512874AC

TM

DU Spectrophotometers
Installation Instructions
Single Cell Holders
P/N 594439
P/N 523407
P/N 523403
P/N 523382
P/N 517038
P/N 517037
P/N 517151

Single Cell Holder

Single Cell Holder, Water
Single Cell Holder, Peltier
50L Single Microcell Holder
Cylindrical Cell Holder
Rectangular Cell Holder
Turbidity Cell Holder

Beckman Coulter, Inc.

250 S. Kraemer Blvd., Brea, CA 92821
Copyright 2009 Beckman Coulter, Inc.

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Table of Contents
General Installation..........................................................................1
Cell Holder Types ............................................................................3
Single Cell Holder .................................................................... 3
Single Cell Holder, Water......................................................... 4
Single Cell Holder, Peltier ........................................................ 5
50 L Single Cell Holder.......................................................... 6
Rectangular Cell Holder ........................................................... 7
Cylindrical Cell Holder............................................................. 8
Turbidity Cell Holder................................................................ 9
Conditioning ........................................................................... 15
Filling...................................................................................... 16

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General Installation
The Single Cell Holders have been designed to be installed and replaced
quickly and easily with two large thumb screws and to be used on a
Static Mount (included with DU Series 7000, 600 and 800 Systems) or
an optional Transport. The various Single Cell Holders are described
later.
NOTICE
The installation of a cell holder
requires the prior installation of the
Static Mount, P/N 517023, the
Standard Transport, P/N 517522
(optional), or the High Performance
Transport, P/N 517040 (optional).
WARNING
Turn off and unplug power before installing accessories.
Tools required: None (may need a flatblade screwdriver to remove
previously installed cell holder).
1. Remove and store any other cell holder that is installed.
2.

Position the appropriate cell holder on the Static Mount or the

Transport and secure by tightening the two thumb screws. If the cell
holder has a FRONT label, seat the cell holder, such that the label is
towards the front of the sample compartment. The figures below
show a Single Cell Holder installed on the Static Mount (Figure 1)
and on the Transport Accessory (Figure 2) in a DU Series 7000
Spectrophotometer.

Thumb Screws

Front Label

A901177P.AI

Figure 1.
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Thumb Screws

Front Label

A901135P.AI

Figure 2.
3.

Refer to the DU Series 7000, 600 or 800 Spectrophotometer

Operating Instructions for information on the operation of the
instrument.
NOTICE
When the Single Cell Holder is mounted
on the Transport, the Transport must be
positioned correctly. To guarantee
proper positioning, select Single Cell
(DU Series 600 & 7000) in the Device
Control Window and select Single Cell
Holder (DU Series 800) in the
Transport/Holder Tab of the Accessories
Window.

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Cell Holder Types

Single Cell Holder
The unheated Single Cell Holder has been designed to accommodate
multi-purpose standard 10 x 10 mm cuvettes. The horizontal position is
adjustable with a screw in the bottom of the cell holder. This is preset at
the factory. To reset the position, if the screw was moved, or to optimize
the position, refer to Appendix A.
NOTICE
When securing a cell in the cell holder,
do not over-tighten the nylon screws.

Use with Sipper Flow Cell (P/N 599925)

You may want to secure the flow cell by tightening the two nylon
screws and adjust the height to fit the beam width to the flow cell
window. Refer to Appendix A.
Use with Ultra-Microcell (P/N 514261)
Use the 5/32" Allen wrench to remove or lower the screw at the bottom
of the cell holder so it does not extend into the cell holder. Secure the
Ultra-Microcell in the cell holder by gently tightening the two nylon
screws. To optimize the horizontal position, refer to Appendix B for the
Static Mount and Appendix C for the Transport Mount.

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Single Cell Holder, Water

The water temperature-controlled Single Cell Holder has been designed
as an inexpensive solution to temperature control for standard 10 x 10
mm cuvettes.
1.

Connect the water tubing to the water ports installed on the front of
the sample compartment (DU Series 600 and 800) or the Transport
Cover (DU Series 7000). Figure 3 shows the cell holder installed on
the Transport in a DU Series 800 Spectrophotometer.

Water
Ports

A901159P.AI

Figure 3.
NOTICE
The water tubing must be attached to the
water ports, even if the accessory is not
being water regulated. If the water tubing
is not attached, it may interfere with
sample
measurements.
As
an
alternative, the water tubing can be
removed from the accessory if water
regulation will not be used.
2.

