Bio-Rad VersaFluor Fluorometer User Manual
VersaFluor
™
Fluorometer System
Instruction Manual
Catalog Numbers
170-2402
through
170-2404
For Technical Service Call Your Local Bio-Rad Office or in the U.S. Call 1-800-4BIORAD (1-800-424-6723)
Warranty
The VersaFluor Fluorometer and accessories are warranted against defects in materials and
workmanship for one year. If any defects occur in the instruments or accessories during this
warranty period, Bio-Rad Laboratories willrepair or replace the defective parts atits discretion without charge. The following defects, however, are specifically excluded:
1. Defects caused by improper operation.
2. Repair or modification done by anyone other than Bio-Rad Laboratories or an authorized
agent.
3. Damage caused by substituting alternative parts.
4. Use of fittings or spare parts supplied by anyone other than Bio-Rad Laboratories.
5. Damage caused by accident or misuse.
6. Damage caused by disaster.
7. Corrosion caused by improper solvent or sample.
This warranty does not apply to parts listed below:
1. Fuses
2. Lamps
For any inquiry or request for repair service, contact Bio-Rad Laboratories. Inform
Bio-Rad of the model and serial number of your instrument.
Important: This Bio-Rad instrument is designed and certified to meet EN61010-1* safe-
ty standards. Certified products are safe to use when operated in accordance with the
instruction manual. This instrument should not be modified or altered in any way.
Alteration of this instrument will:
Void the manufacturer's warranty
Void the EN61010-1 safety certification
Create a potential safety hazard
Bio-Rad Laboratories is not responsible for any injury or damage caused by the use of this
instrument for purposes other than those for which it is intended, or by modifications of the
instrument not performed by Bio-Rad Laboratories or an authorized agent.
The VersaFluor Fluorometer is not compatible with chlorinated hydrocarbons (e.g., chloroform), aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g., toluene, benzene), or acetone. Use of organic
solvents voids all warranties.
* I.E.C.1010 is an internationally accepted electrical safety standard for laboratory instruments.
Table of Contents
Page
Section 1 General Safety Information ......................................................................1
1.1 Caution Symbol.........................................................................................................1
1.2 Precautions ................................................................................................................1
Section 2 Product Description....................................................................................2
2.1 Packing List...............................................................................................................2
2.2 Identification of System Components.......................................................................2
Section 3 Installation ...................................................................................................4
3.1 Environmental Requirements....................................................................................4
3.2 Power On and Initial Display....................................................................................4
3.3 Adjusting the LCD Contrast .....................................................................................5
3.4 Setting Up the VersaFluor Thermal Printer..............................................................5
Section 4 Introduction.................................................................................................7
4.1 Fluorometer System..................................................................................................7
4.2 Operation Menu Overview........................................................................................9
4.3 Gain Function..........................................................................................................10
4.4 Range Function........................................................................................................10
4.5 Set Zero Function....................................................................................................11
4.6 Print Averaging Function........................................................................................11
4.7 Setting the Clock.....................................................................................................12
4.8 Serial Port Functions...............................................................................................12
4.9 Kinetic Readings.....................................................................................................13
4.10 Lamp ON/OFF........................................................................................................14
4.11 Resetting the Print Sample Number........................................................................14
Section 5 Operating Instructions .............................................................................15
5.1 Quick Guide Procedure...........................................................................................15
5.2 Instrument Parameter Set-Up..................................................................................16
5.3 Setting Up a Standard Curve...................................................................................16
5.4 Reading Unknown Samples....................................................................................17
Section 6 Troubleshooting.........................................................................................18
6.1 Troubleshooting Table............................................................................................18
6.2 Performance Check—Internal Diagnostics............................................................18
Section 7 Maintenance...............................................................................................20
7.1 Fuse Replacement ...................................................................................................20
7.2 Lamp Replacement..................................................................................................20
7.3 Cleaning Up a Fluid Spill........................................................................................21
Section 8 Filters for Fluor escentProtocols.............................................................22
Section 9 Specifications.............................................................................................22
Section 10 Systems, Accessories, and Reagents for VersaFluorFluorometer......23
For technical service call your local Bio-Rad office. In the U.S., call 1-800-4BIORAD
(1-800-424-6723).
