Best Diesel Exhaust Fluid Refractometer – Our Top 3

Top 3-5

Introduction

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Analog refractometers have been around for a pretty long time. They’re devices that are capable of measuring the light-bending characteristics of various fluids. These tools have been used in a very wide range of industries as they can work pretty fast. But as technology advanced, now we can benefit from digital refractometers that are even faster and easier to use by anyone. And since the quality of the fuel is very important for a vehicle, investing in a digital refractometer is a must for car owners that often repair their vehicles by themselves.

Product
OTC
Toolly
Diesel Laptops
Image
 
 
 
Description
The OTC Diesel Exhaust Fluid Refractometer is a high-quality model designed for determining the concentration of your vehicle’s DEF. It comes at an acceptable price and it works incredibly well.(Check price at Amazon)
The Toolly Diesel Exhaust Fluid Refractometer is easily the cheapest model on the market and is specifically made for DIY workers that like to fix their own vehicle, but don’t have enough money for a professional tool. It offers decent results and lasts a long time.(Check price at Amazon)
The Diesel Laptops Diesel Exhaust Fluid Refractometer is one of the most professional models on the market and is designed for professional mechanics. It’s also quite pricey and it’s designed for frequent use and repair shops.(Check price at Amazon)

There are quite a few companies that excel in making refractometers, but the products often look pretty similar. This means you won’t have to worry when you need to change from one brand to another. These devices are easy to use once you know your way around car fluids and what to do with them. But you should be careful when buying a refractometer as they are often designed for specific purposes.

If you work with diesel fuels, you need an optical refractometer that can help you measure the bending of light in degrees Brix. This way, you can easily determine fluid concentrations. The result is NOT the actual concentration of the fuel, the results help you determine it by using a conversion table.

One of the best things about these tools is that they are incredibly affordable and simple to use. The price tags typically range from $50 to $200 on OK and good-quality models. But if you’re interested in high-end quality models that come with a wide range of features, these can cost around $500 and are great for professional mechanics. They’re designed for people that own repair shops.

Best Diesel Exhaust Fluid Refractometer – Advantages of Owning a Refractometer

Best Diesel Exhaust Fluid Refractometer

There are different devices and methods of testing fluids, which makes many people wonder whether a refractometer is better or not. The answer depends on what you’re working on. For a typical repair shop or someone that repairs cars at home, a refractometer is ideal. But if you’re working with lots of fluids and you need extremely fast and accurate results, then professional-grade tools are much better.

Refractometers are a bit more pricey than other tools (hydrometers for example), but they allow you to work with very small samples. A few drops will get you the answer you need, compared to using a whole test tube or more. It will also remain exactly where you’re placing it. This gives you peace of mind that it won’t roll off the counter and get shattered immediately. They’re also very compact and easy to carry anywhere you go. They fit into a mechanic’s tool bag quite easily.

While high-end models can be a bit pricey, you can find simple models that are inexpensive as well. And since they require low levels of maintenance, they’re cost-effective as well. Even if you are a complete beginner, reading the instructions that come with the tool is more than enough to know how to use it.

Another great advantage of these tools is their capability to offer you the results immediately. This means you won’t have to wait for lab results any longer. And since a refractometer can be used on pretty much any water-based metalworking fluid, its versatility will be a big bonus as well. Refractometers are most effective on stable fluids, recently charged systems, uncontaminated fluids, well maintained and clean-running systems, etc.

Best Diesel Exhaust Fluid Refractometer – How to Choose

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Best Diesel Exhaust Fluid Refractometer

You need to keep in mind that the refractive index of a liquid changes with density, and also with temperature. This means that before making your final decision, make sure it’s designed with ATC (Automatic Temperature Compensation).

This feature will show the same result over a wide range of practical temperatures, typically between 55F and 85F. This is typically used by brewers but it can also be useful for checking diesel exhaust fluids.

No matter what you’re buying, quality should always be a priority if you plan on using the product for a very long time. Make sure the refractometer is made from good materials and that it won’t break after an accidental drop. But since it’s such a small device, you should be careful not to drop it.

More than that, it should be scratch-resistant. This is important if you plan on using it in a repair shop or somewhere that the device will be used a lot. The price might go up a few dollars but it’s worth ensuring that the device will remain brand-new even after a hard day of work.

You should also check the capability of the refractometer to check the concentration of difficult fluids. This includes oily, dirty, or contaminated systems. If you have to deal with such a situation, you need to collect a sample directly from the fluid nozzle into a cup and avoid disturbing it for a few minutes. Mark it with the system name, date, and time as well. Then you need to poke a hole in the middle of the cup and use this portion as the sample for the test.

In this article, we’ll talk about Our Top 3 Best Diesel Exhaust Fluid Refractometer.