Follow the instructions in Appendix D for information about

providing water for temperature regulation.

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Single Cell Holder, Peltier

The Peltier temperature-controlled Single Cell Holder requires the
Peltier Temperature Controller (Standard, P/N 517057 (120V) and P/N
517058 (240V), or High Performance, P/N 517450 (120V) and P/N
517451 (240V)) and the High Performance Transport (P/N 517040) to
remove excess heat. The holder has been designed for highly accurate
temperature control for standard 10 x 10 mm cuvettes.
1.

Plug the temperature cable into the connector on the left-hand

sample compartment wall. Figure 4 shows the cell holder installed
on the Transport and connected to a DU Series 800
Spectrophotometer.

Temperature Cable

Connector

A901161P.AI

Figure 4.
2.

Install the Peltier Temperature Controller as instructed in the

Installation Instructions, P/N 512872.

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50 L Single Cell Holder

The 50 L Single Cell Holder only accepts 50 L Microcells.
Follow the instructions in Appendix E to condition and fill the
microcells correctly.
Figure 5 shows the cell holder installed on the Transport in a DU Series
800 Spectrophotometer.

Microcell

Cell Holder
A901169P.AI

Figure 5.

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Rectangular Cell Holder

The Rectangular Cell Holder has been designed to accommodate
rectangular cuvettes with large path lengths (10 mm wide and up to 50
mm long).
To adjust the cell holder to the cuvette, loosen the Phillips screw, slide
the left-hand side to the required position, and then tighten the screw.
When the cell holder is adjusted properly, the cuvette should be held
tightly, yet easily inserted and removed. Figure 6 shows the cell holder
installed on the Transport in a DU Series 800 Spectrophotometer.

Adjustment Screw

A901157P.AI

Figure 6.

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Cylindrical Cell Holder

The Cylindrical Cell Holder has been designed to accommodate
cylindrical cuvettes with large path lengths (up to 100 mm long).
Figure 7 shows the cell holder installed on the Transport in a DU Series
800 Spectrophotometer.

A901171P.AI

Figure 7.

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Turbidity Cell Holder

The Turbidity Cell Holder has been designed to give accurate
quantitative measurements of light scatter in DU Series 600 and 800
Spectrophotometers with conventional forward-optics design. This cell
holder should be used whenever bacterial cultures or other turbid
samples are to be quantitated by absorbance measurements. For more
information, please refer to our Product Information Bulletin T-1795
Turbidity Cell Holder for DU Series 600 UV/Vis
Spectrophotometers. Figure 8 shows the cell holder installed on the
Transport in a DU Series 800 Spectrophotometer.

A901172P.AI

Figure 8.
NOTICE
Components of the Turbidity Cell Holder
have been factory aligned. Do not
disturb the screw which maintains this
alignment.

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Appendix A
Optimizing the Height Adjustment for the
Single Cell Holder
The unheated Single Cell Holder has a screw in the bottom which is
used to adjust the height of the cuvette to the optimum position. The
screw is factory set in the optimum position for use with the Sipper
Flow Cell, P/N 599925. For the Ultra-Microcell, P/N 514261, the screw
should be removed or lowered so that it is flush with the bottom of the
cell holder.
Tools required: Allen wrench, 5/32" (provided with the cell holder).
To find the optimum position for the Sipper Flow Cell:
1.

Verify that the Sipper Accessory is installed using the directions in

the Installation Instructions, P/N 512873.

2.

Fill the flowcell with distilled water, using the {FLUSH} button on
the Sipper Pump.

3.

Set the instrument to take transmittance readings at 500 nm.

4.

Blank the instrument, setting the distilled water equal to 100%T.

5.

Loosen the two nylon screws and remove the flow cell from the cell
holder. Insert the Allen wrench into the screw and turn 1/4 turn in a
clockwise direction.

6.

Reinsert the flow cell into the cell holder and secure by gently
tightening the two nylon screws.

7.

Take a reading.
a.

If the reading is greater than 100%T, repeat the instructions in

steps 5 and 6, until the maximum reading is obtained.

b.

If the reading is less than 100%T, repeat the instructions in

steps 5 and 6, turning the screw in the counter-clockwise direction, until the maximum reading is obtained.
NOTICE
If the reading exceeds 150%T at any
time during the above procedure,
re-blank to reset the reading to 100%T.
Then continue until the maximum
reading is obtained.

