Re: Model 17

[Debby Steva <dps3c@virginia.edu>]

Paul-

No insults, anger intended, I thought I was just being factual and
sharing MY
experience which may very well be different from someone elses.  We have
a large
inventory of other air vented ion chamber which do not have long warm up
time
or as severe a moisture problem as the Model 17.  Just passing along my
experience,
as were you, which should give readers a nice balanced opinion.  I did
not mean to
put down Ludlum or Atlantic Nuclear, again was just being short and
factual with
regards to one particlular instrument.  We have many Ludlum instruments
and love
most of them.  Atlantic Nuclear has been a good company to deal with
except on this one issue (for which to their credit I have received an
apology for not following up on this customer service issue).
Again, no anger or insults intended, just statement of my experience.

D. Steva


Paul R. Steinmeyer wrote:

> I'm sorry I've taken so long to respond to this message; I guess I've
> been
> waiting for others to reply.  Anyway, here are my thoughts and
> opinions
> regarding this matter:
>
> 1.  Yes, the Model 17 ion chamber has a 5-minute warm up time.  This
> fact
> is featured prominently in my Ludlum catalog, so it shouldn't be a
> surprise
> which requires a "warning."
>
> 2.  Like any air-vented ion chamber, humidity is in fact a problem.
> I,
> too, have experienced problems using air-vented ion chambers
> (including,
> but not limited to Ludlum's) in high-humidity environments, such as
> Georgia
> in the summer.  I used it as a learning experience about selecting the
>
> proper instrument for the task at hand.  All radiation detection
> instruments have strong points and weak points, which is why there are
> many
> types to choose from.  I have found Ludlum to be a fine company to
> work
> with, and the staff goes to extraordinary lengths to support their
> products
> when needed.  I concede that the fact of humidity problems in ion
> chambers
> is not publicized (by any instrument manufacturer I'm aware of), but
> the
> buyer must bear some responsibility for considering environmental
> conditions when purchasing any equipment.
>
> 3.  I have also used Atlantic Nuclear as a supplier for many years,
> and
> have never received anything but the best of service from them.  They
> have
> never, ever, ever balked at the return of a product that did not meet
> our
> needs.  I suspect Ms. Steva may have sent the message during an angry
> moment without fully considering what she was doing.
>
> Okay; I'll step off my soapbox now.
>
> Paul R. Steinmeyer
> Health Physicist
> Radiation Safety Associates, Inc.
> prstein@radpro.com
> http:\\www.radpro.com
>
> These opinions are mine and not my company's.
>
> Debby Steva wrote:
>
> > ONe word of warning about Ludlum Model 17.
> > We have had poor luck with this instrument.  It has a 5 min.
> > warm up time which seems like eternity compared to other meters and
> > have constant problems with humidity.  The dessicants inside just
> > don't do the job around here in the summer in un air conditioned
> areas.
> > We have shelved ours and unfortunately not had much success
> > at returning them to Atlantic Nuclear (our area vendor).
> >
> > --
> > Debby Steva
> > 804-982-4911
> > dps3c@Virginia.edu
>
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--
Debby Steva
804-982-4911
dps3c@Virginia.edu


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