SECTION 8. NOTES AND HELPFUL HINTS
A. GENERAL
1.
If the computer fails, turn the power off, wait 10 seconds and then on to reset it.
2. Any time the angle changes, there is a delay of 5 sec before rotation commences. This allows the tube's
contents to settle before rotation begins.
3. Incubator and cold room use: This instrument is neither designed nor warranted for cold room use
because of its sensitivity to the damaging effects of condensation. Should you wish to use it there, you
do so at your own risk. For above ambient incubations, the entire device can be placed at a maximum
of 45° C indefinitely. Higher temperatures will eventually damage the electronics.
B. GRADIENTS
1. Buffers. Gradient run parameters supplied with each holder will apply to virtually any buffer used in
the 20-200 mM range. If your buffer is radically different from this, it would be best to check rotation
time at the recommended angle and speed using the blue dye method described on page 16.
2. Temperature. Many users wish to run gradients at temperatures higher or lower than 20°C. Since
viscosity of solutions changes with temperature, there will be some effect on gradient formation at
these non-ambient temperatures. We recommend that you form the gradients at room temperature
and then incubate them at the run temperature used.
3. Shelves or cushions are best applied after gradient formation by removing gradient from the bottom
tube with a cannula and replacing it with an equal volume of high density solution. It may not be
necessary to add a shelf to gradients in large tubes containing very dense heavy solution because the
shelf will already be there.
4. Sample volumes are adjustable by removing solution from the top of the tube after gradient
formation or by purchasing the different caps sold by BioComp. Caps leaving 4 or 10 mm for sample
at the top of the tube are now available.
5. Marker blocks are designed so that the tube will be marked at the half-full level. Should you ever
misplace your blocks, the line can easily be measured by 1) taring a dry tube with cap, 2) filling with
water and recapping, 3) removing all water from the cap reservoir and the outside of the tube,
weighing the tube, 5) removing half the water and 6) marking the position of the meniscus. This mark
can then be transferred to other tubes the same distance down from the top with a paper jig.
Replacement marker blocks are available from BioComp.
6. The gradient run lists that follows this manual are an expanded version of the gradients loaded into the
memory. The extra gradients not in the memory involve special conditions (buffers, temperatures,
other solutes) that could not be represented in the limited display of the device. If you find one that
you would like to use, enter in into the rotor memory using NEW(see above) and it will appear in the
LIST for that rotor, and in RCNT and LAST as well.
SECTION 9. TROUBLESHOOTING
Should your unit fail, these are some test procedures you should follow before calling us to determine
the nature of the problem. Here are some fault conditions:
1. The display does not light up on powering up the unit:
You should contact BioComp.
2. There is excessive play in the tilt or rotate motors. The cause is most likely the loosening of the set
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