Question about buying a GC

[breakinbad]

Hello everyone,

First time here, and I am not that knowledge when it comes to this topic.

I'm looking at a GC to test for chemicals like benzalkonium chloride, % alcohol and other things are that nature. Some will be using the USP monograph and others will be a modified method.

I came across a cheap GC (Varian Chrompack CP-3800 Gas Chromatograph) and was wondering if this would fit my needs. Any insight anyone could provide would be greatly appreciate it.

Thanks.

[skunked_once]

Will the Varian Chrompac CP-3800 GC fit your needs? The answer to your question begs more questions which you must answer for your situation.

Does this GC have the proper injector and detector setup for the methods you plan to use?
If you buy this (or any other) GC, are you able to perform service/maintenance yourself and if not, will you be able to find maintenance support elsewhere?

[breakinbad]

Will the Varian Chrompac CP-3800 GC fit your needs? The answer to your question begs more questions which you must answer for your situation.

Does this GC have the proper injector and detector setup for the methods you plan to use?
If you buy this (or any other) GC, are you able to perform service/maintenance yourself and if not, will you be able to find maintenance support elsewhere?

Thanks. What other questions should I be asking? This is exactly the type of information I am looking for.

[Consumer Products Guy]

First time here, and I am not that knowledge when it comes to this topic. I'm looking at a GC to test for chemicals like benzalkonium chloride, % alcohol ...

GC fine for alcohol, but good luck with the benzalkonium chloride (hint: try HPLC for that, and many have had issues with the USP HPLC assay for that).

[breakinbad]

First time here, and I am not that knowledge when it comes to this topic. I'm looking at a GC to test for chemicals like benzalkonium chloride, % alcohol ...

GC fine for alcohol, but good luck with the benzalkonium chloride (hint: try HPLC for that, and many have had issues with the USP HPLC assay for that).

Could you enlighten me to why HPLC would be better for BKC than GC?

[skunked_once]

Other things to consider:

Do you have adequate space and power requirements for this or any GC?
How about gas supplies, filters, etc.? There may be regulations on number, type, and location of gas cylinders.
If you are going to follow validated methods, be sure that the instrument configuration matches those specified in the method.
Does the GC come with a control/data software system?
Will it fit the requirements of your analysis? i.e. sample documentation, validation.
Is the data system user friendly? There are lots of discussions and opinions on this

[JGK]

I'd also consider the wisdom of buying a marque that is no longer in operation. Varian no longer exists having been fragmentted and the various divisions scattered between differing companies. How long before replacement spare parts become impossible to find?

[CE Instruments]

Varian 3800 is pretty old by now, how low cost is low cost ? New GCs and data systems can be had at a reasonable price and should be much more reliable.
It's also about support, second hand GCs are fine if you have someone who can look after it when it goes wrong. Many of the parts for the 3800 carried on through the 450 and into the Bruker GC. Do your local Bruker agents know the GC or did the GC engineers join Agilent ?