When Your Machine Takes a Vacation
After three years it is finally time for a vacation! Yes – the teen and I are headed for some relaxation on the beach before all the pandemonium begins in the fall.
Judging from the number of “Out of Office” replies we are receiving these days, it seems that many of you are enjoying some well-deserved time off too.
If this is the case, don’t forget to also give your sequencer, PCR, or qPCR machine the proper vacation it needs.
Too many times, SeqGen’s engineers have been called in to service a machine that has been sitting for some time. After being hired to perform a routine preventative maintenance, the engineer walks in on a pump that has frozen up and an array that is full of dried polymer. This routine PM just turned into a very expensive repair job!
If you will be taking some time off soon, please make sure to take these steps so that you will return to a well-rested, happy and functional machine!
It is always a good idea to turn off your Real Time PCR or PCR machine at the end of every day. This is a great habit to get into and may prevent a burned out heat cover. This step is the same for one day or one hundred days. For qPCR machines, disconnect the machine from the software, then turn off the machine and computer.
For your sequencer, the vacation shut down will be dependent upon the length of time you plan to be away.
For 1 – 6 days – It is fine to leave the machine idling and no special steps are necessary.
For 1 – 4 weeks – Use the water wash wizard to rinse out the pump. Your array may be left in the machine. Shut down the software, shut down the computer, and turn off the machine.
For 1 month or longer – Follow the procedure for a 1-4 week absence. Additionally, you will need to wash your capillary array to preserve it. Please download SeqGen’s array wash protocol and give us a call if you have any questions.
I am sorry to say that we will not be posting a blog next week, as our resident blogger will be on vacation! Stay tuned for the next post in two weeks. Please feel free to give us a call if you have any questions or need our assistance.
