Q6000-Series Fuel Dilution

Meter User's Guide

Doc. p/n FDM6000
Rev. C | February 2017

Spectro Scientific | An ISO 9001:2008 Company

One Executive Drive, Suite 101, Chelmsford MA 01824 | (+1) 978 431 1120
Preface
The following is general information about the Q6000-Series Fuel Dilution Meter (FDM) and
Spectro Scientific.

Copyright Notice
© 2017 Spectro Scientific. All rights reserved.
The information and descriptions in this document are the sole property of Spectro Scientific and
may not be copied, reproduced, disseminated, or distributed without explicit written permission
from Spectro Scientific.
The statements, configurations, technical data, and recommendations in this document are
believed to be accurate and reliable at the time of this publication, but Spectro Scientific assumes
no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear in this document.
Spectro Scientific is not responsible for any infringement of patents or other rights of third parties
that may result from the use of this document. The content of this document is furnished for
informational purposes only, is subject to change without notice, and does not represent a
commitment or guaranty by Spectro Scientific.
Spectro Scientific makes no warranty, express or implied, with respect to the content of this
document. Spectro Scientific shall not be liable for any loss or damage, including consequential
or special damages, resulting from any use of this information, even if loss or damage is caused
by Spectro Scientific as a result of negligence or any other fault.

Trademarks
FluidScan®, MicroLab®,InfraCal®, LubeTrak® and Spectro Scientific® are all registered
trademarks of Spectro Scientific.
SpectroTM, SpectroViscTM, SpectroTrakTM, SpectroLNFTM, SpectroFTIRTM and SpectroFDMTM
are all unregistered trademarks of Spectro Scientific.
All other trademarks are the property of their holders.

Patents
Domestic
9,274,041; 9,234,829; 9,176,041; 8,867,034; 8,661,878; 8,384,895; 8,079,250; 7,518,720;
7,495,761; 7,385,694; 7,307,717; 7,237,431; 7,184,141; 7,019,834; 6,873,411; 6,707,043;
6,455,850; 6,452,179; 6,104,483; 2,640,059; 2,340,097.
Foreign
163,024; 141,344; P5707513; EP1105710B1; AU2003257512B2; AU199953978B2.

Warranty
Spectro Scientific warrants to the original purchaser only, that all Spectro Scientific portable
instruments will be free from defects in material or workmanship for a period of one year from
date of invoice.

ii
SPECTRO SCIENTIFIC'S SOLE OBLIGATION AND YOUR EXCLUSIVE REMEDY under
this Limited Warranty and, to the extent permitted by law, any warranty or condition implied by
law, shall be the repair or replacement of parts, without charge, that are defective in material or
workmanship and that have not been misused, carelessly handled, abnormal conditions or
operation, accidents or acts of God, or mis-repaired by persons other than Spectro Scientific or
Authorized Service Provider.
To make a claim under this Limited Warranty, you must return the complete portable instrument,
transportation prepaid, to Spectro Scientific Factory Service Center or Authorized Service
Location.
The determination of whether any product has been subject to misuse or abuse will be made
solely by Spectro Scientific. If a hardware defect arises and a valid claim is received within the
limited warranty period, at its option and to the extent permitted by law, Spectro Scientific will
either
(1) repair the hardware defect at no charge, using new parts or refurbished parts that are
equivalent to new in performance and reliability,
(2) exchange the product with a product that is new or refurbished that is equivalent to new in
performance and reliability and is at least functionally equivalent to the original product, or
(3) refund the purchase price of the product.
Spectro Scientific may request that you replace defective parts with user-installable new or
refurbished parts that Spectro Scientific provides in fulfillment of its warranty obligation. A
replacement product or part, including a user-installable part that has been installed in
accordance with instructions provided by Spectro Scientific, assumes the remaining warranty of
the original product.
After an issue with the unit has been verified, the offending module where the issue originates
should be returned to the factory for repair by authorized Spectro personnel.
For Authorized Service Locations, please contact Spectro Scientific Technical Support, +1- 978-
431-1130.

