V&P Scientific VP 769-1 Series Guide

V&P Scientific, Inc. 1 Technical Note 104A
Technical Note 104A
CARE AND USE OF 96 CHANNEL MAGNETIC BEAD BUBBLE PADDLE RESERVOIR
Motor Control Unit VP 769-1 with VP 759-1 Series Direct Drive Bubble Paddle Reservoir
Figure 1. VP 769-1 Motor Control Unit shown with VP 759-1 Direct Drive Bubble Paddle
Reservoir.
Figure 2. Close-up view of the Direct Drive Bubble Paddle Reservoir.
VP 769-1
Motor Base
VP 769-1
Control
VP 759-1
Reservoir
Power
Supply
Control
Cable
Power
Cable
Paddle
Notches
Pipet Tip
Depressions
PTFE
Hub
End of
Sealed
Bearing
Drive
Shaft
Pipet Tip
Positions

V&P Scientific, Inc. 2 Technical Note 104A
SET-UP
Figure 3. Features of VP 759-1 Direct Drive Bubble Paddle Reservoir and VP 769-1 Motor Base.
1) To connect the VP 759-1 Bubble Paddle Reservoir to the VP 769-1 Motor Base, first lift the splash
guard from over the VP 769-1 drive shaft couplers. Since the splash guard is raised it is best if there
is no liquid in the reservoir.
Figure 4. Couplers of VP 759-1 Direct Drive Bubble Paddle Reservoir and VP 769-1 Motor Base.
Motor Drive
Shaft Couplers
VP 769-1 Motor Base
VP 759-1 Reservoir
Splash Guard
Bubble Paddle Couplers
Motor
Drive
Shaft
Couplers
VP 769-1
Motor Base
VP 759-1
Reservoir
Splash
Guard
Bubble
Paddle
Couplers
Reservoir
Alignment Pins
Reservoir
Alignment Holes

V&P Scientific, Inc. 3 Technical Note 104A
2) Turn the motor drive shafts so the two coupler prongs align with the grooves in the Bubble Paddle
couplers on the VP 759-1 Reservoir (see Figure 4, page 2). Line up the reservoir with the base and
slip the Bubble Paddle couplers onto the motor drive shaft couplers (see Figure 5a, 5b and 5c below).
It helps to lift up slightly on the opposite end of the reservoir while pushing forward (see Figure 5c
below). Once the couplers are engaged lower the reservoir so that the two alignment pins in the
base are in the holes in the underside of the reservoir (see Figure 3, page 2).
Figure 5(a-c). Engaging couplers of VP 759-1 Direct Drive Bubble Paddle Reservoir
and VP 769-1 Motor Base.
3) Connect all of the cables as shown in Figure 6 (page 4). Make sure that On/Off switch is off when
connecting power supply. Never directly connect power supply to motor base. Always connect
through the control box.
5c
5b
5a

V&P Scientific, Inc. 4 Technical Note 104A
Figure 6. The VP 769-1 system shown with the cables attached and VP 759-1 Reservoir on Base.
4) To remove the VP 759-1 Reservoir from the VP 769-1 Motor Base, lift up slightly on the rear of the
reservoir and pull directly away from motor. Do not lift too high, just enough to clear the alignment
pins. Since the splash guard will be raised, it is best if there is no liquid in the reservoir (see figure
5C).
5) When using with automated liquid handlers, place the VP 769-1 Motor Base on the deck in a manner
that allows for proper access of the VP 769-1 Reservoir by the pipet tips. Pipetting can be done with
8, 12 or 96 tips. Position the pipet tips in alignment with the notches in the Bubble Paddles and the
depressions in the bottom of the Bubble Paddle Reservoir (see Figure 2, page 1).
6) To assist in this alignment with a deck that uses a SBS microplate carrier, order the Bubble Paddle
Reservoir system with the VP 581B, a Polypropylene SBS sized adapter. Place the VP 769-1 motor
assembly with the attached VP 581B on the robot deck in a microplate carrier (see Figure 7, below).
Position the robot pipet tips as described above in step 5.
Figure 7. Bubble Paddle Reservoir positioned on a Tecan Evo
microplate carrier using the VP 581B, a Polypropylene SBS sized adapter.
Tecan
Microplate
Carrier
VP 581B
SBS
Adapter
VP 769-1 Motor
Base with
VP 759-1
Reservoir
Speed
Control Dial
ON/Off
Switch
VP 769-1
Motor Base
VP 769-1
Control
VP 759-1
Reservoir
Power
Supply
Control
Cable
Power Cable

