Knowledge Base

DanioVision Observation Chamber Conversion Manual

Introduction

This Conversion Manual describes how to convert your current DanioVision Observation Chamber to work with the new Temperature Control Unit. Please make sure to carefully follow the steps described below.

Converting the DanioVision Observation Chamber

What Do I Need?

To carry out the conversion, the conversion kit comes with the following parts and tools:

1. New basin with temperature sensor.
2. Three color-coded tubes.
3. Tube connectors.
4. Torx bit.
5. Small Philips head screwdriver.
6. Hexagonal key (2 mm).
7. PTFE tape (0.1 mm, pressure class 0.2).

Additionally, you need the following tools and parts:

8. Large Philips head screwdriver.
9. Pliers.
10. Grip for torx bit.
11. Socket wrenches (no. 14, 11, 10).
12. Vaseline.

The conversion of the DanioVision Observation Chamber must be carried out by a technically skilled person. If, during the conversion, you have any questions, please contact the Noldus Help Desk (www.noldus.com/help-desk).

Carrying Out the Conversion

1. Place the DanioVision Observation Chamber on a flat, stable table with enough space to move it around, or for yourself to move around the table.

Removing the Green Lid (Steps 2–4)

2. Raise the lid to the upper position.
3. Remove the 6 screws (3 screws on each side) in the rail with the small Philips head screwdriver. It might be easier to put the Observation Chamber on its side to reach the bottom screws. Make sure not to lose the screws because you need them to re-assemble the chamber.
4. Lift the lid and slightly tilt it forwards to remove it from the Observation Chamber.

Removing the White Casing (Steps 5–12)

5. Remove the plastic cover from the back panel by unscrewing the 4 screws with the small Philips head screwdriver.
6. Gently and carefully put the DanioVision Observation Chamber on its side. Unscrew the 9 torx screws using the torx screwdriver.
7. Put the DanioVision Observation Chamber upright or keep it on its side. Remove 4 screws with the small Philips head screwdriver from the inside frame: there are 2 screws on either side.
8. Before removing the white casing, lift the lens to the up position.
9. Do not yet completely remove the white casing, but lift it (slightly pull apart both sides) on both sides until it is about 20 centimeters off the bottom.
10. Disconnect the molex connector at the front.
11. Lift the back of the DanioVision Observation Chamber and disconnect the 3 tubes on the inside with the pliers from the connectors.
12. Lift the white casing to remove it from the system.

Disconnecting the Interface Box (Steps 13–15)

The steps below describe how to disconnect the interface box; this is necessary for the placement of the new basin.

13. At the back of the DanioVision Observation Chamber, mark the position of the interface box.
14. Unscrew the 2 screws (one on each side) of the interface box.
15. Remove the interface box from the base of the Observation Chamber.

Replacing the Basin (Steps 16–21)

16. Unscrew the 6 hexagonal screws (3 on each side) from the basin.
17. Remove the basin from the chamber.
18. Remove the two clamps from the old basin and install them on the new basin with the large Philips head screwdriver.
19. Insert the new basin into the Observation Chamber from the back side.
20. Use the 6 hexagonal screws from the old basin (see step 16) to fix the new basin to the base of the DanioVision Observation Chamber.
21. Put the interface box back in place using the marking from step 13 and fix it to the bottom plate with the two screws.

Modifying the White Casing (Steps 22–28)

22. Put the white casing upside down.
23. Remove the tube connector with the green sticker from the inside of the casing with a socket wrench.
24. Remove the tube connector with the red sticker.
25. Remove the old PTFE tape and apply new PTFE tape to the thread of the biggest connector (the smaller connector is not re-used). Do the same for the new blue connector.
26. Screw the blue connector into the hole with the red sticker and the grey connector into the hole with the green sticker.
27. Punch out the rubber of the hole next to the connector with the green sticker. If necessary, use scissors or a sharp knife to remove the rubber.
28. Put the white casing on the table surface. Take the plug that is connected to the temperature sensor of the new basin and lead it from underneath the casing to the hole made in the previous step. Firmly push the plug through the hole. The plug of the temperature sensor and the wire should come out on the other side of the casing.

Reassembling the Chamber (Steps 29–37)

29. Slide the white casing back onto the Observation Chamber frame. Make sure not to slide it all the way to the bottom of the frame.
30. Reconnect the molex connector at the front.
31. At the back of the chamber, reconnect the tubes as follows:
    • Connect the large tube (10 mm) to the left connector on the inside using the pliers. Before connecting the tube, lubricate the connector with some Vaseline. This connector is for the water overflow.
    • Connect the small tube (8 mm) to the connector next to the one connected in the previous step using the pliers. Before connecting the tube, lubricate the connector with some Vaseline. This connector is for the water outlet.
    • Connect the other small tube (8 mm) to the remaining connector on the right using the pliers. Before connecting the tube, lubricate the connector with some Vaseline. This connector is for the water inlet.
    Make sure to slide each tube far enough onto its connector.
32. Lower the casing onto the bottom of the frame.
33. Attach the white casing to the frame with the 4 screws from step 7.
34. Attach the bottom plate to the frame with the 9 torx screws from step 6.
35. Slide the green lid back onto the frame (see also step 4). Make sure the outer rail on both sides is sticking out of the white casing to be able to attach the green lid to the rails. If the rails have slid down, use a small screwdriver to push them up. It may be helpful to put the chamber on its side and then place and tighten the screws.
36. Attach the plastic cover to the back panel (see also step 5).
37. At the back of the chamber, screw the new outer connectors to the inputs/outputs as follows:
    • Connector 1 (red): water overflow.
    • Connector 2 (yellow): water output.
    • Connector 3 (green): water input.

You can now connect the DanioVision Temperature Control Unit to the Observation Chamber. See the Temperature Control Unit – DanioVision User Manual for instructions on how to do this.

Source: DanioVision Conversion Manual TCU, Noldus Information Technology