Safety Information
The safe and proper operation of the device is our highest priority. The device must be used by
trained operators, according to the instructions presented in this manual. Improper use could
potentially cause harm to the user. Pay attention to all warning labels and messages.
Personal Precautions
• Wear appropriate protective equipment.
• Ensure there is adequate ventilation.
Environmental Precautions
• Prevent contaminated fluid from entering drains or groundwater.
• Dispose of waste in accordance with local regulations.
Clean up Methods
• Use an absorbent material on the spill.
• Place in appropriate chemical waste container.
• Follow local, state, and federal regulations for disposal.

iii
 Spectro Scientific Contact Numbers
Main Number (U.S.) - 978.486.0123
Technical Support: (U.S.) - 978.431.1130
Main Number (China) - 8610.6785.7242

Document Conventions
There are two special instructions that appear in this manual:
Important

A procedure that might adversely affect fluid measurement or result analysis if

instructions are not followed or if precautions are not observed.

Note

An item worthy of special note: a time-saving option, for example.

Document Revision History

This table provides information on changes due to the latest software release:
Rev C Feb 2017
A bag of felt discs and a pair of tweezers to drop them into the
sample vial are now supplied with the parts kit.
Previously, the discs were already in place from the factory.
An insertion tool is included with the parts kit so the felt discs
dropped into the sample vial can be flattened with repeatable
uniformity.

iv
End User License Agreement (EULA)
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Spectro Scientific. ("SPECTRO SCIENTIFIC") AND
___________________________________________("LICENSEE")

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v
 4. Payment, Shipment, and Risk of Loss
Licensee shall pay invoiced license fees, including tax on the license fee, for use of the Software,
within thirty (30) days after shipment.

5. Limited Warranty: Warranty Disclaimer

SPECTRO SCIENTIFIC warrants that all Software will substantially conform, for a period of
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ranty period.
NEITHER SPECTRO SCIENTIFIC NOR ITS THIRD PARTY VENDOR (IF ANY) MAKE OR
GIVE, AND SPECTRO SCIENTIFIC HEREBY DISCLAIMS, ANY OTHER
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OR ANY LOST REVENUES OR LOST PROFITS ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION
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OPERATES ON ARE BEING PROVIDED HEREUNDER FOR OIL ANALYZING ACTIVITIES
ONLY AND SPECTRO SCIENTIFIC HAS NO LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY TO
PROVIDE INFORMATION OR DATA RELATED TO THE OPERATION OR CONDITION OF
EQUIPMENT OR MACHINERY BEING OPERATED.

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related to such breach shall automatically terminate.

vi
8.3 Upon termination of any license, Licensee shall immediately terminate use of such Software
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tions 3, 5, 6, and 7 shall survive termination of this Agreement.

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SPECTRO SCIENTIFIC.
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subject to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph (c)(1)(ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and
Computer firmware and software clause at DFARS 252.227-7013 (OCT. 1988).”

vii
Table of Contents
Preface ii
Copyright Notice ii
Trademarks ii
Patents ii
Domestic ii
Foreign ii
Warranty ii
Safety Information iii
Personal Precautions iii
Environmental Precautions iii
Clean up Methods iii
Spectro Scientific Contact Numbers iv
Document Conventions iv
Document Revision History iv
End User License Agreement (EULA) v
1. Definitions v
2. Scope of Authorized Use v
3. Title and Ownership: Confidentiality v
4. Payment, Shipment, and Risk of Loss vi
5. Limited Warranty: Warranty Disclaimer vi
6. Limitation of Remedies vi
7. Infringement Indemnity vi
8. Termination vi
9. Miscellaneous vii
1 Introduction 1
Theory of Operation 1
Henry’s Law 1
Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) Sensor 1
Physical Operation 2
2 Setup Procedures 3
Preparing the Operating Environment 3
Unpacking the FDM 3
Setting the Slide Switch 4

viii
 Connecting Power and Powering Up the FDM 4
Sleep Mode, Reboot, Power Down, and Storage 5
Battery Indicators 5
Setup Menu 6
3 Measuring Fluid Samples 7
Required Testing Supplies 7
Preparing the Sample Vial 7
Adding Fluid Using a Positive Displacement Pipette 9
Adding Fluid Using a Disposable Pipette 11
Testing a Sample 12
Exporting Data to a PC 14
4 Maintenance and Troubleshooting 16
Routine Maintenance 16
The Information Screen 16
FDM will not Power Up 16
FDM Reports Fuel Concentration on a Clean Fluid 17
Poor Measurement Repeatability and/or Accuracy 17
FDM Does Not Measure or Calibrate 17
Cannot Connect Using Terminal Emulation 17
Calibrating an FDM 17
Creating a Calibration Standard Mixture 18
Calibration Procedure 18
Calibration Factor out of Normal Range Warning 19
A Specifications 20
B Ordering Parts and Supplies 22
C Certificate of Conformance 23

