Chromatography Forum

I have 5890 NPD but now it is impossible to buy active element for this detector. Is it possible to convert it to FID?

I am pretty sure you need the electronics board and full manifold and collector aparatud but I believe so. I initially was considering converting a FID to NPD before I realized there were no beads available and was told my series II+ would need an entirely new motherboard. You might want to see if someone has a totaled 5890 with a working FID detector portion.

Thank you MSCHemist for your response. I thought that it's just the matter of adjusting hydrogen and air flows...

Thank you MSCHemist for your response. I thought that it's just the matter of adjusting hydrogen and air flows...

I think it would depend on the type of flow block you have. If you have the ones with the adjustment screws inside the larger black flow knobs then you have more room to adjust than if it has the solid knobs that use restrictors to control the flow. The manifold should be the same between the two detectors. I also believe that the heater base is the same but you replace the NPD top portion with the collector portion from an FID. I can't remember if the boards are labeled at FID/NPD or as FID and NPD separately. It is definitely easier to go from NPD to FID than the other way around. I believe the air flow is what will be increased the most compared to the Hydrogen and makeup flows.