MICROLAB® 500 Diluters and Dispensers
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Troubleshooting |
Please read this page as some problems may be easily resolved by using the information found in the message code and troubleshooting guides. |
Quick answers to help you troubleshoot your MICROLAB 500.
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Problem - instrument does not power-up
Probable Cause 1. - disconnected power cord or faulty power outlet
Corrective Action - connect power cord and check power source
Probable Cause 2. - main fuses are blown
Corrective Action - check main fuses on instrument’s rear panel;
replace fuses if necessary
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Problem - instrument
functions normally, but display screen fails to illuminate
Probable Cause 1. - controller unit not plugged in drive unit
Corrective Action - check to see that the controller unit is plugged into the drive unit
Probable Cause 2. - faulty LCD
Corrective Action - call the Hamilton Service Department
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Problem - instrument does not fill or dispense
Probable Cause 1. - faulty or blocked tubing; blocked or leaky fluid path
Corrective Action - check tubing, valve, and syringes for blockages, crimps, or loose fittings; replace tubing; either replace or reseal valve and syringes; tighten
valve and syringes
Probable Cause 2. - incorrect tubing or syringe connections
Corrective Action - check that appropriate tubing, fittings, and syringes are used and that they are finger-tight
Probable Cause 3. - faulty keys
Corrective Action - call the Hamilton Service Department
Probable Cause 4. - non-functional syringe drive(s)
Corrective Action - call the Hamilton Service Department
Probable Cause 5. - valves do not rotate (valve drives are not engaged or valve is faulty)
Corrective Action - remove and reseat valve; tighten thumbscrew; or replace valve
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Problem - instrument gives inaccurate or imprecise results
Probable Cause 1. - air exists in the fluid path
Corrective Actions -
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check to see that tubing ends are totally submerged in
reagent bottles
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check to see that tubing connections are tight; replace if necessary
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check to see that the syringe installed correctly and that is not leaking
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replace worn or leaking valve or tubing
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reduce the syringe drive speed to eliminate cavitation problems
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Probable Cause 2. - incorrect size of dispense tubing used with syringe
Corrective Actions -
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Problem - small air gap appears at tip of
probe tubing after final aspiration
Probable Cause 1. - dirty tubing
Corrective Action - change or clean the tubing
Probable Cause 2. - improper aspiration
Corrective Action - lower the aspiration speed
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Problem - Persistent air or leaks in the fluid
path
Probable Cause 1. - cavitation is occurring; syringe
drive speed is too high for the current liquid
Corrective Action - reduce syringe drive speed, use lower drive speeds for viscous liquids
Probable Cause 2. - loose, worn, or incorrect tubing
fittings
Corrective Action - hand-tighten the fittings or replace old tubing with new or correct-size tubing
Probable Cause 3. - damaged syringe plunger tip
Corrective Action - replace plunger or syringe
Probable Cause 4. - damaged valve
Corrective Action - replace valve
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Problem - Unit is overheated
Probable Cause 1. - inadequate ventilation, room
temperature too high, or duty cycle too high
Corrective Actions -
- the unit is overheated, power it off and allow it to cool down
- resume use at a lower duty cycle
- see Appendix A, Technical Specifications in the user's manual, for information about appropriate
environmental condition
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The MICROLAB®s display windows provide you with system status and with error message information. If an error occurs, an error message appears, the system beeps three times, and all operation and function keys are disabled. To recover from the error, reinitialize the system by pressing the Run/Stop key. You cannot use the probe button on a hand probe to reinitialize the system.
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Battery Errors
Communication Errors |
Custom Method Errors
Delay Time Errors |
Dilution Errors
Dispense Errors |
Drive Unit Errors
Method Errors |
Priming Errors
Syringe Errors
Titration Errors
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battery failure
The battery used to preserve stored methods has either run too low to preserve the stored methods, or there is no battery installed. Any methods that have been stored on this unit have been lost.
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battery low
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comunication
The communication link to the drive unit could not be established. Check that the connection to the drive unit is good and that the protocol and baud rate settings are correct. Also try cycling power on the drive unit. Then try the operation again.
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communication invalid echo
The echo received from the drive unit was not correct. Consult the users manual to ensure the cable, loopback switch, protocol switch, and baud rate switches are set correctly.
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communication invalid length
The drive unit responded to the last command with either too little or too much data. Consult the users manual to ensure the cable, loopback switch, protocol switch, and baud rate switches are set correctly.
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communication receive time-out
A serial I/O character was not received within the expected amount of time. Consult the users manual to ensure the cable, loopback switch, protocol switch, and baud rate switches are set up properly.
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communication transmit
A physical serial I/O error occurred while attempting to send a command to the drive unit. This problem should be reported to your dealer.
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communication invalid character
An invalid response was received from the drive unit for the last command sent. Consult the users manual to ensure the cable, loopback switch, protocol switch, and baud rate switches are set correctly.
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copy method to custom method
TA titrate method cannot be copied to a custom method. All other method types may be converted to a custom method.
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custom method is empty
At least one operation must be specified in a custom method before the method can be accepted.
