Gamry FlexCell, Operator'S Manual

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Chapter 3: Unpacking and Assembling Your Flexcell Kit--Assemble the cell.
3 - 6
1. Install the Temperature Probe.
The Flexcell is often used with a Gamry Instruments TDC4 in controlled-temperature studies. In this
system, use the RTD probe provided with the TDC4 to sense the electrolyte temperature as near as
possible to the working electrode. One of the #7 ACE-
Thred™ ports in the bottom cap holds this
probe.
• If you do not use the temperature probe port, you must plug it. Use a solid glass rod
(P/N 930-00027) and a #7 ACE-
Thred™ bushing (P/N 935-00020) with its associated O-ring.
• If you are using the RTD probe, install it using a #7 ACE- Thred™ bushing (P/N 935-00020), a
2.5 cm long Viton ® spacer (P/N 935-00044), and a special O-ring (P/N 935-00034). Do not
use the O-ring provided with the #7 ACE- Thred™ bushing.
a. Wet the spacer with a few drops of water, then slide it onto the RTD probe until you see only 2
cm of probe between the spacer and the probe
’s contact wire.
b. Slide the fitting onto the RTD probe, followed by the special O-ring.
c. Screw the fitting into any of the three ports on the bottom cap.
d. Adjust the position of the RTD probe until a few mm at the tip of the probe is seen extending into
the conical well in the bottom cap.
e. Tighten the #7 ACE- Thred™ fitting finger tight.
You will be able to move the probe in and out within the fitting. However, the O-ring seal should
remain watertight as you do so.
2. Install the Reference-Electrode Luggin Capillary.
The Flexcell uses an external reference electrode coupled to the cell via a Luggin capillary. Install the
Lugin capillary into one of the #7 ACE-
Thred™ ports in the bottom cap. 3-2 may be helpful.
a) Find the reference capillary (P/N 930-00024). It may be packaged in a separate sub-assembly kit
so you may have to hunt a bit for it. You also need one of the #7 ACE-
Thred™ bushings
(P/N 935-00020) and its associated O-ring.
b) Slide the fitting on the capillary, followed by the O-ring.
c) Insert the capillary into a #7 ACE- Thred™ port on the bottom cap.
d) Tighten the fitting until it is finger-tight, then loosen about two turns. Adjust the position of the
capillary tube until the tip is close to the edge of the circular hole on the bottom of the cap, and
the ball joint is facing up (away from the cell
’ s legs).
e) Tighten the fitting finger-tight.
The rest of the reference-well assembly procedure is explained later.
3. Install the Drain Cap.
The Flexcell kit does not include drain plumbing. If you wish to add drain capability to the cell, you
are responsible for providing any fittings, valves and tubing that may be required.
Any of the three #7 ACE- Thred™ ports may be used for the drain connection.