Operation
Setting up the SC6 Colony Counter
To select either the dark or white background,
slide the panel, which can be found underneath
the unit to the left or right until the background
clicks home in to place. To use a petri dish of less
than 90mm in diameter, select the appropriate
adapter, which can also be found on the
underside of the unit and place on the receiver
plate.
The SC6 is provided with a pack of clear discs,
designed to protect the receiver plate from dust
and scratches. Place a disc in the receiver plate.
If this becomes damaged, remove and replace
with another. If the Wolffhuegel graticule or
segmentation disc is required, place on top of the
clear protective disc on the receiver plate.
Position the apparatus on a firm level surface.
The sensitivity control knob, located at the back
of the unit, can adjust the pressure required to
register a count. Turning it clockwise will increase
the sensitivity, turning it anti-clockwise will
decrease the sensitivity.
If small colonies are to be counted, a magnifier is
available as an accessory. To assemble, screw the
flexible support arm in to the designated area
located on top of the unit. Adjust the flexible
support arm until the required magnification and
field of view is achieved.
Turn the unit ON at the ON/OFF switch located at
the back of the unit.
Counting
Position the Petri dish on the receiver plate using
the centering adapter if required. Ensure the
display is set to zero before counting by pressing
and holding the <correct/reset> key. Mark each
colony with a felt tip pen. Every time a colony is
marked, the apparatus will register the count
with a bleep and counter advance. If unwanted
counts are made, they can be removed from the
display by pressing the <correct/reset> key once
2
for each count. When the count is complete
either set the display to zero using the <correct/
reset> key or switch the unit OFF at the mains.
Figure 4: SC6 Control Panel
Averaging
To use the averaging facility, place the first Petri
dish on the receiver plate. At the end of the
count, press the <save> key to store the count in
the memory. This will be indicated by three
dashes on the display:
Figure 5: Saving counts on the SC6
Replace the Petri dish with the next and press
<save> to resume the count. Repeat until all
dishes have been counted. At the end of the
run, press the <average> key to display the
average count. The average count will be
calculated from all previously saved counts. The
average count may be viewed at any time during
the batch counting of Petri dishes by pressing the
<average> key when the three dashes are visible
on the display. When the average facility is