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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...

Possible Causes: The rinse water supply temperature did not meet method standards. This may affect results with certain samples. Make sure the water supply has a temperature no less than 50°C for Crude Fiber, or no less than 70°C for ADF and NDF...

When the instrument is turned on, the drain valve opens to vent the vessel. If the drain open/close switch is not sensed by the computer, this fault occurs. Possible Causes: (1) Wires on the drain valve have become dislodged. Connections may have...

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

Possible Causes: The solution temperature has exceeded the maximum limit. Perform the boil test detailed in Service Procedure Boil Test (AS013).

"----" indicates there has been an electrical malfunction. Reset the Controller. Refer to A2000 Service Procedure Controller (Temp) Menu Setup (AS015). If the "----" still shows, you will need to replace the Ascon Controller ( Part #: A09 ). Possible...

Possible Causes: Faulty A2000 Temp Controller ( Part #: A11 ). Refer to Service Procedure Controller Temp Test (AS014). Faulty Splat Controller ( Part #: A09 ) Poor Connection between the Temp Controller and the Splat Controller (AS020).

Refer to Service Procedure Agitation and System Check (DES031).

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...

The drain valve has been told to open, but after 30 seconds the drain-open switch has failed to open the drain. Possible Causes: (1) The wires on the drain valve have become disconnected. Unplug the instrument, check the drain valve, and reattach any...

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)

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.

A "Low Pressure" error occurs when the vessel does not have at least 3 psi after 13 minutes. Possible Causes: (1) The lid was not tight. You do not have to over tighten the lid, but it needs to be snug. Usually, a finger tight + 1/4 turn is adequate...

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...

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...

To properly set up your instrument for the various fiber analyses, refer to the A2000 Operator's Manual.

A "drain error" usually occurs if the level sensor senses the solution in the vessel after the drain has opened. If the vessel is empty, and the level sensor indicates "Full," the level sensor must be fixed. If the vessel is full of solution after...

Possible Causes: When the start button is pushed, the computer tells the appropriate valve to open and allow flow from the cubitainer into the vessel. If the liquid is manually poured into the vessel before the computer communicates with the...

Possible Causes: (1) The controller needs to be reset. Refer to Service Procedure Controller Temp Menu Setup (AS015) to determine if menu settings are incorrect and, if so, make the appropriate changes. (2) The RTD may need to be replaced. Contact...

Possible Causes: The power cord is not plugged into the unit or power source. The main power switch is not turned on. One of the system circuit breakers (fuses) needs to be replaced. Refer to Service Procedure Fuse Replacement (AS025).

Possible Causes: A leak has occurred at the agitator shaft. The packing nut requires attention. Refer to Service Procedure Agitator Packing Maintenance and Nut Adjustment (AS001). If tightening the packing nut does not stop the leak, you will need to...

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 bag suspender is worn or not properly functioning. Refer to Service Procedure Bag Suspender Check (DES006). (2) The vessel is overfilled with solution. (3) The level sensor is not detecting the solution. To service the blue...

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: (1) The packing nut may be too tight. For proper tightening instructions, refer to Service Procedure Agitator Packing Maintenance and Nut Adjustment (AS001). (2) The packing assembly may have corrosive buildup. If periodic...

Bag breakage can occur when the heat sealer setting is not hot enough to ensure a good seal. Make sure each bag is sealed within 4mm of its open end. This section includes a narrow polypropylene strip that provides elasticity to the heat-sealed area...

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.

Refer to Service Procedure Insert Samples Into F58 Bags (AS032).

To minimize bag material abrasion, use the new bag suspender (as of March 2015 - Part #: F11 ). It has been redesigned to include rounded bottom points on each tray.

The vessel temperature has exceeded the maximum limit. Possible Causes: The solution level is low in the vessel, but the level sensor is indicating full. The level sensor has two main components that work together. These components are a Level Sensor...

Possible Causes: (1) The level sensor has failed to detect the liquid that is in the vessel. If the vessel is full and this fault screen appears, press <STOP> to drain the fluid. You may want to capture the solution and re-use it. Refer to DELTA...