INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Heto Gel Dryer GD-2

ID: 88872074

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Important user information

Please read this entire manual to fully understand the safe and effective use of this product.

In case you have any comments about this manual we will appreciate receiving them at the
address below.

Warranty and Liability

Jouan Nordic A/S guaranties that the product delivered has been thoroughly tested to ensure that it
meets its published specifications. The warranty included in the conditions of delivery is valid only if
the product has been installed and used in accordance with the instructions supplied by Jouan
Nordic A/S.

Jouan Nordic A/S shall in no event be liable for incidental or consequential damages, including
without limitation, lost profits, loss of income, loss of business opportunities, loss of use, and other
related exposures, caused by e.g. incorrect use of the product.

Symbols used in this manual

WARNING
Used in case of danger of a serious accident or when documentation needs to be
consulted.

. NOTE
Used to direct attention to a special item.

© Copyright 2003

Jouan Nordic A/S

Gydevang 17-19
DK-3450 Allerød
Denmark

Telephone +45 48 16 62 00
Fax +45 48 16 62 97
e-mail info@jouannordic.com

Home page: http://www.jouannordic.com

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Table of contents

1. Function .........................................................................................................4
2. Unpacking ......................................................................................................4
2.1. Included Parts .................................................................................................4
3. Design ............................................................................................................4
4. Important information ...................................................................................5
5. Connections...................................................................................................5
6. Possible configurations ................................................................................5
7. GD-2 Controls and layout .............................................................................6
7.1. Drying surface .................................................................................................6
7.2. Vacuum port ....................................................................................................7
7.3. Mains power ....................................................................................................7
7.4. Vacuum power cord receptacle .......................................................................7
8. Vacuum source and setup ............................................................................8
9. Prepare the dryer...........................................................................................8
10. Prepare the gel drying stack.........................................................................8
10.1. Densiometric scanning ....................................................................................9
10.2. Sequencing, notebook storage, and autoradigraphy........................................9
11. Vacuum formation .......................................................................................10
12. Dry the gel....................................................................................................10
12.1. Set the temperature.......................................................................................10
13. Disassembly ................................................................................................11
14. After drying ..................................................................................................12
14.1. To apply a vacuum without heat ....................................................................12
15. Specifications ..............................................................................................12
16. Care and maintenance ................................................................................13
16.1. Cleaning ........................................................................................................13
16.2. Replacing fuses.............................................................................................13
17. Trouble shooting .........................................................................................15
18. Order information ........................................................................................15

Enclosure: Declaration of conformity

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1. Function

Clear silicone rubber overlay (held to the dryer with screws)

covers the gel drying-stack. See figure 4 a to c for diagrams Vacuum port
of recommended drying stacks.

Power cord receptacle

and fuse drawer with:
• Power switch,
• Receptacle for
vacuum pump
power cord, and
• Control panel, see
figure 3 for details.

A clear silicone rubber overlay, attached to the

dryer with screws, covers the gel-drying stack.

The GD-2 uses dry heat and reduced pressure to dehydrate slabs and to bond them permanently to
filter paper or transparent porous cellophane. The drying surface measure 36 x 44 cm and
accommodates up to nine 14 x 16 cm slabs from all normal electrophoresis units. The temperature
may be set between 40 °C and 80 °C. A timer is included to operate the pump and one the heater.
2. Unpacking
Unwrap all packages and compare with the parts list below, making sure all items arrived. If any
part is missing, contact your local Jouan Nordic sales office. Inspect all components for damage
that may have occurred while the unit was in transit. If any part appears damaged, contact the
carrier immediately. Be sure to keep all packing material for damage claims or to use should it
become necessary to return the unit.
2.1. Included Parts

• Gel dryer chassis with clear overlay sheet and detachable power cord

• Stainless steel support screen

• Porous cellophane (50 sheets)

• Filter paper (10 sheets)

• Mylar sheet

• Porous polyethylene sheet.

3. Design
The circuits and the controls for the dryer are contained in a steel cabinet attached to one end of
the heavy aluminium plate, which forms the base of the drying surface. A thermostatically
controlled 800 watt heating element, which is connected to the plate on its underside, may be set
to give the desired surface temperature between 40 °C and 80 °C. The plate distributes heat
evenly over its entire surface. A shallow grooved cavity on the top of the plate connects with the
vacuum outlet and the coating makes the plate resistant to acid fumes released during drying.

