Error message? Quick and easy trouble shooting

Here we have compiled step-by-step instructions for the most common error scenarios. Your problem is not listed here or our instructions do not lead to the desired success? Submit your comment at the bottom of the page or send us an email, we will immediately take care of it: CASY@OLS-bio.de

 

Still too high blank after several measurements with fresh CASYton (“Background too High”)

Make sure , that the weekly cleaning procedure according to the manual or as outlined in the Quick Start Guide is performed regularly.

• Please observe, that the CLEAN function will only, rinse the inner liquid system and will not help you to reduce a too high blank to <100 counts. Consecutive measurements with fresh CASYton shall therefore always be performed without intermediate CLEAN.

 

• Do not use rinsed and dried-again CASYcups.
  Only for consecutive blank measurements you can empty and refill the same CASYcup several times.

 

• Always use freshly filtered CASYton from a dispenser with attached filter
  – 150 microns capillary: 0,8µm Filter
  – 60 microns capillary: 0,45µm Filter
  – 45 microns capillary: 0.2µ Filter
  A filtration in batches very often does not lead to satisfactory results!

 

• For testig the background please use a suitable setup:
  – 1x 400μl for the 150 μm capillary; and, 1x 200 µl for the 60 µm and the 45 μm capillary
  – Set dilution factor to 1 (one)
  – Turn off all calculations
  – Set the evaluation cursor range from 0 until the end of the selected X-axis scale

 

• Make sure, that no electronic devices in the direct vicinity of the CASY can, generate strong electromagnetic fields or other radiation sources are present. If inevitable, please do use. the supplied metal sample screen.
  Unstable or flickering neon lights are unfortunately also a well known source of problems!

 

• Check the cleanliness of the capillary:
  – Perform a blank measurement with fresh CASYton
  – Leave the CASYcup under the capillary - and shake it vigorously for a few seconds
  – Wait about one minute, to allow any air bubbles generated to. dissolve
  – Do a second blank measurement with the same CASYcup
  ⇒ If the counts found have risen by more than 50 counts/ml: Remove and clean the measuring capillary.
  Rub the outer surface of the capillary thoroughly with a paper towel soaked with CASYclean.
  Rinse capillary with ultrapure water before reinstalling it.

 

Error message „Measuring Timeout! Capillary is possibly blocked“

Make sure ,
– that a set-up suitable for the currently installed capillary is selected.
– The samples should not contain any contaminants in the size range of the capillary's working range. If necessary,. it must be tested prior to measuring, that such contaminants are not present.

Proceed in the following order:

• Repeat the measurement cycle aborted with "Repeat". In many cases, the error message "Timeout" is only temporary.

 

• In case of repeated timeout error messages:
  – Cancel measurement and remove the CASYcup with the sample
  – Fill a fresh CASYcup with CASYton and run 1x CLEAN
  – Put the CASYcup with the sample back and, repeat measurement

 

• If the timeout error message appears repeatedly:
  – Cancel measurement and remove the CASYcup with the sample
  – Fill a fresh CASYcup with CASYton and run 3x CLEAN.
  – Put a CASYcup with fresh CASYton under the capillary and perform a blank measurement
  – If timeout still occurs, repeat the last two steps.
  – In case of successful blank measurement: Put the CASYcup with the sample back and, repeat measurement

 

• In case of permanent timeout error messages:
  – Remove outer electrode and store in the protective container or in another safe place
  – Dismount the measuring capillary and remove the nut
  – Take out the measuring capillary. Do not touch the capillary shaft in the area, which is normally immersed in the sample
  – Put the measuring capillary in a 100 ml beaker, filled with 10 ml CASYclean
  – Put the beaker for 30 seconds into an ultrasonic cleaning bath
  – Replace CASYclean in the beaker by ultrapure water, and repeat sonification
  – Mount the capillary. Attention: Do not bend or squeeze the inner capillary tube!!
  – Insert outer electrode again
  – Fill a fresh CASYcup with CASYton and run 3x CLEAN.
  – Put a CASYcup with fresh CASYton under the capillary and perform a blank measurement
  – In case of successful blank measurement: Put the CASYcup with the sample back and, repeat measurement

Error message "Large Air Bubble detected"

Make sure , that the weekly cleaning procedure according to the manual or as outlined in the Quick Start Guide is performed regularly.

Avoid using the CLEAN function after each measurement:
– The same cell type & Concentration (+/-50%): Measure one sample directly after the other, do not execute CLEAN in between
– If next measurement is another cell type or concentration is > 50% different: quickly rinse outer shaft of the capilary by simply immersing it into a CASYcup with pure CASYton and continue measuring, do not execute CLEAN in between

Occasional occurrence of air bubbles in the liquid system is not 100% avoidable.

Proceed in the following order:

• Take a close look at the LED controlled riser tube through the front window. If you see do no see an air bubble or a visible air bubble rises quickly, there is no need for action at all: Repeat the aborted measurement with the "Repeat" function.

