Hanna Instruments HI9814C GroLine Portable pH, EC, TDS and temperature meter combo
Hanna Instruments GroLine HI9814C is a portable combo meter that measures pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS) and temperature in liquid samples. It comes in a hard carrying case and is designed for hydroponic systems, greenhouses, horticulture and agricultural applications where the properties of irrigation water and nutrient solutions need to be monitored.
It is a mix of several measurements in one instrument, so you don't have to carry different devices. It comes with a replaceable combination probe that measures pH, EC or TDS and temperature, and the display presents the readings in a user-friendly format. HI9814C meter package comes with probe, calibration and cleaning solutions, batteries and quality certificates.
HI9814C measuring liquid characteristics
The instrument uses a replaceable HI1285-7 combination probe with pH, electrical conductivity and temperature sensors. The probe connects to the meter via a 1-metre cable and DIN connector.
Each measurement tells us something different about a liquid:
- pH: A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. This helps in observing the chemical conditions of irrigation water and nutrient solutions.
- Electrical conductivity (EC): A measurement of the ability of a solution to conduct electricity. Conductivity is influenced by dissolved ions such as nutrient salts, so EC can be used to estimate the total concentration of ions in a solution.
- Total dissolved solids (TDS): Estimates dissolved solids by converting EC reading using a chosen conversion factor. The result is expressed in parts per million (ppm or mg/L) not direct measure of all dissolved substances.
- Temperature: Measures the temperature of the sample and supports automatic temperature compensation for measurements that are affected by temperature changes.
Large LCD simultaneously displays pH, EC or TDS and temperature. This lets you check readings together, rather than having to jump between different instruments.
Principle features and practical applications
The HI9814C has two buttons to control the instrument and switch between measurement modes. Automatic calibration and buffer recognition make routine setup straightforward. In Quick Cal mode, the quick calibration solution specified allows pH and EC/TDS to be calibrated at a single point.
The meter also features automatic temperature compensation. This is important as electrical conductivity is temperature dependent such that readings at different temperatures are not directly comparable without compensation.
The probe is pre-amplified to help reduce electrical noise interference from equipment such as pumps, motors and lighting systems. This is especially the case for greenhouse and indoor growing environments where electrical equipment is working in close proximity to the measurement area.
The meter has a waterproof casing rated to IP67 according to the HI9814 product information from Hanna Instruments. This protection is useful in wet conditions, but the instrument should still be handled and maintained as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
Technical specs
- Brand Name: Hanna Instruments
- Product line: GroLine
- Model: HI9814C
- Product type: Combo portable pH/EC/TDS/temperature meter
- pH Range: -2.00 to 16.00 pH
- pH resolution: 0.01 pH
- pH accuracy: ±0.02 pH @ 25 degrees C
- pH calibration: Automatic, one or two point; Quick Cal single point option
- EC range: 0.00–6.00 mS/cm
- EC resolution: 0.01 mS/cm
- EC accuracy: ±2% FS
- TDS range: 0–3000 ppm with 0.5 conversion factor; 0–3990 ppm with 0.7 conversion factor
- TDS resolution: 10 ppm (mg/L)
- TDS Accuracy: ±2% of full scale
- TDS conversion factor: 0.5 or 0.7
- Temperature range: -5.0 to 105.0 °C
- Temperature resolution: 0.1°C
- Temperature Accuracy: ±0.5°C @ 25°C
- Temperature compensation: Automatic EC coefficient β = 1.9% / °C
- Probe included: Combination probe HI1285-7
- Connection to the probe: DIN connector
- Probe cable length: 1 m (3.3 ft)
- Power supply: 1.5 V AAA alkaline batteries × 3
- Estimated battery life: Up to 600 hours continuous use, as specified in Hanna Instruments’ HI9814
- Automatic shut-off: Selectable after 8 or 60 minutes, or deactivated
- Meter Size: 154 × 63 × 30 mm
- Meter weight: 196 g
- Operating environment: 0 to 50 degrees Celsius; max relative humidity 100 percent
- Casing protection: IP67
- Meter warranty: 2 years for the HI9814 meter, probe warranty may vary
The specifications above are for the HI9814 meter platform used in the HI9814C package. The suffix C indicates the package is supplied in a hard carrying case, not a different range of measurement.
Applications and compatibility appropriate
The HI9814C is designed for routine use where water quality and nutrient concentrations need to be checked.
- Hydroponic systems: Measure the pH and conductivity of the nutrient solution to help assess the condition of the solution.
- Greenhouses and nurseries: Check irrigation water and prepared nutrient mixtures.
- Agriculture and horticulture: Check water and solution measurements routinely during growing operations.
- General liquid tests: Measure pH, conductivity, estimated dissolved solids and temperature on suitable liquid samples.
The meter comes with the HI1285-7 combination probe. When purchasing replacement probes, make sure they are compatible with the HI9814 model and its DIN connection. It is also important to compare TDS closely between instruments, as different conversion factors can produce different displayed values from the same EC measurement.
Components included
The HI9814C package is supplied with a hard carrying case and contains:
- Hanna Instruments GroLine HI9814 meter
- HI1285-7 pH/EC/TDS probe with built-in temperature sensor and 1 m cable
- Rapid fix calibration sachets
- Sachets of agriculture electrode cleaning solution
- Three AAA alkaline batteries
- Certificate of instrument quality
- Certificate of quality of electrodes
- Instructions for use
- Hard carrying case
Please check exact contents with supplier as package contents may vary by market.
Operation and maintenance; calibration
Before measuring, calibrate the meter according to the instruction manual and measurement requirements. The Quick Cal function provides a convenient single-point calibration with the calibration solution you specify. Suitable pH buffer solutions can also be used to perform standard pH calibration. For EC calibration, however, a suitable conductivity reference solution is needed.
For standard measurements:
- Attach the combination probe to the meter.
- If necessary, calibrate the relevant measuring function.
- Rinse the probe in clean water in between samples to avoid cross-contamination.
- Insert the probe in the liquid sample according to the manual.
- Allow the reading to settle before taking the reading.
- Clean and store the probe according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
Reliable operation of the pH sensor relies on proper care and storage. In addition, if the manufacturer’s storage recommendations say otherwise, don’t let the probe dry out and use calibration and cleaning solutions as directed.
Considerations of importance
The HI9814C is a portable instrument and is not designed for continuous, unattended measurements. Its EC range is 6.00 mS/cm and TDS display range depends on selected conversion factor. If your application needs higher conductivity ranges or constant monitoring or other measurement parameters you may need a different instrument.
The casing is rated IP67 but the probe and its connector should be handled as described in the manual and the meter should not be treated as a permanently installed monitoring system. Good calibration, rinsing and probe maintenance are still important for consistent measurements.
