Cell MicroControls, P.O. 11387 Norfolk, VA 23517 Ph: (800) 398-4CMC Fax: (800) 398-9CMC Email: info@cellmc.com

TC2bip-Description

The TC2bip Temperature Controller is a sophisticated 2 channel controller (for accurate control of pre-heated/cooled solution) with a bipolar output capable of driving resistive heaters and 12V Peltier devices (for cooling & heating). For example the HI-25 Heater (or HI-25T), BT-1 Bath and TH-2Km Thermistor probe in conjunction with the TC2bip Temperature Controller form a Temperature Control System (TC2PKGP)† (seee below) that provides reliable and accurate temperature control in small experimental chambers. The BT-1 bath is suitable for the study of acutely isolated or cultured cells or small tissue preparations (eg. DRG). The Main channel of the TC2bip compares the bath temperature (the Aux channel compares the HPRE2 pre-heater temperature) with a reference temperature set either by the TEMP1 or TEMP2 controls or by an external programming voltage. The bath temperature is maintained at the reference temperature during changes in flow rate, inflow solution temperature or ambient temperature. The Main channel uses both proportional and integral control, while the Aux channel uses proportional control. The integrator eliminates the steady state error when small proportional gains are used. The TC2bip was designed to be battery operated to eliminate electrical interference but can also be operated from DC power supplies.

In rapid heating systems the temperature generally overshoots before settling to the reference temperature. The TC2bip works to minimize this overshoot, thereby protecting the cells from damage due to transient high temperatures. With proper adjustment of the TC2bip control parameters the temperature across a 6x15mm area in the bath can be regulated within <+/-1oC for flow rates of zero to 2ml/min. Typically, heating rates of >0.5oC/sec can be expected with chamber volumes less than 0.25ml. The cooling rate (tcooling) depends on the experimental chamber design as well as the solution flow rate. For the BT-1 bath, tcooling ranges from 30 secs (2ml/min) to 112 secs (0.2ml/min). Further details of the performance of this type of system are described in Datyner, Gintant and Cohen (1985)*. The HI-25 heater is a transparent indium tin oxide (ITO) heater with a #2 cover slide thickness. This heater provides a 18x45mm transparent, uniformly heated area 0.25mm thick, suitable for both conventional and inverted microscopes. The HI-25T is thinner (#0 cover slide thickness; 0.12mm) for microscopy studies or use with fluorescence.

*Ref: Datyner, Gintant & Cohen (1985). "Versatile temperature controlled tissue bath for studies of isolated cells using an inverted microscope." Pflügers Archiv, 403, 318-323.

†You need to purchase a power supply for the TCS. We recommend different power supplies depending on the application. Typically a 12V (or 13.8V, max. 4.5Amp) regulated supply for whole cell, intracellular or microscopy studies. For single channel or smaller whole cell currents we suggest a 12V (>15AH) gel battery and charger. For use with Peltier elements an additional 12V (>15AH) battery is recommended to boost the supply to 24V. For high resistance heaters (eg. 50ohm) a 36V supply is recommended. Please call for more details. See document in customer support section for more details also.

Last updated 22Oct 97
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