 

• You see an air bubble, which does not move or rise:
  – Cancel measurement and remove the CASYcup with the sample
  – Fill a fresh CASYcup with CASYton and run 1x CLEAN
  – Put the CASYcup with the sample back and, repeat measurement

 

• If air bubbles occur repeatedly:
  – Cancel measurement and remove the CASYcup with the sample
  – Fill a fresh CASYcup with CASYton and run 3x CLEAN
  – Put a CASYcup with fresh CASYton under the capillary and perform a blank measurement
  – If the air bubble should still be there, repeat the last two steps
  – In case of successful blank measurement: Put the CASYcup with the sample back and, repeat measurement

Error message "PR-7 – Measuring Time too short“

Make sure ,
– that a set-up suitable for the currently installed capillary is selected.
– that the weekly cleaning procedure according to the manual or as outlined in the Quick Start Guide is performed regularly.

This error message is usually triggered by, the liquid not draining completely from the riser tube, due to poor wetting. Droplets remain on the inner surface during the draining step, and are re-incorporated into the rising liquid of the subsequent measurement thus falsifying the volume aspirated.

• Repeat the aborted measurement with the "Repeat" function. Closely oberve the meniscus of the rising liquid. If you don't see any accumulation of liquid on the wall of the riser and the new measurement is performed without an error message, no further action is required.

 

• If you fluid retentionof liquid on the inner surface or the error message "PR-7" is displayed again:
  – Cancel measurement and remove the CASYcup with the sample
  – Fill a fresh CASYcup with CASYton and run 3x CLEAN
  – Put the CASYcup with the sample back and, repeat measurement

 

• The problem persists:
  – If time permits, perform an unscheduled weekly cleaning, in order to clean the tubing (action of CASYclean for at least 3 hours)
  – If you urgently need to measure further samples, perform the weekly cleaning in an abbreviated way: apply CASYclean for only 20 minutes left in the system.

 

 

Error Messages PR-5, PR-6 and PR-8

Make sure ,
– that sufficient CASYton is in the right hand side tank.
– that neither the tube going into, in the CASYton storage container (on the right) nor the tube going into, the waste container (left side) are, bent.
– that the weekly cleaning procedure according to the manual or as outlined in the Quick Start Guide is performed regularly.

These error messages are triggered by the fact, that the liquid cannot drain properly into the waste container from the internal fluidic system (PR-5, PR-6) or that the liquid cannot be aspirated properly from the reservoir (PR-8). The reason is probably a blockage in the internal fluidic system.

• Repeat the aborted measurement with the "Repeat" function. In many cases, the error messages PR-5, PR-6 and PR-8 are only temporary.

 

• With repeated error message PR-5, PR-6 or PR-8:
  – Cancel measurement and remove the CASYcup with the sample
  – Fill a fresh CASYcup with CASYton and run 3x CLEAN
  – Put the CASYcup with the sample back and, repeat measurement

 

• If the error messages PR-5, PR 6 or PR-8 repeat over and over again:
  – Replace the sample and CASYton container by two CASYcups with pure water
  – 3x run CLEAN
  – Repeat rinsing with fresh ultrapure water (3x CLEAN)
  – Empty the CASYcups completely and put them back
  – Go to the "Service" menu and run the command "Dry Liquid System" 2x
  – Put back the storage container with CASYton again to the appropriate aspiration tube and put a CASYcup with fresh CASYton under the measuring capillary
  – 3x run CLEAN
  – Put a CASYcup with fresh CASYton under the capillary and perform a blank measurement
  – In case of successful blank measurement: Put the CASYcup with the sample back and, repeat measurement

 

• If the error messages PR-5, PR 6 or PR-8 stuill persist, please contact our Service Department.

 

Error message "Concentration too high" when measured with fresh CASYton

 

• Make absolutely sure, that you are measuring with CASYton – and that you did not by mistake measure with distilled water or CASYclean or any other liquid.

 

• Always use freshly filtered CASYton from a dispenser with attached filter
  – 150 microns capillary: 0,8µm Filter
  – 60 microns capillary: 0,45µm Filter
  – 45 microns capillary: 0.2µ Filter

 

• Make sure, that no electronic devices in the direct vicinity of the CASY can, generate strong electromagnetic fields or other radiation sources are present. If inevitable, please do use. the supplied metal sample screen. Advice: Unstable or flickering neon lights are also a well known source for such interferences!

 

• If the error message persists, please contact our Service Department.

 

Error Messages PR-1a, PR-1b, PR-2a, PR-2b, PR-3, PR-4

These error messages mean, that the CASY can not build up enough vauum or positive pressure or that vacuum/pressure built up do not remain sufficiently stable. These error messages appear very often already during the self-test, after the system was not in use long time. The reason is mostly a stuck valve, that does not open or close properly.

• Error message appearing during the self-test:
  Start the system up to 10x from scratch by switching power off/on. In most cases, the blocked valve releases due to the mechanical actuation and self-test runs correctly after several attempts.

 

• Error during the measurement:
  – Repeat the aborted measurement with the "Repeat" function. In many cases, these error messages have only temporary reasons.
  – If the error message repeats regularly again, perform an unscheduled weekly cleaning (action of CASYclean for at least 3 hours)
  – If you need to measure samples urgently, perform the weekly cleaning according to a shortened scheme: apply CASYclean for only 20 minutes left in the system.

 

• If the error messages still occur, please contact our Service Department.

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