Microlab 600 Troubleshooting and Error Guide
Why is my Microlab 600 controller screen not turning on?
Verify all cords are connected. If the controller screen is not turning on but the pump Ready light is blinking, the power over ethernet (POE) has likely been turned off. To turn the POE back on, with the unit powered off, press and hold the power button for 5-8 seconds or until the screen turns on. To prevent this from happening in the future, simply press and release the power button – do not hold it down.
There are bubbles in my fluid path. What do I do?
- Prime the system - To prime, place the fill tubing into the solution reservoir and direct the dispense tubing into a waste container. Press the 'Prime' button located on the pump unit. The syringe drives will move up and down, pumping the solution through the fluid path until the 'Prime' button is pushed again. Continue priming until all air is flushed out of the fluid path. If all the air bubbles cannot be removed from the system, refer to steps 2, 3, 4, and 5.
- Fill tubing - The fill tubing must be the appropriate length for the sample reservoir. If the tubing does not reach the bottom of the reservoir, a custom length tubing assembly may be required. If the tubing is too long, it can simply be cut to a shorter length.
- Slow the flow rate - The default flow rates (µL/sec) are automatically assigned according to the syringe volumes selected. To slow the flow rate from the home screen, select Configuration → Hardware → Syringe (View) → Flow Rates. The default selection should be 'Recommended'. Change this selection to 'Slow' or 'Custom' and try priming the unit again. If there are still bubbles, refer to step 4.
- Remove all fluid path components - Remove the syringes, tubing, and valves from the pump unit and disassemble all threaded junctions. Thoroughly dry each thread and reassemble all accessories back onto the pump. Before screwing the syringes into the valves, use the small Allen screw provided with the unit to carefully back the Allen screws out to be flush with the face of the valve. Then screw the syringe termination into the valve and carefully tighten the Allen screw until a slight resistance is felt. Over-tightening the screw may cause damage. Once all fluid path components are reassembled, try priming again. If bubbles remain within the system, refer to step 5.
- Faulty syringes, valves, or tubing - Faulty syringes, valves, or tubing could allow air to enter the system. To determine the root of the issue, replace the suspected components one at a time until the faulty part is identified.
Syringe Drive Overload / Axis Has Stalled
This error is caused by excess mechanical load due to a viscous solution or a faulty/clogged syringe, valve, or tubing assembly.
- Valve Configuration –Verify the valve configuration selected within the controller software matches how the fluid path hardware is configured. From the home screen, select Configuration → Hardware → Valve (View). The tubing, valve plugs, and cross-tubing (if applicable) must be assembled to match the selected valve configuration as pictured under #7 of the Microlab 600 Quick Start Guide.
- Slow the flow rate - From the home screen, select Configuration → Hardware → Syringe (View) → Flow Rate. The default selection should be 'Recommended'. Change this selection to 'Slow' or 'Custom' and try priming the unit again. If the error persists, refer to step 3.
- Identify the origin of the error - Remove the syringes, valves, and tubing from the pump unit. Once they are removed, press the ‘Prime’ button.
If the error persists without the valves, tubing, and syringes fastened to the pump, please follow the factory reset procedure outlined below.
Once the factory reset has been completed, press the 'Prime' button. Contact technical support if the error persists after the unit has been reset. If the error clears, refer to the 'error clears' instructions to the right.
If the error clears and the syringe drives move up and down, the next step is to identify which component is causing the error. Disassemble and thoroughly dry all threaded junctions between the fluid path components and look for any visible damage. Then, reassemble the valves onto the pump and press ‘Prime’. If no error appears, reassemble the remaining fluid path components one at a time, priming in between each addition. Before screwing the syringes into the valves, use the small Allen screw provided with the unit to carefully back the Allen screws out to be flush with the face of the valve. Then screw the syringe termination into the valve and carefully tighten the Allen screw until a slight resistance is felt. Over-tightening the screw may cause damage. Once all fluid path components are reassembled, prime with solution.
If an error occurs at any time during this process, the component causing the error will need to be replaced.
If the error only appears when pumping solution through the system and slowing the flow rate does not clear the error, it could be a faulty valve. Replacement syringes, valves, and tubing can be ordered directly from the Hamilton website.
FACTORY RESET:
- With the unit powered Off, press & hold the ‘Prime’ button
- While still holding ‘Prime’, press & release the power button
- Continue to hold ‘Prime’ until the screen turns on, then release
To verify that the reset has worked, from the home screen select Configuration -> Hardware -> Syringe (View). The syringe volumes should have defaulted to 5000 µL. You will need to reassign the volumes of your syringes. The valve configuration should have defaulted to a diluter. If you are using the unit as a dispenser or continuous dispenser, you will need to reassign the configuration under ‘Valve (View)’.
Device Not Connected
Make sure the power cord is plugged directly into the syringe pump (not the controller). With the instrument powered on, unplug the ethernet cable from the base unit, wait for a few seconds, and then reconnect it. The instrument’s power should automatically cycle back on and the error should clear.
If the error persists, follow the factory reset instructions listed above.
If you have more than one unit, or have access to a spare controller, try swapping the controllers to determine if the controller is causing the error. If you do not have a spare controller, please contact technical support for additional assistance.
Inaccurate Dispense Volume -
Microlab 600 units are recommended to be sent in for calibration/maintenance on an annual basis, however this time period is dependent upon the specific requirements of your laboratory. Customers can also verify the dispense volume accuracy gravimetrically, as outlined in the Microlab 600 Qualification Procedure. See Microlab 600 Accuracy and Precision for expected ranges. Inaccurate dispense volumes could be caused by:
- Insufficient priming: If the fluid path has not been purged of all air, inaccurate dispense volumes may result. Let the unit continue priming until there are no visible bubbles within the fluid path. If bubbles remain within the system, refer to the Flow Rates, Leaks, and Syringes sections below.
- Flow rates: Inaccurate dispense volumes may result if the flow rate is too fast for the solution being dispensed. To slow the flow rate from the home screen, select Configuration → Hardware → Syringe (View) → Flow Rate. The default selection should be 'Recommended'. Change this selection to 'Slow' or 'Custom' and prime to ensure all air is eliminated from the fluid path.
- Leaks: Check the fluid path for leaks. If a leak is identified at a threaded junction, unscrew the components and thoroughly clean, dry, and inspect the threads for damage. If the threads are damaged, the component will need to be replaced. Upon reassembly, before screwing the syringes into the valves, use the small Allen screw provided with the unit to carefully back the Allen screws out to be flush with the face of the valve. Then screw the syringe termination into the valve and carefully tighten the Allen screw until a slight resistance is felt. Over-tightening the screw may cause damage.