Molecular Devices versamax Operator's Manual
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Molecular Devices versamax Operator's Manual

Tunable microplate reader
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VERSAmax
Tunable Microplate Reader
Operator's Manual
Molecular Devices Corporation
1311 Orleans Drive
Sunnyvale, California 94089
Part # 0112-0084
Rev. A
™
for Instruments with Serial Numbers
Beginning with BN

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  • Page 1 ™ VERSAmax Tunable Microplate Reader Operator’s Manual for Instruments with Serial Numbers Beginning with BN Molecular Devices Corporation 1311 Orleans Drive Sunnyvale, California 94089 Part # 0112-0084 Rev. A...
  • Page 2 Molecular Devices Corporation warrants this product against defects in material or workmanship as follows: 1) All parts of the VERSAmax Tunable Microplate Reader are warranted for a period of one (1) year from the original date of delivery. 2) All labor charges to repair the product for a period of one (1) year from the original date of delivery will be paid by Molecular Devices Corporation.
  • Page 3 Repair or replacement as provided under this warranty is the exclusive remedy of the purchaser (the “Buyer”). Molecular Devices Corporation (the “Seller”) shall not be liable for any incidental or con- sequential damages for breach of any express or implied warranty on this product, except to the ex- tent required by applicable law.

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    Turn the Instrument and Printer On ..3-3 Set the Temperature ......3-3 VERSAmax Tunable Microplate Reader Operator’s Manual...
  • Page 5 Index ............I-1 VERSAmax Tunable Microplate Reader Operator’s Manual...
  • Page 6 Figure 1.1: VERSAmax ........

  • Page 7: Conventions Used In This Manual

    Conventions The names of keys that appear on the VERSAmax control panel are shown in Used in this boxed Helvetica type. Example: Manual Italic and boldface type are used for emphasis. Examples: “Press carefully to engage,” “Do not press down.”...
  • Page 8 VERSAmax Tunable Microplate Reader Operator’s Manual...

  • Page 9: Instrument Description

    Chapter 1 Instrument Description Introduction........1-3 General Overview .
  • Page 10 Chapter 1 VERSAmax Tunable Microplate Reader Operator’s Manual...

  • Page 11: Introduction

    SAs). Standard 96-well microplates, strip wells, and Þlter-bottom microplates can be used in the VERSAmax. The contents of the wells in a microplate can be mixed automatically by shaking before each read cycle, which makes it possi- ble to perform kinetic analysis of solid-phase, enzyme-mediated reactions (mixing is not critical for liquid-phase reactions).

  • Page 12: Component Description

    Chapter 1 Component The main components of the VERSAmax are: Description • The control panel • The microplate drawer • The back panel (connections and power switch) Back Panel Control Panel Microplate Drawer Figure 1.2: Major areas of the VERSAmax Control Panel Figure 1.3: Control Panel...

  • Page 13: Control Panel Display

    10 seconds to assist in maintaining temperature con- trol within the microplate chamber. NOTE: If the VERSAmax is idle, all keys on the control panel are active. The instrument will automatically close the microplate drawer for the next reading.

  • Page 14: The Microplate Drawer

    A1 Indicator Figure 1.4: Microplate Drawer The microplate drawer is located on the right side of the VERSAmax and slides in and out of the reading chamber. Springs on two sides of the drawer automatically position and hold a microplate in the proper position. The drawer remains in the reading chamber during read cycles.

  • Page 15: The Back Panel

    Computer (RS-232) Label Figure 1.5: Components on the Back Panel of the VERSAmax The following components are located on the back panel of the VERSAmax system: • Power switch —a rocker switch, labeled I/O (for on and off, respectively). • Power cord receptacle —plug the power cord in here.

  • Page 16: Functional Description

    Functional Stand-Alone Operation Description The VERSAmax has been designed to regulate the temperature of the micro- plate chamber from 4°C above ambient to 45°C. Upon power up, when the incubator is off, the temperature in the VERSAmax microplate chamber is ambient and isothermal. Pressing the incubator key will cause the instrument to begin warming the microplate chamber.

