriver.

 

[Antipodes]

Also, you can do a Google translate with a free app on your phone. If the instructions mention calibrating, oil and a block, I'd contact the seller.

 

[Monbees]

Is there a space within the protective foam (within the case) that looks like it is shaped for a little vial of the dioptric oil?

Mine had the glass block wrapped up in thin brown paper, like a lolly, in the area alongside the screwdriver.

I just had a squeeze plastic pipette alongside the screwdriver, so no room for oil or glass block

 

[Monbees]

But l think l will contact them anyway

 

[Antipodes]

Actually, I've just looked at mine again, and there was no special place for the oil, just wedged in the corner. Block in paper as shown.....

 

[Repwoc]

I bought one recently from Simon the Beekeeper. The "calibration set" is optional and costs ~£3 extra. The manual is in English (sort of) - I could scan it for you if you haven't found one on line.

 

[enrico]

Just do the olive oil check......don't use water like the instructions say, or at least they did on mine!

 

[Monbees]

I bought one recently from Simon the Beekeeper. The "calibration set" is optional and costs ~£3 extra. The manual is in English (sort of) - I could scan it for you if you haven't found one on line.

Thank you Paul, that is really useful, l can print it off. I think maybe more recently ATC no longer include these items - probably a cost saving thing. Not sure, if factory calibrated, that l need to buy the block and oil separately. I'll see what the seller has to say.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Thank you Paul, that is really useful, l can print it off. I think maybe more recently ATC no longer include these items - probably a cost saving thing. Not sure, if factory calibrated, that l need to buy the block and oil separately. I'll see what the seller has to say.

If factory calibrated pour a little olive oil into a container measure it note the value and keep that sample for future Calibration if you’re worried it doesn’t stay true.

 

[Newbeeneil]

Just a an aside. ATC doesn't refer to a manufacturer. It stands for Automatic Temperature Compensation.

 

[Repwoc]

Just a an aside. ATC doesn't refer to a manufacturer. It stands for Automatic Temperature Compensation.

Yes - there is no maker indicated on my refractometer or the 'manual', however it is identical to this one:

http://www.yhequipment.com/led-rhb-...2-27water-optical-refractometer-p00230p1.html

So I guess it is made by YH Equipment Co Ltd.

 

[Monbees]

Just a an aside. ATC doesn't refer to a manufacturer. It stands for Automatic Temperature Compensation.

Well, l never knew that. Just assumed that the company ATC had more or less cornered the market in refractometers! Good job l don't mind making a fool of myself on this very forgiving forum ����

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Good job l don't mind making a fool of myself on this very forgiving forum

Don't worry - you're well down the pecking order on that count.

 

[joelsoo]

Thank you Paul, that is really useful, l can print it off. I think maybe more recently ATC no longer include these items - probably a cost saving thing. Not sure, if factory calibrated, that l need to buy the block and oil separately. I'll see what the seller has to say.

i got the same ATC one too. its fairly accurate on its own. i tried calibrating to olive oil from LIDL which i thought its 26.5 to 27 but its wrong.

in the end i brought it to my beekeeping association, borrowed the asociation's proper calibrated heavy duty refractometer that is factory calibrated (those expensive scientific ones) with a sample of my honey. i then took a reading of the honey using the refractometer from association. then took a reading from same honey with my ATC refracto, and calibrated my refractometer reading to match the reading of the one from association

i think mine would be fairly accurate now.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Now that your refractometer is accurate get a sample of your olive oil in a small bottle and keep it for the future. You can then calibrate it every season. I check mine against a sample every year.

 

[hemo]

Buy a small bottle of liquid paraffin from a chemist/pharmacy being a quality product it will be stable and register 24.5% on the brix, the virgin olive oil we have one a Sainsburys own brand and one a Spanish Lidl one both are about 27%/27.2% on the brix.