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Lid Error on Eppendorf 5424 micro centrifuge

Do you have a Eppendorf 5424 micro centrifuge in your lab that is displaying a ‘lid error’ message as pictured below ?  You may find this article useful.

It is worth checking to see if the lid of the centrifuge springs up at the end of the run, if it does not then it is quite possible the fault is caused by a broken spring inside the lid.

The above picture is a birds eye view of a Eppendorf 5424 centrifuge with the lid cover removed.  You can see in the top left of the picture that the lid spring leg has broken off and therefore does not enable the lid to spring open at the end of the run or hold the lid upright.

The Eppendorf 5424 is a current model and at time of writing parts are still available from Eppendorf.  Depending on where in the world you are located you will need to contact the manufacturer for your local distributor.

 

 

 

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Error 6 on Hettich Universal 320 & Universal 320R centrifuge

Do you have an error 6 message displaying on your Hettich Universal 320 or 320R centrifuge ?

Error 6 may be caused by an error in lid locking or lid closure.

The first thing to try is a mains reset.  To perform a mains reset the operator should switch off the mains switch located at the back of the centrifuge for the universal 320 (non refrigerated model) or right hand side for the universal 320R (refrigerated model).  Then wait for at least 10 seconds before turning the mains switch back to the on position.

If the error 6 message displays again then it is likely that the lid lock mechanism needs replacing.

This is available to buy direct from Hettich in Germany or any of their dealers which will vary depending where in the world you are located.

Here is a link to the operators manual on the manufacturers website.

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Noisy Heraeus Pico 17 or Fresco 21 centrifuge ?

Is your Heraeus Pico 17/21, Fresco 17/21, VWR Microstar 17 & 17R, Fisher Accuspin 17 & 17R, IEC MicroCL 17 and MicroCL 21 centrifuge making a noise when you run it ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There could be a few reasons why your centrifuge is making a noise with these centrifuge models.

We would recommend to make the following checks as detailed below:-

  1. Check the black rotor seal is seated correctly on your rotor as detailed by the arrow in the picture below ?

 

 

 

 

If the black seal is fitted as shown in the picture then move onto the second check.  If the rotor seal is missing then it may be the black seal has become unseated and wrapped itself around the outside of the rotor and the remnants will be in the bowl of the centrifuge underneath the rotor.   You will have a lot of black markings from the seal as it has disintegrated.  These black markings will be on the outside of the rotor and outside of the bowl.

If this has happened you need to remove the rotor and clean up underneath the rotor to remove all the remaining pieces of the seal.  You should also clean and debris from the rubber seal at the top of the bowl on refrigerated models.  (WARNING !!! Always be careful for broken tubes or glass and follow your internal procedures for laboratory disruptions/spillages)

Once you have removed all remaining debris you can put the rotor back on and make sure it is on securely. You will then need to fit replacement seals to ensure your rotor and lid retain the biocontainment certification.   You may have a spare set of these seals from when your centrifuge was delivered.  If not then you can purchase a replacement from this supplier.

2. Check under the rotor for debris.  You are looking to remove anything that should not be their for example broken tubes, tube caps, stickers. (WARNING !!! Always be careful for broken tubes or glass and follow your internal procedures for laboratory disruptions/spillages)

3.  Finally, if your centrifuge is still noisy and you have followed step 1 & 2 then it is likely that the motor bearings in your centrifuge motor may have worn.

If the bearings in the motor have started to wear then the centrifuge will make a high pitch noise whilst it is running.  The pitch of this noise is likely to increase the more the centrifuge is used.

Below is a video of a VWR Microstar 17R with a noisy motor.

A replacement motor can be purchased from this supplier or clicking the motor picture below: –

 

 

 

 

 

 


I would also take the opportunity while replacing the motor to also change the 3 rubber motor mounts.

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Hole in lid of Heraeus Biofuge Pico centrifuge

Today we were asked to look at a Heraeus Biofuge Pico centrifuge which was noisy.

Upon investigation of the fault it became evident very quickly that the spyglass was missing from the lid of the centrifuge.

Here is a picture of the lid with the spyglass or view port as some may call it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We managed to source the required part online and fitted it.

Below is a picture of the lid after the repair was completed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you need to change this part it is pretty straight forward to do. No gluing is required it simply pops into place.

Here is a link to buy it online.

If you have any questions please just ask and thanks for checking out this post !

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Does the lid on your centrifuge fall shut ?

If the answer to this question is yes then it is probably time that you changed the lid struts which holds the lid of your centrifuge upright.

The lid struts should be checked to ensure they are effective in preventing the lid from falling onto the end users hands or head when loading and unloading the centrifuge.

A good rule to follow is if the lid of your centrifuge holds at a 45 degree angle then the strut is doing its job. If it falls when put at a greater angle than 45 degrees then it is probably a good time to get the strut or struts changed.

Most mid range benchtop centrifuges will probably have one strut and larger benchtop centrifuges will have two struts. Below is a picture of a centrifuge that has two struts:-

Is it easy to change a lid strut? It depends which model of centrifuge you have in the lab.  Some models are very straight forward and others are a little more complex.