By Anonymous on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 03:44 am:
I am getting a red light when I switch on the binary pump of an Agilent 1100 system. The data station gives me the message that the pressure sensor has become disconnected or that the damper is faulty. I checked the main board connections which appear to be fine. The Agilent engineer tells me that the diagnosis is almost certainly that the damper has failed. The instrument is just out of warranty (of course!) and the instrument has not been used that much. The repair looks simple, but the part is $2000!! Does anyone else have experience of this problem- does this part usually fail after 18 months of relatively light use??
Regards, David McCalley
By Anonymous on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 05:06 am:
David,
This is definitely an issue with the pressure sensor on the Agilent LC pumps. Unfortunately, the part is coupled with a pulse damper, making the replacement cost quite high.
The new pulse dampers have a different pressure sensor installed. I believe Agilent knows that there's a problem, but I doubt that they'll admit to it...
By Anonymous on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 06:11 am:
Agilent went to a new design because they know that they had a problem with the old one. Beat on the CSE and you may still be able to get one under warranty.
By Anonymous on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 - 08:53 am:
To anonymous 1 and anonymous 2 above.
It was really helpful to me that you posted these messages. It is impossible for people like me in universities to afford service contracts, and perhaps for many others out there too. Of course you expect to replace parts, but not such a major item at such an early stage. I'll try your suggestion.
Many thanks, David McCalley