By Anonymous on Wednesday, June 9, 1999 - 01:29 pm:
Has anyone had an "Error-no motor home" message on a Shimadzu LC-10AT vp pump? All of the connections appear to be correct. Could it be as simple as a belt slipping...? There is also some fluctuation in pressure before the alarm sounds. Mobile phase being used is a 0.5% ammonium phosphate buffer/ACN. (66:34)
By JD on Thursday, June 10, 1999 - 07:13 am:
Yep, we've seen this, but it has been some time now. We use Shimadzu 10AD pumps, but the mechanism is the same. There is an optical switch mounted on the motor (take the cover off the pump) that rotates thru a sensor. A notch in the switch signals the pump on each rotation so that the motor knows where it is. If the sensor fails, it can't tell the pump what's going on and the controller gets confused, giving the no home error.
HOWEVER, once we had this same message, replaced the sensor, etc and then to our embarassment found out that the pump merely needed lubrication. There is a friction surface on the back of the piston mechanism that likes a little lube. We use a drop of 3-in-1 oil on it about once a year for best results.
By Scot Reynolds on Wednesday, June 23, 1999 - 09:29 am:
Gentlemen,
I disagree with the reply that says that the LC-10AD and LC-10ATvp pump home position sensor mechanism is the same. The LC-10AD uses a photointerrupter sensor while the LC-10ATvp uses a reflective sensor type. The LC-10ATvp home position error can be caused by several issues. Lubrication of the cams associated with the crossheads, physiscal position of the reflective flag in reference to the optical sensor, and the firmware ROM version. The current Rom version 5.26. If you have any further question please feel free(honest..free!!!) to contact myself at Reynolds@Shimadzu.com.
Sincerely,
Scot Reynolds