Inconsistent pH Test Results

[HofstraJet]

Latest battery of tests reads as follows:

FC: 5
CC: 0
pH: see below
TA: 60
CH: 350
CYA: 50
Borates: 50
Salt: 800

I just purchased the Taylor K-1285-6 pH test as my pH with the standard K-2006 kit reads over 8 regularly due to my spa spillover. The K-2006 appears to be accurate since when I put in the suggested amount of MA based on the acid demand test, the pH then reads at the expected level based on the MA added. Reagent was purchased last year and still looks fresh (I keep it in the house which is always air-conditioned). The new K-1285-6 test kit shows a pH of 7.4. I had my water tested at Pinch-a-Penny today for kicks and they stated 7.6 (surprisingly, all other pool store numbers were pretty close, except TA which I measured at 60. they gave me 120).

I also purchased the K-1285-4 for when pH is very low, which happens when I overdose on MA sometimes. That kit goes to 7.4 on the high end and my pH on that scale is way darker than the 7.4 cell, so I presume that my pH is much higher.

The Cresol Red reagent for the 1285-6 kit looks watery - it is an orangey-red and not as deep a color as the other indicator reagents. The Bromthymol Blue is deep as is the Phenol Red.

The test kits were purchased from http://www.poolweb.com who had them drop shipped from Taylor, so you would assume they would be fresh from the manufacturer.

Any suggestions as to what the problem is and why I am getting inconsistent results?

Thanks!

[aylad]

Bumping this post up......