Thermo Electron SORVALL RC3BP, Operating Instructions Manual

Page: 46 / 64

RC3 BP™ Operation
4-11
Temperature Control
The RC3 BP™ controls calculated sample temperature during a run
based on the rotor selected, rotor speed, run time, SET temperature
and measured chamber temperature. The complex calculation the
centrifuge performs must assume, however, that the sample and
the rotor are at SET temperature at the start of the run. If tempera-
tures are not equilibrated, adjustments made by the centrifuge's
control system may not be appropriate (although, over time, tem-
perature control should come into range).
NOTE
When temperature control is critical, the sample, SET
temperature, rotor (body, buckets, adapters, and cover),
and rotor chamber should all be at the same tempera-
ture when START is pressed. Also, remove the sample
soon after a run has ended, so that it will not be affected
if chamber temperature drops slightly when the rotor is
no longer generating heat due to air friction.
To equilibrate rotor temperature before operation, either store the
rotor in a controlled temperature environment (such as refrigerator
or cold room), or precool/preheat the rotor in the centrifuge cham-
ber, until the rotor is the same temperature as the sample and the
required SET temperature.
Temperature control needs can vary with the application. In many
cases, the
RC3 BP™ Centrifuge will be used to run large volumes of
sample for short amounts of time. With such a run, if all compo-
nents have been equilibrated, it would be difficult to significantly
change sample temperature during the run – even if the centrifuge's
temperature control performance was reduced.
Rotor Temperature Equilibration
To equilibrate the rotor temperature in the centrifuge chamber:
1. Install the rotor in the rotor chamber, place empty buckets (if
applicable) in all positions, and the rotor cover, if any.
2. Close the chamber door.
3. Turn off all options (access with MENU key).
4. Check to be sure the correct rotor name is in the ROTOR field of
the SET display – if not, press ROTOR until it is.
5. Press SPEED. If cooling, input 1500 rpm; if heating, input a
value that is approximately 70% of the maximum rated speed of
the selected rotor.