6890 EPC issue

[MSCHemist]

Hi all I posted my saga on the GC/MS forum but basically I started a new job and found I had a 6890-5975 and 5890-5971 with a gas plumbing horror show. I had a bad mix of leaky 1/4" SS and 1/8" Cu all cobled together with ptfe tape. Anyways I shut it down and replumbed it properly with all new ferrules.

Now It looks like my EPC is shot. It is stuck reading 152 even when off and for a while it was down to 1 or 2 and repsonding to inputs but then it would not go past 12 which is was set for 16.9 and then it went back to being locked at 152.

Anyways I am pretty sure it is broken. I was googling arround and found a few places that will recondition them for a reasonable price. I am at a cash strapped lab so this looks like an attractive option. Has anyone had any experience with this?
http://www.wntechnical.com/6890epcrepair.html
http://www.ttiservice.com/epc.htm

[Peter Apps]

Cash-strapped or not, from this and your other thread I really think that getting someone with the necessary expertise in to check out and fix the whole system would more than repay the investment. At this rate you are going to spend all your time fixing a series of unexpected faults piecemeal, possible at a higher cost than getting it all done once and for all.

Peter

[MSCHemist]

Well this really is nothing new for me. When I started at my previous position I had an Agilent 1100 HPLC in similar condition. I ended up replacing all the seals, needle, needle seat, passivating it with 6N HNO3, etc.

I'll get this baby in tip top shape.

[Peter Apps]

I don't doubt your ability (and determination !) it's just the cost aspect that worries me.

Good luck with it. Keep posting and we'll keep helping where we can.

Peter

[Bigbear]

If you have two injection ports installed try swapping the EPC's.

[MSCHemist]

Yep that is what I am planning. Will the 6890 allow me to work with one EPC not installed while I send it off for repair?

[tlahren]

Just a long shot, I once saw someone accidentally hook up UHP Ar to a GC instead of UHP He. Both tanks were the same color red and the labels were facing the wall. It was a simple mistake but it took a full day to realize that it wasn't the EPC. All the symptoms look the same. Like I said, it's a long shot suggestion, but if you have other types of gas bottles near your He you many want to be double sure you/someone didn't hook up the wrong one.

[tlahren]

Yep that is what I am planning. Will the 6890 allow me to work with one EPC not installed while I send it off for repair?

It should yeah. You may have to go into "configuration" and deactivate the inlet or something like that. I've never done it but I have run multiple systems with only one EPC and some with two EPCs. They will run with only one.

[MSCHemist]

Never mind.

While I was taking it apart I found a blockage in the lines and blew it out. It is working fine now. Thanks for all the advice.

[Yama001]

Has anyone had success with getting a 6890 EPC repaired? I have only gone through Agilent in the past; they would swap in another one for a several thousand dollar price. I would love it if I had a good alternative. I have never had any luck cleaning them in house.

[skunked_once]

Has anyone had success with getting a 6890 EPC repaired? I have only gone through Agilent in the past; they would swap in another one for a several thousand dollar price. I would love it if I had a good alternative. I have never had any luck cleaning them in house.

Check the WN Technical website from the original post. I have received good service from them in the past.

[KM-USA]

If you have two injection ports installed try swapping the EPC's.

If you have two injection ports, just use the operational one for now. What Big posted can be used to help troubleshoot when you have time.

[KM-USA]

Never mind.

While I was taking it apart I found a blockage in the lines and blew it out. It is working fine now. Thanks for all the advice.

Yeah, and the split vent trap can get clogged as well.

If you have two injection ports installed try swapping the EPC's.

If you have two injection ports, just use the operational one.