Chromatography Forum

Hello! I am having trouble with the diode array detector component of an Agilent 1200 series HPLC (with UV-vis detection). Simply put, it will not start up- no green light or anything. This has been an intermittent problem before this point- someone would attempt to start up the instrument, the diode array detector would refuse to light up, said person would make a coffee run and return to a magically up-and-running diode array detector. Unfortunately, it is no longer starting up, regardless of how many coffees we've purchased. Switching out the light source and the power cables connected to the system did not alleviate the problem. Has anyone experience a similar problem and found a fix?

More about the system: The computer is an HP compaq running ChemStation ver B.02.01 on Windows XP. The software side had been glitching before this point, freezing up and not completing run sequences, then finally not even able to complete a single run. "Advanced system optimizer" software was run and found/fixed a multitude of problems (66,000 including one worm), but that has not seemed to fix our DAD issue. (Perhaps unrelated issues, but worth mentioning.)

Thanks in advance for any help or advice.

The only thing I can recommend in such a case is: pick up the phone and call Agilent Service Hotline. There are too many problems coming from software, worms etc. that I highly recommend to call somebody from the manufacturer. When the service technician is in your lab, don't forget to offer him/her enough coffee

Hi

It could be the power switch. The plastic switch connects via a light pipe to a spring loaded switch. Now this spring / switch gets sticky and sometime will not turn on. If it is faulty you will probably need a new power supply unless some one can fix the switch. Temporary fix, unplug or turn power off then very quickly press the plastic switch down lots of times.

It could also be an issue in the power supply, Agilent use the same power supply in most of its modules. BUT the detectors are prone to power issues, not sure why probably because of the extra kick the lamps need to fire up.

I believe some Agilent modules will not start up at all if the cooling fan won't run, to prevent circuit and electronics damage.

I too suffer this problem with 1100's. Sometimes a tender touch of the power button and a prayer to your preferred deity will restore life to the module. More often though, a firm fast poke is required.

I had a cooling fan give up last year on an 1100. Although that was the ALS come to think of it. Still, the system kindly informed me that the fan was not working.

Sure enough, it was the power switch! Up an running again- thanks all!