Fluorophos Technical Support
Warning
Laboratories Are Wet Places
Electricity and water/milk/chemicals/people do not mix
Do not perform any service or maintenance yourself, except as detailed in the User’s Guide
Never restrict airflow into or out of the instrument
Regularly check the air vents for blockages
Before Working On The Instrument Call QCL For Advice If
Liquid or a foreign object has been spilled or fallen into the interior of the Instrument
There are noticeable signs of overheating or a smell of burning
The main supply fuse(s) or any other fuses or trips continually fail
Before Removing Any Covers
Switch off the power at the back of the instrument
Switch off the power at the wall outlet (or isolation point)
Remove power lead from back of instrument
Changing the fuses on the FLM200 Fluorophos
Fluorophos ALP Diagnostic Test
The diagnostic test will guide you through fault finding on the instrument, pipette and substrate.
The following tests are recommended for the diagnosis of all of the most common Fluorophos problems. The checklist will guide you through procedures to confirm that the instrument, pipettes and reagents are all in correct working order, identify problem areas and offer advice on how to resolve the cause of the problem.
To carry out the full procedure beginning with the instrument check click here.
To skip the instrument check and begin with the substrate check click here.
To skip the instrument and substrate check and begin with the pipette check click here.
Fluorophos FLM300 Troubleshooting
Below are explanations for given problems or messages on the FLM300 model Fluorophos
Cuvette door open
Test procedure is cancelled. Close the cuvette door and restart the test.
Cuvette temperature high or low
The temperature of the fluorometer cuvette chamber (and/or the contents of the cuvette in the cuvette chamber) is not at 38 ± 1°C. Wait for the cuvette chamber temperature to stabilize.
Calibration required
The product channel chosen has not yet been calibrated. Perform calibration.
LED temperature high or low
The temperature of the sample illumination LED is not at its set point. Wait for the LED temperature to stabilize.
Incubator temperature high or low
The temperature of the fluorometer heater block is not at 38 ± 1°C. This error will not prevent calibration or testing.
Standards reversed? please repeat
The calibrators were tested in reverse order. Prepare new calibrators and repeat.
Calibration not complete
The difference between the fluorescence of the duplicate readings on each calibrator must be less than 6 fluorescence units.
Value less than 10 mU/L or less than 10 mU/kg
If either minute two or minute three are below or equal to zero fluorescence (indicating a very low result). Confirm this very low result by pressing TEST and START a second time and/ or third time. Check to make sure sample has been added to the substrate. Repeat the entire test with new substrate and sample.
Overranged, repeat test
Sample reads over 24,000 fluorescent units, very high activity. Repeat on dilution to confirm.
Unacceptable calib ratio
The difference in fluorescence reading between the calibrators is greater than allowed. Repeat calibration with new calibrators.
Unstable reading, repeat test
The average change in fluorescence during minute two is not within an acceptable range of that during minute three. Among the reasons for this are: (1) Substrate not at 38°C. (2) Not a uniform, well-mixed sample. Repeat the test.
Underranged, repeat test
Sample reads under 100 fluorescent units, very low activity.
Calibrator C output drifts over time, or instrument requires frequent readjustment
The sample illumination LED and/or optical filters may require replacement. Please contact our service department on 01342 820822 or service@qclscientific.com
Readout is unstable
The sample illumination LED and/or optical filters may require replacement. Please contact our service department on 01342 820822 or service@qclscientific.com
Low readings in A/D test
With a Daily Instrument Control cuvette in the sample chamber, a reading near 300 FLU may indicate a problem with the sample illumination LED. If the low readings persist with the sample door open, the shutter which protects the PMT from ambient light may have failed to open. Please contact our service department on 01342 820822 or service@qclscientific.com
System temperature high
The instrument temperature is above 29°C. Move the instrument to a cooler location.
Temperature too high
Temperature setting entered while adjusting incubator or cuvette temperatures is too high. Enter a lower setting.
Battery low
Internal battery requires replacement. Please contact our service department on 01342 820822 or service@qclscientific.com
Powerup diag failed
One of the internal diagnostics failed during powerup. Power down the instrument, wait 30 seconds, and power up again. If this continues please contact our service department on 01342 820822 or service@qclscientific.com
Error reading barcode
The number of barcode characters is greater than 13. Barcode must be 13 characters or less.
