Hospital Dosing Pump-Flow Error

[BrianH]

Hi,

I have one of the refurbished hospital dosing pumps. I keep getting a flow error when using the pump. The is no blockage since I see the kalk solution dripping out the end. Does anyone know how to either disable the flow sensor or how to avoid this problem?

Thanks

Brian

 

[Len]

Just curious, where'd you purchase this unit? Unfortunately, I don't think many people can help problem solve a unit they're unlikely to have ever used. It's best to contact the manufacturer or look online for a owner's manual.

 

[Reefman150]

Brian, I've got one and know what you are talking about. When the "drip cup" where the sensor is is full of liquid, the error will sound. Let the unit run dry until this "cup" is empty then refill/restart it. You may have to silence it a few times until the liquid gets to this cup again. You want a dripping action in this cup. Some liquid in it is normal, just not full! Email me if you need further help. I've been using mine for over a year now with very few problems. I found a medical supplier who is a tenant at my job that has exact replacement tubes for these units. He sells them to me a cost. About $2.50 ea. My first tube sprang a leak where the rotator rubs the tube. Slow minor leak but something to keep it in the back of your mind. Also, leave the cap loose to your jug or whatever your container is for air to enter the container so you don't create a vacuum.

 

[ChrisRD]

The drip sensor can be disabled on some units, but I don't think it can be disabled on all of them. Apparently, some of these pumps with the drip sensor can be quite finicky - especially if dosing something cloudy (ie. kalkwasser).

Not that will help in your particular case, but for others who are reading, these rebuilt medical pumps are commonly available now with the drip sensor disabled. For anyone interested in one of these pumps, that is definintely the way to go IMO.

Also, if you're looking for the pump to push against some head pressure (like dosing through a kalkreactor for example) try to get a model that has a cover over the rotating pump head, instead of one that relies on tubing tension to maintain the head pressure.

IME the models that require tension to maintain pressure require the tubing to be set so tight it wears out excessively fast and springs a leak when it fails.

HTH

 

[meatbar4]

Also if the kalk solution makes the inside of the drip chamber cloudy, or cloudy in places, the pump thinks tthe solution is not dripping. The cloudy chamber may block the sensor from 'seeing' a drop fall. Just turn the chamber a little to a clear spot and restart.
CC

 

[brandon4291]

Also, my home med drippers stop dosing and alarm if there is an occlusion (compression) in the line from being tickled by the peristaltic rollers for too long. From time to time I have to take out the line and bring fresh, non pinched line down into the peristaltic chamber for it to restart. Also, many drippers can sense even the slightest bubble and will shut down to prevent embolisms in whatever they are injecting into.

Good luck!

 

[BrianH]

Well I decided that I was done with these pumps and decided to buy a real pump from greg hiller. Now I'm finally happy.

Brian