Labcyte Echo 550 - Refill the Coupling Fluid Bottle

6-8 Echo Liquid Handler User Manual
6.2.2 Refill the coupling fluid bottle
The Echo coupling fluid couples the energy from the acoustic transducer to
the bottom of the source plate. Bubbles in the tubing (from very low fluid
level) or contamination in the fluid can reduce the accuracy or precision of
source plate surveys and fluid transfers. The coupling bottle should be
refilled (or cleaned and refilled) immediately. Maintaining clean coupling
fluid at the proper fill level ensures a high level of performance in the Echo
liquid handler.
Refill the coupling fluid bottle when one of the following occurs:
 COUPLING FLUID indicator on the Echo software DIAGNOSTICS tab is
yellow, indicating that the coupling fluid has dropped to the refill
required level. See “Coupling fluid indicator” on page 5-35.
 LCD panel WARNING indicator has turned yellow as a result of the low
coupling fluid level. See “Fault light” on page 3-10.
 Echo ActiveX events report that the coupling fluid has dropped to the
refill required level. Refer to the Labcyte Echo Integration Manual.
Materials required
 Distilled water, sufficient to fill the 1L bottle to ~900 mL
Caution: Do not use de-ionized water, as it may corrode the fluidics
system
 50 μL (one drop) algaecide (Labcyte catalog number ECHO-AL04)
 Gloves for protection when handling the algaecide
 Paper towels or shop cloths to deal with any unexpected fluid leaks
1. Ensure that no fluid transfer or diagnostic procedures are under way.
2. Turn off the vacuum and coupling fluid pump.
a. Turn off the coupling fluid pump through the DIAGNOSTICS window of
the Echo software.
b. Unplug the vacuum line to decrease vacuum pressure.
Note: The surge tank will add a few seconds to stopping the vacuum.
3. Unscrew the cap on the coupling fluid bottle and remove the bottle
from its caddy. Be careful not to lift the coupler fluid tube (straight tube)
above the water level or you will introduce air into the line. If you have
air in the line, you will need to purge, then recycle the fluid through the
system for at least 15 minutes. See “Purge the fluid circuit” on
page 6-11 and “Cycle fluid through the Echo system” on page 6-13.