ix
 1 Introduction
Excessive fuel in lubricants and hydraulic fluids causes wear and loss of performance. The
Q6000-Series Fuel Dilution Meter (FDM) measures the percentage of fuel present in a fluid
sample.
• The Q6000 version is a single calibration analyzer, suitable for fleet operators
• The Q6001 version has options for multiple calibrations, suitable for laboratories or
service companies
The FDM:
• Provides fuel dilution by percentage of fuel in engine oils or hydraulic fluids
• Provides fast, accurate results: 0.2% to 15% fuel dilution in typically ~1 minute
• Tests for diesel (Q6000/6001) and gasoline and custom fuels (Q6000)
• Has memory for up to 3 fuel-in-oil calibrations (Q6001)
• Is designed for use in the field or in a laboratory. An optional hard case is available

Theory of Operation
Developed in collaboration with the U.S. Navy, the Q6000-Series FDM is widely used for the
rapid detection of fuel contamination in industrial lubricants and hydraulic fluids.
There are two operating principles: Henry’s Law, and the Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) sensor.
Henry’s Law
The concentration of fuel dilution present in an oil sample can be determined by measuring the
fuel vapor present in the headspace of a closed sample vessel at equilibrium.
Per Henry’s law, the amount of fuel diluted in the oil is directly proportional to the vapor in the
headspace: P =K C where:
gas H
P is the partial pressure of gas in the headspace
gas
K C is the Henry’s Law constant
H
C is the solute concentration
Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) Sensor
The FDM tools include a SAW sensor: a device specifically tuned to detect hydrocarbon vapors
in the sample vial headspace.
SAWs are waves that have their maximum amplitude at the surface and where most of their total
energy is expended within 15 to 20 wavelengths of the surface. These waves exist where a solid
material has a free bounded surface.
Because the amplitude is at a maximum at or very close to the surface, devices which measure
SAWs are very surface-sensitive.

1
The SAW sensor contains a sorbent polymer coating that swells or flutters when hydrocarbon
vapor passes over it. This movement is converted into electrical signals by the piezoelectric effect
of the sensor:

Physical Operation
Pumps and valves are used to bring clean air through the array to establish baseline readings.
Once the baseline is established, air containing vapors found in the sample vial headspace is
drawn in for measurement. System sensitivity is enhanced for low vapor concentrations.
A concentrator absorbs the test vapors for a specific period of time, and is then heated to release
the vapors over a much shorter time period, thereby increasing the effective vapor concentration
at the array.
An on-board microprocessor is used to both control system sequences and analyze and interpret
data from the array.

2
 2 Setup Procedures
This chapter describes the following administrative tasks:
Preparing the Operating Environment on page 3
Unpacking the FDM on page 3
Setting the Slide Switch on page 4
Connecting Power and Powering Up the FDM on page 4
Sleep Mode, Reboot, Power Down, and Storage on page 5
Battery Indicators on page 5
Setup Menu on page 6

Preparing the Operating Environment

Make sure the atmosphere is free of hydrocarbon vapors. These will interfere with
tests since the SAW sensor inside the unit absorbs hydrocarbon vapors.
Make sure the ambient temperature remains stable within +/- 2oC between 5oC
and 35oC minimize calibration drift. See also Calibrating an FDM on page 17.

• Make sure the operating relative humidity is between 5% and 95%, non-condensing and
operate the device at least 2 m (6 ft) from an outside door to maintain a constant humidity.
• Make sure the atmosphere is free of corrosive chemicals.
• Make sure the ventilation slots on the side of the FDM will not be obstructed.
• The FDM is intended for use on a flat surface only.
• The FDM has optional voice prompts with limited volume. If you plan to use the FDM in a
noisy environment, you can disable the voice feature in the Setup Menu; see Setup Menu
on page 6 for instructions.

