Owner's manual
C.B.S. Scientific 23 Adjustable Height Sequencer
5.2 Troubleshooting Guide
Problem/Condition Cause & Solution
ELECTRICAL
'No Load' power supply indicator
(no current)
loose connection at DC source or at terminal: secure if not broken
press down firmly on both safety cover lids
loose electrode terminal: finger tighten, check for corrosion: clean
thoroughly
break in platinum wire: check for continuos wire
if sides of plate sandwich not taped - may be grounding; check for
leaks/streaking- wipe clean, check number and type of clamps; ensure
equal number and symmetrical spacing
incorrect buffer levels
gel hydrolyzed: recheck gel components;
re-pour
'sparking' near top of gel check upper buffer level and refill
'sparking' near lower gel chamber check lower buffer level: too low or too high
Over heating of buffer and plates buffer: check concentration & date made
hydrolyzed gel: date of gel stock solution; remake
set power conditions to run gel at approximately 50C
Upper well & gasket area not flush & tight against silicone seal: check clamps and bar clamp (if
used)
GLASS PLATES
cracking at notched area
check clamps for correct size, Cat.# GPC-0001
optional bar clamp: too tight and uneven
cracking across main area overheating (see ELECTRICAL section above)
use aluminum heat dispersion plate (cooling)
check clamps: check for proper size; avoid using metal bulldog-type
clamps
check for pre-existing scratches or chips along edges
LEAKS
upper buffer reservoir and sample wells/gasket area
ensure notched or shorter plate tightly flushed against silicone gasket;
check for proper plate alignment
thoroughly clean silicone gasket area
replace
gasket if worn, cracked or flattened
check tightness & clamp type
capillary leakage sides of gel plate sandwich (see 'no load' section above)
ensure that an equal number of white spring clamps are symmetrically
placed on both sides of plates
check clamp model number (GPC-0001 vs. GPC-0002)
ensure stainless steel spring in clamp securely in place
space and sequencing comb identical thickness
bowed (not flat) plate set
Polymerization problem (see following section)
gel casting ensure spacers meticulously clean
sloppy technique if using tape
check excess gel solution (if saved) for proper polymerization time
DEFORMED SAMPLE WELLS
deformation when comb removed
comb inserted too far
gel dried out near surface: rinse comb with buffer before removal of
comb
gel not polymerized
BUBBLES
plates not cleaned thoroughly prior to casting
SEPARATION OF PLATES AFTER
ELECTROPHORESIS
sticking of gel to one or both plates
plates not cleaned thoroughly
plate (1) not silanized (recommend 'GEL COAT'
plate pried apart too quickly: separate slowly and carefully; use Wedge
plate separator, Cat. # WPS-100
READ FRAMES
fuzzy/wavy
before loading samples, flush urea out of sample wells using pipette
tip or syringe with bent needle
smeary re-pour gel using freshly purified gel components
SMILING
use an aluminum heat dispersion plate
avoid loading samples in the two outermost wells on both sides
reduce power setting