Chromatography Forum

Hoping someone can possibly help… I’m trying to automate a 5890A GC with 5972 MSD. I’m running B.01.00 MSD Chemstation Software. I have a 18596C tray, G1513A injector tower, and I have available two different controller boxes: 18594B and G1512A. I’ve tried several different combinations of HPIB stacking, nothing seems to work. The system works fine when I run it manually, and the G1512A controller works fine with the G1513A injector on a 6890 we have in house.

Currently, I have the HPIB running from the 5972 directly to the PC. I have a HPIB running from the back of the 5890 to the PC (on top of the MSD HPIB). I have the 18594B controller connected via HPIB piggybacked to the HPIB on the back of the 5890. Do I need to configure the cabling differently? The GPIB address is set to 10 for the controller, and 15/20 for the GC & MSD.

Any thoughts on this connection problem would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much!

Just to follow up, I was able to reconfigure the cabling and get the system to inject. I have the MSD connected via GPIB to the 5890. The 5890 is then connected to the PC. I have the G1512A controller connected directly via GPIB to the GC connection on the back of the PC. The system injects but doesn’t trigger the acquisition. What are my options for the remote start cable? Do I necessarily need a specialty HP cable or can I connect the G1512A controller to the PC via serial and have it start that way? I really appreciate any feedback.

I don't use an autosampler, but eventually it may help you:

My 5890 series II is connected via GPIB to the 5972 MSD and this via GPIB to the PC. The GC is also connected via serial to the REMOTE-connection of the MSD.

So i would suggest that you try to connect the controller to the REMOTE of the MSD.

When i understood my technician right last year the remote-signals don't work with GPIB. You alway need an RS 232 cable/connector on the unit you want to start by remote.

The remote connects to the HPIL connector hidden on the top of the 5890 under the long narrow cover above the control pad. The GC sends the start signal to the MS through that cable. The autosampler controller may or may not have to be connected to that same connector, but I think the GPIB is all that is required.

When it injects does it start the GC oven program but not the MS? If so then you only need the cable connecting the remote from the GC to the MS.

We got rid of our last 5890/5971 last year or I would be able to look at how it was configured

I will look later to see if I still have the manuals, that might show how it is all connected.

The remote connects to the HPIL connector hidden on the top of the 5890 under the long narrow cover above the control pad. The GC sends the start signal to the MS through that cable. The autosampler controller may or may not have to be connected to that same connector, but I think the GPIB is all that is required.

When it injects does it start the GC oven program but not the MS? If so then you only need the cable connecting the remote from the GC to the MS.

We got rid of our last 5890/5971 last year or I would be able to look at how it was configured

I will look later to see if I still have the manuals, that might show how it is all connected.

Ok found the manual.

It isn't the HPIL connector but the APG connector on top of the GC that the remote cable connects to. It will be the rectangular black connector with 12 pins on the GC side and the D-Sub 9 pin at the MSD end. A Start Run signal sent through pins 1-2 of the GC which sends a contact closure to pins 1-3 on the MSD. A System Ready signal comes from a 5v high signal from pin 5 on the GC to any ground which is connected to pin 7 on the MSD. If the signal is low on this circuit the system is in Not Ready, once the 5v signal occurs it is in Ready state.

The start from the controller I believe comes through the GPIB, but if it doesn't then you can connect the HPIL cables from the controller to the GC, which is also on the top right side under the lift off cover where the APG connector is located.