Xpress Flex® Operating Guide
The Next Evolution of In-Store Water Testing
The information below can be used for troubleshooting. Please review each chart to see if there is a quick and efficient solution to your problem. If you cannot find a solution here, please feel free to call 877-TEST KIT for technical assistance.
| ERROR CODES | CAUSE | RESULT | CORRECTIVE ACTION |
|---|---|---|---|
|
401 |
Flex 1 detected but not in position 1 | No results from Strip 1 | Retest with fresh sample with strips in correct positions |
|
402 |
Flex 2 detected but not in position 2 | No results from Strip 2 | Retest with fresh sample with strips in correct positions |
|
403 |
Flex 3 detected but not in position 3 | No results from Strip 3 | Retest with fresh sample with strips in correct positions |
|
404 |
Flex 4 detected but not in position 4 | No results from Strip 4 | Retest with fresh sample with strips in correct positions |
|
405 |
Phosphate prep error (no reagent prep) | No results from Strip 4 | Retest with fresh sample and use 0.5 mL of R-9112-C |
|
410 |
Pad color not recognized - White Balance | No result for that test | Retest with fresh sample and proper technique |
| 411 | Pad color not recognized - Color Deviation | No result for that test | Retest with fresh sample and proper technique |
| 412 | Pad color not recognized - TDRatio rgb) | No result for that test | Retest with fresh sample and proper technique |
| 413 | Pad color not recognized - TDRatio ratios) | No result for that test | Retest with fresh sample and proper technique |
| 450 | High Free Chlorine (FC >10 ppm) | All results invalid | Wait until chlorine levels decrease |
| 451 | Low Total Alkalinity (TA <20 ppm) | pH not be reported | Increase TA before adjusting pH |
| 452 | High pH (pH >8.1) | CYA will not be reported | Decrease pH before CYA |
| 453 | Low pH (pH <6.8) | CYA will not be reported | Increase pH before CYA |
| OBSERVATIONS | POSSIBLE CAUSE | RESULT | CORRECTIVE ACTION |
|---|---|---|---|
|
sureTREAT is not connecting with Xpress Flex |
Incorrect web address | No connection between computer and Xpress Flex | In your browser go to retail.suretreat.com. Be sure Xpress Flex is connected to computer. |
|
Test results appear different with new strips |
"Batch Number" for test strip(s) was not updated with new bottle | Test results may be inconsistent/unusual | Update test strip batch number in Xpress Flex sureTREAT program. |
|
Total Alkalinity (TA) looks low |
"Adjusting TA for CYA" is turned on in sureTREAT | TA is reported lower than a titration or other test | Retest with "Adjusting TA for CYA" could be turned off, but "corrected TA" is what a proper balance (LSI) requires. |
|
pH result is unusual |
Sample could have low Total Alkalinity | pH is unexpected or different than another test | Advise the customer to increase alkalinity and then return for a retest. |
|
Hardness result looks high |
Xpress Flex reports "Total Hardness" rather than "Calcium Hardness" | "Hardness" result may look 50% higher | For high hardness levels, a titration may be required for a more accurate result. |
|
Results different than other tests |
Precision of test strips | Results could be +/- 1/2 color block for test | If more than +/- 1/2 color block, retest with fresh sample and proper technique. |
| No test result for CYA test | CYA pad on Flex 3 did not reach sample during dipping | Error Code 411 | Retest with fresh sample and proper technique making sure pad reaches sample. |
| No test result for CYA test | pH is outside the range of 6.8 to 8.2 | Error Code 451 | Advise the customer to adjust pH and then return for a retest. |
| No test result for iron test | No prep reagent added to sample cell | No iron test result or consistent "0 ppm" | Retest with fresh sample and use 1 level scoop of R-9103-I. |
| Test results show errors ("retest") across wide range of tests | Device not imaging pads correctly | Report tells user to "retest with fresh sample" | Unplug the Xpress Flex unit from the computer's USB port for 15-20 seconds to power cycle the device and restart Xpress Flex Connect program. Retest with fresh sample. |
| Report Quality | Printer setting on computer set to grayscale | Report prints only in black | Go to "Settings" on your computer and uncheck grayscale in printer settings |
