We are discontinuing the tack welding of caster bodies to caster mounts in favor of using Loctite thread lock to prevent loosening of casters in transit. This will allow some adjustability in the field when all casters do not contact the floor. This will also prevent rust on the caster bodies. The casters that we use are plated or galvanized carbon steel. Tack welding burns off the coating local to the weld, which allows the base metal to begin rusting when exposed to moisture in ambient air.

To remove or clean the rust from metal we have used naval petroleum Jelly. Another option would be to brush off the loose rust with a wire brush and then spray a light coat of paint on the casters.

The 1830 and 1830HE units are now equipped with a hinged access tray in the floor of the turntable. This will facilitate easier cleaning when the freezer is taken out of service for regular maintenance. This will also allow end user access to retrieve vials that have “escaped”.

All XLC full auto units now come equipped with an inline filter to help prevent ice and debris from reaching the fill valve. This will in turn help prevent overfilling problems and solenoid damage. A retrofit kit will soon be available to equip field units. A customer inquired about using a timer for auto filling instead of one fills all fill. They want to know if the TEC-2000 has the timer filling capability. The answer given is: it does not. This filling procedure is not advised as it no longer uses the liquid level reading to begin a fill to all units. If one unit loses liquid for whatever reason, it will fill on its own without the rest. Thus you will still experience single filling freezers. So the value of the timing device to save LN2 is negated.

Please direct any questions about XLC freezers to Gil Edwards at 770 720-6714 or e-mail to (gil.edwards@chart-ind.com).

Bio-Medical has stainless steel research dewars available. A variety of sizes are offered. We also have a new design ss dewar that allows the customer to choose to their specific required dimensions. These new styled dewars have flat inner and outer bottoms as well as a flat top flange. These new styled ss dewars are roughly one half to two thirds the price of our current standard models. Customer service will have pricing and detailed information.

If you have questions concerning any Bio-Medical open dewar, whether it is aluminum or stainless, please contact Jim Bachman at 952 758-8520 or e-mail to (jim.bachman@chart-ind.com).