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custom method over-aspirate
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delay time range
The delay time entered is not allowed on this unit. The valid delay times appear on the bottom of the screen while the delay time is being entered.
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delay time resolution
The delay time entered exceeds the delay time resolution allowed by this unit. The valid delay time resolution appears on the bottom of the screen while the delay time is being entered.
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dilute method
The dilution or ratio and a volume, or any 2 volume values must be entered for a dilution method.
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dilution parameters
- The dilution specified cannot be achieved using the syringe size(s) configured. Try one of the following:
- Use different dilution values.
- Use different sized syringes.
- Consult the users manual to determine appropriate values.
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dilution ratio
A dilution of one or a ratio of zero cannot be accomplished. A dilution greater than one or a ratio greater than zero must be used.
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dilution volume
A dilution cannot be performed when any of the dilution volumes is zero. Dilution volumes of greater than zero must be used.
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aliquots to dispense
The number of aliquots entered is greater than the maximum number of aliquots allowed for the syringe size(s) and volume(s) configured.
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no aliquot dispense volume
An aliquot dispense method requires at least one non-zero aliquot volume to be specified.
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no pipette dispense volume
A pipette method requires that a dispense volume to be specified is greater than zero.
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no serial dispense volume
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drive unit busy
The operation requested cannot be performed because the drive unit is currently busy. Either wait until the drive unit is no longer busy, or cycle its power. Then try the operation again.
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drive unit delay
configuration
This drive unit currently attached is not capable of performing one or more of the delays specified in the method. Refer to the users manual to determine the speeds supported by this drive unit.
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drive unit download
configuration
This drive unit either does not have the appropriate number of valves and/or syringes to operate this method, or is not capable or running this method. Refer to the users manual for more information.
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drive unit download
This drive unit is either unable to store any methods or is not compatible with this controller. Refer to the users manual for more information drive unit download.
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titrate method
A titration method is an interactive method and, as such, cannot be downloaded to the drive unit. All other types of methods are not interactive and may be downloaded to the drive unit.
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drive unit Step/Prime busy
This operation cannot be performed because the drive unit is currently in Step/Prime mode. Turn the Step/Prime switch off and wait for the unit to stop, then try the operation again.
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drive unit initialization
This operation requested cannot be performed because the drive unit was unable to successfully complete its initialization sequence. Check that all valves and syringes are properly attached. Then try the operation again.
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drive unit over
temperature
This method cannot be completed because the drive unit is too warm. The method may be restarted after the drive unit has cooled sufficiently.
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drive unit stalled
This method cannot be completed because the drive unit has experienced a valve and/or syringe stall. The method will have to be restarted.
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drive unit priming
The method cannot be completed because the drive unit is currently in Step/Prime mode. Turn the Step/Prime switch off and wait for the unit to stop. Then try the operation again.
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drive unit speed range
This drive unit is not capable of operating at one or more of the speeds specified in the method. Refer to the users manual to determine the speeds supported by this drive unit.
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drive unit syringe
configuration
This drive unit does not have the appropriate number of syringes to perform this method. Either change the configuration of the method or try a different method.
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invalid/unknown drive unit
This drive unit cannot be operated by the controller. Please refer to the users manual to determine the types of drive units that can be operated by the controller.
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duplicate method name
The method name selected cannot be used because a method with the same name already exists. Use the THE DELETE AN EXISTING METHOD selection to remove that method.
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method memory cleared
The battery used to preserve methods stored on this unit is good, but any stored methods have been lost. This can be caused by battery replacement or by the
first power-up of the unit.
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method memory empty
The operation cannot be performed because the method memory is empty. Use the CREATE A NEW METHOD selection to create a new method.
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method memory
A new method cannot be created because the method memory is full. Use the DELETE AN EXISTING METHOD selection to release method memory.
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prime cycles range
The number of prime cycles entered is not allowed on this unit. The valid number of prime cycles appear on the bottom of the screen while the number of prime cycles is being entered.
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prime cycles range
The number of prime cycles entered is not allowed on this unit. The valid number of prime cycles appear on the bottom of the screen while the number of prime cycles is being entered.
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operation exceeds volume
This operation cannot be performed because it exceeds the limits of the syringe. syringe speed range The syringe speed entered cannot be achieved by this unit. The valid syringe speeds appear on the screen while the speed is being entered.
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syringe volume range
The syringe volume entered exceeds the volume of the syringe that has been configured. The valid syringe volumes appear on the bottom of the screen while the syringe volume is being entered.
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syringe volume resolution
The syringe volume entered exceeds the resolution of the syringe that has been configured. The valid syringe resolution appears on the bottom of the screen while the syringe volume is being entered.
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total syringe volume
The total volume(s) entered exceeds the volume of the syringe(s) that have been configured. Either reduce the volume(s), or use a different syringe size.
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total syringe volume range
The total volume entered exceeds the volume of the syringe(s) that have been configured. The valid total volumes appear on the bottom of the screen while the total syringe volume is being entered.
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titrate fill volume
The fill volume for the syringe(s) must be at least equal to the initial volume plus the step volume.
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titrate step volume
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