Diagnostics (UltiMate 3000 Series)

Chromeleon supports Diagnostics for the modules of the UltiMate 3000 system. The diagnostic tests allow you to check the performance of certain components, e.g.,  check the pump and valve seals for leaks, or calibrate the detector.   

For information about the tests available for each instrument, refer to  Diagnostic Tests for UltiMate 3000 Instruments.

Performing a Diagnostic Test

  1. In the Chromeleon Client, open and connect a control panel to your timebase.

  2. On the Control menu, select Diagnostics. The Diagnostics dialog box lists the installed instruments and available diagnostic tests.

    Select a line on the list to view details about the test type and purpose, as well as the required materials and estimated duration.

     Tip: 

    If no mixing chamber size is specified in Chromeleon for the pump(s) to test, a related message appears in the Diagnostics dialog box, replacing the list of available tests. (This applies to pumps for which the mixing chamber size was not specified at the factory, i.e., for pumps shipped before the introduction of the Diagnostics feature.) In this case, double-click the message to open a separate dialog box. Select the mixing chamber size and click Retry to return to the Diagnostics dialog box.

  3. Double-click the test you wish to perform. (As an alternative, select the test and confirm with OK.) A wizard will guide you through the test steps.

  4. The first wizard page provides information about the installed pump and details about the test. Clicking Next> takes you to the next test step(s).

 Tip: 

If the Next> button is not active on the first test page, the instrument is not connected to Chromeleon or is in Standby mode. Connect the instrument to Chromeleon before you continue by selecting the Connected check box. If the instrument is in Standby mode, clear the Standby check box.

All further steps may vary from test to test. Usually, they are easy to follow and do not require further explanation. If necessary, click Help for more information.

At the end of the test, the control panel reports the test result (passed or failed). If the test failed, information will be provided about how to enhance the performance. To view or print the report with details of the analysis, click Finish and Preview Report. Click Finish> to quit the test panel without viewing the report.

To view more troubleshooting information, click Open Troubleshooting Guide. A dialog box lists the troubleshooting guides for the UltiMate 3000 devices that are installed in the current timebase. Double-click to open a troubleshooting guide or select a guide and click Open.

 Tip: 

The Troubleshooting Guides are in "Portable Document Format (PDF)". To view or print PDF documents, Adobe Reader free software or a similar program must be installed on your PC.

Viewing Data in the Chromeleon Browser

The detailed diagnostics results are stored in a special Diagnostics sequence in the „Diagnostics_xxxx" folder of the standard datasource (browser). The new sequence is automatically created in the directory of the current timebase when the Server is started and receives a version number. In addition, the sequence contains a standard QNT File (default.qnt) and an RDF File (Diagnostics_xxxx.rdf).

 Tips: 

After a Chromeleon update, the timebase directory may contain another sequence with a higher version number. Chromeleon always accesses the sequence with the highest version number.

If you wish to rename a Diagnostics sequence, do not change the version number! However, you can change the name part.

The files are displayed in the Chromeleon Browser in the same way as other chromatography data:

 

Recommended Materials

Dionex recommends using the Diagnostics kit for the UltiMate 3000 modules, which include all materials required for performing the tests.  

For the following pumps an additional Adaptor kit (Dionex part no. 6037.3012) is required to prevent the titanium ferrules from being damaged:

For further information on available diagnostics kits, please contact your Dionex Service representative.