V&P Scientific SpinVessel VP 418SV3-1-850RB-CC User manual

V&P Scientific, Inc. 1 Technical Note 370B
Technical Note 370B
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR
SpinVessel® VP 418SV3-1-850RB-CC
*US and Foreign Patents Pending
SpinVessel® System, with Computer Control feature, for the 850ml SpinVessel®,
shown with the BioTek MultiFloFX microplate dispenser:
SpinVessel® System VP 418SV3-1-850RB-CC includes Motor Unit, Spin Base, Enclosure, Lid
System, Controller and Power Supply. Shown with the VP 830SV-850RB SpinVessel® which is
sold separately. Contact BioTek for information regarding the MultiFloFX microplate dispenser.

V&P Scientific, Inc. 2 Technical Note 370B
SET-UP
POSITION THE SpinVessel® SYSTEM NEXT TO A MICROPLATE DISPENSER
1. Place Motor Unit on a sturdy lab bench or table right next to microplate dispenser.
2. SpinVessel® Motor Unit needs to be placed close to the microplate dispenser so that the
aspiration tubing can reach the bottom of the SpinVessel® Tube.
3. Since Controller Cable is 6 feet long, Controller and computer can be placed at a distance
from the Motor Unit.
ASSEMBLE THE SpinVessel® WITH VESSEL AND LID SYSTEM
1. Insert the SpinVessel® VP 830SV-850RB into the SpinVessel® Spin Base.
2. Ensure that the tabs on the outside of the SpinVessel® are seated flat and registered to
the slots in the aluminum Spin Base.
SpinVessel®
Spin Base
Enclosure
Lid
Tubing Support
Straw
Thumb Screw
Motor Unit

V&P Scientific, Inc. 3 Technical Note 370B
3. Place the cylindrical Enclosure on top of the motor unit, making sure that it rests firmly
in the groove.
4. Place the Lid on top of the Enclosure also making sure it is resting firmly.
5. Insert the Tubing Support Straw into the hole in Lid and position it close to the bottom
of the SpinVessel®. Tighten the thumb screw on the lid to hold the Support Straw in
place.
6. Then insert the aspiration tubing bundle of the plate dispenser into the Tubing Support
Straw. Push the bundle until the tubing anchor is just visible at the bottom of the
Tubing Support Straw but not touching the bottom of the SpinVessel®.

V&P Scientific, Inc. 4 Technical Note 370B
7. The Lid is made of anodized aluminum and Tubing Support Straw of stainless steel so
that both can be sterilized by autoclaving. It is recommended that they be autoclaved
assembled so that there is no need to touch the Tubing Support Straw when placing the
Lid and Straw on top of the Enclosure.
CONNECT PARTS OF THE SpinVessel® SYSTEM
1. Connect Power Cord from Power Supply to an outlet.
2. Connect Power Cable from Power Supply to Controller.
Warning: Do not plug Controller in while power is on. Ensure that the Power Switch is
in the off position (“0” is down). Always have Controller plugged in before powering
up.
3. Connect Controller Cable from the Motor Unit to the Controller.
4. Connect the USB Cable from the Controller to the computer.
Controller
Cable
Controller
Motor Unit
Power
Supply
Power
Cable
Power Cord
USB
Cable
Spin Base
Enclosure
Lid
Tubing
Support
Straw
Thumb Screw
USB
Drive

V&P Scientific, Inc. 5 Technical Note 370B
OPERATION
POWERING UP THE SpinVessel® SYSTEM
1. The Power Switch (I/O) is located on the top of the Controller.
2. To power up the Controller, depress the “I” of the switch.
OPERATING THE SpinVessel® SYSTEM WITH COMPUTER CONTROL
The SpinVessel® Models with “-CC” in the part number are controlled using a computer. The
Controller for the computer controllable SpinVessel® is connected by a USB communication cable to
a computer. The Controller accepts simple ASCII commands to set the speed of the rotations, the
number of rotations before reversing direction (including fractions of a rotation), duration of pause
before reversing direction and degree of ramping to set speed.
Software details
1. The SpinVessel® Controller uses an internal CH340G USB to Serial Converter (set to
9600,8,N,1) which will require driver software. Windows may already have the needed USB
driver software installed. If not, download the “CH340 USB DRIVER” from the provided USB
flash drive and run “CH341SER.exe” to install it (Windows typically auto-installs once
downloaded). If your company policy does not allow the use of the provided USB stick, this
driver is also available for download from the internet (contact your IT department for
assistance if necessary).
2. The basic command language for this computer-to-stirrer communication is ASCII.
Power
Switch
Power Cable
Receptacle
USB
Cable
Receptacle
Controller
Cable
Receptacle

