| 1. | | How do I calibrate my HandyStep� S? |
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| A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the gravimetric testing of the HandyStep� S is available in the Technical Resources section of this website. The HandyStep� S uses a fixed, toothed rack to move the piston of the syringe tip, with the adjustment wheel choosing the number of teeth per dispensing. Because the spaces between the notches are not adjustable, the HandyStep� Scan not be adjusted. Because the syringe tip is ultimately responsible for the volume dispensed, it is far more likely to be a variable if you find your instrument to be inaccurate. We recommend that if you encounter accuracy problems, you should try BRAND� PD-Tips. PD-Tips are supplied with a Certificate of Performance in every box. Other conditions that can contribute to inaccuracy of the HandyStep� S include the presence of bubbles in the tip, or poor technique in operating the instrument. |
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| 2. | | How do I fix my HandyStep® S? |
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| The HandyStep® S has a number of small parts inside. We do not recommend opening the instrument, as it is unlikely that you will be able to reassemble it correctly, and doing so will void your warranty. We recommend that you contact BrandTech® for authorized service. |
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| 3. | | The display of my HandyStep® electronic shows “Err 001.” What should I do? |
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| A list of error codes and their meaning is below:
Err001: Tip recognition error. Follow the instructions in the manual to resolve.
Err002: This error indicates a motor strain. Press enter to clear, then ensure that the tip orifice is not block and replace the tip, if jammed.
Err003 or higher: These error messages indicate and electronic failure. Contact BrandTech® Scientific for repair. |
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| 4. | | Which repeating pipette tips work with my HandyStep® electronic? |
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| The HandyStep® electronic is designed to work with all standardized repeating pipette tips. These include BRAND® PD-Tip™ syringe tips, Fisherbrand tips, VWRbrand tips, Ritips, Labnet Combi-syringes, Rainin Encode tips, and Eppendorf Combitips. They will even work with the proprietary-design Eppendorf Combitips Plus. Other proprietary designs, like those from Wheaton, Oxford and ThermoLabsystems will not work with the HandyStep electronic. The HandyStep® electronic will automatically recognize the size of BRAND PD-Tips™ and Rainin Encode tips. |
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| 5. | | How long does the HandyStep® electronic battery charge last? |
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| Approximately 2.5 hours of continuous pipetting with a 12.5mL tip, for liquids with a viscosity and density similar to water. Because of the amount of friction, and liquid moved varies with the size of the tip, larger tips have shorter charge life, while, conversely, smaller tips provide less of a drain on the battery. |
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| 6. | | Why does the frame around my HandyStep® electronic's battery charge icon blink? |
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| This indicates that the instrument has not undergone a full battery charge/discharge cycle with the battery inside the instrument, and as such the battery charge indicator is not as accurate as it would be otherwise. |
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| 7. | | My Transferpettor™ always dispenses considerably smaller volume than its setting. What’s wrong? |
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| Before you send it out for calibration, you may want to make sure you the tips are placed on the pipette correctly. The pipetting button must also be pushed down before locking the tip into place.
If the button is not pushed down all the way, the tip can be pushed on further that appropriate, and the volume will be smaller. If the tips are put on correctly, and the volume is still inaccurate, the Transferpettor™ can have a calibration adjustment performed. However, this is not a user function. The pipette should be sent in for authorized service.
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| 8. | | I have questions about my Transferpette® electronic Single Channel pipette. |
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| Please visit the special FAQ for the Transferpette® electronic Single Channel pipette here. |
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| 9. | | How does the HandyStep® S work? |
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| The HandyStep® S has a series of finely machined notches into a bar that moves the piston of the PD-Tip a number of notches for each movement of the actuation lever, depending on the setting of the adjustment wheel from 1 to 5 in half-step increments. These correspond to 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9% and 10% of the nominal capacity of the tip used. |
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| 10. | | How long does it take to charge the battery in my HandyStep® electronic? |
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| 2.5 hours with the battery removed from the instrument, 3.5 hours with the battery inside the instrument. |
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| 11. | | I have questions about my Transferpette® electronic Multi-Channel pipette. |
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| Please visit the special FAQ for the Transferpette® electronic Single Channel pipette here. |
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| 12. | | I have questions about my Transferpette® Single Channel pipette. |
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| Please visit the special FAQ for the Transferpette® electronic Single Channel pipette here. |
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| 13. | | My Transferpette® makes a clicking noise when I try to adjust the volume. What's wrong? |
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| The Transferpette® S has a volume adjustment brake that is intended to avoid inadvertent volume adjustment when pipetting. This is a small light gray slide located between the faceplate and the volume adjustment wheel on the front of the pipette. Simply slide it toward the volume adjustment wheel, adjust the volume and slide it back down to secure the volume setting. This can easily be performed one-handed. |
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| 14. | | How do I calibrate my HandyStep® electronic? |
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| A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for gravimetric testing of the HandyStep® electronic is available on this website in the Technical Resources section. Because the instrument and the syringe tips are equal partners in the accuracy of the instrument, if you find that your instrument is not performing to specification with third-party tips, we recommend that you try BRAND® PD-Tips to confirm the source of the error. PD-Tips are supplied with a Certificate of Performance in every box. It should be noted that bubbles in the tip are also a common source of error. Adjustment of the instrument by the end-user is not possible. If you find that your instrument requires adjustment, we recommend contacting our Factory Authorized Service center, listed in the Sales and Service section of the website. |
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If you're having trouble finding the information you want, BrandTech Customer Service is here to help. Call us at 888-522-2726, or if you prefer, contact us online.