Unpacking the FDM

Inspect the package for physical damage. If the box appears to be damaged retain the package
materials. The packaging material will be important evidence in a possible damage claim.
Please check the contents of the package against the following parts list and contact Spectro
Scientific in the event of any discrepancies.
Part # Description Quantity
-- Q6000-Series Fuel Dilution Meter 1

200-00022 A/C Power Converter cable 1

24099-00 Tweezers 1
346162035 FDM Vial Kit (Qty 50) 2

3
 346162036 Disposable pipettes (qty 50) 2
425-00028 Touch-screen Stylus 1
450-00069 Insertion tool 1
M-68270 USB Cable: A-Male to Mini-B Male 1.0 1
meter
P-11184 9 VDC Power Supply/Charger 1
P-11153 Universal Cable Kit 1

Parts and testing supplies are available direct from Spectro Scientific. See Ordering Parts and
Supplies on page 22

Setting the Slide Switch

Flip the FDM over and set the slide switch on the bottom from STORE to RUN.
The battery will not charge in Store mode, nor will the FDM power up.

Connecting Power and Powering Up the FDM

The FDM must be used in accordance with local electrical codes. We recommend
you provide a clean, grounded and dedicated circuit.
Always connect the round 9 VDC plug into the back of the FDM before plugging the
charger into the utility or generator power source.

1. Plug the AC adapter/charger into the DC connector on the back of the. device.
2. Plug the AC adapter/charger into a utility/generator outlet.

Charge a brand new battery for 8 hours before first use on battery power. A fully
charged battery will generally last ~4 - 6 hours at room temperature.

3. Briefly press and hold the power button on the front of the FDM until it lights up:

4. The FDM starts a purging routine.

5. After this, the sensor warmup process begins.

4
 You will not be able to do any sample tests until the sensor is warmed up. This will
take progressively longer in cold temperatures, so store your FDM accordingly.
If the sensor tries to warm up and there is insufficient battery power, you will see a
brief message: Low Battery - Continue Charging and the FDM will power down.

6. After this, it boots up to the Main Menu:

Sleep Mode, Reboot, Power Down, and Storage

You can put the FDM into Sleep mode to help maintain the sensor temperature. To enter Sleep
mode, tap the Setup icon in the Main Menu and tap the Sleep icon:

To reboot, slide the switch on the bottom of the case to STORE for ~5 seconds. Reset the slide
switch to RUN and press the Power button.
To power down in preparation for long-term storage, flip the FDM over and set the slide switch to
STORE and the FDM will power down immediately.

Battery Indicators
There is a standard 3-segment battery charge meter that appears in the top right corner
whenever you are on internal battery power.

If you switch to internal battery power by simply pulling out the charger plug, the AC
Connected icon in the top right corner will still show, making it impossible to know
the charge condition.
To switch to the 3-segment battery charge icon, flip the device over and slide the
switch to STORE for ~2 seconds, then back to RUN to reset the icon.

If the battery reaches a critical level, you will see a warning to connect the charger.
If the FDM has automatically shut down because of a low battery and you try to power it up again,
you will see a warning telling you to connect the charger.
If the sensor tries to warm up and there is insufficient battery power, you will see the Low Battery
- Continue Charging dialog box momentarily, and the FDM will power down again.
If the FDM is at the Main Menu but there is insufficient battery power to perform a measurement,
the battery condition icon will display a yellow warning triangle. Plug the charger back in.

5
Setup Menu
From the Main Menu, tap the Setup button. The following options are available:

6
 3 Measuring Fluid Samples
This section provides all the information you need to prepare a sample vial, analyze a fluid
sample, and export data to a PC.

Required Testing Supplies

You will need the following from the FDM parts kit:

1. Optional - Positive Displacement Pipette (PDP) with disposable tips

2. Sample vials
3. Insertion tool
4. Disposable pipettes ( if you do not have the PDP).
5. Bag of felt discs
6. Tweezers

Preparing the Sample Vial

1. Open a bag of felt discs.

Do not empty the bag onto the workbench to avoid possible contamination.

7
2. Take a single disc out of the bag using the tweezers provided with the parts kit and drop it
into the sample vial:

It is unlikely that the disc will fall totally flat as is necessary for reliable repeatability. It is
more likely that one edge will be raised to some small or larger degree:

3. Take the Insertion Tool from the parts kit and push it inside the vial to press the disc
against the bottom so it lies flat:

8
The disc must be completely flat, like this:

If you are using the optional Positive Displacement Pipette (PDP), continue to the next section.
If you are using the disposable pipette, see Adding Fluid Using a Disposable Pipette on page 11.

