Dear Bruno,

Most likely the ETPL 430 PC board is the problem. That is the board which controls
the GC oven temperature. I doubt that there is a problem with the resistance in the
GC oven. The best situation would be if there were another CE analyzer nearby and
you could try their ETPL 430 in your instrument. You would see immediately if the
problem were fixed. You could check the oven resistance to see if it was "open", but
it is not easy to get to.

Unfortunately without the GC temperature in ready condition the EA will not start,
so you will not be able to run samples. It may be possible to put the EA in Mass
Spec mode, where the GC oven can be turned off, bypassing the problem. I believe
this is done on the NA 2500 by turning off the EA, then turning it on while holding
the "up" and "down" arrow keys on the front. This should let you scroll through the
different firmware programs and choose one of the mass spec modes. I do not know for
sure if your particular instrument has these different programs, but it is
possible.

Bruno Lavettre
Costech Analytical Technologies, Inc.


Bruno Glaser wrote:

> Dear Isogeochem listmembers,
>
> since yesterday I have a problem with our Carlo Erba NC 2500 coupled with a
> Thermoquest Delta plus mass spectrometer: The GC oven of the elemental analyzer
> does not heat anymore. It has reached an equilibrium temperature of 29°C now and
> although the yellow LED of the manifold is on the temperature does not increase
> anymore. So my questions are:
>
> 1. May I resolve the problem myself or is it necessary to contact to the service
> engeneer?
> 2. Is it possible to run samples at this low oven temperature???
>
> Many thanks in advance
>
> Bruno
>
> Dr. Bruno Glaser
> Insitute of Soil Science and Soil Geography
> University of Bayreuth
> D-95440 Bayreuth
> Germany