This problem could point to one of four possible issues with the instrument.
1) There could be a hole in the suspect bag position’s fluid line after or within the PUMP causing a leak in the back of the instrument. To determine if this is the cause, tilt the instrument forward and look for a leak from the silicone tubing. Open the Pump doors and check for leaks from the Pump Tubes. Close the Pump doors. Use Diagnostics to run a Pump Tube Test and check for leaks in the post-pump tubing specific to the problematic line. Observe the pressure result from the line in question. If there is a leak, a fitting or tube may need to be replaced. Contact ANKOM Technology 1-315-986-8090 for replacement parts or order replacement parts through the Product Catalog on this website. If there are no leaks but the pressure result for the suspect line is low from the previously performed Pump Tube Test, this would point to a leak prior to the Pump causing the Pump to suck air through the hole (Step 2 below) OR a blockage in the line somewhere along the suspect tube length (Step 3 below).
2) There could be a leak in the fluid line prior to the PUMP. To determine if there is a leak in the tubing line prior to the pump, run the following test:
Under Diagnostics, select Motor Test. Set Output valve Water to open and close all other Output valves and all Input valves. Set the Motor Direction to REV (reverse). Put the ends of the Waste tubes in a beaker of water but before disconnecting them from the tubing holder, label them individually 1-6 for easy identification and re-attachment later. Leave the volume set to 10 mls and press GO.
Look for any leaks prior to the pump. Follow the suspect tube back from the Pump to the Manifold looking for any leaks along the suspect line. If there is a leak, a fitting, tube, or Manifold may need to be replaced. Contact ANKOM Technology at 1-315-986-8090 for replacement parts or order replacement parts through the Product Catalog on this website. If there is no leak before or after the pump, proceed to issue step 3 below.
3) There could be a blockage in a fluid line prior to the PUMP. To identify a blockage in a line prior to the Pump, run the following test:
Under Diagnostics, select Motor Test. Set Output valve Water to open and close all other Output valves and all Input valves. Set the Motor Direction to REV (reverse). Put the ends of the Waste tubes in a beaker of water but before disconnecting them from the tubing holder, label them individually 1-6 for easy identification and re-attachment later. Next, disconnect the single (larger diameter tube) at the bottom of the Manifold from the 6-way fitting. Leave the short (1 ½”) length of tube attached to the bottom of the Manifold. Prepare to collect the fluid from the bottom of the Manifold into a clean beaker. Leave the volume set to 10 mls and press GO.
Look for any particles, dried enzyme, or mold growth being washed out of the manifold. If contaminants are seen, repeat this but draw Ethanol in at the Waste lines and repeat until the collected fluid is clear.
4) There could be a blockage in a fluid line after the PUMP. To identify a blockage in a line after the pump, consider the following. First it should be noted that by performing the procedure in step 3 above, a blockage may have been flushed backward through the line and out through the Manifold. In most cases performing the procedure in step 3 will correct a blockage before or after the pump, but if it does not, contact ANKOM Technology at https://www.ankom.com/contact/technical-services or 1-315-986-8090 for additional diagnosing direction.
After identifying and resolving the problem, reconnect all tubing and repeat a Pump Tube Test to be sure each tube is being pressurized and holding pressure properly. Also run a Motor Test setting the Supply valve WATER to open and the IDF Output to open. Make sure the Motor Direction is FWD (forward) and place six beakers under the IDF delivery nozzles. Press GO and confirm fluid is delivered to each beaker equally. Do the same with the SDF Output valve open and beakers under the SDF delivery nozzles. If these tests pass, your instrument is ready to be put back into service.
1) There could be a hole in the suspect bag position’s fluid line after or within the PUMP causing a leak in the back of the instrument. To determine if this is the cause, tilt the instrument forward and look for a leak from the silicone tubing. Open the Pump doors and check for leaks from the Pump Tubes. Close the Pump doors. Use Diagnostics to run a Pump Tube Test and check for leaks in the post-pump tubing specific to the problematic line. Observe the pressure result from the line in question. If there is a leak, a fitting or tube may need to be replaced. Contact ANKOM Technology 1-315-986-8090 for replacement parts or order replacement parts through the Product Catalog on this website. If there are no leaks but the pressure result for the suspect line is low from the previously performed Pump Tube Test, this would point to a leak prior to the Pump causing the Pump to suck air through the hole (Step 2 below) OR a blockage in the line somewhere along the suspect tube length (Step 3 below).
2) There could be a leak in the fluid line prior to the PUMP. To determine if there is a leak in the tubing line prior to the pump, run the following test:
Under Diagnostics, select Motor Test. Set Output valve Water to open and close all other Output valves and all Input valves. Set the Motor Direction to REV (reverse). Put the ends of the Waste tubes in a beaker of water but before disconnecting them from the tubing holder, label them individually 1-6 for easy identification and re-attachment later. Leave the volume set to 10 mls and press GO.
Look for any leaks prior to the pump. Follow the suspect tube back from the Pump to the Manifold looking for any leaks along the suspect line. If there is a leak, a fitting, tube, or Manifold may need to be replaced. Contact ANKOM Technology at 1-315-986-8090 for replacement parts or order replacement parts through the Product Catalog on this website. If there is no leak before or after the pump, proceed to issue step 3 below.
3) There could be a blockage in a fluid line prior to the PUMP. To identify a blockage in a line prior to the Pump, run the following test:
Under Diagnostics, select Motor Test. Set Output valve Water to open and close all other Output valves and all Input valves. Set the Motor Direction to REV (reverse). Put the ends of the Waste tubes in a beaker of water but before disconnecting them from the tubing holder, label them individually 1-6 for easy identification and re-attachment later. Next, disconnect the single (larger diameter tube) at the bottom of the Manifold from the 6-way fitting. Leave the short (1 ½”) length of tube attached to the bottom of the Manifold. Prepare to collect the fluid from the bottom of the Manifold into a clean beaker. Leave the volume set to 10 mls and press GO.
Look for any particles, dried enzyme, or mold growth being washed out of the manifold. If contaminants are seen, repeat this but draw Ethanol in at the Waste lines and repeat until the collected fluid is clear.
4) There could be a blockage in a fluid line after the PUMP. To identify a blockage in a line after the pump, consider the following. First it should be noted that by performing the procedure in step 3 above, a blockage may have been flushed backward through the line and out through the Manifold. In most cases performing the procedure in step 3 will correct a blockage before or after the pump, but if it does not, contact ANKOM Technology at https://www.ankom.com/contact/technical-services or 1-315-986-8090 for additional diagnosing direction.
After identifying and resolving the problem, reconnect all tubing and repeat a Pump Tube Test to be sure each tube is being pressurized and holding pressure properly. Also run a Motor Test setting the Supply valve WATER to open and the IDF Output to open. Make sure the Motor Direction is FWD (forward) and place six beakers under the IDF delivery nozzles. Press GO and confirm fluid is delivered to each beaker equally. Do the same with the SDF Output valve open and beakers under the SDF delivery nozzles. If these tests pass, your instrument is ready to be put back into service.
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