SKC Limited Sidekick MTX Pump Operating Instructions

Sidekick Air Sampling Pump

This manual covers the following models:

224-50MH, 224-51MTX, 224-52MTX

www.skcltd.com

Operating Instructions

Purchase Details and Service History

Thank you for choosing an SKC product. Your purchase is covered by our warranty, details of which can be
found inside the rear cover of this manual.

Product Model Number Product Serial Number Date of Purchase

SKC recommends annual servicing of this product. The first service is due one year from the date of purchase,
and then at yearly intervals on this date.

Service Date Service Date Service Date

1 5 9

2 6 10

3 7 11

4 8 12

Please note that SKC Ltd are the only authorised service centre in the UK, guaranteeing you access to the full
range of genuine SKC replacement parts. For all other areas a full list of SKC approved distributors and service
centres can be found at www.skcltd.com

SKC UK service centre - Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Email: [e-mail]

Page 2 224-SMTXM Issue F www.skcltd.com

Contents

Intrinsic Safety Information .............................................................................................................................2

Specifications ................................................................................................................................................3

General Information .......................................................................................................................................6

Diagram of the Sidekick Pump.......................................................................................................................8

Getting Started ............................................................................................................................................10

Troubleshooting ...........................................................................................................................................14

Care of the Battery Pack ..............................................................................................................................18

Sidekick Pump Components .......................................................................................................................20

Sidekick Pump Replacement Parts ..............................................................................................................21

Sidekick Pump Accessories .........................................................................................................................22

Intrinsic Safety Certification ..........................................................................................................................24

Warranty Information ...................................................................................................................................28

www.skcltd.com 224-SMTXM Issue F Page 1

Intrinsic Safety Information

The Sidekick MTX pump range

• Complies with the EC ATEX Directive 94/9/EC on equipment intended for use in potentially explosive
atmospheres, as intrinsically safe to EEx ia IIC T4, for use in Europe.

• The equipment may be used in zones 1 and 2 with flammable gases and vapours with apparatus groups

II

A, IIB & IIC and with temperature classes T1,T2,T3,T4.

• The equipment is only certified for use in ambient temperatures in the range -20 to +40°C and should not
be used outside this range.

• The battery pack should not be charged in a hazardous area.

• Use only SKC approved chargers designated for the model.

• The equipment has not been assessed as a safety related device (as referred to in Directive 94/9/EC

Annex II, clause 1.5).

• The equipment should not be used if damaged in a way that could invalidate intrinsic safety. Such
defects might include cracking of the battery pack enclosure and internal encapsulant such that internal
components or cells are exposed.

Important note about intrinsic safety

If you are unsure as to whether the Sidekick pump you have purchased is suitable for your environment, check
with your site manager or responsible person BEFORE USE that the intrinsic safety rating on the product
meets your site requirements. SKC personnel are unable to recommend the appropriate safety rating for your
site.

Page 2 224-SMTXM Issue F www.skcltd.com

Specifications

All models

79.5mm 57mm

• Weight: 224-50MH - 465 g

224-51MTX & 224-52MTX - 575 g

• Enclosure rating: IP20

• Operating range: 5-3000 ml/min (5 - 500 requires adapter)

• Flow control: ±5% set point constant flow

145mm

• Battery pack: NiMH rechargeable, 2.0 Ah, 4.8 V

• Storage & operating temperature: -20°C to +40°C

• Operating humidity: 0 to 95% RH

• Compensation range:

Flow rate

(ml/min)

1000 5 - 25
2000 0 - 25
2500 0 - 20
3000 0 - 15

Back Pressure

(inches of water)

Typical sample media back pressure:

I.O.M. sampler with GFA filter at 3 l/min =

approximately 7 inches of water

I.O.M. sampler with 0.8µm MCE filter at 2 l/min =

approximately 15 inches of water

• Typical run time: 8 hours minimum at 3000 ml/min and 15 inches of water back pressure

• Low battery shutdown function

224-52MTX only:

• Flow fault shutdown function in event of high back pressure or pinched hose

• Timer: Run time display 0 to 99,999 minutes

Accuracy ±0.05%
Timer freeze and run time retention on low battery and flow fault shutdown

www.skcltd.com 224-SMTXM Issue F Page 3

Specifications

Pump Features

All Models

SKC offer two battery charger options for the Sidekick series pumps, a single
charger (Part No. 223-203A) and a five station charger (Part No. 223-103A).

Battery charging options

Mains power option

Anti-tamper cover The pump controls are situated beneath a clear anti-tamper cover.

Low battery shutdown

Particulate trap

Page 4 224-SMTXM Issue F www.skcltd.com

Both charger models provide optimum charging of the NiMH battery packs
used in the Sidekick series pumps, based on a timed (16 hour) constant
current charging phase followed by a switch to a trickle charging rate to
prevent overcharging.

