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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The red septa can be used repeatedly during a study as it reseals when the needle is withdrawn.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...

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 )...

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...

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...

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 extraction process utilizes positive pressure at ~2.8psi.

We suggest a purity of 99.998% nitrogen or purer as it is used to expedite solvent evaporation. We have not tested less pure nitrogen and therefore cannot validate that it will not adversely affect analyte recovery.

No. The instrument exhaust lines (both waste and vent lines) are trapped and ready to be connected to an exhaust system.

Yes. If you are looking to get some hands-on experience with the system before putting it to full use in a study, or if you observe results that you don't understand and want to verify that the ANKOM RF Gas Production System is functioning properly...

First, be sure Synthetic Grease w/PTFE ( Part #: RF41 ) was used on the lip of the bottle and the lip of the septa port on bottles so equipped. This aids in making a tight seal. Second, inspect the gasket which seals the module top to the bottle. It...

You should replace the gasket whenever it appears damaged. If you open and close the bottles once a week (on average), you should replace the gasket once every six months.

Refer to RF Service Procedure Vent Valve Cleaning (RFS006).

Battery life can be extended by unplugging the battery (Part #: RF16 or RF46 ) when a module is not being used. In addition, utilizing a longer live interval, such as 60 seconds, will extend battery life. Minimizing the use of the "Open Valves"...

Using the 10-Station Battery Charger (Part #: RF25 ) it should take only three hours to fully charge your rechargeable batteries (Part #: RF16 or RF46 ). The green indicator lights on the charger should begin to turn green within two to three hours...

The sensors are accurate to within +/-2°C over a range of 5°C - 60°C. To account for any Module-to-Module differences in temperature sensing capability, the GPM software provides a calibration screen that can be used before data recording begins...

This is most likely because the default AutoSave location is in a location that your computer may not have "write" access to. In addition, behind the scenes, the program is also attempting to save a log file of every communication between the...

Fifteen RF modules with 100-500ml size bottles attached will fit in the 20-liter Water Bath (Part #: WB20SH or WB20ISH ). Eight RF modules with 1-liter bottles attached will fit in the 20-liter Water Bath (Part #: WB20SH or WB20ISH ).

Typically, a fully charged rechargeable battery (Part #: RF16 or RF46 ) should be able to power a module for approximately ten days under normal conditions (20°- 40°C GPM settings of 60-second Live Interval and one valve opening sequence per hour.)...

The volume of "dead space" between the vent valve and the septum on an RF module is .003 cubic inches for the RED capped modules, and .043 cubic for the BLACK capped modules.

Since your GPM software runs on a PC, power sources, the operating system (e.g., Windows) settings, as well as other programs and network connections on the PC can affect the GPM software. Power If your PC is being powered by a battery or an...

All food and feed samples can be run on the ANKOM FLEX.

This fault indicates a System Integrity Failure. One or more columns or round bottom flasks did not reach or hold pressure properly. To resolve an MF24 fault: 1. Confirm the Low N2 setting is: 2.6 - 3.0 PSI. See Section 6.7.2 of the FLEX Operator's...

The ANKOM FLEX runs one method at a time. All four positions on the instrument run the same selected method and are controlled in unison; the positions are not independently controllable.

The current method uses 250L nitrogen per run of four assays.

Tips to avoid vessel leaks: (1) Do not spray water directly on the filter. Spray on the side of the vessel, so that it will flow onto the filter without force. You could also spray onto the mixer. (2) Always add the stir bar to the vessel before...

Sorbent Disposal Bags ( Part #: FLEX-SDB ) hold spent sorbent from four SPE columns while allowing solvents to evaporate overnight in a hood. Dispose of the empty SPE columns and Sorbent Disposal Bags using your internal hazardous waste SOPs and SDS...

One ANKOM FLEX run includes four assays and will be completed in approximately two hours. Therefore, in an eight-to-ten-hour workday, the instrument can be run four times, resulting in sixteen assays per day, and eighty assays per five-day workweek...

The FLEX can process up to 10g of sample for vitamin and cholesterol analysis. The sample size maximum is dependent on analyte content, analyte homogeneity within the sample, and sample composition. Samples that typically require 10g sample sizes are...

The SPE column contains silica-based sorbent.

No. The digestion vessels must not be left assembled for extended periods of time (e.g. overnight). If digestion vessels are left assembled for extended periods of time, the O-rings in the vessel bottom assemblies will deform and future integrity...