Best Diesel Exhaust Fluid Refractometer – Comparison Table

Product Name
OTC
Toolly
Diesel Laptops
Image
 
 
 
Easy to Use
Yes
Yes
Yes
Accurate
Yes
Yes
Yes
Fast Results
Yes
Yes
Yes
Durable Case
Yes
Yes
Yes
Full Kit
Yes
Yes
Yes
ATC
Yes
Yes
Yes
Optical Model
Yes
Yes
No
Digital Model
No
No
Yes
Link

1 OTC DEF Refractometer

Description

The OTC DEF Refractometer is the first one on our list and it’s ideal for both professionals and beginners. It’s made of high-quality materials and it’s designed to offer you fast and accurate results. You won’t have to spend lots of money and time on tasting a few cars by sending the samples to a lab.

This optical instrument allows you to measure the diesel exhaust fluid concentration in the comfort of your garage or workshop. It’s just as good as many tools used by engine manufacturers to ensure that they respect the necessary standards.

Thanks to the high-quality case, you will be able to store the tool away very easily. You won’t have to place it with other tools and risk losing or ruining it. The case is made of high-end quality plastic that is specifically designed to withstand various falls. It can also withstand hammers and other heavy objects falling on top of it. The refractometer will remain intact.

Another great advantage of the compact case is that you will be able to take this optical tool anywhere with you. It doesn’t matter if you’re asked to check the diesel exhaust fluid for a seller or if you own a repair shop. The case allows you to easily find all the tools necessary to do the testing. The package includes the unit, a case, and the instruction manual, which can be easily understood by any mechanic.

OTC, AKA Owatonna Tool Company was founded in 1925 and it will be around for a very long time. They are continuously researching, designing, and building American specialty service tools. They specialize in making various diagnostics tools and shop equipment.

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Best Diesel Exhaust Fluid Refractometer

Features

The OTC DEF Refractometer features a small area on which you can add a liquid sample. It’s called a prism and the liquid will pass through it. You should keep in mind that the more concentrated the liquid is, the more the light will bend. These tools are excellent at what they do and they work impressively fast.

These refractometers are designed with a special scale or reticle that is capable of enlarging through the eyepiece. This allows you to measure the light and other values on the scale, which have been established to help you evaluate the DEF condition. You won’t need a whole kit just to test the fuel of one or two cars. You can just pick this little case up and be on your way.

It’s important to ensure your diesel engine follows all the important regulations. EPA has decided that all diesel engines that are made after January 1st, 2010 must meet all the lowered NO emission standards. Everyone all over the world is working hard to protect the environment and one of the bigger pollution source is cars. This refractometer will help you make sure that everything is safer for our planet.

The package will include a refractometer, a dropper, a case, a screwdriver, a lens wipe cloth, and a quick guide. This is all you need to ensure the proper operation of your SCR system. You need to make sure the DEF in your vehicle is 32.5% Urea/Water solution. The scale should be 0.5%, line graduations 32.5%, indicated scale 15-40%, and 20 degrees Celsius.

Thanks to the acceptable price and high-quality performance, this refractometer is easily one of the best on the market. It’s very accurate and works within a few minutes.

Best Diesel Exhaust Fluid Refractometer

Pros

  • Easy to Use
  • High-End Quality
  • Accurate Results
  • Efficient Performance
  • Reliable and Durable Case
  • The Kit Includes Everything You Need

Cons

  • None
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2 Toolly DEF Refractometer

Toolly DEF Refractometer

Description

The Toolly DEF Refractometer is the second one on our Best Diesel Exhaust Fluid Refractometer – Top 3, and it’s a model designed for people that work on their own cars. This refractometer is made to be as affordable as possible so anyone can check their vehicle’s DEF concentration. It’s not made for repair shops and checking lots of fluids every single day. The quality could definitely be better but since it’s designed for occasional use, this model is everything you need for DIY car work.

The package includes one refractometer, 3 suction tubes, one screwdriver, one cleaning cloth, one plastic case, and one instruction manual. This is everything you need to check if the DEF concentration is acceptable or not. If the fluid is very contaminated, leave it in a cup for a few minutes before testing it. Then all you need a few drops and a few seconds.

The first step requires you to open the cover and wipe the detection prism with the provided soft cloth. Then you need to take a few drops of the solution with the tool that comes in the package and place them on the detection prism. The cover needs to be closed gently to avoid bubbles and dissolve. Make sure there’s enough liquid to spread over the entire surface of the prism.

After that, you need to point the tool’s light entrance plate at the light source or at the brightest place around. Then you need to observe everything using the eyepiece and turn the adjustment handwheel until you get the results. You need to make the blue and white dividing line of the field of view very clear. The scale value of this dividing line is the concentration.