Adding Fluid Using a Positive Displacement Pipette

The method to introduce fluid to the sample vial is the same for both used fluid samples and
calibration fluid samples.
1. Verify that the volume of the pipette is 500 µL. On the dial it will look like “050” in all black
numbers. If necessary, set the volume by turning the thumb wheel on the pipette plunger
until the display shows the correct volume:

9
 1. Push and hold the pipette plunger all the way to the second stop position. The metallic
piston clamp should protrude from the end of pipette, like this:

2. Insert the pipette into a pipette tip, seating the piston clamp onto the capillary piston inside
the pipette tip.
3. Release the plunger to the first stop only to grip the tip in the jaws.
4. Dip the tip into the fluid and release the plunger to draw in the correct amount of fluid.

There must be no bubbles in the sample. Press and release the plunger to the first
stop several times to expel all the air.

5. Remove the pipette tip from the sample vial scraping the tip around the rim of the vial to
remove any excess liquid from the outside of the tip. Do not use a wipe for this.
6. Slowly drip the sample onto the center of the felt disc being careful not to actually touch
the pipette tip to the felt or drip any sample onto the sides of the vial:

Good Sample Poor Sample

7. Place the plastic cap on the sample vial.

8. Push the plunger all the way down to expel the used tip.

10
Adding Fluid Using a Disposable Pipette
The method to introduce fluid to the sample vial is the same for both used fluid samples and
calibration fluid samples.
1. Take a disposable pipette and fill it to the correct fill mark:

There must be no bubbles in the sample. Press and release the fill bulb several
times to expel all the air.

2. Remove the pipette tip from the sample vial scraping the tip around the rim of the vial to
remove any excess liquid from the outside of the tip. Do not use a wipe for this.
3. Slowly drip the sample onto the center of the felt disc being careful not to actually touch
the pipette tip to the felt or drip any sample onto the sides of the vial:

Good Sample Poor Sample

4. Place the plastic cap on the sample vial.

The sample is now ready to test, as described in the next section.

11
Testing a Sample
If this is the first sample taken on a brand new FDM, you MUST go through the cal-
ibration routine FIRST. The FDM is not calibrated at the factory. See Calibrating an
FDM on page 17 for the instructions.
The Fuel Dilution Meter measures the percentage of Diesel fuel or Gasoline in oil. It
cannot measure Ethanol/Gasoline blends; the SAW instrument does not detect eth-
anol.

1. Either power up the FDM or tap the return arrow to return to the Main Menu:

2. Tap the Measure icon to open the Select Fuel to Measure screen:

If you are using a Q6000 version, this screen only has the option for Diesel fuel con-
tamination testing. If you are using a Q6001 version, you can select Diesel,
Gasoline, or a Custom fuel.

3. For this example, tap Diesel to open the Sample ID screen:

4. Follow these steps to add a Sample ID; otherwise press the arrow and skip to Step 7.
5. Press Edit to open a software keyboard and create a Sample ID. For this example, enter
123, then press the arrow. The new Sample ID is displayed along with the Sample #:

The Sample # starts at 1 and it will automatically increase by 1 each time the 123
sample is run. Otherwise, you can press the Reset button to reset this value to 1
every time you run a measurement:

12
 6. Tap the arrow.
7. Place the vial in the sample chamber and close the lid firmly enough to puncture the cap.

8. Tap the arrow button to start the analysis. Analysis takes about 1 minute to complete:

9. Remove the vial and press the arrow to start an automatic purge cycle. Test results will
display after the purge is complete:

10. The data are saved automatically until such time as you transfer the data to a PC.

13
Exporting Data to a PC
You have the option to transfer data files using any Terminal Emulation (TE) program such as
HyperTerminal or PuTTY. The FDM will output in Comma Separated Values (.csv) by default.
Follow these steps to export your data:
1. Ensure both FDM and computer are powered up.
2. Connect the USB cable (supplied). Insert the Mini-B Male end to the port on the back of
the FDM.
3. Connect the other end of the cable to a USB port on your laptop.
4. Open your Terminal Emulation program and use the following connection settings:
• Baud Rate: 19200
• Data Bits: 8
• Stop bits: 1
• Parity: None
• XON/XOFF
5. If your FDM is not at the Main Menu, tap the Back arrow repeatedly.
6. Tap the Setup icon to open a calendar. Any days where data were saved are indicated in
red similar to this example for July 11:

7. Tap any day that has saved data. You will see a brief message that the data have
streamed correctly, and you are automatically returned to the calendar.

You can only stream data for one day at a time.