The Sidekick series pumps can also be powered from the electrical mains
supply using a ‘battery eliminator’ (Part Nos. 223-300B - Euro 2 pin plug, 223­300C UK 3 pin plug). This accessory comprises a mains adaptor and dummy
battery pack which is fitted to the pump in place of the standard battery pack.
Please note that the pump’s ATEX certification is invalidated when using the
battery eliminator, and therefore must not be used in hazardous areas when
the battery eliminator is fitted.

Automatic pump shutdown in the event of a low battery condition. Prevents
degradation of battery pack due to over-discharge.

Built in replaceable filter to trap particles that would otherwise contaminate
the pump mechanism.

Specifications

Pump Features

224-50MH & 224-51MTX Only

LED run indicator LED run indicator gives clear visual indication that pump is running.

224-52MTX Only

LCD screen

Flow fault function

www.skcltd.com 224-SMTXM Issue F Page 5

LCD screen indicates elapsed sample run time in minutes up to 999 minutes.
Also displays low battery condition and flow fault condition. Elapsed sample
time is retained on screen in the event of low battery or flow fault shutdown.

Indicates flow fault due to obstructed tubing or excessive filter loading.
Shuts the pump down if the condition persists for longer than 15 seconds.
Automatically attempts four restarts before shutting down completely.

General Information

1) Pump Models

224-50MH Standard pump with simple on/off control. Non-intrinsically safe model.

224-51MTX Intermediate pump with simple on/off control. Intrinsically safe model.

224-52MTX Deluxe pump with simple on/off control and elapsed time display. Intrinsically safe model.

2) Care of Sidekick Series Pumps

• Always use the correct SKC batteries and battery chargers designated for the Sidekick series pumps.

• Never run the pump long term without a tube or filter medium in place.

• When carrying out sampling using long term colour change tubes always use a tandem tube holder with trap tube

(Part No. 222-3D-2 and cover 224-29T). This will prevent the aggressive fumes generated by these tubes from
entering and damaging the pump mechanism.

• When carrying out sampling using impingers always fit a trap between the impinger and pump inlet. This will prevent
the possibility of the fluid used in the impinger from entering and damaging the pump mechanism. As a further
precaution always ensure that the pump flow rate is set to below 1 litre/min before connecting the trap and impinger
to the pump inlet. For stability use the accessory mounting screws (refer to pump diagram on pages 8 and 9) to fix
the impinger bracket to the front of the pump.

• The Sidekick series pump cases are IP20 rated, they are not rated as water or splashproof and therefore must not be
used where it is possible for water to enter the pump casing.

• Sidekick pumps are fitted with a particulate filter which is easy to replace. This is situated under the hose connector,
which has a screw fitting. For general maintenance replace the filter every 2-3 months or if it appears dirty. New filters
are white in colour (order Part No. P40370).

Warning - Failure to follow these guidelines will void the product warranty.

Page 6 224-SMTXM Issue F www.skcltd.com

General Information

3) Non ATEX Certified Variants of the Sidekick Pump

The Sidekick pumps are also produced in a variant range which is UL certified for intrinsic safety and these pumps are
therefore not suitable for use in potentially explosive atmospheres in Europe where ATEX approval is mandatory.

Pump components vary between the UL and ATEX certified variants, therefore components must not be interchanged
between these pumps. If in any doubt please contact SKC Ltd customer services for advice.

4) Sampling Methods

This instruction manual provides the necessary information to set up and operate the Sidekick series pumps. For more
detailed information on specific sampling methods please refer to SKC’s Step-By-Step Guide to Air Sampling (Part No.
224-G1). To obtain a free copy please contact SKC Ltd customer services on [phone] or download at www.
skcltd.com.

5) The WEEE Directive

This product is marked with the crossed out wheelie bin symbol, which identifies that it falls within the scope
of the EC Directive 2002/96/EC on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). At the end of it’s useful
life, this product must be disposed of in an environmentally sound way as detailed in the Directive.

the battery pack must be separated from the pump and disposed of as detailed in the Batteries Directive
(see below). Please contact your local distributor or SKC Ltd for further details on how to comply with the

requirements of the WEEE Directive. SKC Ltd’s producer registration number is WEE/KH0054TQ.

6) The Batteries Directive

The NiMH battery pack supplied with this pump and any spare battery packs purchased for it, fall within the scope of the
EC Directive 2006/66/EC on batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators. At the end of the battery
pack’s life it must be disposed of in an environmentally sound way as detailed in the Directive. Please contact your local
distributor or SKC Ltd for further details on how to comply with the requirements of the Batteries Directive. SKC Ltd’s
batteries producer registration number is BPRN00454.

www.skcltd.com 224-SMTXM Issue F Page 7

Note that

Diagram of the Sidekick Pump

6 13 8

11

3

4 2 1

3

2

224-50MH & 224-51MTX 224-52MTX

16 9 6

Page 8 224-SMTXM Issue F www.skcltd.com

14

5

12

15 7 10