Shelia, we have had the same problem with the solenoid on our VIP 3000 floor
model, but we do not use Prefer.  We use NBF and the rep told us our problem
was because we should have 70% after our formalin and not 80%.  Maybe it is
the model that is touchy.

Karla Carson HT/HTL (ASCP)
Regional Pathology Supervisor
Mercy Health Care Sacramento
916-453-4494
e-mail kcarson@chw.edu <mailto:kcarson@chw.edu> 

		-----Original Message-----
		From:	Sheila Poellein
[mailto:sheila_poellein@deaconess.com]
		Sent:	Tuesday, August 08, 2000 7:09 AM
		To:	'histonet'
		Subject:	Prefer fixative and VIP processor

		We have been using prefer fixative on our VIP processor for
three years.
		We have also done a "mom" of the first three containers with
warm water each
		week.  The past few months we have had problems with the
solenoid sticking.
		Granted our VIP has some age on it but I can't help but
wonder if the sticky
		consistency of the Prefer has some impact on our problem.
Anyone else had
		experience with this and if so do you do some other type of
weekly
		maintenance to prevent the solenoids from sticking.   thanks
in advance,
		Sheila