A perforated stainless steel support screen fits into the cavity on top of the plate. Filter paper is
placed on top of this screen, followed by whatever gel mounting is to be used and the gel itself,
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and on top of the gel, either a Mylar sheet or a 35 micron porous polyethylene sheet as discussed
below. A clear silicone rubber flap covers the entire assembly. When a vacuum is applied to the
outlet, the silicone rubber flap seals against the plate. Air and moisture are drawn from the gel
through the perforated screen. Drying is accelerated by heat from the surface of the plate. Two
models of the dryer are available: one operates on 115 volts AC, 60 Hz, the other on 230 volts AC,
50 Hz.
4. Important information
WARNING
• The plate surface reaches high temperatures during operation. Do not touch!

• If this equipment is used in a manner not specified by the manufacturer, the

protection provided by the equipment may be impaired.

• Only accessories and parts approved or supplied by Jouan Nordic may be used
for operating, maintaining, and servicing this product.
5. Connections
Procedure for connection to Heto Vacuum Concentration systems:

A. Install the shelf.

B. Install the hoses.

C. Connect to the Mains.

D. Install the drip catcher.

For further information see separate instructions included in the manuals for the system in question.
6. Possible configurations

Master Jet
Maxi

CT60

Pump
CT110

Figure 2.

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It is important that the Gel dryer is connected to a stable vacuum source to avoid cracking during
gel drying. To avoid damage to the pump it is recommended to use a coldtrap/condenser in-line to
trap the hot vapours emitted from the gel dryer. A coldtrap might be HETO type CT110 with a
trapping temperature of –110 °C, a CT60 with trapping temperature of –60 °C, or even a DC/DCQ
with a trapping temperature of either ambient or 0 °C. The lower the temperature of the
coldtrap/condenser is the better the trapping capacity.

At the same time it is extremely important to keep all connecting hoses as short as possible to avoid
condensation in the hoses and to keep the mass transportation speed at maximum.
7. GD-2 Controls and layout

Time/Temp Key
Toggles display between showing
time or temperature. Display mode LED Display
is indicated by light to the left on Showes Set Temperature,
the display Set Time or Elapsed Time.
Also indicates the status of
the heater and vacuum
outlet

Adjust Keys
Adjust Set
Temperature/Set Time or
Vacuum Key resets Elapsed time to 0.
Toggles the vacuum outlet On or
Off. A light on the right of the
display is lit when the outlet is on.

Figure 3. Control Panel.

Temperature set °C Controls the thermostat. The platen temperature range is 40 to 80 °C.

Heat timer Shuts off the heating element at the end of the set time.

Selectable interval: 15 minutes to 9 hours and 45 minutes.

Shuts off the power to the vacuum pump 10 minutes after the end of the set
time, if it is plugged into the vacuum power cord receptacle.
7.1. Drying surface
The Teflon-coated cast aluminium platen is resistant to acidic fumes that may be released while
drying certain types of gels.

A grid of vacuum conduits on the surface allows released moisture to be pulled away.

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7.2. Vacuum port

Accepts 9 mm (3/8") ±1 mm vacuum tubing. The port for the external vacuum source is at the back
of the instrument, at the centre of the platen.

7.3. Mains power

The mains power module (see Figure 4) houses the power cord receptacle and one or two input
fuses

(115 V-, one F 12A 250V 3AG fuse)

(230 V-, two T 6.3A 250V 5x2O mm).

7.4. Vacuum power cord receptacle
Connects the vacuum pump to the vacuum timer.

115 V-, 60 Hz Accommodates pumps requiring up to 5 A.

230 V-, 50 Hz Accommodates pumps requiring up to 2.5 A.

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8. Vacuum source and setup

A. Gel dryer, coldtrap, and vacuum pump. The most effective vacuum systems is created by using
a vacuum pump protected by a coldtrap so that condensation will not appear in the vacuum
pump. The vacuum pump recommended by HETO is the Vacuubrand RZ2, which has a capacity
30 l/min. The pump is capable of reaching a pressure as low as 5 x 10-3 hPa.

NOTE

. The resultant drying force is not the pump capacity, but the vapour pressure of the
removed material, at a temperature corresponding to the surface temperature of the
cold trap.

B. Gel dryer, suction pump Master Jet Maxi. The Master Jet Maxi is to be connected directly to the
gel dryer. The advantage of this system is that harmful vapour is directly diluted in the water of
the suction pump or trapped in the DC/DCQ condenser if fitted (see fig. 3a below).

