Procedure for the Operation of the Beckman L8-M Centrifuge

Make certain that the rotor has the appropriate over speed disk. It must be undamaged and correctly installed or the instrument will not run. For fast temperature equilibrium refrigerate or warm the rotor before the run. Normally, rotors are kept in the cold room on the 2nd or 3rd floor of Chemistry Building 65; the centrifuge in in building 95 in the entrace hall of W357. Please note the procedure is also written on the top panel of the instrument.

Use the instrument log book to sign in and out. Turn the power ON. Open the chamber door, install the rotor, then close the chamber door. Turn the key clockwise to the rotor position.

Manual

To enter a single run:

1. Select SPEED, TEMP, MAX TEMP, and TIME, HOLD or W2t.

2. Select slow ACCEL and/or DECEL profiles if desired.

3. Press ENTER/DISPLAY and START. Unless otherwise directed, vacuum and brake are selected automatically.

To enter a Dual Program:

    PROGRAM 1

1. Press DUAL PROGRAM, 1 and ENTER DISPLAY

2. Enter the first set of run conditions.

3. Press ENTER/DISPLAY

     PROGRAM 2

4. Press DUAL PROGRAM, 2 and ENTER/DISPLAY

5. Enter second set of run conditions

6. Press ENTER/DISPLAY and START
When you press START, program 1 will begin automatically (Unless otherwise directed).

Automatic

To repeat a run in sequence, just press ENTER/DISPLAY and START. There is no need to reenter any of the run conditions unless you wish to make a change.

Programmed

1. Insert the pre-programmed Memory -- Pac module -- label side up -- into the PROGRAMMED OPERATION slot.

2. Press ON and ENTER/DISPLAY to transfer information for a single run or program 1 of a dual program into the instrument. Press ENTER/DISPLAY a second time to transfer the information for program 2 into the instrument.

3. Press ENTER/DISPLAY and START in dual program, when you press START, program 1 will begin automatically.

4. Remove the Memory-Pac module if desired.

To End the Run

Press STOP to terminate a run in the HOLD mode. Runs in the timed or w2t mode will terminate automatically. After the rotor has stopped, press VACUUM to vent the chamber. Open the chamber door, remove the rotor, then close the chamber door. Keep the door closed between runs.

Zonal Operation

Assemble the zonal rotor according to the Zonal Rotor Instructions Manual (ZR-1M). Refer to the L8M instruction manual for Zonal operation. Read the warning information carefully before beginning the run.

* Rotor speeds under acceleration indicate the point at which the rotor begins its maximum acceleration to the set speed. Speeds under deceleration indicate the point at which slow deceleration begins.

** When using swinging bucket rotor SW 41 Ti, SW 28.1, SW 27.1, and SW 25.1 select 170 rpm only.