  • Page 17: Computer Control

    Instrument Description Computer Control The VERSAmax is equipped with an 8-pin DIN RS-232 serial port through which a computer can communicate with and control the instrument.  SOFTmax PRO Molecular Devices’ SOFTmax PRO software is a highly integrated program that can be used to control and collect data from the VERSAmax.
  • Page 18 • Export data in tab-delimited ASCII format for use with Excel or other data- base programs For a complete description of the features of SOFTmax PRO, refer to the SOFTmax PRO User’s Manual . 1-10 VERSAmax Tunable Microplate Reader Operator’s Manual...
  • Page 19 Instrument Description SpeciÞcations Thermal speciÞcations for microplates used in the VERSAmax apply to ßat- bottom microplates with isolated wells. All other microplate speciÞcations apply to standard 96-well polystyrene ßat-bottom microplates. Technical speciÞcations are subject to change without notice. NOTE: Photometric Performance Wavelength range 340–850 nm...
  • Page 20 (use of plate films not recommended) Automix with SOFTmax PRO Plate mixing modes Selectable: off, once prior to any reading, and once prior to and between kinetic readings Plate mixing duration Selectable: 1 to 999 seconds (three-second default) 1-12 VERSAmax Tunable Microplate Reader Operator’s Manual...
  • Page 21 Instrument Description Compatibility Microplate Standard and half-area 96-well flat-bottomed microplates (0.3 mL). VERSAmax Tunable Microplate Reader Operator’s Manual 1-13...
  • Page 22 Size (h × w × d) 8.6 in. (22 cm) × 22.8 in. (58 cm) × 15 in. (38 cm) Weight 30 lb (13.6 kg) Power consumption < 250 watts Line voltage 100-240 VAC, 4 A Line frequency 50/60 Hz 1-14 VERSAmax Tunable Microplate Reader Operator’s Manual...

  • Page 23: Chapter 2 Installation

    Chapter 2 Installation Installation Warnings.......2-3 Installation Cautions .......2-3 Unpacking .
  • Page 24 Chapter 2 VERSAmax Tunable Microplate Reader Operator’s Manual...

  • Page 25: Installation Warnings

    After examining the carton, place it on a ßat surface in the upright position. Open the top of the box and lift the VERSAmax, along with the packing mate- rials around the ends, up and out of the shipping box. Remove the packing material from both ends of the instrument and set the instrument down care- fully.

  • Page 26: Setting Up For Stand-Alone Use

    Figure 2.1: View of Rear Panel 3) Insert the appropriate (Macintosh or PC) serial interface cable into the RS-232 serial port on the VERSAmax. Connect the other end to the serial port of the computer. 4) Insert the female end of the power cord into the power receptacle at the rear of the VERSAmax.

  • Page 27: Chapter 3 Stand-Alone Operation

    Chapter 3 Stand-Alone Operation Prepare for a Reading ......3-3 Turn the Instrument On ..... .3-3 Set the Temperature .
  • Page 28 Chapter 3 VERSAmax Tunable Microplate Reader Operator’s Manual...

  • Page 29: Prepare For A Reading

    Turn the Instrument On Reading The power switch for the VERSAmax is located on the back panel. Press the rocker switch to the ON position. The instrument will automatically perform diagnostic checks to ensure that it is functioning correctly. Turn the printer on at the same time.
  • Page 30 Chapter 3 VERSAmax Tunable Microplate Reader Operator’s Manual...

  • Page 31: Maintenance And Troubleshooting

    Chapter 4 Maintenance and Troubleshooting Technical Support........4-3 Warnings and Cautions.
  • Page 32 Chapter 4 VERSAmax Tunable Microplate Reader Operator’s Manual...