8. Test results open as a text document by default:

14
Delimited values are as follows:
Date, Time, Calibration Level, Sample ID, Fuel Type (STD indicates a calibration measurement),
Battery Level, Battery Voltage, Run Number, Signal Magnitude
You can either select another day for a data transfer, or press the back arrow to return to the
Setup screen.

15
 4 Maintenance and Troubleshooting

This chapter describes the following:

Routine Maintenance on page 16
The Information Screen on page 16
FDM will not Power Up on page 16
FDM Reports Fuel Concentration on a Clean Fluid on page 17
Poor Measurement Repeatability and/or Accuracy on page 17
FDM Does Not Measure or Calibrate on page 17
Cannot Connect Using Terminal Emulation on page 17
Calibrating an FDM on page 17

Routine Maintenance
The FDM is designed to require very little maintenance other than a wipe-down with a lint-free
cloth. There are no user-serviceable parts inside.
It is also advisable to set up a calibration check at reasonable intervals, such as weekly or
monthly, depending on your usage level. See Calibrating an FDM on page 17 for the procedure.

The Information Screen

If you need to call Technical Support, they may ask for some information from you about the FDM
operating condition. Follow these steps to open the information screen:
1. From the Main Menu, tap the Setup button.

2. Tap the Info button:

FDM will not Power Up

1. Make sure the slide switch on the bottom is set to Run. It will not charge or boot up if the
switch is in the Store position.
2. Push the power plug firmly into the battery charger.

16
 3. Make sure there is power at the utility/generator outlet.
4. Put the FDM in Sleep Mode and charge the battery for several hours.

FDM Reports Fuel Concentration on a Clean Fluid

This is due to a contaminated sensor.
Check the Standard, reboot the device and repeat the sample test. If there is no change after re-
sampling, call Spectro technical support

Poor Measurement Repeatability and/or Accuracy

This may be due to:
1: Inconsistent sampling. Prepare the vial according to this manual.
2: Inconsistent sample temperature. Samples must be at room temperature.
3: Leaky sample vial. Replace the vial cap.
4: FDM is too hot or cold. The ambient room temperature should not vary more than +/- 2oC to
prevent calibration drift.
Retest with fresh samples in all cases.

FDM Does Not Measure or Calibrate

This may be due to:
1: Defective sensor. Call Technical Support.
2: Pump failure. Call Technical Support.
3: Bad sample. Verify your Standard fluid and retest with fresh fluid.
4: Low battery. Charge the battery.
5: Onboard firmware corruption. Call Technical Support.
6: Contaminated Standard fluid. Retest with fresh fluid.

Cannot Connect Using Terminal Emulation

This may be due to:
1: Incorrect TE parameters. Try to reconnect with correct parameters as given in this manual.
2: Port drivers for FTDI chip not installed.
• Use Device Manager to confirm drivers are installed.
• Press button in Device Manager for Windows to update the drivers automatically or refer
to FTDI website to download.

Calibrating an FDM

You MUST calibrate the FDM before the very first measurement out of the box.
There is no factory calibration.

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You can calibrate an FDM any time you feel results are particularly inaccurate or if there has
been an ambient temperature swing of more than +/- 2oC. This is enough to cause the calibration
to drift.
You should also set up a regular schedule for calibrating the device: weekly or monthly
depending on usage.
Creating a Calibration Standard Mixture
A calibration standard is a mixture of oil and a fuel contaminant. The preferred method is to use a
standard 125 ml oil sampling bottle and fill it to 3/4 full.

A Standard may be prepared by weight or by volume. Remember to tare the

bottle on the scale before adding oil to discount the bottle weight from the sample.
Standards can also be purchased from Spectro Scientific. See Ordering Parts
and Supplies on page 22 for part numbers.

If you are creating a calibration standard by weight, you should weigh the oil first to obtain this
weight and then multiply by 5; then divide by 95. This will give you the weight of the fuel required
to be added to the oil sample to make the original oil weight a 5% fuel dilution.
(Sample Weight x 5) / 95 = Fuel Weight.
Once the calibration standard is prepared, close the bottle with the cap and shake the oil and fuel
mixture. Use a homogenizer if one is available for best results.

Let the fluid sit UNCAPPED for 30 minutes for gasoline and 1 hour for diesel.