V&P Scientific, Inc. 5 Technical Note 104A
OPERATION
1) Do not use the Speed Control Dial to stop the stirrer. Use the On/Off switch.
2) Do not operate dry as this will wear out the seal. Always operate with liquid.
3) The maximum speed is 1,200 RPM and is set at the factory.
a) Operate at speeds and liquid levels that do not aerosolize the liquid. At lower liquid levels use
slower speeds.
b) It is best to conduct tests to determine which speed setting is appropriate for the type of solution
and volume being stirred. A short warm-up period (~30 min) is recommended. For most
applications a speed setting of 20 on the control dial is optimum (400 RPM). See chart below of
Speed in RMP versus Speed Control Setting. A control speed setting higher than 60 does not
increase the RPM speed of the Bubble Paddles but will shorten the motor life and is not
recommended.
c) To lengthen the life of the seal, operate at the lowest possible speed that keeps particles in
suspension. In addition, only operate when necessary, as this will prolong the life of the seal.
d) At speeds greater than 30 on the Speed Control Dial, runs longer than 6 hours are not
recommended.

V&P Scientific, Inc. 6 Technical Note 104A
CARE
1) Cleaning:
a) The Bubble Paddle Reservoir can be cleaned with detergents and rinsed with distilled water.
Follow with a rinse with an alcohol such as Ethanol or Isopropanol for easy drying. These
operations should be done with the sealed bearings in place (see below for more information).
b) The Motor Base and Control Unit can be wiped off with a towel dampened with a dilute
detergent, followed by water and then alcohol (also with a dampened towel).
c) DO NOT IMMERSE Motor Base and Control Unit in liquid of any kind!!
2) Sterilization/Disinfection:
a) Do not autoclave Reservoir, Motor Base or Control Unit.
b) Disinfect Reservoir by filling with a 10% bleach solution and soaking for 5 minutes. Follow with
sterile water rinses and a final rinse with an alcohol such as Ethanol or Isopropanol for easy drying
3) Removing and replacing Bubble Paddles can be done for cleaning or if paddle has been damaged.
a) Remove VP 759-1 series Reservoir from the VP 769-1 Motor Base as described in step 3 (page
3).
b) Turn the Bubble Paddle so that it is in a vertical position (see Figure 8b, page 4).
c) Grasping the coupler gently pull the drive shaft ~4 mm out of the sealed bearing to release the
Bubble Paddle (see Figures 8a and 8b). DO NOT pull the drive shaft out all of the way out of the
sealed bearing to release the Bubble Paddle.. This is not recommended because of the risk of
damage to the seal in the bearing.
d) Lift up in the far end of the Bubble Paddle (see Figure 8a and 8b). Pull Bubble Paddle out of the
drive shaft slot by pulling away from the sealed bearing.
Figure 8. Replacement of Bubble Paddle (VP 759AL). Sealed bearing shown with coupler
and drive shaft pulled out of bearing no more than ~4mm.
8b
VP 759AL
8a
Drive
Shaft
Coupler
~4mm
Gap
Paddle in Vertical
Position
Lift
Here
Notch
Drive
Shaft

V&P Scientific, Inc. 7 Technical Note 104A
e) To replace the Bubble Paddle, grasp the coupler to gently pull the drive shaft ~4 mm out of the
sealed bearing. Place the end of the replacement Bubble Paddle without the Teflon hub into the
drive shaft slot (see Figures 8a, 8b and 9).
f) Gently place the hub end of the paddle into the contoured notch at the other end of the reservoir
(see Figure 2, page one). Do not force into place. If necessary, grasp paddle near drive shaft and
move slightly up and down until hub end falls into place
g) Push the drive shaft back into the sealed bearing and turn the locking screw to secure the
location of the sealed bearing to the Bubble Paddle and the drive shaft (see Figure 8b and 9).
h) Replacement Bubble Paddles, VP 759AL and sealed bearing units VP 759-1S, are available.
Figure 9. Replacement Sealed Bearing Unit VP 759-3S
For VP 759-1 reservoirs.
ADDITIONAL 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
Drive shaft
with slot
Coupler
Do Not
Adjust
Securing
Screw

V&P Scientific, Inc. 8 Technical Note 104A
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 motor cover when the power is ON.
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 nor for consequential damages of any kind.
If technical assistance is required, contact: V&P Scientific, Inc. at 858-455-0643 or [email protected]