The removing capacity of vapour other than water is high. For water the minimum partial
pressure will be the corresponding vapour pressure of water at the given water temperature
of the suction pump. The suction pump should not be used continuously in series with a
coldtrap. The coldtrap will only empty the suction pump.

Figure 3a. GD2, DCQ, and SUE 300Q.

9. Prepare the dryer
Wipe away all contaminants with a soft damp cloth. (See the care and maintenance section for
recommendations on how to remove accumulations of radioactive materials). Fit the stainless steel
screen into the depression on the platen and then line it with a sheet of filter paper larger than the
surface area required by the gel(s).
10. Prepare the gel drying stack
The slab dryer accommodates both agarose and polyacrylamide gels. The gel stack layers depend on
the next processing step and the thickness of the gel(s). Illustrated in figure 4a, b, and c is the
recommended gel drying stack for densitometric scanning and the two recommended drying stacks
for sequencing, notebook storage, and autoradiography, depending on the gel thickness.

Gel drying stacks.

Each stack is underlain by the stainless steel screen and filter paper liner, and overlain by the clear
rubber overlay.

The layers around the gel and the cover sheet used depend on the gel type and thickness.
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10.1. Densitometric scanning

Immerse two sheets of porous cellophane in water. Lay one cellophane sheet onto the filter paper
liner. Carefully centre the gel on the cellophane. Cover the gel with the second sheet of wet
cellophane.

NOTE
Cellophane provides a transparent background for densitometric scanning. It is

. important to remove all air pockets at every step of this procedure to avoid
scanning distortions.

Use the Mylar cover sheet for a smooth gel surface to reduce scan irregularities.

Clear rubber overlay

Cover sheet – Mylar
Porous cellophane
Gel
Porous cellophane
Filter paper liner

Stainless steel screen

Figure 4a.
10.2. Sequencing, notebook storage, and autoradiography
Thin Gels (≤1.5 mm)

Lay a sheet of filter paper onto the filter paper liner and position the gel on this sheet, taking care to
avoid trapping air beneath the gel. Cover the gel with thin plastic wrap. Use the Mylar cover sheet.

Clear rubber overlay

Cover sheet - Mylar
Thin plastic wrap
Gel thickness≤1.5 mm
Filter paper
Filter paper liner
Stainless steel screen

Figure 4b.

>1.5 mm)
Thick Gels (>

Lay a sheet of filter paper onto the filter paper liner and then position the gel on this sheet, taking
care to avoid trapping air beneath the gel. Cover the gel with porous polyethylene cover sheet,
smooth side toward the gel.

NOTE

. Cover low concentration gels (<7.5 %T acrylamide) with thin plastic wrap when
using the polyethylene sheet because these gels may stick to the sheet or plug its
pores.

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Clear rubber overlay

Cover sheet – porous
polyethylene
Gel thickness >1.5 mm
Gel Filter paper
Filter paper liner
Stainless steel screen

Figure 4c.

Cover the gel stack with a cover sheet and the rubber overlay. Use the Mylar sheet for thin gels
(<1.5 mm) and for gels that will be scanned with a densitometer. Use the porous polyethylene for
thick gels (>1.5 mm), high concentration gels, or gradient gels. Lay the smooth side toward the gel.
Cover the stack with the clear silicone rubber overlay.

Align the stack layers. Check that all edges except the rubber overlay fall within the cavity around
the platen. Trim the corners of the cover sheet to fit within the cavity if required.
11. Vacuum formation
A. (If mounted): Cool the coldtrap to lowest possible temperature.

B. Plug your pump into the receptacle on the side of the dryer cabinet or into a wall outlet. (See
note below) and switch on both the pump and the pump timer. A seal is formed when the flap is
sucked into the cavity in the top of the plate and conforms its shape. If the seal does not form,
check for misalignment of the stack. If this does not work, press the flap into the four corners of
the cavity. The perforated screen is slightly bowed, so you may have to press it flat while doing
this. Be sure not to press the gel itself. Passing a roller lightly over the flap may eliminate air
caught under the flap.

NOTE
If the pump system you are using draws more than 5 amps (as does the
. Vacuubrand RZ2 or the Busch R5-012), you will have to plug it into a separate wall
outlet and not into the dryer itself. In this case, you will have to turn the pump on
and off manually.
12. Dry the gel

12.1. Set the temperature

The highest setting, 80 °C, can be used for many types of gels, for reliable, rapid drying. Use a
temperature of 50 °C for agarose gels. Gels prepared for fluorography may require a setting of 60
°C to protect the flours. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If your gels tend to crack, a lower
temperature setting may be indicated to provide slower drying.

