Programming instructions for the DR 3900

photometer from Hach

How to program a new method

(Spectroquant® Test Kits) into the DR 3900 photometer

Background:
User programs provide the opportunity to run own methods besides the pre-
calibrated methods from the original supplier. It does not play a role if these
are own developed methods or methods from other suppliers of test kits.

User programs allow the addition of custom analyses to the DR 3900. Once
the user provides the calibration curve and other necessary information, the
DR 3900 will remember the custom program and allow you to run it anytime
you like.

For more details please look into chapter 6.1 of the DR 3900 instrument
manual.

All input steps and their significance and options are explained in the following
sections. It will explain how to create and save a new “User Program” for the
Spectroquant® Test Kit.

Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Straße 250, 64293 Darmstadt (Germany): +49 6151 72-0
EMD Millipore Corporation – A division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
290 Concord Road, Billerica, MA 01821, USA, Phone: (781) 533-6000

HACH is a registered trademark of Hach Company. The SPECTROQUANT product is

neither endorsed, nor sponsored by or affiliated with the Hach Company.

Date: Nov 26st 2013 1 of 7

 From the main Menu,
touch User Programs, and then

Program options and then

Select New in the "Program Options" menu

Specific test number, with which the

program can subsequently be called up
from the selection list in the User Programs
menu or the Favorites menu.

Use the alphanumeric keypad to enter a

program number between 9000 and 9099.
The lowest available number appears
automatically.

To accept it, press OK.

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 Program name:
Use the alphanumeric keypad to enter a
program name. The name can be a
maximum of 28 characters long.

Press the “→” or “←” buttom to go back or

forward entering the characters.

Enter e.g. Ammonium14558 then press

Next to continue with the input of the
program data.

Program type:
Select Single Wavelength if only one
wavelength is required and Multi
Wavelengths if more than one are required.
Press Next to continue

You will now be asked to edit several details Units, wavelength, concentration, resolution
from the program: and all the rest are provided in the file
“Programming data for Spectroquant® Test
Kits for DR 3900 Photometer” under
http://www.merckmillipore.com/photometry

Units Choose the required units

Press Next

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 Wavelength Use the alphanumeric keypad to enter the
measurement wavelength.
The entered wavelength must be in the
range from 320-1100nm
Press Next

Concentration resolution (number of decimal places)

Select the required number of decimal
places from the displayed list
Press Next

Chemical Form Enter the chemical formula used in the

display to represent the analysis parameter.
Press Next

Calibration settings Select Enter Formula.

Press Next.

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 Merck provides the calibration formula
and coefficients you need to enter.
Store a user program
Additional user-defined parameters and
functions
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Enter Formula:
Press the formula key. A list of available
formulas is displayed. Press the required
formula.
The “C” stands for calculated concentration.
The “A” corresponds to the absorbance
reading.
The “a”, “b”, “c and “d” correspond to the
coefficients in the formula.
For most Spectroquant® Test Kits we are
using linear formulas. Therefore you just
need to enter “a” and “b”. In the file
“Programming data for Spectroquant®
test kits for DR 3900 photometer” you will
find all 4 coefficients. If “c” and “d” are zero
you don’t need to enter these.
Press the coefficient keys and enter the
corresponding values. After each entry press
OK to confirm. Press Done to continue.
Note: The coefficients can have 5 digits and
a negative or positive sign.
The input of the basic data is complete. An
overview of the variable program data is
displayed.
To enter more specifications or change
existing ones, highlight the appropriate line
and press Edit. Select Store to save the
user program.
After storing, press cancel to return to main
menu.
In addition to the previously defined basic
data, additional parameters and functions
can be defined for user programs:
• measuring range upper and lower limits
• timer functions
• chemical forms
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Example for upper and lower limits of the It is possible to enter a maximum (upper)
measuring range and minimum (lower) measurement value.

An error message is displayed if a reading is

above the upper limit or below the lower limit.

Highlight the appropriate line in the overview

of the program data and press Edit.
Set On and press the 0.000 key to enter the
measuring range limit. Confirm the entry by
pressing OK.

Example for timer functions Timer 1 / Timer 2 / Timer 3 / Timer 4:

Up to four time intervals can be defined as
timers with this function. Descriptions of the
individual work steps, such as shaking,
waiting, and stirring can be allocated to the
timers.

1. Mark the Timer x row.

2. Press Edit. Activate or deactivate the
timers using the check box in the lower area
of the display.
3. Activate a timer.
4. Press Timer.
5. Select the designation from the displayed
list that describes the respective process and
confirm with OK.
6. Press 00:00.
7. Enter the required time interval (in mm:ss)
and confirm with OK.

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Example for Chemical forms Chemical form 2 / chemical form 3 /
chemical form 4:
If a Chemical Form 1 has been defined, up
to three additional alternative forms can be
entered here.
Mark the Chemical form x row
Press Edit.
The chemical forms are activated or
deactivated with the check boxes in the left
part of the display.
Press the left key to enter another chemical
form with the alphanumeric keypad and
press OK to confirm. Press the right key to
enter the conversion factor to calculate the
concentration of the additional chemical form
from the concentration of Chemical Form 1
and press OK to confirm.
Storage of the method Press Store to save the program data. Press
Cancel to return to the Main Menu.

After storing the data press Cancel to return

Now you can start with the measurement of
the Spectroquant® test kits by using the DR
3900 Photometer.
When you want to run the programmed test
kit just start the program. If you require any
assistants or help, please contact your local
Merck Millipore / EMD Millipore organization
or our local Merck Millipore / EMD Millipore
dealer. You will find them in most countries
around the world.
to the “User Programs” menu.
Note: Please keep in mind that the DR 3900
requires always a blank. This is the same
procedure for using the Spectroquant® test
kit as if you would use the Hach one.
In the list “Programming data for
Spectroquant® Test Kits for DR 3900
Photometer” it is specified what kind of
blank can be used for each individual
parameter and measuring range.

Detail about Spectroquant® test kits, which can be measured in the DR 3900 can be found
in the Internet. The package inserts, which describe the handling of the test kits, can be
found also on our Internet homepage.

As we are introducing a lot of new test kits every year, we are updating the list
“Programming data for Spectroquant® test kits for DR 3900 photometer” regularly. Please
have a look every 3 - 6 months into our internet homepage under:
http://www.merckmillipore.com/photometry

HACH is a registered trademark of Hach Company. The SPECTROQUANT product is

neither endorsed, nor sponsored by or affiliated with the Hach Company.

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