Go Direct^® Polarimeter (GDX-POL)

Specifications and User Guide

Troubleshooting

General: Press the power button on the sensor to turn it on. Connect your sensor as described in the Getting Started instructions for your device.

• Primary Test: Make sure you are using the latest version of Instrumental Analysis app.
  ⚬ If using LabQuest 3, make sure you are using version 3.0.3 or newer.
  ⚬ If using LabQuest 2, make sure you are using version 2.8.7 or newer.

There are four free experiments available our website: www.vernier.com/product/gdx-pol. We highly recommend starting with one of these experiments to master the technique.

Additional Troubleshooting

• What is the sample volume required by your Polarimeter?
• What does the illumination value on the Polarimeter mean and what are its units?
• Do you have experiments written for the Polarimeter?
• I'm not getting accurate results with your Polarimeter.
• My Go Direct Polarimeter does not complete calibration.

Specifications

• Accuracy (optical rotation measurements): +/-1 degree
• Sensitivity: typically up to OD 2
• Light Source: LED
• Wavelength (nominal): 589 nm
• Connections:
  ⚬ Wireless: Bluetooth^® v4.2 (wireless range 30 m unobstructed)
  ⚬ Wired: USB 2.0 full speed
• Battery: 650 mAh Li-Poly
  ⚬ Battery Life (single, full charge): ~10 hours continuous data collection
  ⚬ Battery Life (lifetime): 2 – 5 years (typical)

Calibration

Calibrate? Yes. Because you are taking relative measurements of angle, you should perform a new calibration each time you connect the Polarimeter.

1. Connect the Go Direct Polarimeter according to the Getting Started instructions for your device.
2. Pour distilled water or the appropriate solvent in the Go Direct Polarimeter cell to a height of 10 cm. ⚬ It is important to read the height to the nearest 0.1 cm. Read to the bottom of the meniscus.
3. Place the cell in the Go Direct Polarimeter, then follow the appropriate steps:
   ⚬ Instrumental Analysis
    ▸ Click or tap Finish Calibration.
    ▸ When the polarimeter is ready, click or tap Done.
   ⚬ LabQuest App
    ▸ Select Calibrate from the Sensors menu.
    ▸ Tap Calibrate Now and follow the instructions on the screen.
    ▸ When the polarimeter is ready, tap OK.

Battery Troubleshooting

1. If the sensor won’t turn when on its own, but does when connected to a USB power source, try charging the sensor for at least 2 hours using a known-to-work USB cable.
2. If you continue to have trouble, try swapping the battery with a working sensor to see if the problem follows the battery or stays with the sensor.
   ⚬ If the problem stays with the sensor, the battery is probably not the issue.
   ⚬ If the problem follows the battery, the battery has likely reached its end of life.
3. If the battery is indeed at the end of its life, the battery should be replaced.
   Go Direct® 650 mAh Replacement Battery (GDX-BAT-650)
4. See How do I remove or replace a Go Direct battery? for more information.

Rechargeable batteries are covered by a one-year warranty.
Batteries should last two to five years in typical use.