FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHEN WILL MY OPENPCR KIT ARRIVE?

OpenPCR kits ship within 1-2 business days after ordering.

DO YOU SHIP INTERNATIONALLY?

Yes, we ship all over the globe. Shipment cost is indicated at checkout.

CAN I PURCHASE WITH PO?

Yes, email us at sales@openpcr.org and we'll help you out.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BUILD A PCR?

It takes most people 3 hours to build the first time, and 2 hours on subsequent builds.

A LOW COST THERMOCYCLER IS GREAT, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE REAGENTS?
AREN'T THEY EXPENSIVE?

No, there are many providers of low-cost PCR reagents. We recommend Sahara Hot Start PCR Master Mix, but any master mix or Taq will work with the OpenPCR.

DOES IT RUN ON LINUX? CAN OPENPCR BE AUTOMATED BY SOFTWARE?

The official GUI software only runs on Windows / OS X, but there's a great community-created python controller OpenPyCR which runs on Linux. This is also the recommended solution for automated control of OpenPCR, as it can be run from the command line.

DOES IT PERFORM REAL-TIME PCR / QPCR?

No, for open source qPCR please see the Open qPCR machine project.

I HAVE NEVER BUILT ANYTHING AT ALL, CAN I BUILD AN OPENPCR?

Yes, anyone can build an OpenPCR! The Build Instructions will walk you through step by step.

TROUBLESHOOTING

OPENPCR POWERS UP BUT HEATS/COOLS VERY SLOWLY

This problem is commonly caused by failure to seat the 24 pin ATX power connector (from the power supply) fully into the OpenPCR board connector. It can be difficult to set it fully; you may need to support the board with your fingers while you make the connection. It really does matter that it is fully inserted, or else not all pins will connect.

OPENPCR DISPLAYS THE BLOCK TEMPERATURE AS -40 C

This indicates that the heat block thermistor is not connected to the circuit board. Double check this connection.

I CAN SEE TEXT ON THE LCD SCREEN, BUT IT IS BARELY LEGIBLE

You may experience this condition when you first build your OpenPCR. Don't worry, the only issue is that the screen contrast needs to be adjusted, which you can do from the software application.