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1. Verify that you have a Gen2 Coordinator: A Gen2 Coordinator will have a number that is less than 1,000. If you have connectivity issues and your coordinator number is greater than 1,000 you have a Gen3 system. In that case, contact ANKOM using the...

Use alcohol on both the underside of the modules and the bottles. Do NOT use an autoclave as the electronics and bottle coating will be damaged.

To update your GPM software: 1) Purchase the GPM software appropriate for your system. GEN2 systems (serial #’s <900) require GPM software version 11.4 ( Part #: RF3 ) GEN3 systems (serial #’s >1000) require GPM software version 15.0 ( Part #: RF3X )...

The valve will stay open for 90 seconds. The valve(s) can be closed before this time by clicking the Valve Open check box (to remove the check mark from the box), clicking the Close Valves button, or clicking the R ecord button. Since opening the...

When you press the record button on your GPM software screen, the program automatically stores your data in the file shown in the AutoSave location box. Therefore, if there has been a computer interruption during a study, you will be able to retrieve...

Refer to the Instrument Software Functionality section of the RF Gas Production System Operator's Manual.

Possible causes include: A loose or disconnected wire from the pressure sensor A faulty circuit board To diagnose, unplug the pressure sensor connector from the circuit board and plug in a pressure sensor connector from a working module into the same...

The solenoid will become hot if the valve open check box is left checked. Normal valve openings are very brief and within a range of 10-1000 milliseconds, which does not cause the solenoid cylinder to get hot. If the Open Valves button is clicked or...

There may be a problem with the radio frequency (RF) chip attached to the circuit board. This is a dark green/blue colored chip with a black antenna. Refer to RF Service Procedure Chip and Board Replacement (RFS013) for help in identifying the part...

Please refer to Appendix E of the Operator's Manual.

Yes, Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) can cause the flash programming of the XBee chips in your #RF1, RF1X , # RF5 , and RF5X modules to become corrupted and stop communicating with the RF GPM software. Therefore, we highly recommend using an ANKOM Anti...

Yes, the ANKOM RF Gas Production System can monitor negative pressures. When performing oxygen consumption studies, a NaOH or strong base is used to scavenge the CO2 produced by the aerobic metabolism. This produces a negative pressure as the O2 is...

Due to the discontinuation of certain parts, ANKOM can no longer replace the RF programmed chip (Part #: RF45) and the Circuit Board (Part #: 7007) in Gen2 modules. All other repairs and replacement parts will continue to be available indefinitely.

The red septa can be used repeatedly during a study as it reseals when the needle is withdrawn. When pierced during gas sampling, it is important to use a small gauge needle and avoid puncturing the membrane in the same location. The red septa are...

Just prior to use, charge your rechargeable batteries (Part #: RF16 or RF46 ) for at least three hours using the 10-Station Battery Charger ( Part #: RF25 ). A fully charged battery when plugged into a module should read 6.7V or higher on the GPM...

No, the batteries (Part #: RF16 or RF46 ) should not get hot. If this happens, the battery pack may be defective, or the module's circuit board may have failed. Install another fully charged battery pack in the module. Then, perform the module...

You must run GPM software version 9.7 or greater when operating modules with temperature sensors.

The auto-graphing capability provides the user with a visual indication of the data being recorded during a gas study. However, the graphs themselves are NOT automatically stored after the study is complete. There are three ways to save the graphs...

Yes, the Dual Lead Rechargeable Battery ( Part #: RF46 ) allows you to connect the battery to both the module and the charger while the module is in use. Place the dual lead battery in the module and connect one lead to the module and the other to...

Check to ensure the procedures sent with your instrument were followed. Some possible variables that may affect your results are: General Problems: Neutral Detergent chemicals can come out of solution. Heat and stir to bring back into solution. The...

Rinse water can come directly from the tap. It does not have to be distilled.

The instrument is experiencing a pressure fault. There are three possible reasons for this fault. (1) More than 2 L of solution was in the vessel during the digestion process. A pressure fault will most commonly occur if there is more than 2 L of...

Yes, you can wash RF bottles in a laboratory dishwasher if the water temperature does NOT exceed 180°F (82°C) . Exposing the bottles to higher temperatures can damage the coating.

There are several possible reasons for a cumulative pressure drop or negative pressure readings. Refer to RF Service Procedure Curve Identification Chart (RFS010) for curve illustrations. Possible causes include: A leak in the system. First, be sure...

Refer to RF Service Procedure Module Testing (RFS001). First, check the pressure within the module. If the pressure is approaching 10 psi, stop using this module and unscrew the module top immediately to avoid over-pressurizing the bottle. If the...

