Chromatography Forum

Hi everyone,
My company just purchased a used Varian 3400 GC that has been sitting idle for three years. The previous owner said that the last time he used it that it was working fine. After hooking up all of the lines and plugging it in (this is the only way to turn it on since the power switch is broken) the GC gives me multiple fault messages which include 1. fault 13 power fail occured 2. fault 59 det b flameout and, 3. fault 47 det a flameout. I have no idea what the first fault means or how to fix it. For the flameout faults I tried tried hitting the ignite switch which didn't work so I bought a stick lighter and tried to light the FID's with that. This did not work either in removing the flameout fault messages or lighting the FID's. I guess what I'm asking is
1. What does the power fail fault mean and how do I fix it.
2. How do I light or know that I have lit the FID's.
Also, I have connected all lines to the GC correctly so perhaps I don't have the necassary pressures to give the proper stoichiometric ratio for combustion?
Any information would be great.

Oh, the classic

The inventor of fault 13 had your best in mind: Notifying you that the main power failed. So this a no-error, just ignore it.

The FID flameout means that the electrometer's reading of the FID standing current is too low and so it thinks the FID is off. Ignore this error also and check for the FID outputs.

To light Varian's FIDs, turn off make-up gas and reduce air to about 50% with the needle valves behind the door (or open them, maybe those are still completely closed).
So the config to light the FID is: make-up off, air around 50%, hydrogen 100%. Then press ignite A, resp. ignite B.

Remove the detector cover, WEAR SAFETY GOOGLES (I MEAN IT! ALMOST LOST AN EYE THAT WAY!) and check for the lightning of the ignition wire.

You should hear a *plopp* when the FID has lit, then turn slowly up air and make-up. To check if it is burning, hold a cold object (I prefer the knife of a blade) over the chimney and check for condensing moisture (really small water droplets forming). If this is the case, you produce water which is expected from burning air and hydrogen.

Good luck and congrats to your 3400. Just a hint: Check the rear fan! It has to work flawlessly, otherwise the electronics will overheat and die!

Thanks HbJ your knowledge is extremely appreciated. have a great day.

Thanks

A last addition: You need to keep the ignite switch pressed for several seconds until you hear the *plopp*. It's like turning the key when starting up your car.

Hello friends! I have the same trouble (FAULT 59) in the same model (VARIAN 3400) and I have followed the instructions recommended by Hbj but i had no success... Another tip? Thanks in advance!

Hello friends! I have the same trouble (FAULT 59) in the same model (VARIAN 3400) and I have followed the instructions recommended by Hbj but i had no success... Another tip? Thanks in advance!

Welcome to the forum.

I am assuming that you have a column installed ? Make sure that it is not inserted too far and blocking or restricting the flame tip.

Measure the flows of air, hydrogen and makeup with a flow meter. If they are correct, dismantle the detector and check that the jet is properly seated, take it out to check that its ferrule is not cracked. while you have it in hand check that it is not blocked and give it a gentle clean. Check that the ignitor coil is not bent away from the flame tip. Re-assemble and try it.

If it still doesn't work check that the coil is glowing - tip use a little mirror on a stick like dentists use to look down the tower - if not go to the flame lighter method.

Some FIDs need special treatment - with air turned down and make up off, press ignite and wave your hand across the top of the tower, or blow gently across it.

Peter

I'm looking for a work station like "Star" or any other chromatography software that will allow me to run the data on my laptop or PC from a Varian 3400. Anyone out there have that software still? Thanks in advance prundhaug at email dot arizona dot edu from the university of arizona