Leica Biosystems CM1510-S - Manual (Page 30)

30 Instruction manual V 1.4 – 04/2010
6.5 Defrosting
Defrosting the cryochamber actually means defrosting the evaporator
to prevent excessive frost buildup. The gilled evaporator is flushed with
hot gas during defrosting. The cryochamber itself is virtually frost-free
and does not need to be defrosted.
The condensation water produced during chamber defrosting is col-
lected in a container located at the front of the cryostat cabinet.
After defrosting, drops of water remaining on the surface of the
quick-freeze shelf need to be wiped off manually with an absor-
bent cloth to prevent new frost buildup.
To make sure that the condensation water stemming from the de-
frost cycles drains into the waste container and to avoid the risk
of possible contamination, ensure that the drain hose of the cry-
ostat is placed into an appropriate waste container at all times
during operation.
During the automatic cryochamber defrosting the quick-freeze
shelf continues to be cooled.
The maximum duration of a defrost cycle is 8 minutes. Defrosting
is, however, automatically terminated once the cryochamber has
reached a temperature of -5 °C. Cooling turns back on automati-
cally.
6.5.1 Automatic defrosting of the cryochamber
An automatic defrost cycle takes place once in 24 hours.
The time of the automatic defrost cycle is programmed via the control
panel.
6.5.2 Manual defrosting of the cryochamber
Once the manual defrost cycle is completed, the instrument au-
tomatically goes back to refrigeration mode.
In addition to the programmable automatic defrost cycle a manual
cryochamber defrost cycle can be activated when necessary (see
chapter 5.2, Fig. 13).
6. Daily work with the instrument