V&P Scientific, Inc. 6 Technical Note 370B
3. Commands can be sent from the computer using a standard terminal program like
HyperTerminal or Realterm. Or, if needed, download the V&P Scientific Serial Terminal
program from the provided USB flash drive. If your company policy does not allow the use of
the provided USB stick, we suggest asking your IT department for a recommendation.
4. Alternatively, the ASCII commands can be sent by an automated microplate dispenser’s
software to control the SpinVessel®. Since there are many different automated microplate
dispensers available, please contact a technical representative from the company that makes
your automated microplate dispenser.
Connecting and sending commands
1. Set up the system as described in the Set-Up section of the SpinVessel® Technote with the
USB cable connected to the computer to be used.
2. Open the Serial Terminal program (V&P Scientific version or other).
3. Turn on the SpinVessel® instrument as described.
4. Select the appropriate COM port and click CONNECT to establish a line of communication
between the instrument and the computer.
5. Create ASCII command strings as outlined in the diagram shown below to control the
instrument with the following parameters:
a. Speed of rotation in revolutions per minute (RPM).
b. Number of rotations before reversing direction.
c. Fraction of a rotation (input 0-9 for fractions of a rotation).
d. Pause, in milliseconds, before reversing direction.
e. Ramping, 0-100, where 0 is no ramping (rapid acceleration) and 100 is full ramping (slow
acceleration)
6. Hit ENTER to send command and start rotation of the SpinVessel® instrument.
7. To stop, type <0> and hit ENTER.

V&P Scientific, Inc. 7 Technical Note 370B
USING the 850 mL SpinVessel®SYSTEM
The optimal stirring mode is dependent upon the application and needs to be empirically
determined. Factors to consider in determining optimal 850 mL SpinVessel operation are the density
of the particulates, their size and shape, as well as the volume and viscosity of the liquid. Start with
(300 RPM) and 3.1 rotations before reversing direction, then test to determine the appropriate RPMs
and number of rotations for the particulate’s density, fragility, and solution viscosity. We have found
that smaller circumference SpinVessels® require higher RPMs than larger circumference SpinVessels,
because the critical factor is the linear speed generated at the circumference not the RPMs. See page
501 of our SLAS Technology paper for a full discussion of this phenomenon.
The following settings are ones to use when starting out with the VP 418SV3-1-850RB-CC:
Speed: 300 RPM Rotate: 3.1 times Pause: 200 milliseconds Ramp: 10
It is always a good idea to practice with water in the SpinVessel® to determine safe RPM, rotation,
pause and ramp numbers before using expensive reagents.
The VP 418SV3-1-850CB-CC SpinVessel® is designed to be used with VP 830SV-850CB SpinVessel®
tubes. Please contact V&P Scientific for pricing.
See below for an example of low versus high RPM for a solution of yeast cells in a large circumference,
6-liter SpinVessel®. Note that, when given a longer mixing time, even the slower speed (20 RPM for
more gentle mixing) was able to suspend the yeast cells.
RPM
Fraction of
Rotation
< 300 3, 1, 200, 10 >
Pause
ASCII Command String API For SpinVessel®
Number of
Rotations
Ramping

V&P Scientific, Inc. 8 Technical Note 370B
PRODUCT MAINTENANCE
GENERAL PRODUCT CARE
When not in use, turn the power switch off.
Do not place the control unit in chambers with temperatures above 40oC.
To clean the stirrer, wipe down with a cloth and mild detergent followed by a water wipe.
Do not immerse SpinVessel® Motor or Control in liquid.
The motor of the SpinVessel® is a stepper motor, 100-240 Volts, 50/60 Hz, CE compliant.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
The use of motor controls, like that of all utilization of concentrated power, is potentially hazardous.
The degree of hazard can be greatly reduced by proper design, selection, installation, and use, but all
hazards cannot be completely eliminated.
The following safety precautions must be observed during all phases of installation, operation, service,
and repair of this motor control product. Failure to comply with these precautions or with specific
warnings elsewhere in this manual violates safety standards of design, manufacture and intended use
of the products. V&P Scientific assumes no liability for the customer’s failure to comply with safety
requirements and practices.
WARNING
To avoid personnel injury caused by electrical shock, do not
remove the cover of the controller when the power is ON.
0.00
0.20
0.40
0.60
0.80
1.00
1.20
2 5 9 14 18 24 28 33 37 40 44 60 90 120 230 480 720
Absorbance
Time (Seconds)
Yeast Resuspension with 6L SpinVessel®
20 RPM vs 100 RPM
20 RPM, 4 rotations, 500 pause 100 RPM, 4 rotations, 500 pause

V&P Scientific, Inc. 9 Technical Note 370B
CAUTION
Do not disconnect motor during operation. Otherwise, over-
current breakdown may result.
WARRANTY
V&P Scientific, Inc. warrants this product to be free from defects in material and workmanship when
used under normal laboratory conditions for one year. This warranty begins from the date of delivery
by V&P Scientific.
In the event this product fails under normal laboratory conditions within the specified period of time
because of a defect in material or workmanship, V&P Scientific will, at its option, repair or replace the
product. Damage to the product caused by user negligence is not covered.
Please keep the special shipping carton in case the unit needs to be shipped back to V&P Scientific.
Please contact V&P Scientific at the address below for return authorization and shipping instructions.
This warranty is made in lieu of other warranties expressed or implied including the warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. V&P Scientific shall not be liable for loss or
damages arising from the use of these products.
If assistance is required, contact V&P Scientific, Inc. at 858-455-0643 or [email protected].