Category: Centrifuge Repairs

Centrifuge Repairs

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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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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.