| Report Quality - Report is excessively long | Text in recommendations section could be excessive | Report for customer is more pages than desired | Edit recommendations in the sureTREAT program. If the user has done that, there is no fix. In the future, we may have a short-report option, but that is not available yet. |
| Report Quantity | Printer setting on computer set to multiple copies | Report prints too many copies | Go to "Settings" in computer and change "copies" in printer settings |
| Error updating or saving test strip counts AND/OR batch numbers | Certain features require Xpress Flex Connect to be run in administrator mode OR User does not have administrative rights on his computer. XFConnect cannot save to 'Program Data' folder if the user does not have the proper usage rights. | Flex Strip codes and quantities do not save | Right click on the "Xpress Flex Connect" short cut. Choose "Run as Administrator". Click "Yes" when it asks if you allow the app to make changes to your device. If it asks for a username/password, contact your computer administrator and run Windows with an account with administrator rights. |
| "It keeps telling me to install updates, but when I click it, nothing happens." | User needs to run XFConnect in administrator mode | The program will not install updates, even though the user clicks "Install" | Right click on the "Xpress Flex Connect" short cut. Choose "Run as Administrator". Click "Yes" when it asks if you allow the app to make changes to your device. |
| "Another product gives different results with the same water sample." | Different test methods use different chemistries to arrive at the best possible answer | Different test results with the same sample of water from different test methods | The Xpress Flex has been calibrated for use with our test strips to arrive at the best possible answers. No test method is universally perfect. |
| "I don't like the web URLs printing on the top and bottom of the test reports. The old sureTREAT app didn't do that." | User needs to adjust their printer settings | URLs print out on the top and bottom of the test reports | When you print, check your settings. In Chrome (for example) there is a checkbox under 'More settings' called 'Headers and footers'. This will remove the URLs from the report. |
Proper Techniques for Testing
| STEPS | MEASUREMENTS/NOTES |
|---|---|
|
Pour your sample water into the center chamber on the test vial (~80 mL) |
|
|
Carefully measure prep reagents for iron and phosphate and add to respective chambers |
|
|
Carefully use syringe to measure sample water from center chamber and add to chamber 1 and 4 |
|
|
Cap center chamber of test vial and swirl to mix |
|
|
When dipping strips, be sure numbers on clip and testing vial line up |
|
|
Minimize "flicking" of test strips |
|
| Avoid handling test strips near pads when loading into Xpress Flex | |
|
Follow all program prompts |
|
| Replace the lids of the test strip bottles when not in use | |
| If Xpress Flex shuttle starts accumulating water, then dry with cloth | |
| Start prep of next sample while Xpress Flex is waiting for current sample |
|
Tips and Tricks!
Keep these tips and tricks in mind to get the most out of your Xpress Flex testing experience.
| TIP | STEP IN PROCEDURE | IMPROVEMENT |
|---|---|---|
|
Sample prep |
Iron and phosphate prep reagents | Add these reagents into respective chambers before adding sample water. This improves mixing and results. |
|
Dipping strips |
When using test strip clip and dipping strip(s) into sample cell |
Use two hands to dip strips. This helps with strip alignment while you are looking to avoid touching the inside of the sample cell. |
|
Dipping strips |
When dipping the strip(s) into the sample cell |
Have audio available on your computer to hear audible cues. It is important to dip for 2 seconds. |
|
Strips used |
When loading the strip clip | Use only the strips for the tests you need for the water evaluation. This may be just Flex 3. |
|
Personalize sT |
Creating your profile in sureTREAT | Chosen tests and recommendations can be edited for your objectives. |
|
Personalize sT |
Creating your profile in sureTREAT | Graphics should be added for header and footer of your sureTREAT report. |
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