V&P Scientific VP 710U5 User manual

V&P Scientific, Inc. 1 Technical Note 453
Technical Note 453
OPERATION MANUAL FOR
ALLIGATOR MAGNETIC TUMBLE STIRRER*
VP 710U5
*US Patent # 6,176,609
WARNING!!!!!
•Be advised that the Magnetic Tumble Stirrer has very strong magnetic fields coming from a
48 MGO Neodymium Iron Boron drive magnet.
•People with pacemakers should not get closer than 24 inches.
•Remove all magnetic influenced tools and objects from the immediate area to prevent them
from being pulled onto the magnet or from striking anyone as the objects are pulled
towards the magnet.
•Keep credit cards, watches and other magnetic sensitive items at least 24 inches from the
Magnetic Tumble Stirrer’s magnetic fields.
•Do not operate the Magnetic Tumble Stirrer in the close proximity to large pieces of
aluminum or ferromagnetic material. For more information see TUMBLE STIRRER
INSTALLATION section.
Control Unit
Motor
Magnetic Tumble Stirrer
Magnetic Cylinder

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TUMBLE STIRRER INSTALLATION
Caution: Operating the Tumble Stirrer in close proximity of ferromagnetic, aluminum materials, or both,
is not recommended.
We recommend that the Magnetic Tumble Stirrer be installed as far away from ferromagnetic material as
possible. The closer and larger the magnetic material is to the Magnetic Tumble Stirrer, the greater the torque
that is required and the slower the maximum speed will be.
Large and/or thick aluminum objects should also be avoided. Although aluminum is not magnetic it will cause
a drag on the magnetic field due to eddy currents being formed when magnetic flux lines pass through it. The
eddy current effect will also cause the aluminum to heat up. A large mass of aluminum will cause a significant
drag and result in undue strain on the motor. This strain could damage the motor. This is not covered under
V&P Scientific, Inc.’s warranty for this product.
If installing on a metallic table or in a laboratory hood with a metallic base, use the feet extensions or a non-
metallic stand to raise/elevate the tumble stirrer away from the metallic base.
If installing away from ferromagnetic materials is unavoidable, test run parameters before operating instrument
without supervision for long periods. The Tumble Stirrer will turn itself off when temperature of the motor
exceeds its safety limit. If this happens, turn off power supply and allow motor to cool before re-starting.
Modify operating parameters to prevent over-heating. Repeated over-heating could reduce product longevity.
Multiple Unit Set-up:
When running two tumble stirrer units, position them end to end and not side by side to minimize the
magnetic interaction between the stirrers. If positioned side by side, make sure they are more than 1 foot apart
from one another.

V&P Scientific, Inc. 3 Technical Note 453
Connection of Power and Control Cables:
Organize the tumble stirrer, control unit, cables and power cords so they are configured as shown in the
following photos:
Attach the Control Unit Cable (thick black cable with two plugs) to the Tumble Stirrer using the two connection
ports found on the side of the motor. The smaller plug goes into the bottom port, while the large plug with
blue cable into the top one. Each plug has a release tab the needs to be on the outside when plugged in. See
the photos below.
Attach the Power Cord to the Power Connection Port on the back of the Control Unit (see photo
below).
Blue and Black
Connection Cables
Control Unit
Cable
Control Unit
Power Cord
Speed Control
Knob
RPM
Display
Power
Control

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Voltage Switch:
The Voltage Switch is set at factory to voltage requested by customer when ordered. The Control Unit will be
marked with that voltage. And the Voltage Switch will show that voltage as well. If the wrong voltage is used,
the resulting damage to the Control Unit is not covered under the Stirrer warranty.
If voltage Switch is changed by customer and the wrong voltage is used, the resulting damage to the
Control Unit is not covered under the Stirrer warranty.
Control Unit
Cable
Control Unit
Power
Cord
Voltage
Switch
On/Off
Switch
Power
Connection Port

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TUMBLE STIRRER OPERATION
The optimal operating speed of the Tumble Stirrer is dependent upon the particular application to be
used and needs to be empirically determined. Factors to consider in determining optimal stir speed are the
application, fragility of the objects being stirred, size, shape, composition of the test tube, vial, bottle or
microplate well (glass, polypropylene or polystyrene), depth of the microplate wells, volume and viscosity of the
liquid, and the type of magnetic stir element (bar, disc, custom shape) used.
In general, stirring microbial cultures works best at low speeds. Stirring to resolubilize extracts, or to stir in deep
well microplates, requires high speed. The Tumble Stirrer is well suited for either of these types of applications
since it can function at minimum and high RPM. Again the speed of stirring needs to be determined empirically
for the application.
Most tumble stirring applications require a stir speed between 300 –500 RPM. The VP 710U5 series is
capable of a maximum stirring speed of 800 RPM.
The Stirrer Control Unit has an ON/OFF Power Switch and a Speed Control Knob. The Stirrer Speed is manually
controlled by Speed Control Knob. The speed of stirring can also be pre-set and the power turned on and off.
Voltage Switch is set at factory to voltage requested by customer when ordered. If voltage Switch is changed
by customer, the resulting damage to the Control Unit is not covered under the Stirrer warranty.

V&P Scientific, Inc. 6 Technical Note 453
PRODUCT MAINTENANCE
GENERAL PRODUCT CARE
•When not in use, turn the power switch off.
•Do not place the control unit in chambers with high humidity or temperatures above 40oC.
•The deck of the Tumble Stirrer is made of ABS. To clean the deck use a mild detergent followed by
wiping dry.
•The motor of the VP 710U5 series Tumble Stirrers is a powerful servo motor. This motor is designed for
high torque and long-term stirring applications.
ADDITIONAL TUMBLE STIRRER SPECIFICATIONS
Equipment Rating 120V~, 230V~, 5A, 50/60 Hz
Not to be used with power above this rating
Ambient Environment: Indoor use
Safety Approval: CE Compliant
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
The use of Magnetic Tumble Stirrer, 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. V&P Scientific assumes no liability for the customer’s failure to comply with
safety requirements and practices.
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 above address 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 nor for consequential damages of any kind.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
If technical assistance is required, contact: V&P Scientific, Inc. at 858-455-0643 or [e-mail]