Chromatography Forum

Hi, I recently inherited an Akta Purifier FPLC system. It runs fine but the pumps (or another connected part?) make a high pitched squeaking noise when they run. Apart from the annoying sound, is this something I should worry about? Any ideas where it could come from?

thanks
Alex

The obvious possible problem is a bearing or cam follower that needs lubrication. Check the user or service manual to see what is required.

Another possibility is a dry seal, particularly if that system has a wash-out port behind the mail seal; it it does, you might want to push some DI water through the wash-out port and see if that changes anything.

Also, if the system was allowed to dry out before you got it, buffer crystals may have damaged the main seal or the piston resulting in "chatter" of the piston.

Hi Tom,

thanks for your suggestions. I just found the noise is coming from the UV monitor unit (UV-900) - I should have tested the single modules earlier. If I set the UV unit to monitor more than one wavelength the noise starts, if I only monitor A280 it disappears. So I guess it's the switching between the filters(?) or something similar that gives rise to the noise. But that's ok, I only need A280 for now.

thanks
Alex

The noise seems come from the worm gear , which rotates the monochromator.
If you set two wavelenghts , it rotates back and forth , and make such noises.
A drop of lubricant on the gear may solve the problem.