Waters 410 Refractometer Problems

[stappg]

G'day,
We have an older 410 which the local Waters dealer has upgraded to current 2410 specs and firm-ware. It is fully controlled via Empower and is connected to a 2690D Separation Module. Empower and 2690D are linked by I-EEE data cable. When we make an injection via Empower everthing works well except no peaks ellute; although the LED on the 410 shows a clear change in RI ie. the cloumn is separating our peak and the detector is reading it but we only see a flat base-line. The baseline we are seeing is dead-flat, no noise or peaks??? We have checked everything that we can think of and are at a dead end!!! Has anyone had a similar experience? Can anyone suggest a fix? Any suggestions would be helpful.
Thanks, Peter

[Mark]

stappg,

One of the first things I would try is connecting a strip chart recorder and making sure you are getting some kind of a signal out. If you are then I would throw it back to the local guy and have him troubleshoot his install, sounds like maybe he missed something of the upgrade.

Regards,
Mark

[stappg]

Thanks Mark,
The local guys are working through a trouble shooting program, but are not having much success at this stage. I have run an analogue chart recorder and the signal is good. I also connected through a SAT/IN module and the signal is recorded by Empower giving a good chromatogram, but without the detector control that the I-EEE gives.
Peter

[Mark]

stappg,

I assume you have tried a second IEEE cable just to make sure there are no connection problems with the original. We have had several bad cables (even one right out of the wrapper) go bad. Also (and I am sure you have done this) but make sure the LACe server seens the instrument as a 410 when you scan the bus for instruments.

Have a good weekend,
Mark

[stappg]

Thanks Mark,
Have tried several I-EEE cables. System recognises the 410 and we get a nice little picture of it in Empower, even the I-EEE addresses select correctly. Waters are about to try a new main board, hopefully that will fix the problem??
Peter