10. User maintenance
Cleaning your CYCLER
The heating/cooling block, including wells and flat surfaces, should be cleaned regularly to ensure optimum heat transfer to the samples. Always clean the block if there has been a spillage. Use a cloth or cotton buds dipped in a fresh, 50:50 water/isopropanol solution and make sure that no deposits are left in the wells.
In the case of radioactive spillages the heater block can be removed from the unit for more detailed cleaning. Omega Engineering, Inc. recommend that you use a proprietary cleaning agent and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The heating/cooling block is made of aluminum, therefore an agent such as Neutracon (from Decon Labs , Inc.), suitable for nonferrous metals should be used. However, remember that other parts of the unit are made of ferrous materials and may be damaged by spillage onto them.
Heater Block removal
Before cleaning your unit, disconnect from the power supply and allow it to cool to below 50°C. Remove the four screws on the underside of the unit and drop the block/fan assembly down. Unplug the assembly from the wiring and remove the assembly from the unit. Refitting the block/fan assembly is the reverse procedure; be careful of the wires as you refit the block.
Underside of the CYCLER TCY | Four screws which hold |
| the block/fan assembly in place |
The outer case of the CYCLER TCY can be cleaned with a cloth dipped in water or ethanol (methanol or formaldehyde can also be used). No part of the case or cover should be immersed in the solvents. Do not use aggressive solvents such as acetone, or abrasive cleaners.
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