1. To set the temperature, make sure the red light labelled °C is lit. If necessary, press the
Time/Temp key to toggle between the time and temperature display.

2. Use the adjust keys to change the temperature. You can set the heater to any temperature from
40 to 80 °C or to OFF (0 °C).

• Press the Up or Down key once briefly to change by one degree. Press and hold the key
down to count five 1-degree intervals, followed by 5-degree intervals.

• When the temperature is 40 °C, press the Down key once to go to OFF. When the
temperature is 80 °C, press the key Up once to go to OFF.

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• Press the Up and Down arrows simultaneously to reset the temperature to 40 °C.

• To use the vacuum at room temperature, turn the heater off.

• Set the Timer

The amount of time required for a gel to dry depends on such factors as gel thickness, gel
concentration, drying temperature, and vacuum applied. A typical sequencing of 1.5 mm 10%
T gel can be expected to dry in approximately 45 minutes at 80 °C. Larger gels may take 2 to
3 hours. When dry, the contour of an agarose gel through the silicone flap decreases to
about 1 mm.

. NOTE
Agarose gels become brittle when over-dried.

1. Press the Time/Temp key to go to the Time mode. The display reads 0:FF: and the colon blinks
to indicate Elapsed time.

2. Press either the Up or Down key once to go from Elapsed Time to Set Time.

3. Press either the Up or Down key to change the Set Time.

4. Press Up once to set time for a continuos run, the display reads run and the heater and vacuum
run continuously until you manually turn them both off.

5. Press Up again to count up in 15 minutes intervals.

In automatic mode, when the Set Time is reached, the dryer beeps once and the heater turns off. The
vacuum power remains on for 10 minutes. During this cooling down period, the Elapsed Time display
counts from “C:00” to “C:10”. After ten minutes, the vacuums power automatically turns off and the
dryer beeps once.

NOTE
. If you manually turn off the vacuum during a continuous run, the heat remains on until
you also turn it off manually.

Periodically inspect the gel through the clear rubber overlay as it dries. When the gel appears dry,
manually check the temperature. Wet gels feel cold compared to the platen. Complete drying is
usually indicated when the drying surface has become evenly hot everywhere. Another indication
that the gel has lost its moisture is a markedly flattened gel contour.

When the Set Time is reached the dryer will beep once and the heater will be turned off. The
vacuum power remains on for 10 minutes. During this Cool Down period the elapsed time display
reads from "C:00" to "C:10”. After this period the vacuum is turned off. “OFF” will be displayed.

13. Disassembly
Remove each layer of the drying stack and clean the dryer according to instructions in “Care and
Maintenance” in section 16.

Gels stained with Coomasie Blue or Silver Stain can be stored in a notebook directly from the dryer
because the filter paper serves as a gel mount. To display a gel, mount the filter paper onto
cardboard. Flatten the filter paper with a roller and adhere the paper to the cardboard with contact
cement.
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. NOTE
Fluorescent compounds, such as ethidium bromide, cannot be visualised after drying.

14. After drying

If you wish to preserve your gels for future reference, they may be stored in a notebook just as they
come from the dryer. The gel will have adherent to the filter paper and no further mounting is
necessary. If you are drying radioactive gels and have used Saran-Wrap® to cover the gel, peel off
the wrap and discard it as radioactive waste. If you wish to display gels dried on filter paper, mount
them on cardboard. Use contact cement and a roller to flatten the filter paper and produce a
smooth gel.

Options for Manual Operations.

14.1. To apply a vacuum without heat

• Set the temperature to 0:FP, then set the timer. Ten seconds after you set the time, the vacuum
starts without heat. The vacuum stops when the Elapsed Time equals the Set Time.

• To preheat the dryer:

• Set the Temperature and set the Time. After 10 seconds, the vacuum starts. Press the Vacuum
key to turn off the vacuum and leave the heat on.

• To restart the vacuum, press the Vacuum key again.

NOTE
. When you manually preheat the dryer, be sure the set time includes the time needed
to prepare the gel stack as well as the time needed to dry the gel.

15. Specifications
Maximum operating ratings
Wattage 800 W, thermostatically controlled
Power requirements 230V, 50 Hz

Environment
Operating environment Indoor use, 15 to 40 °C ambient
Relative humidity ≤ 80 % for 15 to 31 °C, decreasing linearly to 50% for 31 to 40 °C
Altitude ≤2000 metres
Installation category II
Pollution degree 2

Dimensions
width x depth x height 55.0 x 43.5 x 8.5 cm (21.6 x 17 x 3.4 in.)

