Troubleshooting Cooling Related Issue in Sample Coolers or Thermostats

Answer

This Information Applies To: Agilent Infinity II Sample Cooler G7167-60005 and Agilent InfinityLab sample thermostat G7167-60101. These coolers and thermostats are attached on Agilent G7129A/B/C vialsampler, Agilent G7157A Prep Autosampler, and Agilent G7167A/B, G7137A, G5668A, G4767A Multisampler. 

Issue

This article outlines the step-by-step instruction and additional information necessary to troubleshoot the cooling related issue, or to provide the Agilent Service Representative with the necessary information to do so.

Background 

The integrated sample cooler or thermostat is available as option or upgrade, providing cooling and heating in the range from 4 to 40 °C.
The Agilent Infinity II Sample Cooler is not available anymore and it has been replaced by the Agilent InfinityLab sample thermostat.

Occasionally, especially in the summer, you will face cooling-related problems. For example, the cooler or thermostat does not cool down or drop to an expected temperature, or it throws the following hardware error messages:

• “Thermostat sensor defect” (error ID 30751,0)
• “The cooler's built-in temperature sensor does not work correctly”
• “Sample temperature control switched off due to condensate” (error ID 30715,1 or 30715,2)
• “Cooler condensate sensor defect” (error ID 30719,3)
• “Cooler switched off due to condensate”
• “Cooler performance compromised due to open drawer/ door”
• “Cooler stopped due to condensate drainage blocked”
• “Thermostat fan defect” (error ID 30771,0)
• “Fan failed” (error ID 68,1 or 68,2)
• Readout for vial/ external temperature in the chromatography data system (CDS) or Agilent Lab Advisor is -67.8 °C (or -67 °C / -68 °C).

Note: It takes 45 minutes or more to cool down the sampler. This slow ramping behavior is necessary to avoid icing inside the Sample Cooler/Thermostat.

Steps to Follow

1. If a Sample Cooler/Thermostat gives an abnormal temperature reading, check the air vents to ensure they are not blocked.
2. There are two types of setup to drain the condensate 
   1. Y-piece Tubing Connector for Bench Installations and Flex Bench Systems:
      Check the condensate tube if they have a Y-connection (Figure 1)
   2. Condensate Collector Funnel for Bench Installations only:
      Make sure that the condensate collector funnel is positioned underneath the condensate drainage outlet tube and it is fixed to the back of the cooler/ thermostat by the screw. Ensure correct orientation and avoid over-tightening the screw (Figure 2).
      
      Check out the technical note about the Drainage Tubing Kit (part number 5067-6208)

      
      
      Figure 1. Y-piece tubing connector

      
      
      Figure 2. Condensate collector funnel
      1. Condensate collector funnel, 2. Screw

3. Shorten the condensate tube so that it runs straight into the waste container without any unnecessary detour (1). If needed, use the 90° tubing connector (part number 5500-1155) to eliminate uphill sections, which might occur at the edge of the bench (2). Agilent recommends the use of a separate container for condensate collection to avoid drainage problems (3) (Figure 3).

   
   
   Figure 3. Tubing setup on the bench

4. There must not be any condensate accumulated in the drain tubing (Figure 4).
   ✔ The drain tubing is sloped downwards. In other words, ensure that the tubing runs straight into the waste container without any bends or joints.
   ❌ There should be no upward sloping anywhere.
   ❌ Avoid the buckling and mechanical blockage of the drain tubing.

   
   
   Figure 4. Tubing setup to the waste container

5. The condensation drain line in the waste container is positioned above and not below the waste liquid. Ideally it should be close to the top of the container. In the humid environment, there will be more condensate.
6. The waste container should be checked and emptied regularly.
7. Disconnect the drain tubing from the Sample Cooler/Thermostat, turn off sampler for a couple hours or overnight and let it reach room temperature to remove any frost or ice buildup and to drain all the remained condensate.
   
   

   Caution: Do not tilt the sampler if there is still some condensate left in the Sample Cooler/Thermostat. It can result in damaging the evaporator fan.

   
   In order to avoid a fan or leak sensor error, condensate must be removed. If the same error message is shown after being off for 8 minutes, then the leak sensor is defective. Please contact Agilent Local Support.
8. Check the current firmware revision and update to at least D.07.22. It is recommended to always use the latest firmware.
9. If none of the above suggestions work, run the Sample Cooler Function test in Lab Advisor and share the result with the Agilent Local Support.
   1. Lab Advisor > Service & Diagnostics > Vialsampler/ Multisampler > run Cooler Function Test).
   2. For a Sample Thermostat, the resistance of the heating element will also be tested. The minimum Lab Advisor version for this function is B.02.11 [292] or higher.

Best Practices 

• It is recommended to turn off the thermostat overnight every couple of weeks in order to let all condensation drain off.
• Remove any excess amount of condensate from the surface of the doors regularly because it can trigger the leak sensor.
• If the doors are opened frequently, warm and/or humid air enters the workspace of the autosampler. Hence, try limiting openings in hot or humid weather.

Learn how to effectively operate your Agilent samplers: Multisamplers Agilent InfinityLab LC Series user manual on Agilent.com Vialsamplers Agilent InfinityLab LC Series user manual on Agilent.com