AFA ultraCUBE User Manual
14
Note
: the asterisk, “*”, indicating Standby mode, is very similar to the “snowflake” icon used by
many chillers to indicate that the refrigeration unit is active. On the CH05
, the “*” indicates that
the cooling/heating element is inactive.
4.0
System Operation
NOTE: The ultraCUBE is designed to operate continuously, except when
water is being changed in the AFA system water tank.
Fill the Covaris system water bath tank with distilled or de-ionized water. Approximately one
liter of water will be drawn into the WCS 2.0 upon first use, so keep extra water on hand.
The first time the ultraCUBE is used, air will be purged from the filter and UV chamber of the
WCS 2.0 as water is drawn from the Ultrasonicator bath. This initial air purging creates
turbulence in the Ultrasonicator bath, which may cause some bath water to spill over the top
of the bath. For this reason, the bath should initially be filled only half full the first time the
ultraCUBE is operated.
Turn the WCS 2.0 and CH05 ON/OFF switches to the ON position. The WCS 2.0 switch will
illuminate, the hour meter will start and the CH05 pump will start to draw water from the water
bath. Bubbles will briefly appear in the Ultrasonicator bath as air is purged from the WCS 2.0
system. Once the air is fully purged from the WCS 2.0, add distilled or de-ionized water to
the bath tank to restore the water level in the bath.
Note
: when the air is purged from the WCS 2.0, the bubbling in the water bath creates
noticeable turbulence. This is normal and the turbulence subsides once the WCS 2.0 fills
with water.
The CH05 and WCS 2.0 system, when operating, will automatically circulate bath water, filter
it and retard the growth of algae or bacteria by irradiation with UV light. It is recommended
that both be run continuously for longest UV lamp life and best cleansing effect upon bath
water. The CH05 should be placed in standby mode to continue pump operation without
cooling when the instrument is not in use. Press and release the
“START/STOP” button until
the “*” is displayed at the far left of the CH05 display to place the CH05 in standby.
When employing the WCS 2.0 with a Covaris water bath, users may refrain from changing
bath water for up to one month. Please note that evaporation will occur, so the bath water
level should be verified daily and distilled or de-ionized water added to the bath as needed.
If the WCS 2.0 is employed with chilled bath water, condensation may form on internal fittings
and hoses, causing some water to drip onto the laboratory bench beneath the WCS 2.0. This
condensation is normal and should abate when the bath water is not chilled. The WCS 2.0
may be placed on an absorbing mat to contain this condensation.
Water dripping from the WCS 2.0 when it is not powered or when employed with room
temperature bath water may indicate a leak. The cover may be opened and the fittings
examined to determine the source. (See Appendix A for instructions on opening and closing
the WCS 2.0. See Appendix B for troubleshooting instructions).
Please note that the ultraCUBE will only chill, filter, and treat the bath water with disinfecting
UV radiation. The WCS 2.0
does not
make up for evaporated water or degas the water.