  • Page 33: Technical Support

    In order to fully beneÞt from our technical services, please com- plete the registration card and return it to the address printed on the card. If you have any problems using the VERSAmax Tunable Microplate Reader that are not covered in this chapter, in the U.S., contact our Technical Services group at 1-800-635-5577;...

  • Page 34: General

    ßuids. Periodically, you should clean the outside surfaces of the VERSAmax using a cloth or sponge that has been dampened with water. Do not use abrasive cleaners. If required, clean the surfaces using a mild soap solution diluted with water or a glass cleaner and then wipe with a damp cloth or sponge to remove any residue.

  • Page 35: Changing The Fuses

    Þrst check to see whether the power cord is securely plugged into a function- ing power outlet and into the receptacle at the rear of the VERSAmax. If power failed while the VERSAmax was already on, check that the power cord is not loose or disconnected and that power to the power outlet is functioning properly.

  • Page 36: Figure 4.2: Removing The Fuse Box

    6) When removed, the fuse assembly will appear as shown in Figure 4.3. The holder inside contains two fuses. 7) It is possible that only one of the fuses may have blown. Molecular Devices recommends that you replace both fuses, however, to ensure continued proper operation.

  • Page 37: Error Codes And Probable Causes

    If a problem occurs during operation that causes an unrecoverable error, the and Probable instrument will stop and an error code number will be shown in the display on the front panel. To correct the problem, call your local Molecular Devices Causes representative for assistance.
  • Page 38 Parity bit error detected with incoming serial data. serial port overrun error Caused by host computer sending too much data and ignoring the flow control signal. serial port framing error cmd generated too Firmware error. much output VERSAmax Tunable Microplate Reader Operator’s Manual...
  • Page 39 Power-up check of the Reference amplifier's gain out of toler- ance. Could be due to bad or disconnected pre-amp board or excessive stray light. low lamp level warning VERSAmax Tunable Microplate Reader Operator’s Manual...
  • Page 40 Plate air calibration data is unreasonable. data error NVRAM Carriage offset Carriage offset data is unreasonable. error NVRAM Stage offset Stage offset data is unreasonable. error NVRAM Battery Time to replace the NVRAM battery (U3). 4-10 VERSAmax Tunable Microplate Reader Operator’s Manual...

  • Page 41: Opening The Drawer Manually

    Þrst two options have failed to open the drawer. If you are still unable to open the drawer, contact Molecular Devices Technical Support or your local representative for assistance. VERSAmax Tunable Microplate Reader Operator’s Manual...
  • Page 42 Chapter 4 4-12 VERSAmax Tunable Microplate Reader Operator’s Manual...

  • Page 43: Appendix A Printers And Cables

    Cables Molecular Devices recommends that you use high-quality, double-shielded cables to connect the VERSAmax to the com- puter. Choose cables that meet the following requirements: Serial Interface Cable (contact Molecular Devices for speciÞc pin-out requirements)
  • Page 44 Appendix A VERSAmax Tunable Microplate Reader Operator’s Manual...

  • Page 45: Appendix B Accessories

    Appendix B Accessories Items Available for Use with the VERSAmax Part Number Cable, RS-232, Macintosh to VERSAmax 8-pin DIN to 8-pin DIN 9000-0091 Cable, RS-232, PC to VERSAmax 9-pin to 8-pin DIN 9000-0149 Fuse, 4-amp (5 × 20 mm) Time Delay...
  • Page 46 Appendix B VERSAmax Tunable Microplate Reader Operator’s Manual...
  • Page 47 Stand-alone operation 1-8, 2-4 Keys (control panel) 1-4 Technical service 4-3 Temperature 1-8 Labels 1-7 equilibration 1-8, 3-3 LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 1-4, 4-7 regulation 1-8 set point 1-5, 1-8, 3-3 Warranty i-ii Wavelength range 1-11 VERSAmax Tunable Microplate Reader Operator’s Manual Index-1...

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