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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.

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

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...

The FLEX Vitamin and Cholesterol analysis run time is a little over two hours. Technician time is only five to ten minutes of set-up prior to running the instrument. This includes weighing samples into each digestion vessel and loading the digestion...

Yes. A check sample, Infant Formula, ( Part #: FLEX65 ) can be purchased on the ANKOM website.

The SPE columns and vessel filters can only be purchased through ANKOM.

In the event of a Drain Time-Out Fault (MF7) or an Abort during a Drain Module, users must flush the lines beneath the vessels to clear the residue prior to starting a new run. For more information, refer to Section 17 of the FLEX Operator’s Manual...

The preprogrammed vitamin methods are based on a combination of the following official methods: Vitamin & Cholesterol methods based on: AOAC 2011.07, EN-12823-1, EN-12822 Total Fat method: The test portion is treated under heated hydrochloric acid...

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...

Carry-over is extremely low (~0.08%) and therefore undetectable for most food and feed samples. When running concentrates, such as vitamin supplements, use a wash bottle to rinse the round bottom flask adapters with hexane prior to the next run to...

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...

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...

The vessel temperature has exceeded the maximum limit. Possible Causes: (1) 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...

Possible Causes: Possible Causes: Leakage has occurred at the agitator shaft; therefore, the packing nut requires attention. See DELTA Service Procedure Agitator Packing Maintenance and Nut Adjustment (DES001). If tightening the packing nut does not...

To properly set up your instrument for the various fiber analyses, refer to the DELTA Operator's Manual sections on NDF, ADF, and Crude Fat analyses.

Possible Causes: The packing nut may be too tight. For proper tightening instructions, refer to DELTA Service Procedure Agitator Packing Maintenance and Nut Adjustment (DES001). The packing assembly may have corrosive buildup. If periodic maintenance...

An E11 fault is the result of the high-pressure sensor reading input pressure below 35 psi. N2 input pressure is always monitored and the fault could occur at any point during a run. The fault will interrupt the run and wait for the operator to...

The Silicone Pump Tubing ( Part #: TDF68 ) should be changed when the instrument prompts the user with an E13 warning for weak pump tubes. The pump tubes typically last 6 months under normal use. Heavy usage may necessitate a more abbreviated...

Yes. Please refer to TDF Service Procedure Return Shipping Instructions (TS019) for details.

Static electricity during the weighting process: The largest contributor to poor results is the effect of static electricity on the weighing process. Because plastic gloves can contribute to static electricity, only use anti-static gloves. To...

To properly prepare the IDF & SDF bags for Kjeldahl and Ashing procedures, refer to Section 17 of the TDF Operator’s Manual (Ash Determination) or view the following video: Kjeldahl & Ashing Bag Preparation .

To determine how much DE to use with various sample types, refer to the Hydrolysis Procedure subsection titled Sample Categorization of the HCl Operator's Manual.

Order the Fill Nozzle Replacement Kit ( Part #: TDF79 ) by contacting ANKOM Technology at (315) 986-8090 or by ordering online. Refer to the TDF Service Procedure Fill Nozzle Installation Procedure (TS014).

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...

If you do the de-fat procedure using ANKOM XT4 filter bags, after you complete the Kjeldahl digestion, there will be a white substance on top of the resulting liquid. This substance is the PTFE coating on the XT4 filter bags. This substance will NOT...

The site glass assembly can be removed and cleaned; however, it is highly recommended to replace the tubing to the site glass after cleaning. Contact ANKOM Technical Service at https://www.ankom.com/contact/technical-services for instructions. The...

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...

The TDF instrument requires the following bench space: 132 cm long (52") x 77cm deep (30") x 99 cm high (39"). For shipment, some parts are removed, and the dimensions are: 107 cm long (42") x 51 cm deep (20") x 76 cm high (30"). The TDF instrument...

To get this fault, the temperature sensor in one or more paddle heaters is reporting low temperatures. This could occur at different times under specific conditions such as: During paddle pre-heat, if any one of the paddles does not reach 50°C in...

This can occur with samples that are very low in fat. Moisture left in low-fat samples after extraction is the issue. As AOCS Procedure AM 5-04 indicates, when the Filter Bags are removed from the Extractor, they should be placed in an oven at 100...

Possible Causes: (1) The vent tube or drain tube is blocked. The blockage is caused by water trapped in the line. It is very important that the vent and drain tubes run downhill and are not submerged in water. If the vent tube is blocked, a vacuum is...

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).

Refer to the TDF Operator's Manual, sections "IDF/SDF Analysis" and "TDF Analysis."

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...

Cause: This fault occurs when the temperature sensor in the in-line heater reports that the in-line heater is not reaching the required 110˚C within the 90 seconds allotted during an IDF water rinse. The fault message on the touchscreen display will...

An E2 Fault is declared when the thermistor to the in-line heater is reporting an erroneously low reading of < 10˚C. IMPORTANT: An E2 fault can be caused by cold buffer running through the instrument. If you store your buffer solutions in the...

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.