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Aethalometer AE33 Quick Help

This short guide will help you quickly resolve issues when operating AE33.

Alternatively:

Please consult the User Manual that came with the instrument on USB stick

Contact us using the Technical Support Request form

Check our YouTube channel for AE33 standard operating procedures

 

Latest SW versions:

1.5.5.0 for serial numbers starting S0, S01, … S07.

1.7.5.0 for serial numbers starting with S08, S09, S10…

Latest FW version: v540

Latest User Manual version: 1.70

Table of Contents

1. Startup screen checks

Each time an instrument starts up, it goes through several checks to ensure it will run optimally. On the instrument screen, you should see the following picture (with green checkmarks):

If you do not see green icons at each check, the following list provides the most common solutions for each check:

Check -> Solution

Communication -> check cables

Instrument data -> check cables

Storage -> get new CF card and SW

Configuration settings -> restore setup file from one of the older setup files

Valves -> check cables

Chamber -> unlock chamber or service needed

Pump & Flow -> reconnect tubes or service needed

Device monitoring -> get new CF card and SW

 

2. Instrument status icons

The instrument status code number and the colored icon are shown on the Home screen. Pressing the colored icon opens a screen with the status interpretation.

 (green) Normal operation.

(yellow) Warning. Instrument is still performing measurements, but there is/was an issue, that needs to be checked.

(red) Instrument stopped. Immediate response needed.

 

3. Instrument status codes 4, 8, 12 – Flow status

Problem 1: Flow not calibrated

Solution 1: Calibrate flow – see video, or see User Manual chapter 9.3

Or

Problem 2: Clogged inlet line

Solution 2a: Check inlet lines, inlets

Solution 2b: Clean the sample inlet flow path:

 

Tools needed: Philips (‘ + ‘) screwdriver

Cleaning equipment needed: Ethanol, Cotton-tipped swab sticks, Cotton wipe cloths, Can of ‘dust removal’ pressurized spray with nozzle tube

Step 1: Turn OFF the instrument and unplug the power cord

Step 2: Remove the top cover and lock the optical chamber in the raised position

Step 3: Disconnect the inlet tube from the optical chamber. Use compressed gas to clean the flow path. Do not use compressed gas flowing from the main inlet port towards the chamber.  Instead, always be sure that the flow of cleaning gas is in a direction AWAY FROM the optical chamber. This will prevent blowing contamination into the optical chamber.

To remove all particles from the main inlet, tubing, and ball valve, we recommend cleaning the airflow path with ethanol using cotton swabs – as shown in pictures below.

Step 4: Cleaning of the optical chamber (you may also refer to this video) and the flow divider:

Remove the transparent light guide cylinder and clean it with alcohol.

Remove the filter tape, cover the suction inlet ports (under the tape) with a wipe cloth and then blow the area clean with compressed gas.

Use cotton swabs (small, large) and ethanol for cleaning. Clean the vertical inlet tube fitting.

And the two flow paths:

Step 5: Preventive leakage test. We recommend that a leakage test should be performed once the instrument is operational: see video.

4. Instrument status codes 32, 48 – LED status

Problem: LED calibration warning (at least one channel OK – 500.000 limit on RAW values)

Solution (a): remove flow calibration pad

Solution (b): clean the optical chamber – see video.

Solution (b): update firmware

Solution (c): faulty LED board -> service needed

 

5. Instrument status code 64 – Chamber status

Problem: Chamber locked

Solution (a): Unlock optical chamber

Solution (b): Lubricate optical chamber sliders – see video.

 

6. Instrument status codes 128, 256 – Filter Tape status

Problem: Not much filter tape remaining

Solution: Schedule filter tape replacement. See video.

 

7. Instrument status code 384 – Filter Tape status

Problem 1: No filter remaining

Solution 1: Replace filter tape. See video.

Or

Problem 2: Filter not moving (ATNzero > 100)

Solution 2: Tighten right spool thumbscrew

Or

Problem 3: Instrument stopped with filter remaining

Solution 3: Clean and/or calibrate tape sensors. If this occurs, one of the tape sensors might be malfunctioned.

 

8. Instrument status code 8192 – External device status

Problem: Connection with the external device not working

Solution (a): Check physical connection

Solution (b): Check if correct COM port is used

 

9. Instrument status code 16384 – AutoCleanAir test status

Problem: Result of clean air test is not acceptable

Solution: Service of the instrument is recommended.

 

10. Instrument status code 32768 – CF card failure

Solution: CF card needs to be replaced. Contact support using the Technical Support Request form.

 

11. Instrument status code 65536 – Database reaching limit warning

Problem: Database size reaching limit 6 million lines

Solution: Delete old data

 

12. Flow verification – Unacceptable quality control test results

Criteria: Measured flows differ by more than 10 %

Solution (a):  Calibrate flow – see video, or see User Manual chapter 9.3.

Solution (b):  Use good flow calibrator.

Solution (c):  Verify use of correct flow reporting standard.

 

13. Leakage test – Unacceptable quality control test results

Criteria: ζ > 10 % (zeta is larger than 10%)

Solution:  Lubricate optical chamber sliders – see video.

14. Stability test – Unacceptable quality control test results

Criteria: PPBC61 > 450 ng/m

Solution (a):  Clean the optical chamber – see video.

Solution (b):  Possible electronics problem. Contact support using the Technical Support Request form.

 

15. Clean air test – Unacceptable quality control test results

Criteria: PPBC61 > 550 ng/m

Solution (a):  Clean the optical chamber – see video.

Solution (b):  Check for air-conditioning effects.

 

Technical Support Request form

Aerosol Magee Scientific YouTube channel for AE33 standard operating procedures

You have reached the end of the document. Congratulations, you are now AE33 champion!