Best way to convert a 5890 GCII FID to a TCD???

[Contextions]

I just got a dual FID 5890 GC series II. I want to switch 1 FID for a TCD with a gas injection port. I need to know the cheapest way to get this done.

Perhaps if anyone lives near South Alabama I could pay you to come show me your expertise.

Is there a tutorial anywhere so I can do it myself?

[Consumer Products Guy]

1. You need to obtain operating used parts, like the detector itself and the associated control hardware. I doubt there are new-old-stock parts anywhere for that. I don't know if the detector board is different.

2. There may be aftermarket gas injection valves you could plumb into the carrier line.

3. 5890 series is out of support; while a great instrument, not so easy anymore to modify because of parts availability, and Agilent won't likely help. May a third party serive vendor can help.

[AICMM]

Contextions,

Lots of comments, sorry. First, let me state right out front that I have a bias in this view since I make an HID detector. Second, I would ask about your application because in certain circumstances I would recommend an HID instead of a TCD (not always but quite often.) In particular, for applications that need hydrogen and other fixed gases I recommend the HID since you don’t have to jump through carrier gas hoops to measure them both. Third, conversion of the 5890 equipped with FID’s to an HID is relatively easy to do since the electrometer for the FID and the HID are one and the same. Fourth, I am a thorough believer in the 5890 and use them for all sorts of experiments and I am not at all worried about getting parts or service. I can name at least 3 companies that will provide service and support (along with parts) in the US so I would not worry too much about that. Fifth, if you are interested in installing a gas sampling valve then I would recommend that you install a Valco valve on the top plate rather than going with the HP valve route.

If you want more information about the HID or the valve installation, feel free to contact me at aicmm at flash.net.

Best regards.

[CE Instruments]

It will almost certainly be cheaper to buy another GC with the right configuration second hand. The labour costs to switch will out weigh and savings in modifying your existing GC.