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Best Diesel Exhaust Fluid Refractometer

Features

The Toolly DEF Refractometer features an easy, 3-step design that allows anyone to learn how to use it within a few minutes. All you need to know is that you have to calibrate the refractometer to 0, place a sample on the prism, and check the readings under a light source. While most refractometers are designed for heavy work and lots of testing, this model is specifically designed for people that only work on their own car and need to check the DEF concentration.

Thanks to the ATC feature, AKA the Automatic Temperature Compensation feature that has a range from 10C to 30C, you will benefit from accurate results. The temperature of the solution can change the result as the light bends differently when you test a hot liquid. And this reliable feature compensates for the extra temperature and allows you to benefit from more accurate results.

The small sample size will come down to the same temperature as the refractometer, as long as the prism’s ambient temperature doesn’t change. But if something happens and the ambient temperature changes significantly, you will need to re-zero the refractometer. You can do this by using water.

While this refractometer is designed to be as cheap as possible, the main part is still made of aluminum alloy, which is light but pretty durable. This ensures that nothing will happen to the instrument if you accidentally drop it while working. But it’s still ideal to be careful not to drop it down or anything on top of the instrument.

You will also receive a carrying case that is designed to protect your refractometer from any damage and dirt. Plus, it will keep all the pieces of the kit together in the same case.

Best Diesel Exhaust Fluid Refractometer

Pros

  • Easy to Use
  • Decent Quality
  • Has a Calibration Screw
  • Durable Protective Case
  • Works Pretty Fast and Accurately
  • Features Automatic Temperature Compensation

Cons

  • This refractometer is not designed for frequent use and it will break down pretty quickly in a harsh working environment.
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3 Diesel Laptops DEF Refractometer

Diesel Laptops DEF Refractometer

Description

The Diesel Laptops DEF Refractometer is a highly professional tool that comes at a pretty stingy price as well. This advanced model is completely digital, which means it doesn’t have an eyepiece you can check the concentration through. You might deal with the wrong results because of the bad lighting or simply because you missed something. And if you have the cash, this model can solve those two problems immediately.

In the package, you will find one refractometer, a few batteries that are required for the device to work, an eyedropper, and a carry case. The case is made of high-quality plastic that serves as much more than just storing the components of the kit. It will keep the dirt away from the instrument while also making sure nothing happens to it.

After you get the device, the first thing you need to do is calibrate it. This includes filling the eyedropper with distilled water and set it aside while you power on the refractometer. Then you need to use the eyedropper to fill the sight glass with distilled water and close the lid. After that, all you have to do is hold the “CAL” button for two seconds to enter the calibration mode and then press the same button once more to actually calibrate the device. Then it’s all ready for testing.

You will have to use the eyedropper again to get a small sample of DEF and fill the sight glass with it. Then you have to close the lid and press the “READ” button to take a measurement. You can make various measurements by pressing the button more than once. This device allows you to work on various vehicles as well.

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Best Diesel Exhaust Fluid Refractometer

Features

The Diesel Laptops DEF Refractometer features a digital readout that can remove the possibility of error when using an eyepiece. It uses a sight glass that won’t get affected by poor lighting. It’s quite small and it fits in the palm of your hand effortlessly. This means it’s easy to maneuver and use by anyone.

Another great feature is the Automatic Temperature Compensation (ATC). Optical and digital refractometers are almost always equipped with a special sensor that can read ambient air temperature and calibrate itself accordingly. This ensures you won’t have to deal with inaccurate results because the solution is too hot.

Thanks to the easy-to-use design, this refractometer is the ideal way of testing DEF quality in a busy workshop. All you have to do is place a few drops in the stainless steel testing area, press the button, and enjoy the results in just a few seconds.

The best thing about these models is that everything you need to know will be available on a display that can be read by anyone. And if you need the most accurate results, you can just take various readings and determine what the final result will be.

Since this is an electric device, it will require one AA battery to work. The package will include one so you can start your work immediately. But it’s ideal to have a spare around just in case. The battery that comes with the package should be placed inside the device, and in its place, you should make sure there’s a replacement.

This refractometer comes with a price tag that might turn some people away, but if you’re a professional this is a great investment.

Pros

  • Easy to Use
  • High-End Quality
  • Offers The Results Digitally
  • Offers Results in 2 Seconds
  • Works Very Accurately and Efficiently
  • Comes With a Full Kit and Everything You Need

Cons

  • Very Pricey
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Conclusion

Diesel Exhaust Fluid Refractometers come in a wide range of designs and you can choose between a manual, optical, and digital model. The manual models are the oldest on the market and they are they’re typically the most complicated. When it comes to optical refractometers, they are a bit easier to use but the results could still be affected by various reasons. This is why the digital models are ideal for repair shops and professional people that do this for a living. All the refractometers included on this list are pretty good and high-quality.

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