Drucker Diagnostics Model 642B Centrifuge - Manual (Page 5)

Care and Preventative Maintenance:
With proper care and maintenance your Horizon centrifuge will provide years of
laboratory service. For proper care, the following steps should be taken:
1. Provide Adequate Ventilation: For cooling purposes, the Horizon draws in
ambient air through the air intake cover on the top of the lid and exhausts
this air in the rear of the base. The centrifuge should be placed on a hard
smooth surface for good air circulation.
2. Always Spin Balanced Loads: Make certain that you are always spinning
a balanced load. The Horizon has a unique counter balanced motor
mounting design which, along with it’s rubber suction feet, produces
excellent vibration dampening. However, out–of–balance loads may break
glass test tubes and may produce unsatisfactory separation results.
Proper load balancing will improve sample separation and extend the life of
the centrifuge. Refer to page 5 on balanced loads for additional information
on balancing the load.
3. Keep the Tube Holders Clean: NOTE: Always follow the safety guidelines
of your laboratory to properly clean up and/or dispose of materials in the event
that a substance known to be potentially toxic, radioactive or contaminated
with a pathogenic microorganism is spilt in or on the centrifuge. Small
glass fragments left in the tube holder after a tube breakage may adhere to
the next test tube inserted in that holder. When this tube is handled, these
fragments may puncture protective gloves and lacerate the operator’s
fingers or hand. Remaining fragments may provide stress points on
subsequent tubes and result in additional breakage. If a tube breakage
occurs, carefully remove the tube holder. Properly dispose of the sample
and tube fragments and thoroughly clean both the inside and outside of the
tube holder. Insert a new tube cushion (if necessary) and replace the tube
holder in the rotor.
4. Motor and Electrical Maintenance: The Horizon uses a brushless
permanent split capacitor AC motor. It should not need servicing for the life
of the centrifuge. The electrical components are selected for high reliability
and should not need service.
5. Keep the Rotor Chamber Clean: Every six months, or whenever there is a
tube breakage, (refer to the note in #3), it may be necessary to remove the
rotor and clean the rotor chamber. Follow the instructions on page 9 to
remove and reinstall the rotor.
CAUTION: Once the lid has been opened, unplug the line cord from the
electrical outlet to eliminate the risk of electric shock during cleaning.
The rotor chamber, rotor and accessories shall be thoroughly cleaned
using either isopropyl alcohol, soap and water, or bleach. The use of Fully/
Partially Halogenated Hydrocarbons, Ketones, Esters and all other
chemicals not prescribed by the manufacturer may cause damage to the
rotor and tube holders and shall not be used.
Apply cleaning solutions with a towel or cloth. Do not submerge the
centrifuge in water or other cleaning solutions as this will cause damage
and void your warranty!
Page 8
Operation:
NOTE: Follow the initial setup procedure on page 4 before initial operation.
1. Plug the centrifuge into an approved 115 Volt A.C., 60 Hz. outlet.
2. Turn the latch counterclockwise and open the lid.
NOTE: If the desired rotor is not installed, go to page 7 for the rotor removal
and installation procedure.
3. Insert cushions (if needed) into the tube holders for the tube size you are
using. Refer to ‘Tube Holder Configurations’ (page 6) for assistance.
4. Place the test tube samples into the tube holders. Be sure to follow the
rules for balanced loads.
5. Close the lid and turn the lid knob clockwise to its complete stop position.
6. Turn on the machine by turning the timer to the desired run time.
7. The centrifuge should begin to spin.
8. Once the timer reaches zero (0), power will be cut to the motor and the
rotor will coast to a stop. Do not open the lid until the rotor has come to a
complete stop.
9. Turn the lid knob counterclockwise and open the lid.
10. Remove the samples.
11. The centrifuge is immediately ready for operation.
Page 5
BALANCED LOADS
Your centrifuge must contain a balanced load in order to work properly.
Use the following rules when loading the rotor.
Spinning balanced loads will extend the life of the machine and
produce better results.
1. Opposing tube holders must be identical and must contain the same
cushion, or none at all.
2. Opposing tube holders must be empty or loaded with equally
weighted samples.
3. If an odd number of samples is to be spun, fill a tube with water to
match the weight of the unpaired sample and place it across from
this sample.
(cont.)