Chromatography Forum

Does anyone have experience dissecting the MCGV of an agilent 1100? I have two old ones that both have three working valves (only one channel failed on each) and am wondering if I could save money in the future by refurbishing failing MCGVs myself by using parts from the old valves. The valves on the valve cluster appear to be identical aside from the coloring of the wires…maybe if I can track down a wiring diagram the channels would be interchangeable. Any thoughts?

Does anyone have experience dissecting the MCGV of an agilent 1100? I have two old ones that both have three working valves (only one channel failed on each)

Aren't these sold exchange? They sure used to be (1050 systems for sure), you'd get a substantial credit when you sent your bad one in, like half the purchase price. Well, if you return your core, then they are rebuildable by someone. I just don't know exactly how.

Hi!
Definitely You can. The structure is simple. Trere is an electric side and a mechanical side separated by a membrane. The electric is a coil and a magnetic core with a wide spring and a black rubber spacer. The mechanic is a built in seal a narrow spring and a ruby ball in a house. If one of the channels of the MCGV leaks, You have to replace a demaged membrane, and clean the core. If the channel is stacked, the narrow spring is overused and probably too weak (or crushed). If the seal is bad You have to throw it away.
Mostly people use the A nad B channels, so the C and D is quite "healty". Localize the bad channel and replace all of the parts from a good one. This is not official, but I did a couple of times and worked.
You can check after the repair by the Chemstation Gradient test.
Before all find a quiet place to disassemble. The center of the OLD MCGV-s made of Black plastic and transparent PE, the newer made PEEK instead of PE.
Hope this helps. BWA

Aren't these sold exchange?

I have purchased them exchange in the past but the Agilent Rep I spoke with yestarday claimed that the part was no longer offered as an exchange.

@BWA

Very helpful indeed...I'll give it a try today!

Good info here, you should be able to carry this out on any HPLC gradient valve that use solenoids / coils. I know I have done Waters and Agilents. But most manufacturers use them in some shape.