Maintenance
SORVALL
®
Centrifuges
5-2
Use 70% ethanol to disinfect the rotor chamber or a 2% glutaralde-
hyde solution to sterilize it. For general radioactive decontamina-
tion, use a solution of equal parts of 70% ethanol, water, and 10%
SDS. Follow with ethanol rinses, then deionized water rinses. Dry
with a soft absorbent cloth. Dispose of wash solution in proper
radioactive waste containers. Read the CAUTION.
In normal operation, it is not unusual for moisture in the air to
condense on the cool walls of the rotor chamber, so that the
chamber must be wiped dry. When the chamber gets colder, frost
can collect on the chamber walls and, as it builds up, act as an
insulator between the chamber air and the refrigerant. If frost
collects on the chamber walls, you should periodically defrost
the chamber to maintain efficient cooling. To defrost the cham-
ber, remove the rotor, close the chamber door, and change the
SET temperature to 25. When the displayed RUN temperature
reaches 20, open the door and wipe all parts of the chamber dry.
Then wipe the rotor dry, reinstall it, close the chamber door and
enter a desired SET temperature.
Drive Spindle
Wipe the spindle with a soft cloth before a rotor is installed to
reduce the chance of the rotor sticking to the spindle. If neces-
sary, to remove deposits, the spindle may be washed with warm
water; make sure it is wiped dry before installing the rotor.
Cabinet
The enameled cabinet panels may be cleaned with a household
wax cleaner. A mild, nonalkaline detergent and water may be
used to clean the top deck and the chamber door.
Door Gas Springs
Monthly, check that the two door gas springs are functioning
properly by opening the chamber door and making sure it
remains open. The gas springs counterbalance the weight of the
door and hold it in the open position. Also, check that the
connecting ends of each gas spring and the brackets they are
connected to have not developed cracks. If the chamber door will
not stay in the open position, or a gas spring or bracket is cracked,
contact your local Service Representative.
Lubrication
All components are prelubricated and require no further lubrication.
The refrigeration unit is hermetically sealed and the ball bearings in
the gyro-action drive assembly and the centrifuge motor are perma-
nently lubricated.
C A U T I O N
Chlorides are extremely
harmful to aluminum alloy rotors and
can cause stress corrosion cracking.
Therefore, if chlorides are used to
disinfect the chamber, be sure to rinse
the chamber thoroughly with water to
remove all of the chloride cleanser.
!
WARNING
The door gas springs must
be checked periodically for proper
functioning. If gas pressure is not suf-
ficient the door will not stay open and
possible injury could result.
!
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