Fault: “E9 In-Line Heater Cooling Failure.” What should I do?
This fault occurs when the temperature sensor reports a high temperature while the in-line heater is attempting to cool within the required timeframe. Cooling is facilitated by flushing water through the lines of the in-line heater.
The first time this occurs during a run, the operator will have the option to CONTINUE or ABORT. If CONTINUE is selected the pump will resume flushing water through the in-line heater to bring the temperature down. If a high temperature is reported again, the run will be aborted, and an E9 In-line Heater Overtemp Fault will be displayed.
Possible causes for the E9 fault include:
(1) Empty chemical container during the in-line heater cool-down cycle (causing a cool-down failure)
The in-line heater is being cooled after the IDF water rinses and after the 95% alcohol delivery to the SDF bags. If the in-line heater fails to cool in the required amount of time, this fault can occur. It could be the result of an empty water container. If this happens, one will likely see an E14 Empty Chemical Container fault as well. If this has happened, the instrument is performing as intended to prevent uncontrolled heating of the in-line heater. Be sure to start a run with containers filled to the minimum level line.
(2) A short in the thermistor wiring or a malfunctioning MUX-T Circuit Board
A reading of 161˚C is reason to suspect a fault in the thermistor wiring. If this is the case, confirm that the in-line heater is not actually at this temperature. Turn the power off to the instrument and allow the in-line heater to cool to room temperature.
Remove the clear back panel from the rear of the instrument. Turn the instrument back on and, from the Select a Function screen, press Diagnostics, and then select Temperatures. Check to see that the in-line heater temperature sensor is reporting a temperature in line with the actual room temperature. If an IR thermometer is available this can be used to confirm that the in-line heater reading reflects its actual temperature.
Be cautious when doing so as it could be getting very hot if there is a problem with the heater control. If the in-line heater is physically cool while a high temperature is reported on the display, then there is a problem with either the thermistor (temperature sensor) or the MUX-T circuit board. Turn the power off to the instrument.
(3) Malfunctioning Heater Relay or I/O-2 Circuit Board
If the in-line heater is heating – and this is confirmed both by sensing the heat coming off the heater and by a steady rise in temperature on the in-line heater temperatures display – turn the power off and unplug the instrument. In this case, there would be a problem with either the heater relay or the I/O-2 circuit board.
For replacement parts and further assistance, contact ANKOM Technology at www.ankom.com/contact/technical-services or (315) 986-8090. For replacement of an In-line Heater or MUX-T Circuit Board, refer to either TDF Service Procedure In-Line Heater Replacement (TS018) or TDF Service Procedure MUX-T Board Replacement (TS033) linked below.