October 2004: Millipore parts can now be ordered directly through the Fisher catalog. To maintain the MilliQ unit, the only expendables necessary are:
1 Q-gard cartrdige for the MilliQ (replace annually) [QGARD00D2] -- same Fisher part #
1 Quantum with Millipak for the MilliQ (replace annually) [QTUMMPKEX] -- Fisher part # QTUM 000 EX
UV replacement tube for the MilliQ (replace annually) [QUVLQSL01] -- may not be carried by Fisher
On 24 March 1998 I spoke with Keith Goggin about what we need to replace on our system every year, considering that we hardly use our RiOs5 unit. He wrote back with a recommended schedule for replacing expendables and a quote for the self-maintenance plan (Millipore quote #2719582; our Penn P.O. was #407690). Keith figures that we need:
1 box of prefiltrers (6/box) (replace every 2-3 months) [CR0101006]
2 Progard-1 packs for the RiOs5 (replace every 6 months) [PR0G00001]
1 Q-gard cartrdige for the MilliQ (replace annually) [QGARD00D2]
1 Quantum with Millipak for the MilliQ (replace annually) [QTUMMPKEX]
UV replacement tube for the MilliQ (replace annually) [QUVLQSL01]
UV replacement tube for the resevoir (replace annually) [ZFRES00UV]
Since the RiOs5 unit doesn't get much use, we can use the Progard-1 pack instead of the longer Progard-2 pack. If we ever have to rely on the RiOs5 unit heavily, we ought to switch back to the bigger pack. And since we don't use the MilliQ system so very much, we only need to exchange the cartridges annually.
The units say when all the parts need to be changed, except for the prefilters and the UV lamp on the resevoir. The electronics just count days since the last time the parts were replaced. So every six months (should be April and October), the displays will call for the Progard pack on the RiOs5 and the Q-gard and Quantum cartridges on the MiliQ system to be changed. Only the Progard pack on the RiOs5 needs to be changed this often! For the MilliQ system, just take off the Q-gard cartridge and reinstall it so the electronics will reset.
The UV lamps need to be changed annually, and the display on the MilliQ unit will indicate when. There are no instructions for replacing the lamp in the manual, so you should take a look at my procedure for replacing the UV lamp in the MilliQ unit.
Order the expendables in late March/early April so that they are on
hand at late April when all the cartridges (Q-Gard, Quantum and ProGard)
need to be replaced. Replace the lamps at the end of October. Store
the second ProGard cartridge in the cold room until October when you
are ready to install it.