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Appendix B
Optimizing the Horizontal Adjustment for the
Single Cell Holder (Static Mount and Transport
Mount with Sipper Flowcell and Static Mount
with Ultra-Microcell)
When the instrument is configured for use with a Single Cell Holder on
the transport, the transport position is set to 57 mm.
Tools required: Phillips screwdriver.
To find the optimum position:
1.

Verify that the Sipper Accessory is installed using the directions in

the Installation Instructions, P/N 512873. For use with the
Ultra-Microcell, follow the instructions in steps 1 and 2 of
Appendix C, then continue with step 3 of these instructions.

2.

Fill the flowcell with distilled water, using the {FLUSH} button on
the Sipper Pump.

3.

Set the instrument to take transmittance readings at 350 nm.

4.

Blank the instrument, setting the distilled water equal to 100%T.

5.

Slightly loosen the Phillips screw on the top of the cell holder.

6.

Slide the top of the cell holder toward the back of the sample
compartment a small amount. Then take a reading.
a.

If the reading is greater than 100%T, continue sliding the top

of the cell holder toward the back of the sample compartment
and take additional readings. Repeat until the maximum reading is obtained.

b.

If the reading is less than 100%T, slide the top of the cell
holder toward the front of the sample compartment and take
additional readings. Repeat until the maximum reading is
obtained.
NOTICE
If the reading exceeds 150%T at any
time during the above procedure,
re-blank to reset the reading to 100%T.
Then continue until the maximum
reading is obtained.
NOTICE
In DU Series Spectrophotometers, the
peaking tool (provided for visible source
peaking) can be inserted into the slot on
the top of the cell holder. Turning the
peaking tool will move the top of the cell
holder.
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Appendix C
Optimizing the Horizontal Adjustment for the
Single Cell Holder (Transport Mount with
Ultra-Microcell)
When the instrument is configured for use with a Single Cell Holder on
the Transport, the Transport position is set to 57 mm. The optimum
position may be a few tenths of a millimeter on either side of 57 mm.
To find the optimum position:
1.

Fill a capillary with distilled water using the directions in the

Installation Instructions provided with the Ultra-Microcell.

2.

Insert the capillary into the Ultra-Microcell.

3.

DU Series 600 and 7000 Spectrophotometers, only. Click on

DEVICES, located in the Permanent Menu Bar at the bottom of
the display. The Device Control Window will be displayed. Verify
that the cell holder is positioned in the Single Cell position.
DU Series 800 Spectrophotometers, only. Click on the
Accessories menu item, located in the System Menu. The
Accessories Window will be displayed. Under the Transport/
Holder Tab, select Single Cell Holder.

4.

Set up the RediRead Window to take transmittance readings at 500

nm. Blank on the Ultra-Microcell.

5.

DU Series 600 and 7000 Spectrophotometers, only. Use the Device

Control Window to position the Transport at 56 mm. Then [EXIT]
the window and take a transmittance reading in the RediRead
Window.
DU Series 800 Spectrophotometers, only. Use the Accessories
Window to position the Transport at 56 mm. Select [OK] to exit the
window and take a transmittance reading in the RediRead Window.

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6.

Repeat step 5, taking readings every 0.1 mm from 56 to 58 mm.

7.

Find the millimeter location with the maximum transmittance

reading and input it into the Device Control Window (DU Series
600 and 7000) or into the Accessories Window (DU Series 800) as
the Transport position.

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Appendix D
Water Tubing and Connection
The water-controlled Single Cell Holders are supplied with the parts
shown in Figure 9, which are used to connect the cell holder to the water
supply.

4
A901178P.AI

Figure 9.
Water tubing and parts:
1.

Tubing, P/N 523300, 5 meters

2.

Tubing assembly with restrictor, P/N 539012

3.

Hose Clamps, P/N 884596, 2 each

4.

Quick Disconnect Fitting, P/N 514369 *

*The Quick Disconnect Fittings are used on DU Series 7000 Spectrophotometers
only.

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1.

Locate the water port assembly. It should be installed on the

left-hand side of the Transport (DU Series 7000) or on the front of
the sample compartment (DU Series 600 and 800). Attach the
tubing provided to the outside of the water ports and secure with
hose clamps. Figure 10 shows the water tubing connection on a DU
Series 7000 Spectrophotometer.

Hose Clamps

Water Ports

Water Tubing

A901173P.AI

Figure 10.
NOTICE
Located near the end of one of the tubes
is a white flow restrictor. This piece of
tubing should be attached to the water
supply, with the restrictor closer to the
water supply than to the instrument.