Calibration Procedure
1. Either power up the FDM or tap the return arrow to return to the Main Menu:

2. Tap the Calibrate icon to open the Select Fuel to Measure screen:

If you are using a Q6000 version, this screen only has the option for Diesel fuel con-
tamination testing. If you are using a Q6001 version, you can select Diesel,
Gasoline, or a Custom fuel.

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 3. For this example, tap Diesel to open the Update Standard Concentration screen:

The default is to 5% to match the standard supplied by Spectro Scientific, but you
can use the + and – buttons to input the percentage fuel concentration of a cus-
tomized calibration standard mixture.

4. Prepare a vial with calibration check fluid.

5. Place the vial in the sample chamber and close the lid firmly enough to puncture the cap.
6. Press the arrow button to start the analysis. Analysis takes about 1 minute to complete.
7. At the prompt, remove the sample vial and press the arrow button.
If the measurement is within range of the previous calibration, the device will purge itself of any flu-
ids and return to the main menu so you can run a measurement.
Otherwise, you will see the Calibration Factor out of Normal Range warning:

Calibration Factor out of Normal Range Warning

If the measurement result is either,
• more than twice the range of the previous calibration
or
• zero or close to zero
then the Cal Factor out of Normal Range caution will appear:

For example, using the default 5%, if the last calibration was 5.3% and the current calibration is
5.8%, then the caution will not appear.
However, if the last calibration was 5% and the current calibration is 17.7%, then the warning will
appear. If you think the two factors should be closer, press Repeat to repeat the calibration test
(with a new calibration standard fluid if necessary); otherwise, press Accept to continue using the
test measurement of 17.7%.

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A Specifications

Product Information
Application Mineral and synthetic lubricants used in liquid fueled engines
Output % fuel dilution (by weight or volume)
Methodology ASTM WK 46501
Standard Analytical Range 0.2% to 15%
Accuracy ≤± 0.2% in range 0.2 - 2%
≤± 10% in range 2 - 15%
Repeatability ≤± 0.2% in range 0.2 - 2%
≤± 5% in range 2 - 15%
Calibration Single point, user developed, or certified check standard
(optional)
Operational Specifications
Sample Volume 500 ul, varies with viscosity
Solvents/Reagents None
Ambient Operating 5oC to 35oC (41o F to 95o F)
Temperature
Relative Humidity 0 to 90%, non-condensing
Ambient Altitude Up to 2,000 meters (6561 feet)
Power Requirements
Battery Power Source Built in rechargeable Lithium ion battery
Power Adapter 100-240 VAC, 0.5 Amp Max, 50-60 Hz
Typical Runtime 3-4 hours
Recharge Time 4 hours
Unit Power Rating +9 VDC, 1.0 Amp
Mechanical Specifications
Dimensions 13.5cm (H) x 15cm (W) x 19.75cm (D)
5.3in (H) x 5.9in (W) x 7.7in (D)
Shipping Package 17.1cm (H) x 6.3cm (W) x 5.5cm (L)
Dimensions (18in x 16in x 4in)
Weight 1.4kg (3lbs)
Shipping Package Weight 8.1kg (18lbs)

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 User Interface Specifications
Display 4.3in TFT color screen (480x272)
Data Storage 4GB
Data Transfer USB
Data Entry Touchscreen
Compliance
CE Mark: EMC Directive (2004/108/EC); RoHS

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 B Ordering Parts and Supplies
Use this table to order replacement parts and\or testing supplies.
Part # Description
200-00022 A/C Power Converter cable.
24099-00 Tweezers
346162035 Sample vials and felt discs (Qty 50)
346162036 500 ul disposable pipettes (Qty 50)
346162037 FDM Consumables kit for 500 samples. Includes vial, felt discs, and
pipettes. (Qty 500)
425-00028 Touch-Screen Stylus
450-00069 Insertion tool
DSL5%DEV- Devolatized Diesel in Oil fuel dilution standard, 100 ml
100 5%
DSLBLK15W40- Diesel Blank Standard for fuel dilution standard, 100 ml
100
GASFD-2P-100 2% Devolatized Gasoline in Oil standard, 100 ml
M-68270 USB Cable: A-Male to Mini-B Male 1.0 meter
P-11153 Universal Cable Kit
P-11184 9 VDC Power Supply/Charger
P-11186 Positive displacement pipette (PDP): 100-1000 ul
P-11187 Disposable PDP tips 100-1000 ul (Qty 182)
P-11189 Q6000-Series transport case

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 C Certificate of Conformance

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