Several folks responded to my inquiry about preventive maintenance. Thank you
to all who responded; I appreciate knowing what folks do, as well as the
variability in frequency for some tasks. I promised to send a synopsis of
the responses I received; this is below (I hope I didn't miss anything...).
Nobody mentioned all of the items listed below, but that might make this a
good sampler from which to select. In no particular order,
* if the instrument is showing a chronic problem, have the service engineer look at it
* build shims (folks have reported doing this as often as ~monthly and as seldom as
annually, but definitely after a probe change)
* PW90 ("regularly" to annually)
* S/N test (every 6 months to "sometimes", but earlier if there is a probe change)
* VT calibration (as needed/six months/annual)
* chemical shift calibration at different temps (six months)
* sensitivity test (six months)
* pulsewidth calibration (proton, carbon, other nuclei as needed)
* drift test (six months)
* remove probe and clean if needed
* replace console air filter (2-4 years)
* replace console fans (3-6 years or if they fail, as revealed by software alert or
with 'ha' command; I try to check these every time I shim)
* test UPS battery (annual)
* clean/replace chiller air filter (six months)
* replace UPS battery (one manager replaces them at 5 years, but another thread in ammrl
has asked whether they can go beyond a stated 10 year lifespan)
* check He level sensor calibration (3-5 years)
* Software updates as needed (when Topspin indicates it; caveat that up dating by a whole "point" in software may create workflow issues)
* check facility air dryers (monthly) and replace filters (3 years)
* some folks track N2 boil-off and log fills or follow fill specs (starting and ending % He,
how much He(g) used for push gas) using spreadsheets/diagrams;
/usr/diskless/prog/logfiles/heliumlog was suggested as one source of information on He
boil-off and BSMS field
* for firmware, the 'ha' command leads to information for boards in the system; as long as
hardware doesn't change, firmware updates may be minimal
I still don't know how to do some of these things, but at least I know what is worth working on now.
Thanks again.
Heather
hschenck_at_uwlax.edu
Received on Thu Aug 18 2022 - 07:17:06 MST