User Manual

7 Mega-Gel Instructions 12/11
Section 3
Assembly
3.1 Unit Assembly for Mega-Gel
1. PlacetheMega-Gelonalevelworksurfaceinanauthorizedworkarea.Attachtwoguiderodstobase.Tilt
baseonitsside,placestainlesssteelscrewthroughcountersunkholeandscrewtheguiderodsontothebase
2. Securelowerreservoirstobasebytighteningthefourblackknurledthumbscrews.
3. Onceguiderodsaresecureandapparatusisatonlaboratorybench,slidethedividedupperreservoirover
thetwoguiderods.Toadjustupperreservoirtodesiredheight,alignnotchinglassplatewithupperreservoir
fascia.Tightenthetworosetteknobsontheupperreservoiruntilsecure.Levelapparatususinglevelingfeet
inbase.
4. Upper and lower reservoirs are shipped with drain plugs installed.  Verify that the drain plugs are
secure.  If you plan to use accessory Quick-Disconnect ttings (Cat.# QDC-B and QDC-I), remove the
drain plugs. Wrap the end of the Quick Disconnect Insert with Teon tape and thread into the drain
hole.  Be sure the Quick Disconnect Body is secure and the Quick Disconnect Insert snaps into place.
5. Dualunitsincludearotatingbase.Aligncut-outinbottomofbasewithrotatingbase.Usestationarypintokeep
unitformrotating.
6. Level the assembled sequencer using the four leveling feet supplied. Each sequencer is shipped with an
attachedbubblelevel.
3.2 Glass Plate Preparation
1. Selectapairof glassplates(if usinganotched set,onenotched andoneunnotchedbackplate).Besure
the edges of the plates are nick or chip free. Using a diamond pencil, mark one side of the notched
plate. Use this marker to remember the side of the notched plate that will always be clamped to the
upper reservoir gasket. This is done because the side of the glass that is clamped to the gasket has
a “silicone smudge” that has a adverse effect on the pouring of acrylamide gels even after washing.
2. ItisvitalthattheseplatesareabsolutelyCLEAN!Wearinggloves(andrinsingoffanyresidualpowder),clean
theglassplatesthoroughlywithanonabrasivedetergentandaplasticscouringpad.Thecleaningsolution
shouldnotleaveasoapresiduewhenrinsedthoroughly.
3. Rinsetheglassplatesthoroughlywithdeionizedwaterandwipedry.
4. Immediatelybeforeassemblingtheglassplate‘sandwich’,rinsetheinsidesurfaceswith95%ethanolandwipe
drywithalint-freepapertowel.Avoidtouchingtheinsidesurfaceswithyourngers.The wearing of gloves
is highly recommended.Impeccablyclean,dustfreeplatesareessentialforpouringgelswithoutbubbles.
5. Assembletheglassplatesandwichusinggelwrapgasketasdescribedinsection3.3.
• 2ea100wellcombs   
• 2setsGelWrap™spacers
• 2setsGelWrap™glassplates 
• 2wedgeplateseparators 
• 2temperaturestrip,Cat.#EGT-100
• 2GelWrap™Gaskets
• Rosetteknobs(2)