Troubleshooting

The table below helps troubleshoot problems with the GEM-500 and GEM-2000 instruments.

Problem Cause Corrective Action
Unit does not turn on or operates erratically. Battery charge is too low Recharge batteries
Unit is too hot Cool down and try again
  Contact the factory.
"Flow Fail" is displayed and audible alarm is heard. The inlet is blocked Remove blockage and retry
The particulate filter or water trap filter is clogged Replace filter(s)
Readings taken are not what was expected. Unit may be out of calibration Calibrate unit with known gas concentration
Unit displays **** or >>>> in some fields. These symbols are substituted when the measured reading is out of range of the instruments capabilities or when a value needs to be entered manually, such as temperature. Normal operation, no action is necessary.
Oxygen reading is high on all wells. Water trap may be leaking air Check that the water trap housing is screwed on tightly
Check or replace o-rings on the water trap and instrument inlet.
Well head may be leaking air Check the Well head insert for cracks, replace O-ring on insert.
Instrument may be out of calibration Field calibrate oxygen channel
Unit will not download readings or an error occurs while downloading. Software version may be incorrect Verify that the communications software is the right version for the instrument being used.
Software may be using wrong serial port Check that the proper serial port is selected in the software
  Contact Factory.
Methane and Carbon dioxide readings drift. Instrument may have gone out of calibration Perform a field calibration and check well again
Calibration gases may be not be flowing properly Verify Cal Gas is flowing when regulator is turned on
Connection to Cal Gas may be leaking Verify all connections are tight and filters are not clogged
Contact the Factory.
Oxygen readings drift Instrument may be out of calibration Perform a field calibration - zero and span
Contact Factory.
Black screen displayed when unit turned on. Battery may be uncharged Charge unit over night and try again.
Unit too hot Cool down and try again
Contrast level may be set incorrectly Adjust contrast level
Contact Factory.
Nothing happens when the Gas Pod is installed. Gas pod may not be seated correctly Remove and re-seat the Gas Pod
  Contact Factory.
Temperature does not update when temperature probe is installed. Probe may not be connected properly. Check the probe fitting is fully seated.
Check the probe plug is screwed together tightly.
  Contact Factory.