I cannot too strongly emphasize the importance of using regulated
uninterruptible power supplies.  Buy a good one, there are several good
manufacturers.  They pay back their cost outlay many times over, and over
the long run you can replace the big battery inside for a fraction of the
original cost of the UPS.  However of course you still need the capacity
to run the unit.  Without the ability to deliver clean reliable power
repeatedly at high enough current and voltage you will live a miserable
life trying to run this sort of equipment.  I have no idea if this
pertains to your general problem, but I can say from much experience, that
you have to cover this point, and cover it well.  It is the foundation of
the system, and you must treat it that way.

*************************************************************************
*                                                                       *
*       Anthony Moss                    voice  (334)844-9257            *
*       101 Cary Hall                   fax    (334)844-4065            *
*       Zoology and Wildlife Science    email  [log in to unmask]  *
*       Auburn University                                               *
*       Auburn, AL 36849                                                *
*                                                                       *
*************************************************************************


On Fri, 12 Dec 1997, Confocal Imaging Core Facility wrote:

> Tom Phillips wrote:
> >
> > I am having a problem with my BioRad MRC-600 and I was wondering if any
> > other users have had a similar one.  On the Normal scan speed, I have a
> > very consistent "vibration" in the image in which each horizontal line on
> > the monitor are slightly zig-zagged.  The image is not terrible but
> > obviously this is not a good thing.  The problem doesn't isn't apparent at
> > the "Slow" scan speed.  BioRad's service rep has replaced the galvo motors
> > and the cards in the scan head but it hasn't fixed the problem.  They are
> > now suggesting it is due to flucuations in the line voltage.  This
> > instrument is on a separate line and has a line conditioner.  Furthermore,
> > I don't see why the problem wouldn't be apparent on the slow scan if this
> > were the cause.  Since the zig-zagging is so consistent and not present on
> > the slow scan, I am also not willing to believe it is due to mechanical
> > vibration.  My guess that anything that goes wrong with one instrument
> > probably has gone wrong with some other models.  So, has anybody seen this
> > problem and do they remember the solution.  Thanks.  Tom
> >
> > Thomas E. Phillips, Ph.D.
> > Associate Professor of Biological Sciences
> > Director, Molecular Cytology Core Facility
> > 3 Tucker Hall
> > University of Missouri
> > Columbia, MO 65211
> > (573)-882-4712 (voice)
> > (573)-882-0123 (fax)
>
> Tom:
> We occasionally have a similar problem on our machine (Zeiss 310 LSM).
> Our technical rep seemed to believe it was due to fluctuations in the
> voltage.  Normally, if we average the scan (line scan average of at
> least 8) it corrects for the problem.  The interference is most
> noticeable while doing a phase image rather than a fluorescent image.
> Also, due to recent problems with our power supply, we monitored the
> amount of voltage and amperage coming into our lab and found that it did
> indeed fluctuate considerably (although within the range allowable for
> the equipment) depending on the time of day.  I don't think there is an
> easy solution for this problem, except to maybe try the same sample at a
> later time and see if the interference improves.
>
> Best of luck.
>
> Linda Mayernik, M.S.
> Research assistant
>
> Confocal Imaging Core Facility
> Karmanos Cancer Institute &
> Center for Molecular and Cellular Toxicology with Human Applications
> Wayne State University School of Medicine
> 6339 Scott Hall
> 540 East Canfield
> Detroit, MI 48201
> TEL:    313-577-2511
> FAX:    313-577-6739
> e-mail: [log in to unmask]
>