Gamry RxE 10k Rotating Electrode Quick-Start Guide

2.1 Connect USB cable

1. Place rotator and Motor Controller on a flat workbench surface. Leave enough space to the rear side to have access for the cables.
2. Connect the Motor Controller to a computer using the high-speed USB A/B cable provided with your system (P/N 985-00131).
3. Connect the type A end (the wider, rectangular shaped connector) into a USB port on your computer or USB hub.
4. Connect the type B end (a nearly square connector plug) into the USB port on the rear panel of the Motor Controller.
5. The USB connection can be "hot plugged". This means both the computer and the Motor Controller can be powered up before the USB cable is plugged in.

2.2 Connect Power In cable

1. The Motor Controller does not plug in directly into the AC mains supply but uses an external power supply which supplies a regulated 48 V DC output.
2. The external power supply is normally supplied with a line cord suitable for use in your country.
3. The DC output cord from the external power supply plugs into the DC Power In jack on the rear panel of the Motor Controller.

When replacing the line cord for the power supply, always verify that it has adequate power ratings. Do not use a line cord that shows any damages or exposed wires. ?

2.3 Connect the Motor Control cable

1. The RxE 10k rotator does not directly plug into the AC mains supply. Instead, it is powered and controlled by the Motor Controller using the Motor Control Cable (P/N 985-00194).
2. The Motor Control Cable has three dedicated power lines for the motor and two additional power lines for the encoder and fan.
3. Connect the female 26-pin HD D-sub connector of the cable to the Motor Control connector on the rotator's rear panel.
4. Connect the male 26-pin HD D-sub connector of the cable to the Motor Control connector on the Motor Controller's rear panel.

2.4 Power up instrument

1. Power up your system by pressing the Power button on the Motor Controller front panel. The blue Power LED blinks until steady. The USB LED turns green if a valid connection has been made to the computer.
2. The LC-display turns on showing the rotator's model number and subsequently the rotation speed display.

Diagram description: The front panel of the Motor Controller includes a 'Power' button with a blue LED indicator, a 'USB' LED indicator, an LC-display showing system status, a 'Manual' knob for speed control, and an 'Emergency Shutdown' button.

2.5 Rotator test

1. Perform a quick start-up test to check the rotator's functionality. Install the Safety Shield and always wear safety goggles while operating the RxE 10k system. While extremely rare, rotating shaft, electrode, or attached parts can break and fly off, injuring the operator. ⚠️
2. Turn the Manual knob clockwise until the speed on the LC display reads 100 rpm. Press the knob to confirm the setting. The motor should turn on and the motor shaft begin accelerating to the set rotation speed.
3. During operation, the Motor LED is turned on. Increase and decrease the rotation speed by rotating the knob clockwise or counterclockwise, respectively. Verify that the rotator operates smoothly.

2.6 Potentiostat setup

Depending on the electrode, either a single potentiostat is required for RDE and RCE experiments or a bi-pstat setup for RRDE experiments.

Follow the installation instructions of the potentiostat. The most recent version of each manual can be downloaded on Gamry's website at: https://www.gamry.com/support-documentation-downloads/ ?

2.7 Connect cell cables

The cell cable connectors (4 mm female banana) are located on the rear side of the RxE 10k rotator.

• The Disk/RCE connectors connect to the disk of an RDE/RRDE and cylinder electrode of an RCE.
• The Ring connectors connect to the ring electrode of an RRDE.

Diagram description: Diagrams illustrate cell cable connections: The RDE/RCE setup shows connectors labeled WE, Disk/RCE, and WS. The RRDE setup shows connectors labeled WE, Disk/RCE, Ring, and WS, indicating connections to a Master pstat and a Self pstat.

3.1 Remove front cover

1. Slightly unscrew the six thumb screws on the left and right side of the rotator enclosure. Carefully slide off the rotator enclosure.
2. The interior reveals four carbon brushes. They are protected by red covers. Leave them on for now until the electrode shaft is installed.
3. Additionally, four wires go from each PCB to the rotator's back panel and banana connectors. You can leave them as they are.

Diagram description: The interior of the rotator reveals four carbon brushes, each protected by a red cover. Wires are shown connecting from a PCB to the rotator's back panel and banana connectors.

3.2 Unscrew brush holders

Unscrew the thumb screws on both sides that hold the brush holders in place. Rotate them outwards.

3.3 Prepare shaft adapter

Above the brush holders, you can see the shaft adapter mounted onto the motor shaft. Unscrew only the bottom two set screws which will be later used to attach the electrode shaft.

Do not open the top set screws attaching the shaft adapter to the motor's shaft. Do not remove the center set screw. It electrically separates motor shaft and electrode shaft. ?

Diagram description: Diagrams show the shaft adapter mounted on the motor shaft, secured by set screws.

3.4 Install electrode shaft

1. Carefully guide the electrode shaft from the bottom of the rotator through the bearing housing.
2. Slide the electrode shaft upwards into the shaft adapter until it touches the center set screw.
3. Secure the electrode shaft by tightening both set screws. Do not overtighten the screws!

Do not bend the shaft sideways, tilt, or force it through the bearings. This can irreversibly damage both bearings and shaft. ⚠️

Alternate between both set screws while gradually tightening the screws. Do not fully tighten each set screw individually which can cause misalignment of the shaft. This can lead to vibrations and radial runout when rotating which can irreversibly damage the bearings. ?

Diagram description: Another diagram illustrates guiding the electrode shaft through the bearing housing and into the shaft adapter, where it is secured by tightening set screws.

3.5 Test the electrode shaft

1. Carefully remove all four red covers from the brushes. The brushes snap outwards.
2. Move both brush holders back to their original position and secure them again with the previously removed thumb screws.
3. Test the assembly by manually rotating the shaft. The electrode shaft should rotate freely without much counter-force. Make sure that all four brushes have good contact with the electrode shaft.
4. After verifying correct functionality, put the rotator enclosure back on and secure with the six thumb screws.

Upper and lower brushes are electrically insulated from each other. When using an RRDE shaft, verify that both upper brushes make contact above the RRDE shaft's PEEK insulator. The lower brushes should make contact below the shaft's PEEK insulator. ?

3.6 Mount electrode

Hold the lower part of the electrode shaft in place. Guide the electrode into the shaft's sleeve and screw on hand tight. Do not bend the shaft sideways, otherwise the bearings, shaft, and carbon brushes could get damaged. ⚠️

Make sure to have an RRDE shaft installed when using RRDEs. The RRDE shaft has two electrically insulated portions for the disk and the ring electrode. RDEs and RCEs should be preferably used with the RDE/RCE shaft.

The RCE cylinders have an oil coating to prevent rust during storage. It is recommended to rinse them with an organic solvent such as methanol, ethanol, or isopropyl alcohol before usage. ?

4.1 Prepare rotator base plate

Slightly unscrew all eight knurled knobs at the front and back of the rotator base plate. Don't unscrew completely as the Safety Shield will rest on top of the threads.

Diagram description: The rotator base plate is depicted with eight knurled knobs located at the front and back, used for securing the Safety Shield.

4.2 Mount Safety Shield

1. Unfold a Safety Shield and align the slots on the bottom side of the acrylic panels with the exposed threads of the knobs.
2. Push the Safety Shield fully back towards the base plate to lock the side threads within the panels' L-slots.
3. Tighten all four knobs to secure the Safety Shield.
4. Repeat these steps for the second Safety Shield.

Diagram description: These diagrams show the process of mounting the Safety Shield: unfolding it, aligning its slots with the base plate knobs, pushing it back to lock, and tightening the knobs.