Neptune NP sample intake failure on brand new unit

[Bbristow79]

Hello, new here. Thanks in advance for the help.

I just set up my new Trident NP. I have the base version as well and I'm familiar with all the known issues. I have taken it apart a few times and replaced parts as part of maintenance. The issue I'm having now is that my new NP is not collecting the sample. The lines are all clear (outside the device).

The interesting part is that when I prime the sample, or calibrate it actually starts shooting bubbles out of the sample line (no i didn't flip the sample/waste line on the back)

I tried to see if the waste line would collect a sample but it doesn't. So I don't think the lines are switched on the inside. I was hoping someone had some insight into what might be going on. Thank you!

 

[Bbristow79]

Just some additional information. It took the plate off to have a better look at how everything is working. When I attempt to prime the water sample the motor starts in reverse and pushes air through the sample line into my tank. I'm guessing to clear the line of older water. It then attempts to draw water but nothing comes through, the pipette is dry. Then tries to clear the line again (motor in reverse) and bubble immediately come out. Meaning I don't think any water is being drawn in. The solenoid is open when attempting to draw water. I even removed the tube from the solenoid to double check and let it draw without it attached. Still no water coming through.

Perhaps the motor is not strong enough to draw water but good enough to push air?

 

[RelaxingWithTheReef]

If you perform a Prime Sample, the following steps should occur as I recall:

1. Drain cuvette into waste container.
Upper right solenoid for drain hose = ON
Pump = Reverse
I think pump does a little forward / reverse jog at the end to get every last drop out.

2. Full cuvette with tank water.
Upper left solenoid for black tank hose = ON
Pump = Forward

3. Drain cuvette into waste container.
Upper right solenoid for drain hose = ON
Pump = Reverse
I think pump does a little forward / reverse jog at the end to get every last drop out.

I can't recall if the process repeats.

If the solenoids appear to be sequencing properly, maybe there is a hose that's stuck together where it goes through a solenoid, or maybe the hose in the pump has an area where its stuck together preventing proper flow.

My unit had the sample hose stuck together where it went through the solenoid pinch valve, preventing the fill. I removed the hose from the solenoid, and rolled it between my fingers to unstick it. All good after that.

 

[Bbristow79]

Thank you. I will give that a shot. Opened a ticket with Neptune just in case. I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow. Hoping I didn't just buy an expensive paper weight. I know their products can take a bit of tinkering but in the end are great when working. Cheers!

 

[andrek787]

I think I have the same issue, cuvette is just not filling up anymore. Somehow found the drip tray full of some fluid when I tried to troubleshoot and drops of blue fluid under the pinch valves.

 

[Jimbo327]

Probably need to change out the tubing and pinch valve. I think NP reagents are very acidic, so if there is any leaks...it will just destroy the pinch valve quickly. Hence they give you a drip tray. May want to return the unit if it is still within the window.

 

[amarti2038]

Thank you. I will give that a shot. Opened a ticket with Neptune just in case. I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow. Hoping I didn't just buy an expensive paper weight. I know their products can take a bit of tinkering but in the end are great when working. Cheers!

Hi, I have the same issue, new NP but I get the "No water sample" error. My sample line works just fine. How ended the process in your case? What was the fix? Thanks!

 

[amarti2038]

Ok, I answer myself, it seems that I have already been able to fix it. I post how my case has been in case it can help someone.

In my case first I could not finish the Triden NP installation setup because the trident software was old. You update it like any other module from Modules>TridendtNP>Software update and the first issue its gone.

Then I was able to continue with the initialization process but it got stuck because the new sampling line was clogged. When making a roll with the sampling and waste lines, they bend the tubes and stretch them in a way that deforms some points and cause the cloggs. I went over the sampling and waste lines and with my fingers corrected the compressed parts of the tubing. Then with a syringe I made air and water pressure until the clogging went away. I reinstalled the lines and the Trident NP still gave me a “no water sample” error. I disassembled the housing and when I did the "prime sample" the cuvette filled and emptied fine but the error still appeared. So I checked the solenoid tubes, removed them from the solenoid, massaged them and put them back in place.

Then I rebooted the trident np as you see:

I did a factory default + restart and the error disappeared.

I did a Manual test that lasted about 45 minutes and it tested NO3 perfect and PO4 about 10x higher than my hanna (I don't know if it's because it's new or because of the typical reagent error, I haven't calibrated it yet and maybe that's why).

But the "No sample water" error no longer appears and the Trident already tests. I hope it can help someone with the same error.

 

[Poseidons]

Ok, I answer myself, it seems that I have already been able to fix it. I post how my case has been in case it can help someone.

In my case first I could not finish the Triden NP installation setup because the trident software was old. You update it like any other module from Modules>TridendtNP>Software update and the first issue its gone.

Then I was able to continue with the initialization process but it got stuck because the new sampling line was clogged. When making a roll with the sampling and waste lines, they bend the tubes and stretch them in a way that deforms some points and cause the cloggs. I went over the sampling and waste lines and with my fingers corrected the compressed parts of the tubing. Then with a syringe I made air and water pressure until the clogging went away. I reinstalled the lines and the Trident NP still gave me a “no water sample” error. I disassembled the housing and when I did the "prime sample" the cuvette filled and emptied fine but the error still appeared. So I checked the solenoid tubes, removed them from the solenoid, massaged them and put them back in place.

Then I rebooted the trident np as you see:

I did a factory default + restart and the error disappeared.

I did a Manual test that lasted about 45 minutes and it tested NO3 perfect and PO4 about 10x higher than my hanna (I don't know if it's because it's new or because of the typical reagent error, I haven't calibrated it yet and maybe that's why).

But the "No sample water" error no longer appears and the Trident already tests. I hope it can help someone with the same error.

Thanks for the insight.