The pressure sensors are accurate to +/-0.04 psi. Fluctuations in cumulative pressure beyond this correspond to either a leak or a fluctuation in temperature when a module is attached to a sealed bottle. If you check the "valve open" check box, leave...

Refer to RF Service Procedure Gas Sampling for Further Testing (RFS008).

Refer to RF Service Procedure CO2 Absorption (RFS009).

The MoistureStop Desiccant Pouch is a small, airtight zipper bag, utilized for desiccating all of the Filter Bags that are used with ANKOM instrumentation. A single pouch can hold a full run of F57, F58 or XT4 bags at one time. When folded, 6 IDF or...

Refer to Service Procedure High Blank Bag Values (DES035).

The Blank Bag Correction allows for a weight adjustment based on actions that take place during solubilization. The resulting factor increases or decreases your sample bag weight. To determine the blank bag correction, include at least one empty...

When the neutral detergent solution gets cold, some of the components will begin to precipitate out of solution. As a result, the solution will turn milky white, and particles will be floating in it. These particles can be brought back into solution...

Depending on what you are testing, refer to section ADF Analysis, NDF Analysis, or Crude Fiber Analysis in the DELTA, A200, or A2000 Fiber Analyzer Operator's Manual.

For illustrations of melted trays, see A200 Service Procedure Temp Probe Replacement (FS016). Bag suspender trays can melt when there is not enough solution in the vessel to cover all of the trays while the instrument's heat is activated. Possible...

During a crude fiber or acid detergent procedure, the time frame during which samples are exposed to 100°C solution(s) is extremely important. If the Fiber Analyzer begins a procedure at a temperature higher than 20°C, the instrument will heat the...

It is possible to follow an NDF run with an ADF run using the same sample and Filter Bag. However, samples that are high in pectin, tannins, glucans, and fructans can produce lower-than-expected ADF values when NDF was run first. This is because...

F57 The porosity of the ANKOM F57 Filter Bag is 25 microns. The design of the filter bag provides a three-dimensional filter matrix similar to the filtering effect of a glass crucible. The F57 Filter Bag provides equal filtration without the manual...

Our grinding recommendation for samples to be extracted in our Fiber Analyzer is: 1 mm with a Wiley Mill 2 mm with a Cyclone Mill (such as UDY or Retsch)

To ensure that the controller settings are correct, refer to A200 Service Procedure Controller Reset Procedure (FS002) for instruments purchased pre-9/03, or, see A200 Service Procedure Controller Menu Setup (FS001) for instruments purchased post...

When the pressure in the vessel is too high, the pressure switch will turn off the heater. Possible Causes: There is too much solution in the vessel. Make sure two liters or less of solution is used in the vessel at a time. The motor is not turning...

Refer to Service Procedure Agitation System Check (DES031).

Test the rinse water with litmus paper during the last minute of the fourth hot water rinse. If the test indicates the presence of acid, repeat with fresh, hot water until a neutral pH is achieved.

Neutral detergent consists of varying amounts of 4 dry chemicals and triethylene glycol. If you remove only a portion of the dry chemicals to make less than 20L of solution, it is impossible to know if the solution has the correct ratio of chemicals...

Amylase is utilized to help digest the starch in the sample. Even using expired Alpha Amylase, it is highly likely the non-starch components, as well as most of the starch, are gone. Put the Filter Bags in a 1 L beaker with 80 °C water and 8 ml of...

With the lignin procedure, two common errors will create false high values. (1) The first error is placing the F57 Filter Bags into the 72% sulfuric acid when there is moisture in the bags and samples. To avoid this situation, after the ADF procedure...

The ANKOM fiber instruments can analyze for either Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), or Crude Fiber. NDF consists of hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin. ADF consists of cellulose and lignin. Acid Detergent Lignin (ADL)...

It is important that the rinse water going into the instrument is at least 50°C for Crude Fiber and 70°C for detergent fibers. For safety purposes, most hot water heaters are set lower than 70°C. In addition, if there is a substantial distance...

Possible Causes: (1) The dial on the heat sealer may not be turned up high enough. To seal the XT4 Bag, the dial must be set at approximately "6." (2) The heating element is broken. On the sides of the Teflon cover are two shiny metal strips that...

Possible Causes: Motor wires are loose or disconnected. Unplug the instrument. Inspect the wiring to the motor. Contact ANKOM Technology if a loose or disconnected wire is found. If the wires are intact, run this test: Turn the instrument on and...

The F57 and F58 Filter Bags are ash-free and therefore can be used for ash determination. Refer to the Ashing Procedure Service Procedure (AS034) linked below.