Chromatography Forum

Hello,

I have been getting an error message on our Shimadzu DGU-20A5 degasser. Basically, it makes a noise and the error light flashes for about a minute, then stops. This has happened during sample runs, and it doesn't effect the collection, but it is annoying, and I want to make sure there is not some underlying problem.

Thanks for any advice! (I emailed our Shimadzu rep about a week ago, and haven't heard back from him!).

Hi

Does the red light stay on or go off after a minute?

Hi

Does the red light stay on or go off after a minute?

It goes off after a minute.

LCbob, you're killing me haha, do you have an idea what is going on?

What you describe is actually normal behavior for the Shimadzu DGUs. When you first turn it on, the red light comes on to tell you it is not ready to use yet. Once it runs for about a minute and establishes the vacuum, the red light turns off. You can check the manual, but your DGU is working properly.

Sorry, as Richard explained.

Most the HPLC degassers do the same. An error or not ready light until they get down to their working vacuum. On a good system you should hear the vac pump cutting in every a few minutes to maintain the vacuum. What usually happens is the pump wears and has to work harder to keep the vacuum and cuts in more often. Ultimately it will fail.

Thank you both for your replies. I suppose as it does it more and more often, it is approaching the end.

Would have been nice if the Shimadzu rep had just answered my email...

Edited to add:

Yes, there is a little blurb in the manual about it. If I could ready better I wouldn't have had to bug you guys!