Spectrophotometer

DU-640 SPRECTROPHOTOMETER (B412 & B464)
BEFORE USE:

1. New user MUST be trained by the captain or present users

2. ALWAYS add info in logbook.

GUIDELINES:

1. Don’t turn off the lamps! Switching the lamps on/off diminishes their lifespan. When you switch a lamp on, allow the machine to warm up for a half-hour before use. Shutting off the machine or clicking [vis on] and/or [UV on] will shut off the lamps.

2. Return to the Main Menu when you are finished using the machine.

3. Remove your samples from the area when you have finished using the machine.

4. Always clean up spills

5. Captain will try to maintain water and canned air for cleaning cuvettes, but please replenish the supply for the next user if you use the last of these.

6. You are only allowed to save data to a floppy disk on the A:/ drive

BASIC OPERATION:

Technical Setup (applied to both of the following applications)

1. Insert a stage that fits your cuvette (there are only two stages). The orientation of the stage is critical! ‘Front’ indicates the end of the stage closest to you. Secure the stage by tightening the screw knobs.

2. Make sure the lamps are lit by locating [vis on] and/or [UV on] in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen when you enter an application.

3. Clicking ‘Print’ will send the job to the printer. Repeatedly clicking ‘Print’ may freeze the machine.

READING ABSORBANCE AT A SET WAVELENGTH: (or a set series of wavelengths)

1. Select ‘Fixed Wavelength’ from the Main Menu.

2. Select ‘Perameters’ to set desired wavelength(s)

3. Under ‘Wavelength’ click a number. Enter your desired wavelength and say OK.

4. Next to the wavelength you just entered, under ‘User’, click ‘off’ to ‘on’ to read that wavelength. You can set/read up to 12 wavelengths with this function.

5. Click ‘Blank’ and ‘read samples’ to perform the respective functions.

READING ABSORBANCE SPECTRA:

1. Select ‘Wavelength Scan’ from the Main Menu

2. Set the desired ‘Start’ and ‘End’ wavelengths

3. You can create a custom set-up by clicking next to ‘Method Name:’.

4. The default setting will overlay each scan on the spectrum visual display.

5. Click ‘Blank’ and ‘read samples’ to perform the respective functions.

TROUBLESHOOTING AND MAINTENANCE:

The complete user’s manual is located next to the machine.

If you get a bogus absorbance reading, make sure the stage is in the correct orientation.

The machine will occasionally freeze up, requiring a re-boot. The machine should warm up for a half-hour before use after being re-booted.

Spare visible light bulbs are kept on hand for quick replacement.

Spare ink cartridges and paper for the printer are kept on hand.

100 ul Microcuvettes are fragile and expensive. If you routinely use 100 ul Microcuvettes, you may want to have a spare on hand in case one gets chipped or broken.

Manufacturer: Beckman-Coulter (800) 742-2345.

2-cell pack (100ul capacity each), Part #523450 Approx. $455

PLEASE SEE THE EQUIPMENT CAPTAIN OR JESSICA METZGER FOR SERVICE CALLS

--Jessica Metzger 12:46, 30 April 2010 (EDT)