Section 1
General Safety Information
1.1 Caution Symbol
Read the manual before using the VersaFluor Fluorometer. For technical assistance,
contact your local Bio-Rad Office or, in the U.S., calltechnical services at 1-800-4BIORAD
(1-800-424-6723).
Definition of Symbols
Caution (refer to accompanying documents).
Caution, hot surface.
This instrument is intended for laboratory use only.
This product conforms to the "Class A" standards for electromagnetic emissions intended
for laboratory equipment applications. It is possible that emissions from this product may
interfere with some sensitive appliances when placed nearby or in the same circuit as those
appliances. The user should be aware of this potential and take appropriate measures to avoid
interference.
1.2 Precautions
1. Do not use near flammable materials.
2. Always inspect the VersaFluor Fluorometer for damaged components before use.
3. Always connect the system to the correct AC power source.
4. Always connect the correct instrument (printer or computer only) via the serial port
connector.
5. Do not pour liquid into the sample chamber. Thorough clean-up is needed after each spill
(Section 7.3).
6. Do not place objects on the VersaFluor Fluorometer.
7. Do not look directly at the lamp when on.
8. When replacing the lamp, turn the instrument off and let the lamp cool 5 minutes. The
lamp gets very hot and may cause burns if touched before it has cooled.
9. Do not spill liquids directly on the lamp. The lamp may explode under liquid contact.
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Section 2
Product Description
2.1 Packing List
The VersaFluor Fluorometer (catalog number 170-2402) is shipped with the following
components. Upon receiving your instrument, please check that all items listed below were
shipped. If any items are missing or damaged, contact your local Bio-Rad office.
Item Quantity
Instruction manual 1
Warranty card (please complete and return) 1
VersaFluor Fluorometer 1
Power cable 1
Cuvette holder 1
Spare fuses (1.6 amp, slow-blow, T-type) 2
Disposable cuvettes, 12.5 x 12.5 mm (outside dimensions) 100
Excitation filter 1
Emission filter 1
2.2 Identification of System Components
Fig. 2.1. View of VersaFluor Fluorometer System.
Instrument
1. Push Buttons Change menu and select options by pressing
buttons. Press a single button to perform the
action described on the menu display. The
function of each push button changes as the
menu changes.
2. Menu Display Displays various menus and options available.
3. Fluorescence Units Display Displays relative fluorescence units (RFU).
4. Sample Compartment Door Lift door to insert sample cuvette into the
cuvette holder.
5. Lamp Housing Door Lift door to replace the quartz halogen lamp.
2
1
4
789
5
6
2
3
6. Fan Guard Exhaust air leaves cabinet through this opening.
7. Power Input Module and Power cord is connected to the power input
ON/OFF Switch. module. Instrument power switch.
8. Serial Output Port RS-232 connection to serial printer or com-
puter.
9. Menu LCD Contrast Adjust Carefully adjust the menu contrast using a
small screwdriver.
Sample Compartment
Fig. 2.2. Sample compartment top view.
1. Excitation Filter Holder Holds the excitation filter in place. The exci-
tation filter selects the wavelengthof thelight
which will illuminate the sample and excite
fluorescence.
2. Cuvette Holder Holds cuvette in place. The cuvette holder can
be removed by pressing the two tabs inward
and pulling upward.
3. Emission Filter Holder Holds the emission filter in place. The emis-
sion filter selects the emitted fluorescent light
that is detected by the fluorescence detector
circuitry.
3
Excitation
Emission
1
2
3
Section 3
Installation
3.1 Envir onmental Requirements
To insure correct operation and stable performance over an extended period of time,
install the VersaFluor Fluorometer in a location which meets the following conditions:
• Room temperature between 20 and 35 °C. Not recommended for cold room use (4 °C).
• Not exposed to direct sunlight.
• Not subject to direct or continuous vibration.
• Not subject to intense magnetic or electromagnetic fields.
• Relative humidity between 0–95%.
• Area free from corrosive gases or other corrosive substances.
• Area with very little dust or other airborne particles.
• Allow a 10 cm minimum space around the instrument for proper air flow.
3.2 Power On and Initial Display
The VersaFluor Fluorometer is designed to operate at universal line voltage conditions of
100–240 VAC with an AC frequency of 50–60 Hz. With the power switch in the OFF position, plug the power cable into the power input module on the back of the instrument. To
insure positive grounding, plug the VersaFluor Fluorometer instrument into a three-prong
wire receptacle.
