HP 7673 autosampler not communicate to 5890A

[tiggeria]

I have
1. 18594B Controller (INET board:18594-60030 Rev. A in Comm 1 slot , Tray board: 18594-60075, and control board: 18594-60060 installed).
2. 18596B sample tray
3. 18593B autosampler injector

I am not sure about their working condition. In fact, I fixed the sample tray by cleaning the rods and bushes. I did some tests on the controller and autosmapler injector, according to Agilent's instructions, it seems that they do what exactly the instructions say.


I do not have an integrator. So I hooked the austomsampler controller 18594B directly to HP 5890A by HP-IL cables.

When I started a run by using "START" on the autosampler, the autosampler can do 1 injection, then sit there forever. In addition, the GC is not running its temperature program. So it appears that the controller is not talking to the GC.

When I checked the INET configuration on GC by pressing "CLEAR", then ".", then "3", then "ENTER" on keypad, LCD displays "GLOBAL 31,31", where GLOBAL flashes. According to the HP 5890 GC manual, that means the GC is not configured into the INET loop.

The HP IL cables passed the test when I looped the in to out on the GC directly.

Does anybody have ideas why the GC is not configured into the INET loop? Is the configuration supposed to be automatic?

[Bigbear]

Been so long I can't remember if it needs to be global or local. What messages do you get if you take the controller out of the loop and just connect both ends of the i net cable to the gc controll board?

I would call Alpha Omega. They still deal with 5890's and would be able to get you going.

[tiggeria]

Thank you for you reply.

It needs to be global for communication in the INET loop. Local is only restricted to GC itself.

According to the 5890 manual, a configured INET loop should display solid GLOBAL when CLEAR, ., 3, and finally ENTER are pressed in sequence. But when I checked on mine, GLOBAL is flashing.

Yes, I already tested the INET looping to GC itself by connecting the ends of a HP IL cable to the INET IN and OUT on the GC INET board, 19242-60010. GC shows PASSED THE TEST or something to that effect.

I guess the address 31,31 after GLOBAL also indicates there is only 1 device in the loop, the GC itself. Can anybody confirm this.

[tiggeria]

I ended up seeking help from Agilent. They quickly replied my inquiry.

My question: Can I set up a system without using an integrator, but still using INET?
Agilent answer: "NO, you must have a controller of some type, either an integrator or computer with the appropriate software."

My question: Any special procedure do I need to follow to configure the INET loop? Is the INET configuration supposed to be automatic?
Agilent answer: "INET is only used when an integrator is present or when using very old software on Pascal platforms. If an integrator is present and turned on after the GC and ALS are on the INET configuration is automatic."

So that is my problem. Why did I get an impression that the INET can be setup WITHOUT an integrator?

I knew the common setup for INET configuration is with an integrator, but nowhere in the manual it says it is NECESSARY.

Forgot to ask if there is other ways to set up the autosmapler. I do have other communication boards, an 18594-60040 (TTL Card ) and 18594-60080 (RS 232 card). I do not have any manuals on these cards, does anybody has instructions how on these cards? Agiletn told me no more manuals for these old stuff.

[MSCHemist]

My 5890-FID with 5973 is setup as follows

G1512A ALS controller GPIB cable to back of 5890
GPIB cable on top of other GPIB cable hooked up to 5890 to PC
PC runs Chemstation MSD B version on Windows NT 4.0.

[tiggeria]

I don't have GPIB interface and Chemstation.
I only have INET.

Now, I learned that I have two options to get this up:

Option 1: Get a cable 18594-60570 to connect the GC to the TTL board in the autosampler controller, then start a run from the front of the injector.

Unfortunately, I could not find this cable anywhere. I will appreciate it if somebody can provide a pin-outs on it. The connectors are 2 rows of 6 pins, the pitch is 2.54mm, which is a very common.

Option 2: Get an integrator, and using INET. I don't have an integrator, I'm a bit reluctant to shell out several hundred of $$, but I may have to go this route.

My 5890-FID with 5973 is setup as follows

G1512A ALS controller GPIB cable to back of 5890
GPIB cable on top of other GPIB cable hooked up to 5890 to PC
PC runs Chemstation MSD B version on Windows NT 4.0.

[MSCHemist]

I have an integrator laying arround in a drawer that I could probably give to you for shipping. Though I am surprised your 5890 is not capable of GPIB.

my email is sschoenfeld@innovaflavors.com

[KM-USA]

5890A is early version, not HPIB capable.

[tiggeria]

MSChemist,

Thanks for helping. I sent an email just moments ago.

[AICMM]

tiggeria,

This is a long shot, but try removing your tray board from your autosampler controller. Make sure the power is off since this board in particular is susceptible to power spikes from being plugged in and out. Then try running just your injector from the start button using the HP-IL cabling. The other problem may be that you need the appropriate turret, the three sample turret.

Best regards,

AICMM