FAQ for the Bluelab Pulse Meter

Find answers and solutions to common questions

I am having connectivity and pairing issues, what should I do? 

If your Pulse Meter is struggling to connect to the app, the following problems can be fixed with this troubleshooting guide: 

• The Pulse Meter won't pair with the Pulse app 
• The connection between the Pulse Meter and the Pulse app drops out 
• You are unable to take measurements

Why are my measurements taken from my Pulse Meter not the same as my extraction tests? 

You may notice that your measurements taken from Pulse are different from your regular extraction tests. This is normal. For example, when using two laboratories to do tests for the same soil sample you may well get different conductivity readings. Neither are wrong, just the measurement method was different.

Read more in our extraction test comparison article.

When should I calibrate or recalibrate my Pulse Meter? 

Because the maximum water holding capacity (WHC) of the medium changes with plant age, due to increased roots and medium compaction, the same plant may need to be recalibrated with Pulse to account for the change.

To test if Pulse requires calibration to the medium:

1. Irrigate the container to saturation and leave to freely drain for one hour to reach maximum WHC
2. Test moisture levels with Pulse with the current calibration programmed
3. If the moisture measurements are between 90% and 100% of the maximum WHC the calibration is still relevant. If the moisture is below 90%, make a new calibration

Can the Pulse Meter be used in perlite? 

No, not if it is 100% perlite. If the perlite is mixed with soil, that's fine. If it is a coco/perlite blend, we recommend using 50% or more coco/coir than perlite.

Does the Pulse Meter require calibrating to EC? 

No, the Pulse comes factory calibrated to EC. 

How do I change the Pulse app notifications? 

Your phone will vibrate once for a good measurement (all values within range) and twice for a bad measurement (any measurement outside of required range).

1. In the Pulse app, go to “Settings” in the top-left of the screen and under the “Notifications” heading, tap on the “Measurements” heading.
2. Choose your notification preferences from the list.

Is the Pulse Meter waterproof? 

The Bluelab Pulse Meter is water resistant.

This means it will has been designed with greenhouse and open field in mind so it will not be damaged in rain, under sprinklers, if dropped in a puddle and quickly picked up, or washing under a normal tap. Any high pressure washing or submerging of the Pulse in solution is not covered under warranty and may damage the unit.

What is the Pulse Meter's lifespan? 

As with any device, the product life span will depend entirely on use and care. The device has a 1-year warranty, but it is expected to last much longer than this if properly cared for. Examples of this include (but are not exclusive to) not submerging the device, not leaving it for extended periods (months) with a battery inside of it, and/or not unduly bending the probes.

What kind of battery does the Pulse Meter run on? 

The Pulse runs on a single AA alkaline battery. One battery will last between 2 and 4 months depending on how the Pulse is used (2 months with 200 measurements a day, 4 months with 10 measurements a day).

Does the Pulse Meter require an internet connection? 

Initially, you will need an internet connection to download and log into the Bluelab Pulse App. But, after this you will only need Bluetooth to use the Pulse device with the Pulse app.

If you log out of the Pulse App, you will need an internet connection to log back in.

How accurate is the Bluelab Pulse Meter? 

The following is the measurement accuracy table taken from the technical specifications.

* Measured in KCl solution at 20°C / 68°F in a 270 mm high, 10 liter / 2.6 gallon container.
** Measured in a coir, bark, peat and pumice mixed media that the Bluelab Pulse was calibrated to at 20°C / 68°F in a 150 mm dia x 250 mm high vessel.

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