Turn on the power switch located on the power input module in the back lower right corner of the instrument. The menu display will show the following messages:
4
BIO-RAD
VERSAFLUOR™
BIO-RAD VER. 1.30
01/01/97 12:00:00
SAMPLE START 00001
RANGE SET
PRINT 00000 ZERO SETUP
The first three screens are part of the instrument initialization and the fourth screen is the
main menu display. The VersaFluor Fluorometer instrument must warm-up for 20 minutes
prior to use. Measurements read prior to the warm-up time may cause irreproducible fluorescence readings.
3.3 Adjusting the LCD Contrast
The menu display LCD is factory adjusted for normal viewing. To change the contrast of
the menu display, locate the adjusting screw accessible from the back of the instrument
(Section 2.2). Inside the round hole above the label “LCD CONTRAST ADJUST” is the
adjusting potentiometer. Insert a small flat-bladed screwdriver into the round hole and carefully turn the adjusting screw to increase or decrease the menu display contrast.
3.4 Setting Up the VersaFluor Thermal Printer
The VersaFluor Thermal Printer, Model DPU-414 is ready for use with the VersaFluor
Fluorometer. The procedure for setting up the printer for the first time is described below.
Please refer to the Thermal Printer manual for more information.
Thermal Printer
1. Turn off the printer power.
2. Insert the DC plug on the AC adaptor into the power supply jack on the printer.
3. Plug the AC adaptor into an outlet.
4. Attach the serial cable adaptor to the serial cable.
5. Connect the 9-pin end of the serial cable to the serial port located on the back printer.
Connect the 25-pin end of the serial cable to the serial port located on the back of the
VersaFluor Fluorometer.
6. Load the thermal paper into the printer (Refer to the Printer manual).
7. The printer DIP switches must be set in the printer so that the VersaFluor Fluorometer can
communicate with the printer. Slide the power switch to ON while pressing the ONLINE
button. Release the ONLINE button and a list of the current settings will be printed.
8. The print out of the current settings is followed by the prompt:
"Continue? : Push On-line SW"
"Write? : Push paper feed SW"
Push the ONLINE button to continue.
9. Dip SW1 is printed, prompting the input of new settings for switch numbers 1–SW1. ON
can be set by pushing the ONLINE button once. OFF can be set by pushing the FEED but-
ton once.
Note: Always input either ON or OFF for every setting in order for switch number 1
through 8 because DIP SW Set Mode can not be canceled once it is initiated.
The setting is printed after the ONLINE or FEED button is pushed, confirming the new
setting. As soon as switch number 8 is set, the printer will prompt with "Continue?" or
"Write?" and steps 8 and 9 are repeated for DIP SW2 and DIP SW3. When switch
number 8 of DIP SW3 is set, the printer writes the settings to memory regardless of which
button is pushed.
Caution: Never turn the printer off while it is writing the new settings to memory.
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Below are the DIP switch settings to use with the VersaFluor Fluorometer. Please refer
to the printer manual for full descriptions of the DIP switch settings.
DIP SW1
Switch No. Action Setting
1 Press FEED (OFF)
2 Press ONLINE (ON)
3 Press ONLINE (ON)
4 Press FEED (OFF)
5 Press ONLINE (ON)
6 Press FEED (OFF)
7 Press ONLINE (ON)
8 Press ONLINE (ON)
DIP SW2
Switch No. Action Setting
1 Press ONLINE (ON)
2 Press ONLINE (ON)
3 Press ONLINE (ON)
4 Press ONLINE (ON)
5 Press ONLINE (ON)
6 Press ONLINE (ON)
7 Press ONLINE (ON)
8 Press FEED (OFF)
DIP SW3
Switch No. Action Setting
1 Press ONLINE (ON)
2 Press ONLINE (ON)
3 Press ONLINE (ON)
4 Press FEED (OFF)
5 Press FEED (OFF)
6 Press ONLINE (ON)
7 Press ONLINE (ON)
8 Press ONLINE (ON)
VersaFluor Fluorometer
The baud rate and flow control parameters is seton the VersaFluorFluorometer in order
to communicate with the thermal printer. Set the baud rate to 9600 and the flow control to
XON. See Section 4.8 for serial port function and parameters.
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