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2.

Connect the tubing with the flow restrictor to the water supply. The
tubing without the restrictor is the water outlet.

3.

DU Series 7000 Spectrophotometers, only. When water control is

not being used, the water ports with the tubing attached can be
disconnected from the instrument using the thumb screw.

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Appendix E
Conditioning and Filling of 50 L Microcells
The following describes the treatment of 50 L microcells. To obtain
accurate results, be certain to use the appropriate microcell holder.
Conditioning
Use the following procedure to wet the surface of each 50 L microcell
before using it, whenever it has been allowed to completely dry.
1.

Fill a micro pipette with about 75 L of methanol. Holding the

microcell on the frosted side, place the tip of the micro pipette on
the bottom of the microcell. Fill and empty the microcell several
times with methanol. See Figure 11.

A901150P.AI

Figure 11.
NOTICE
If using a micro pipette with a glass tip,
be careful not to scratch the inside of the
microcell.

2.

Using the micro pipette, remove the methanol from the microcell
and discard the methanol.

3.

Repeat steps 1 and 2 using water, then repeat steps 1 and 2 using the
solvent or buffer solution that the sample is prepared in. The
microcell is now ready to use. Repeat the above procedure for each
microcell.
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Filling
1.

Fill a micro pipette with at least 50 L of solution. Verify that there

are no bubbles in the pipette tip.
NOTICE
If using a micro pipette with a glass tip,
be careful not to scratch the inside of the
microcell.

2.

Holding the microcell on the frosted side, place the tip of the micro
pipette on the bottom of the microcell. Fill the microcell with
solution. See Figure 11 above.
NOTICE
Before any sample readings are taken,
the instrument must be blanked with the
microcell in the cell holder, filled with
blank solution (solvent or buffer).

3.

Tap the top of the microcell with a finger nail to distribute the
solution and remove air bubbles. As an alternative, gently tap the
microcell on the lab bench or another solid object.

4.

Wipe the window of the microcell with lens paper or a lint free
tissue.

5.

Place the microcell in the cell holder, such that the red dot is toward
the back of the sample compartment. See Figure 12.
NOTICE
The red dot on the microcell allows the
user to place the cell in the same
orientation when filled with subsequent
samples.

6.

16

Verify that the microcell is seated firmly in the cell holder by

pressing down on it with a pipette tip, spatula, finger nail, etc.
Because of the small volume, if the microcell is not seated firmly,
inaccurate readings may occur.

512874ab.book Page 17 Monday, April 21, 2003 9:36 AM

7.

View the microcells in the cell holder through the aperture to verify
that clear solution is visible for all the microcells. A meniscus or
bubbles should not be seen. See Figure 12.

Red Dot

Microcell

Aperture

Front Label
A901170P.AI

Figure 12.

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Appendix F
Emptying, Cleaning and Refilling of Microcells
1.

Remove the microcell from the accessory, holding it on the frosted

sides.

2.

Remove the solution from the microcell using a micro pipette. The
tip of the micro pipette can be used to remove most of the sample.

3.

If desired, rinse the microcell with solvent or buffer solution before

filling with the next sample. As an alternative, the microcell can be
rinsed with distilled water and air or vacuum dried. Do not use a
laboratory air source or an abrasive cloth to dry the microcell.
NOTICE
Proper cuvette cleaning is very important
and will increase their useful life and
provide more consistent results. Never
use highly alkaline solutions, abrasive
materials, or hot concentrated acids to
clean the cells. At the end of the day,
clean your cuvettes thoroughly, dry them
completely, and store them in a padded
cuvette box or other suitable container.

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4.

To clean the microcell, rinse with a mild solvent (distilled water for
aqueous solutions, an organic solvent for organic solutions) as soon
as possible after use. This should be followed by several rinses with
a dilute alkaline solution using a micro pipette. Rinse the cell
immediately with distilled water, air dry and store.

5.

To remove protein deposits from the microcell, soak in a dilute

alkaline solution at 56 C for 15 minutes. Rinse the cell
immediately with distilled water, air dry and store.

6.

For other hard-to-remove deposits, wash with a solution made from

equal parts by volume ethanol and 3N HCl. Rinse the cell
immediately with distilled water, air dry and store. Do not soak the
cell in this solution for more than 30 seconds.

7.

If the cell cannot be cleaned immediately, soak the cell in distilled

water. Do not soak the cell in a detergent solution for more than 15
minutes, as it can etch the cell windows.

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Notes

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