CRF-1 Operating Manual
Page 52 of 60
33801-V4 DMN S90
Appendix 1
Troubleshooting
A1.1 Loud Mechanical Clicking or Tapping Noise or Unit Fails to Follow
Cooling Ramp
If there is a loud noise then switch the power off immediately
as permanent damage can
occur. The noise is caused by the pistons in the Free Piston Stirling Compressor hitting each
other, usually because the system is overloaded.
Some causes and solutions are listed below:
Too large a mass on the cooling plate
– reduce the total number of containers or reduce the
volume in each container if using a standard cooling plate, do not use straws and vials at the
same time on the H07 or H08 plate or reduce the mass of or volume of liquid in a non-
standard vessel used with the H03 flat plate.
Too high a cooling rate has been selected
– either reduce the mass on the cooling plate as
indicated above or reduce the cooling rate.
The unit is in a high ambient temperature
– ensure that the unit is operating in an ambient of
less than 30°C, is not placed directly in line with a heating or air conditioning vent or radiant
heater and is not in direct sunshine.
A1.2 No Power To Unit
The power switch is switched to the OFF position
Switch on. The power switch will illuminate red.
The power lead is not properly connected to the unit
Check the power lead is properly connected into the rear of the unit.
There is no power to the power lead
Check the power lead is plugged into a socket and that the socket is switched on.
The protective fuse in the CRF-1 unit has blown
Contact Grant Service Department.
A1.3 The Software Suite will not Communicate with the Freezer Unit.
Communications lead between the CRF-1 unit and the computer is not properly connected
Check the connections at both ends.
The Software is using the wrong COM port.
On the Software Config Panel, check the correct COM port is set.
If connected directly (no USB to serial converter) this is likely to be COM1.
When using the USB to serial converter this should be set to the COM port allocated to the
USB port. To find this out, use the computers Device Manager, open Ports (COM & LPT1)
and see which COM port number has been allocated to the USB Serial Port. The Software
suite should then be set to use this port.
CRF-1 unit not switched on
Check power switch is illuminated and switched to the ON position.
A1.4 Straws Stuck To Sample Plate
Freezing plate not dried properly before samples placed in grooves
The plate may be damp and as the samples fit tightly into the plate they may have frozen onto
the plate. Ensure the plate is dried before freezing (Section 7.3). Samples can be removed
with careful use of tweezers.
Samples not dried before placing in grooves
Summary of Contents for CRF-1 H00
Page 1: ...Controlled Rate Freezer CRF 1 Series Operating Manual...
Page 59: ......