Weight
Kilos 10

Product certifications
CE

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16. Care and maintenance

16.1. Cleaning
Turn Mains power switch to Off.

Unplug the power cord.

Remove the stainless steel screen and the cover sheets and wash separately with a mild
laboratory detergent. Dry with a soft towel.

Do not use abrasives or solvents on any dryer part.

Autoradiography reagents accumulations should be removed from the platen and stainless steel
screen periodically. Apply a strong detergent such as Count Off for no longer than 5 minutes and
rinse thoroughly.

Replacing the Silicone Rubber Overlay Occasionally, a tear or nick in the rubber overlay (80-6118-
00) may inhibit the formation of the vacuum seal. The rubber overlay is attached to the dryer by
four screws in a retaining bar along the edge of the platen. To change the overlay, you also need a
small tube of clear silicone adhesive, available at hardware stores.

1. Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to remove the four screws on top of the retaining bar that
hold the rubber overlay in place.

2. Lift off the retaining bar and the damaged rubber overlay. If necessary, use a sharp edge to
clean out any old silicone adhesive on the inside of the retaining bar.

3. Position the replacement overlay on the platen, aligning the four holes in the overlay with the
four holes for the screws.

4. Lay a bead of clear silicone adhesive along the inside edge of the retaining bar. Replace the
retaining bar, aligning the four holes of the retaining bar over the holes in the platen and
overlay.

5. Screw the retaining bar and overlay in place.

16.2. Replacing fuses

NOTE
. Fuses protect equipment by disconnecting loads too large for the circuit design, so
it is important that replacement fuses conform to the specified fuse rating.

Figure 5 illustrates how to replace the two input fuses (T 6.3A 250V 5x20 mm) in the Mains power
module.

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Insert the screwdriver into

this notch to open the
cover

Mains power switch

Insert the screwdriver blade

behind the arrow to pull the
cassette completely out

Hinged cover

Figure 5.

1. Caution! Turn the Mains power supply switch off and detach the power cord before replacing
the fuses!

2. Open the fuse compartment by inserting a small flat-blade screwdriver into the slot at the left
side of the power module. Twist the screwdriver 1/8 turn to release the cover, then pull out
the hinged compartment, which opens to the right.

3. Insert the screwdriver above the arrow on one fuse cassette, catch the cassette end, and
slowly slide it completely out of the module.

4. Pull the fuse out of its cassette and inspect. If the fuse element is burned or broken, replace
the fuse with an identical type. If the fuse appears to be intact, check it with a multi-meter. (A
reading of 1 Ω or less indicates the fuse is still usable).

5. After placing a good fuse into the cassette, slide it into the power module, making sure the
arrow on the cassette points to the right (in the same direction as the guide arrows on the
inside of the compartment door).

6. Repeat 3, 4, and 5 for the second cassette.

7. Close the fuse compartment cover and gently press it into the power module until it snaps
shut.

8. Plug the power cord in and turn Mains power switch on.

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17. Trouble shooting

Problem Indication What to do
• Check that the dryer is plugged into a working
receptacle.
No power
• Make sure both the Mains power switch is on
and the heater timer is set for longer than 10
minutes.
• Check fuses and replace if burned out
“Heat on” but lamp not
No heat
lit
• Replace the thermostat
Replace thinner (0.75 mm and less) gels if
possible.
“Heat on” lamp lit
Thin gels rarely crack.
• Use thinner (0.75 mm and less) gels if
possible. Thin gels rarely crack.
Gels crack
• %T too high for gel thickness used
• Empty the liquid or coldtrap.
Gels do not dry
• Replenish ice in the coldtrap.
Fluor become Follow the manufacturer’s handling instructions,
degraded paying close attention to recommended
temperature exposure
Dryer overheats
Replace the temperature sensor.

18. Order information

Dryers
Description Designation HETO no.
Gel dryer GD2-1 230 V 88867114
Gel dryer GD2-1 115 V 88867116
Consumables
Description Designation HETO no.
Filter paper (25) FP-GD 88867120
Porous Cellophane (50) PC-GD 88867121
Mylar sheet MS-GD 88867123
Porous polyethylene PP-GD 88867124
Stainless steel screen SSS-GD 88867125
Spare parts
Silicone cover SC-GD 88867133

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