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Operation Manual
Pipette Washer/Dryer
A Pipette Washer & Dryer for Volumetric Pipettes
INTRODUCTION
The new Pipette Washer & Dryer, Part #PIPWASH-1, was designed by SPEX CertiPrep chemists to take the hassle out of washing
volumetric pipettes.
The Pipette Washer/Dryer is constructed of durable polyethylene. Electricity is only necessary when using the optional Pipette
Washer Pump. Also available is a Pipette Washer Basin in which to set the Pipette Washer to catch and recycle the cleaning water.
Operation of the Pipette Washer & Dryer is extremely simple and will shorten and simplify the process of cleaning your volumetric
pipettes (up to 23 at a time). The washer holds volumetric pipettes sizes 0.5 mL to 250 mL. First, water is run through the pipettes
to wash them. Then, air is drawn through the pipettes to dry them. The SPEX CertiPrep Pipette Washer is a rectangular plastic
unit approximately 3 feet tall and one foot square. The Pipette Washer has a door on the front, which slides upward, permitting
access to the inside. The door can be held in the upright position using the plastic plug that fits into the hole located above the
door opening.
Inside there is a shelf below the door level containing 23 conical (funnel shaped) plastic pipette holders, which are aligned
in 5 rows of 5, 4, 5, 4, and 5 holders respectively. Each pipette holder is connected via plastic tubing to the wash/dry line. The
third, fourth and fifth rows of holders are connected through the left on/off valve, while the first and second rows of holders
are connected to the right on/off valve. The operator may use two, three or all five rows of pipette holders depending on the
number of pipettes to be processed. Tubing extends from the two valves to a single main line, which terminates in a hose barb
connector located on the front of the unit just below the on/off valves (see figure on page 2).
OPERATION
Included with the Pipette Washer is a length of tubing. Connect it to your water source, a faucet or the Pipette Washer Pump,
then connect the other end to the hose barb connector on the front of the cabinet (see figure on page 2). The hose should press
on to the connectors securely, but if either connection leaks, you can use a hose clamp to make the connection tighter. Place the
Pipette Washer in a sink or in the Pipette Washer Basin to control and/or recycle runoff from the operation.
Before loading the Pipette Washer with pipettes, close both valves on the front of the Pipette Washer (handles in horizontal
position). Place a pipette of any size, tip up, into each pipette holder (see figure on page 2). Start at the back and work forward
towards the door. Once all of the pipettes are placed into position, the valves for the rows containing pipettes are then placed
in the open position (the valve handles are in the vertical position) (see figure on page 2). Turn the water on. Note the valves
located on the front of the Pipette Washer. The valve on the left controls water flow to rows three, four and five (towards the rear
of the cabinet). The valve on the right controls water flow to the first and second rows of pipette holders.
When the water source is turned on, water goes through the plastic tubing and then branches into the secondary water lines
and fills each pipette. The water then shoots out of the pipette tip, splashes off the ceiling of the washer, and rains a shower of
water over the outside of the pipettes, thus cleaning both the inside and outside of the pipettes. Water should be allowed to run
through the pipettes for about 10 to 15 minutes to achieve optimum cleanliness.
Once the washing session is complete, shut off the water. The tubing may now be disconnected from the hose barb at the
front of the cabinet (or disconnected at the water source if you are going to reuse the same tubing). Attach the plastic tube to
a vacuum source, if you are using the same tubing you used for the water connection, otherwise, attach tubing from a vacuum
source onto the hose barb connector at the front of the cabinet. Once the vacuum source is opened, air is pulled in through
the pipettes. Allow this to continue until the insides of all of the pipettes are completely dried by the moving stream of air.
Approximate time for drying is 15 minutes.
The Pipette Washer has a small footprint, taking a minimum amount of sink, bench or floor space. During the washing of pipettes,
it is unnecessary to open or close the door, although we recommend that the door be kept closed during the wash to contain
any excess splashing that may occur.
