Agilent 1100 setting the solvent ratio

[sanshonomi]

I am a new user of Agilent 1100. We are using ChemStation A 0.9.0.3 for control. I cannot figure out a way to set s solvent ratio... I have a quat pump, and the default is set for A = 100%. B, C, and D can be set manually. I was assuming that, once the numbers are set, A automatically changes - for example, setting B = 50% will change A = 50%. Am I right? Right now, no matter what number you type in, A is stuck at 100%. Agilent library has tons of references, but I could not find the information. Please help...

[Consumer Products Guy]

The way you describe is the way an Agilent quat pump should work. I think I'd power off the computer, and the modules, and then start it all up again.

If one had an isocratic 1100, I'd guess the B, C, and D channels wouldn't even show on the monitor under pump settings.

[gxch43]

you need set B,C,D manually. Then A automatically changes,A=100%-B-C-D.

[lmh]

this isn't the question you ask, but you should also be aware if you're new to Chemstation: We have a binary pump, so I can't be sure your software is the same, but I suspect it would be similar:
If your Chemstation has boxes for giving %B etc., and a separate place for entering gradients, then when you run gradient methods, make sure the boxes for %B etc. agree with what you want to happen between runs (i.e. probably with the first line of the gradient table). The pump reverts to these before and after the gradient, and there's nothing like defaulting to 100% organic for a minute or two to mess up retention times in a reverse phase method.

[sanshonomi]

Hello, thank you for replying to my question and sorry for not getting back till now.
I have not told the whole story: actually I am trying to set up a used machine and just trying to purge the system following the manual. The system has been used with ChemStation B 0.3.0.1, and once again what I have is much outdated A 0.9.0.3. Anyway, I have tried power cycling, or entering all the solvents B, C, and D, and it still stuck at A=100%. You can chacnge the "control" window at the pump, but the actual solvent that goes through is still 100% A.
My colleague suggested I may need to update the firmware, but I am not sure if that is the case (my system has been used with mosre later version of ChemStation).

Anyway, I am having other problems now in that the system shuts down because of the "leak", although I don't see any leak. Another colleague suggested that the diode that detects leak may be wet, and I found massive salt stuck on the diode. Cleaning was a pain and it is not completely cleaned, but now I found it is hard to dry. I plan to wait till tomorrow and see if it dries overnight. (I have poured some methanol and dried with cold air as much as possible).

I also have issues with UV lamp ignition, but that is going to be another topic.

[lmh]

your firmware might be too up-to-date for your very old Chemstation.

[sanshonomi]

Hi, it seems the system is now working fine... I am not sure what I did but it is now changing the ratio as I enter! I also found that my UV lamp came burnt out, and changing the lamp fixed the ignition problem. Well, I will continue setting up this HPLC, hope I won't see more issues.
I have not "update" (or "outdate" such that it matches my ChemStation) the firmware yet, is that necessary? I am leaning toward just try using as is and see if I see any issues (partly because I do not have access to the software ... the person who keeps it is on vacation now).
Thanks for all the comments.

[Consumer Products Guy]

If it's working, I'd leave the firmware as it is.

"Never trouble trouble until trouble troubles you"

[bisnettrj2]

Hi, it seems the system is now working fine... I am not sure what I did but it is now changing the ratio as I enter! I also found that my UV lamp came burnt out, and changing the lamp fixed the ignition problem. Well, I will continue setting up this HPLC, hope I won't see more issues.
I have not "update" (or "outdate" such that it matches my ChemStation) the firmware yet, is that necessary? I am leaning toward just try using as is and see if I see any issues (partly because I do not have access to the software ... the person who keeps it is on vacation now).
Thanks for all the comments.

You can check the Agilent website, or call their technical support line, and find out what firmware is recommended for your particular setup. From there, you can download a firmware update utility and firmware packages from the Agilent website, and update the firmware yourself. But, as Consumer Products Guy stated (in another way), if it ain't broke, don't fix it.