Troubleshooting Charts
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Troubleshooting Charts
Dispenser Start-Up
Problem
Display (LCD) not on.
Syringe, carrier, or manifold position error.
Possible Cause Possible Solution
Power cord not plugged in. Check power connection.
Power inlet pin pushed together.
Gently split power inlet pin apart.
Syringe, manifold, or carrier is being obstructed. Remove obstruction.
Motor, sensor, or electrical problem.
Turn Dispenser off, wait at least 15 seconds, then turn back on. If
Dispenser does not pass its self-test, contact BioTek TAC.
Misaligned carrier or manifold.
Syringe piston not seated all the way to the bottom before fastening set screw
(autoclavable only).
Contact BioTek TAC.
Reinstall the syringe head (see
Figure 2 in Chapter 2).
Carrier or carrier rail dirty. Clean carrier and/or rail.
Syringe Movement
Problem Possible Cause
Syringe position error.
Syringe movement is blocked.
Possible Solution
Check underneath the dispenser to see if something is interfering with the movement of the syringe.
Ensure that the syringe power cable is connected to the PCB.
Contact BioTek TAC.
Syringe piston not seated all the way to the bottom before being “setscrewed” into place (autoclavable model only).
Reinstall the syringe piston and syringe head (see Figure 2 in
Chapter 2).
MicroFill Operator's Manual
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| Chapter 6: Troubleshooting
Fluid Delivery
Problem
Unable to dispense fluid.
Plate overfills
(floods).
Possible Cause
Inlet tube not connected at manifold or at bottle.
Supply tube inside the supply bottle is kinked or disconnected.
Clogged dispense tubes on the Dispenser manifold.
Inlet tube is not connected to the bottom port of the syringe.
Outlet tube is not connected to the top port of the syringe.
Check valve flow direction is incorrect.
Check valves are stuck closed.
No fluid.
System not primed.
Faulty syringe pump.
Set screw not tightened on the syringe pump piston
(autoclavable model only).
Possible Solution
Check all tubing (see “Tubes and
Bottles” in Chapter 2).
Straighten or connect supply tube
(see Figure 5 in Chapter 2). Make sure the end is cut as shown on page 77.
Remove and clean the manifold (see
“Clean the Manifold” in Chapter 4).
Connect the inlet tube to the lower port of the syringe pump (see
Figure 3 in Chapter 2).
Connect the outlet tube to the top port of the syringe pump (see
Figure 3 in Chapter 2).
Compare the flow direction of the check valves with Figure 3 in
Chapter 2. Switch or replace if necessary.
Clean check valves (see “Clean/
Replace the Check Valves” in
Chapter 4).
Fill bottles with appropriate fluid.
Run a Prime program using 20 ml.
Contact BioTek TAC.
Reinstall the syringe head (see
Figure 2 in Chapter 2).
Dispense height too high.
Change the Dispense Height in the program (see “Define Dispense
Program Options” in Chapter 3).
Volume too large for the vessel.
Program a smaller volume.
Dispense rate too fast for volume selected.
Use slower dispense rate or lower volume (see “Define Dispense
Program Options” in Chapter 3).
Continued on the next page.
BioTek Instruments, Inc.
Troubleshooting Charts
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81
(Fluid Delivery, continued)
Problem Possible Cause
Clogged dispense tubes on the Dispenser manifold.
Uneven dispensing of fluid; wells not filled.
Manifold or tubing not adequately primed (air in fluid lines).
Dispense flow rate too low.
Dripping dispense tubes.
Setscrew not tightened on the syringe pump piston
(autoclavable only).
Dispense tubing routed incorrectly.
Possible Solution
Remove and clean the manifold (see
“Clean the Manifold” in Chapter 4).
Run a Prime program using 20 ml.
Follow this with a dispense program that dispenses 20 μl per well for 24 strips.
Select a higher flow rate (see
“Define Dispense Program Options” in Chapter 3).
Reinstall the syringe head (see
Figure 2 in Chapter 2).
The supply bottle tube must enter the syringe at the bottom.
Fluid Leakage
Problem
Fluid leaking from manifold.
Possible Cause
Defective seals.
Check valves are leaking.
Fluid leaking from underneath the instrument.
Fittings to manifold are leaking.
Defective syringe cup.
Leaking o-ring seal(s)
(autoclavable model only).
Leaking syringe seal.
Defective syringe piston.
Fluid leaking from external tubing connector.
Defective connector.
Worn tubing.
Possible Solution
Replace plugs (see “Clean (“Stylize”) the Dispense Tubes” in Chapter 4).
Replace o-ring on Dispenser manifold inlet fitting.
Contact BioTek TAC.
Clean or replace check valves (see
“Clean/Replace the Check Valves” in
Chapter 4).
Reconnect/reseat the fittings (see
Figure 5 in Chapter 2).
Contact BioTek TAC.
Replace fitting (see Figure 5 in
Chapter 2).
Replace tubing (see Figures 3 and
5 in Chapter 2).
MicroFill Operator's Manual
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| Chapter 6: Troubleshooting
Microplate Carrier Movement
Problem
Dispense tubes not entering well correctly.
Carrier position error.
Possible Cause
Microplate not properly seated or strips not level.
Manifold not compatible with plate.
Horizontal Dispense
Position does not align the tubes in the wells.
Dispense tube(s) bent.
Possible Solution
Reseat microplate in adaptor, or the adaptor in the carrier, or the strips in holder.
Make sure the carrier is clean (see
“Clean the Plate Carrier” in Ch. 4).
“8-24” manifold is not compatible with 96-well plates. Use the “8-96” manifold.
Change the Horizontal Disp Pos value in the program (see “Define
Dispense Program Options” in
Chapter 3).
Push the supplied stylus into the tube and then gently attempt to straighten the tube using your fingers. If it remains bent, contact
BioTek TAC.
Manifold tilted.
Check tubing for twists; add manifold screws (p/n 12174).
Carrier movement is blocked.
Plate Clear Height set incorrectly.
Check for/remove any obstruction.
Check the Plate Clear Height in the program, reset as required.
Dirty carrier or carrier rail. Clean carrier and/or carrier rail.
Dispense Manifold Movement
Problem Possible Cause
Manifold position error.
Manifold movement is blocked.
Possible Solution
Check orientation of microplate; A1 should be in the right rear corner of the plate carrier as you face the front of the instrument.
Check for/remove any obstructions.
Ensure that the manifold is resting on the manifold support bracket (see
Figure 1 in Chapter 2).
Contact BioTek TAC.
BioTek Instruments, Inc.
Appendix A
Error Codes
This appendix lists Error Codes that may appear on the MicroFill™.
If an error is displayed, locate it in this Appendix and then review the charts in Chapter 6, Troubleshooting.
Overview ............................................................................ 84
General Errors ..................................................................... 84
BioStack Errors .................................................................... 87
Fatal Errors ......................................................................... 88
