Reichert Darkfield Quebec 13332500 User manual

The Reichert
Darkeld
Quebec
Colony Counter User
Guide
13332500/13332600
13332700/13332800

Reichert Darkeld Quebec ®
Colony Counter
User Guide
1.0 Introduction
The REICHERT DARKFIELD QUEBEC®Colony Counter
provides efcient, accurate and convenient colony counting.
Glarefree illumination over the entire culture plate assures
clear, quick results. By touching the colony with the counting
probe (Models 13332700/13332800), colonies are recorded
on the digital display; they appear bright and are readily dis-
tinguished from other structures.
2.0 Unpacking & Assembly
Carefully remove the REICHERT DARKFIELD QUEBEC®
Colony Counter and accessories from the packing box and in-
spect them to assure damage did not occur during shipping.
Place the instrument on a hard, at surface.
A leg located on the bottom can be set at either a tilt angle
or locked at to the instrument base.
Similarly, the 1.5X magnication lens may be raised or low-
ered for user preference. A 1.5X auxiliary lens (Catalog No.
13333100) is available as an accessory and is designed to be
placed over the existing lens to increase the total magnica-
tion to 3X.
The REICHERT DARKFIELD QUEBEC®Colony Counter (Mod-
el 13332700 & 13332800) includes a ve-digit LCD. counter
with a reset button, a ground contact and counting probe
(Figure 1). An optional push button counter also is available.
The counting probe (Models 13332700/13332800 only) is
shipped with the needle tip reversed for protection from dam-
age. To assemble the counting probe for use, loosen the knurled
nut, remove the needle, place the blunt end in the chuck and
retighten.
The ground contact has a magnetic base and is attached
to the instrument case so the arm extends over the culture
plate and touches the surface of the agar.
The push button counter plugs into the two-hole receptacle
at the rear of the colony counter.
3.0 Testing the Instrument
Before using the REICHERT DARKFIELD QUEBEC®Colony
Counter it should be tested. Plug the electrical cord into a ground-
ed 120V/60 cycle AC outlet (Models 13332500/13332700) or
230V/50 cycle AC outlet (Models 13332600/13280000).
Turn the instrument on using the switch located on the rear
panel. Touch the tip of the counting probe to the ground arm
probe. A count should register on the LC.D. display, if the colony
counter is operational.
To return the LCD display counter to “0” depress the reset
button.

4.0 Care of the Counting Probe
Care should be taken to keep the tip of the counting probe
sharp. If the needle is blunt, small colonies will be difcult to
count and accurately register.
The probe tips touching media and/or colonies should be
cleaned as dictated by good laboratory procedures. Solutions
of 70% isopropyl alcohol, iodine/alcohol, Lysol® Brand or form-
aldehyde may be used to clean the tip without harm.
5.0 Operating the Colony Counter
To count directly on the surface of the nutrient medium, place
the uncovered culture plate on the culture plate holder. Loosen
the two thumbscrews on the holder to center the culture plate
on the counting plate.
Plug the ground contact and the counting probe into either
electric receptacle on the back of the instrument Position the
ground contact with magnetic base near the culture plate so that
the L-shaped tip makes contact with the surface of the agar.
Counts are automatically registered by simply touching each
colony with the needle point of the counting probe (Figure 2).
To prevent the possibility of spurious registration resulting from
the “entry” and “exit” of the probe tip into the medium, a pulsed
delay circuit will admit only one count over a short time period.
This feature does not interfere with the maximum counting
speed of a skilled operator.
6.0 Bulb Replacement
The REICHERT DARKFIELD QUEBEC®Colony Counter
illumination source is a standard 40 watt soft white-type
incandescent bulb. (50 watt for 230V operation)
7.0 Cleaning the Counting Plate
Remove the screw on the left side of the instrument face. Swing
the magnication lens aside and open the black front section
attached to the lower hinge. The counting plate is held in place
with four screws attached to the back of the front panel. Loosen
the screws and slip the plate out of the retainer.
Clean the counting plate with a solution of mild detergent and
water. DO NOT USE AN ABRASIVE CLEANSER. It will dam-
age the white grid on the counting plate.
Dry the counting plate with a lint-free cloth. Place the counting
plate back into the retainer until it is rmly seated. Avoid leav-
ing ngerprints on the surfaces, they may cause inaccurate
readings. Ensure plate is installed with rulings facing bulb to
avoid damage. Tighten the four screws and return the front
section to the operating position. Replace the screw on the
front of the instrument.
The REICHERT DARKFIELD QUEBEC®Colony Counter is
designed to insure reliability, long life and minimal maintenance.
Contact your local Reichert representative for additional operat-
ing or service information.
8.0 Fuses
The REICHERT DARKFIELD QUEBEC® Colony Counter has
two fuses located in a fuse drawer next to the power switch
on the rear panel. The instrument must be unplugged to allow
access to the fuse drawer.
9.0 Specications
The REICHERT DARKFIELD QUEBEC® Colony Counter
bears the following marks: UL, cUL • Models 13332500 and
13332700 are rated 120VAC, 40 watts
• Models 13332600 and 13332800 are rated 230VAC, 50
watts
Operating Conditions
• Indoor use only
• RH 80% up to 31°C decreasing linearly to 50% RH at 40°C
• Pollution degree 2
• Altitude up to 2,000m
• Temperature 5°C to 40°C
• Main supply voltage ±10%
• Installation CAT II

10.0 Probe Set Up
Models: 13332700/13332800
1. Loosen knurled collar and remove the standard probe.
2. Insert the probe handle into the hole on the magnetic
base and tighten it in place.
3. Insert the “L” shaped probe into the front of the probe
handle and tighten the knurled collar.
Standard Probe
Magnetic Base
“L” shaped Probe
Knurled Collar
4. Plug both connector ends of the probes into either of the
rear sockets.
5. Position the magnetic base onto the front cover of the
Colony Counter so the “L” shaped probe extends over the
edge of the petri dish and in contact with the Agar.
6. Use the opposite probe to touch the colony and advance
the counter.
11.0 Accessories
Catalog No. Description Model
13332300 Counting Probes 13332700/13332800
13332400 Push Button Counter 13332500/13332600
13333100 1.5x Auxiliary Lens ALL
13333800 Woffheugel Counting Plate ALL

Reichert Analytical Instruments
Reichert, Inc.
3362 Walden Ave.
Depew, NY 14043
USA
Toll Free: 888-849-8955
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
email: [email protected]
www.reichert.com
Reichert GmbH
Hubertusstrasse 4
D-82229 Seefeld
Germany
Tel: [phone]
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©2003 Reichert, Inc. Depew NY, USA 3325-101 Rev. G