Hello all,

I have been using several ISCOs of the 6700 series, but here recently some of my older units have been giving me trouble.  At first, it was giving the error message "sample skipped," and it skipped the sample alright.  I went back through and tried reprogramming it, but the problem has been progressively worse, with it recently not only skipping samples at random, but also switching between bottles randomly as well (ie. fills 1, then 9, 2, 7, 21, 14, 3 etc.).

I am currently using a non-uniform time pacing with bottles 1-6. fill one bottle every 5 mins sequentially at enable and countdown continues while enabled, and bottles 7-24 fill every 15 mins, sequential. This has given me just the skipped samples, but in order.

I used the two part program with Part A for bottles 1-6 and Part B 7-24 (same times), and that is when I also got the random bottle selection (instead of sequential).

I am using a bubbler (Isco 730) to enable the sampler.

It may just be that I am up a creek and need to send it in to Teledyne, but just to cover my bases, if any of you have any tips or hints that you could offer, they would be greatly appreciated.  Also, if you have any protocols or FAQs that you like to use, if you wouldn't mind passing that along, it would be great.

Linde,

I don't think that the problem is with the bubbler.  You should double check the dessicant pack for if there is too much moisture inside the controller then it will malfunction.  Perhaps if it has an internal battery that maintains basic programming you need to check to see if it needs to be replaced.  Do check the tubing for leaks.

If all of these suggestions do not bring to light what is causing the sampler to malfunction, then it may be that there is a problem within the circuit board.  This will mean shipping it off to Isco to be repaired by their techs.  I would call Teledyne and talk with their tech support group before deciding to ship it off.  Good luck!

~Eric