Chapter 8 Maintenance and troubleshooting

8.4 Maintenance 1. Open the section of instrument housing above the

cooling chamber to access the solenoid in the
Keep your OsmoTECH XT clean on the exterior and free
OsmoTECH XT.
of spills, debris, and dust.

• Periodically wipe the instrument with a barely-damp

cloth. Use either warm soapy water or isopropyl
alcohol to dampen the cloth.

• Make sure the fan on the back has not accumulated

dust and debris that could impede air flow. Dirty air
vents can cause instrument overheating and reboots.

Complete other service to your OsmoTECH XT following

instructions in this section.

Chamber cleaning

If you experience multiple Sample Pre-freeze errors, or if

you suspect contamination of the sample probe, clean
2. Insert a disposable chamber cleaner into the sample
the cooling chamber with a chamber cleaner that has
probe opening until you feel a positive stop.
been dampened with water or a cleaning solution for
protein removal. (Thermo Scientific Orion Cleaning
3. Unscrew the two solenoid retainer bracket screws and
Solution, part number 900021 is recommended.).
gently remove the bracket.
• If the plunger shows signs of fouling, clean it with a
lint-free cloth dampened with isopropyl alcohol or 4. Being careful not to lose any small parts, grasp the
a cleaning solution for protein removal. (Thermo enclosed solenoid plunger assembly, lift it up, and
Scientific Orion Cleaning Solution, part number then withdraw it from the body cylinder.
900021 is recommended.)
NOTE: Leave the body cylinder in place inside the
instrument.
Solenoid maintenance

A dirty solenoid can cause Sample Did Not Freeze errors

and can affect instrument accuracy and repeatability.

If you suspect the solenoid function has degraded, follow

the instructions below to inspect, clean, or replace it.

You should also clean the solenoid periodically as part of

routine maintenance:
• If the instrument is used daily: Clean the solenoid
monthly.
• If the instrument is used only occasionally: Clean the
solenoid every three months.
This area of this instrument comes into contact
with biohazardous materials. Take appropriate
precautions.
5. Dampen the wooden end of a cotton-tipped
applicator with a 70% isopropanol solution; then
insert it down through the solenoid body into the
smaller diameter plunger hole until it reaches the
chamber cleaner you inserted in step 2.
Move the applicator in and out to scrub the sides of
the hole.
6. Clean the smaller diameter plunger of the solenoid
assembly with a 70% isopropanol solution on a soft
cloth.

Do not use any abrasive for this cleaning

procedure.

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 Chapter 8 Maintenance and troubleshooting

7. Inspect the solenoid plunger for excessive wear and Fuse replacement
deposits.
Tools required:
• If the plunger shows signs of fouling, clean it with a • Small flat screwdriver
lint-free cloth dampened with isopropyl alcohol or • Static Grounding Wrist Strap
a cleaning solution for protein removal. (Thermo
Scientific Orion Cleaning Solution, part number
900021 is recommended.) WARNING: Hazardous Voltage

• If the plunger does not show signs of wear,

continue to step 8. WARNING: Internal components may be
damaged by static electricity.

CAUTION: Improper connections may cause

damage to the instrument.

CAUTION: A discharge of static electricity from

Black contact with the human body or other
Filings deposits
conductor may damage system boards or static
sensitive devices. NEVER UNPACK, TOUCH OR
present on shaft HANDLE ANY PCB WITHOUT WEARING A
GROUNDING (EARTHING) STRAP TO MINIMIZE
YOUR STATIC DISCHARGE.
Plating is
uneven, with a
dull, hammered
1. Power off the OsmoTECH XT.
appearance

2. Unplug the instrument and remove the power cord

from the instrument.

3. Use a small flat screwdriver to open the Fuse Holder

Door located on the Power Entry Module.
Screwdriver
No black

deposits

on shaft Fuse Holder

No filings

present

Fuse Holder
Plating is Door (open)

even, bright,

and shiny

4. Remove the Fuse Holder; then remove the two fuses.

8. Return the cleaned solenoid plunger, including spring,

retainer and any washers, to the solenoid body. Screw
in the retainer bracket screws. Replace the instrument
cover, and remove the chamber cleaner.

9. If necessary, recalibrate the OsmoTECH XT.

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 Chapter 8 Maintenance and troubleshooting

5. Insert two replacement fuses into the Fuse Holder. Sampler plunger wire replacement and verification

NOTE: Use replacement fuse P/N 70011:
Fuse, 1.0A 250V SB 5 x 20 mm.
NOTE: Double-check the values marked on the new
fuses before you install them. The instrument
automatically adjusts for voltages between
100 VAC and 240 VAC, but appropriately
rated fuses must be installed.
To ensure proper instrument operation, you should
replace the sampler plunger wire every 100 tests (or
each time you empty a XT100 test kit).
NOTE: A sampler plunger wire is included with each test
kit.
Failure to replace the plunger wire may affect instrument
accuracy and repeatability.

Calibration
gauge and key

Shaft bushing
Shaft

Finger grip

Calibration
set-screw
Body
access
6. Re-install the Fuse Holder into the back of the
instrument.

7. Close the Fuse Holder Door.

8. Reconnect the power cord to the OsmoTECH XT and

plug it into an outlet.

9. Power on the OsmoTECH XT.

Wire

Tip

Sampler tip

Key

OsmoTECH XT Single-Sample Micro-Osmometer User Guide 75