Care and Preventative Maintenance
With proper care and maintenance your HORIZON centrifuge will provide years of laboratory service.
For proper care, the following steps should be taken:
1. Provide Adequate Ventilation:
For cooling purposes, the HORIZON draws in ambient air through
the air intake cover on the top of the lid and exhausts this air in the back of the base. The centrifuge
should be placed on a hard smooth surface for good air circulation.
2. Always Spin Balanced Loads:
This centrifuge is equipped with imbalance detection. However, it is
still possible to run loads that are minimally imbalanced. Refer to page 8 for additional information on
balancing the load.
3. Keep the Buckets Clean:
NOTE: Always follow the safety guidelines of your laboratory to properly
clean up and/or dispose of materials in the event that a substance known to be potentially toxic,
radioactive or contaminated with a pathogenic microorganism is spilt in or on the centrifuge. Small
glass fragments left in the bucket after a tube breakage may adhere to the next tube inserted in that
bucket. When this tube is handled, these fragments may puncture protective gloves and lacerate the
operator’s fingers or hand. Remaining fragments may provide stress points on subsequent tubes and
result in additional breakage. If a tube breakage occurs, carefully remove the bucket. Properly dispose
of the sample and tube fragments and thoroughly clean both the inside and outside of the bucket.
Insert a new tube cushion (if necessary) and replace the bucket in the rotor.
4. Motor and Electrical Maintenance:
This centrifuge uses a brushless-DC motor. There are no
brushes to replace and it should not need routine servicing for the life of the centrifuge. The electrical
components are selected for high reliability and should not need service.
5. Keep the Centrifuge Clean:
The cabinet, rotor top and accessories shall be thoroughly cleaned
using either soap and water, or a mild bleach solution. It is critical that the buckets are dried completely
inside before any product tubes are loaded. Left over chemical residue can damage or weaken the
tubes. The use of Fully/Partially Halogenated Hydrocarbons, Ketones, Esters and all other chemicals
not prescribed by the manufacturer may cause damage to the rotor and buckets and shall not be used.
If it is necessary to remove the rotor for additional cleaning it is required that a qualified technician remove
the outside housing and rotor assembly. Contact your authorized dealer for additional information.
Apply cleaning solutions with a towel or cloth. Do not submerge the centrifuge in water or other cleaning
solutions as this will cause damage and void your warranty!
6. Bucket Replacement:
It is recommended that the buckets be replaced after 24 months of use.
Inspect buckets regularly for cracks. If cracks are discovered, replace immediately.
10
