Troubleshooting - Thermo Scientific Vitrobot Mk IV User Manual

Chapter | Troubleshooting

4.3 Troubleshooting

In the following paragraph a number of possible errors are described and some points for
action are considered.
Problem description
TM
The Vitrobot
The blot paper does not hold
The humidity will not rise
TM
The Vitrobot
desired temperature
A broken grid
Film is not located in the correct
orientation on a quantifoil
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PN 103261 | Revision D | 23-Oct-2019
is not switching on
does not reach the
Solution
Check if the power entry is turned on.
Check the clipring mechanism. The clipring should fix the paper onto
the blotpads.
The water level in the humidifier cup. The humidifier contains a
sensor, which notifies (by a message in the interface) in case the
water level is too low. Re-filling of water may be needed. Call service
if the water level is ok, but the humidity is still not increasing upon
activation.
A certain T (downwards of approximately 20 °C, upwards of
approximately 55 °C), depending on the rH of the environment and
climate chamber, can be reached. Check the temperature of the
environment. Extra cooling can be attained by gently providing cool
air into the backside of the Vitrobot
by gently providing warm air.
The side door for application may be still open.
Make sure the correct volume of the specimen is accounted for on
the option screen. Defining the level too low will cause the forceps to
plunge too deep. This will catch liquid between the tip of the forceps
resulting in improper blotting and poor release of the vitrified grid
from the forceps.
The necessary force to remove the grid later in the ethane holder
can cause damage to the grid
Make sure the application side of the quantifoil is in sync with the
carbon-site of the grid. Application can be done both through the left
and right hand side opening of the climate chamber.
Check the blot off-set value in the options page. It may be that the
blot pressure is not properly defined.
TM
. Extra heating can be attained
User Manual
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