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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
Flex 1 detected but not in position 1 No results from Strip 1 Retest with fresh sample with strips in correct positions
Flex 2 detected but not in position 2 No results from Strip 2 Retest with fresh sample with strips in correct positions
Flex 3 detected but not in position 3 No results from Strip 3 Retest with fresh sample with strips in correct positions
Flex 4 detected but not in position 4 No results from Strip 4 Retest with fresh sample with strips in correct positions
Phosphate prep error (no reagent prep) No results from Strip 4 Retest with fresh sample and use 0.5 mL of R-9112-C
Pad color not recognized - White Balance No result for that test Retest with fresh sample and proper technique
Pad color not recognized - Color Deviation No result for that test Retest with fresh sample and proper technique
Pad color not recognized - TDRatio rgb) No result for that test Retest with fresh sample and proper technique
Pad color not recognized - TDRatio ratios) No result for that test Retest with fresh sample and proper technique
High Free Chlorine (FC >10 ppm) All results invalid Wait until chlorine levels decrease
Low Total Alkalinity (TA <20 ppm) pH not be reported Increase TA before adjusting pH
High pH (pH >8.1) CYA will not be reported Decrease pH before CYA
Low pH (pH <6.8) CYA will not be reported Increase pH before CYA

 

OBSERVATIONS POSSIBLE CAUSE RESULT CORRECTIVE ACTION
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.
"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.
"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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Printer setting on computer set to grayscale Report prints only in black Go to "Settings" on your computer and uncheck grayscale in printer settings
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.
Printer setting on computer set to multiple copies Report prints too many copies Go to "Settings" in computer and change "copies" in printer settings
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.
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.
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.
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
 
  • 1 level scoop of iron reagent to chamber 1 and 0.5 mL of phosphate reagent to chamber 4
  • Add 5 mL to both chambers
 
  •  This should make the notches on the strip clip meet the test vial dividers
  •  This should allow the CYA pad on Flex 3 to enter the sample 
 
 
  •  Start over with a fresh sample if late on any steps
 
 
  • Rinse and fill sample cell
  • Add prep reagents (if necessary), transfer samples to Flex 1 and Flex 4
  • Place strip(s) in strip holder, apply strip clip

 

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
Iron and phosphate prep reagents Add these reagents into respective chambers before adding sample water. This improves mixing and results.
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. 

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.

When loading the strip clip Use only the strips for the tests you need for the water evaluation. This may be just Flex 3.
Creating your profile in sureTREAT Chosen tests and recommendations can be edited for your objectives.
Creating your profile in sureTREAT Graphics should be added for header and footer of your sureTREAT report.