Temperature Control
Systems

Cell MicroControls

P0 Box 11387, Norfolk, VA 23517
Tel: (800) 398-4262; (757) 622-0261
Fax: (757) 622-0262
WWW: http://www.cellmc.com; Email: info@cellmc.com
Equipment for cellular & electrophysiology research

HLS-xxTC2-CH3

BT-xx

HI-xx

TH-10Km 3 Temperature Control System versions:
TC2PKG - (incl.TC2BIP,BT-xx,TH-10Km,HI-xx,MSAxx) for no/low flow situations
TC2PKGP - (incl. TC2BIP,BT-xx,TH-10Km,HIxx,MSA-xx, HPRE2, FL-1 ) for flowing solutions.
TC2PKG3P - (incl. TC2BIP,BT-xx,TH-10Km,HIxx,MSA-xx, HPRE2, FL-1, HLS-xx, TC2-CH3 ) forflow with 3rd channel for objective heater orsuperfusion (MPRE8)
 Bipolar, 2 channel [3rd heat opt] controller for 		
heating/cooling low volume tissue baths
 Thin transparent (ITO) heaters
 DC/Battery powered to eliminate interference Flexible controller, many control options
 Accurate temperatures for wide range of flow rates
 For conventional and inverted microscopes
 Uniform temperatures (<±1°C) obtained over
>35x18mm area (HI-24p)
 Rapid temperature changes (eg. with BT-1-xx chamber& HI-24p Heater >0.5°C/sec)
 External input for programmed temperature changes

DESCRIPTIONThe Temperature Control Systems† (see below) consist of the sophisticated TC2BIP 2 channel controller together
with accessories to form a complete setup for patch clamping/microscopy or for experiments with brain slices or other small
pieces of tissue (eg. DRG). The system provides excellent
optics and reliable and accurate temperature control in small
experimental chambers. The BT-1-xx tissue chambers are suitable for the study of acutely isolated or cultured cells or small
tissue preparations. For temperature control the Main channelof the TC2BIP compares the bath temperature (the Aux channel
typically compares the HPRE2 pre-heater temperature) witha reference temperature set either by the TEMP1 or TEMP2controls or by an external programming voltage. The bathtemperature is maintained at the reference temperature duringchanges in flow rate, inflow solution temperature or ambient temperature. The Main channel uses both proportional and integralcontrol, while the Aux channel uses proportional control. The
11T_tcs/Apr11

HPRE2FL-1

MSA-xxintegrator eliminates the steady state error which exists whensmall 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 often 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 temperatureacross a 15x8mm area in the BT-1 or larger areas in biggerchambers can be regulated within <±1°C for flow rates of zero to>2ml/min (higher flow rates can be used with larger chambers).
Typically, heating rates of >0.5°C/sec can be expected withchamber volumes less than 0.25ml. The cooling rate (τcooling)depends on the experimental chamber design as well as thesolution flow rate. For the BT-1 bath, τcooling ranges from 30
secs (2ml/min) to 112 secs (0.2ml/min) (see Datyner, Gintant
and Cohen (1985)§ for performance of a similar system).
The HI-24p heater is a transparent indium tin oxide coated(ITO) heater with a #1 1/2 cover slide thickness. This heater
provides a 45x18mm transparent, uniformly heated area 0.18mm
thick, suitable for both conventional and inverted microscopes.
The HI-24Tp heater 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 recommenddifferent power supplies depending on the application. Typically a 12V(or 13.8V, max. 4.5Amp) regulated supply for whole cell, intracellular ormicroscopy 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 toboost the supply to 24V. For high resistance heaters (eg. 50Ω) a 36V
supply is recommended. Please call or see website for more details.
...over§Controls

Front controls

TEMP1,2: 2 setpoints allow switching between two preset temperatures orindependent setpoints.
POWER: Controls overall output power to limit rate of temp increase andput controller in standby mode.
Aux/Main: Display temperature of main probe or auxiliary probe. Output atrear can be used to monitor Aux temperature continuously with a DVM.
Cool/Heat or Heat: Cool/Heat is used for Peltier devices. Heat is used forresistance type heaters.
OUTPUTS: LEDs display output current and direction of current.
Aux On/Off: Shuts down Aux output.
Low Pwr: Indicates when power input is too low for proper function.

Rear controls

PROBE Main: Accepts TH-10Km, YSI-400 and YSI-500 series or compatible
probes. Two adjustments allow customization for miniature noninterchangeable probes (eg. TH-1).
OUT: Temperature output for DVM, computer or chart recorder.
Ext In: Allows input from other probes (eg. Sensortek).
  
Automatically switches to external input.
PROBE Aux: As for Main.
T Aux Offset: Offsets Aux reference ± 6oC.
LIMITS: Sets max output voltage for particular heater type. Min is maxoutput voltage for Peltier for cooling.
OUTPUTS: Output to Main heater (or Peltier) and Aux heater (pre-heateror Peltier). (3rd channel uses MiniDIN connector for heater/thermistor.)
Fuses: Protects controller power amplifier from overload. Internal fuse
and microcontroller based overload/short protection. Internal heatsink
overheating sensing and shutdown.
Ext T Ref: External temperature programming (eg. for computer settingof temperature).
PMain: Proportional gain for main output.
IMain: Integral gain for main output.
Integ On: Integrator on/off control.
PAux: Proportional gain for auxiliary output.
GMain: Overall gain of output amplifier for main output.
GAux: Overall gain of output amplifier for auxiliary output.
Aux=Main: Aux output=GAux/GMain x Main output (pre-heater as slave).

Specifications

Temp Ref Range: 0°C to 50°C (can be extended to >60°C)
Output (Main & Aux)
DC In:12V
max: -8V to +8V; 5-15Ω load; 2Amp max
DC In:24V
max: -12V to +8V; 5Ω load; 2Amp max		
max: -18V to +18V; 15Ω load; 2Amp max
DC In:36V
max: -28V to +28V; 50Ω load; 0.7Amp max
3rd channel : max: 8V 1.5Amp.
Suitable heaters: 3.5 - 50Ω resistance. eg. HI-24xp,, HI-5xDp, HC-1p
For 50Ω heaters need >24V supply.
Suitable Peltier: 12V, 2A device.
Supply Voltage: Resistive heater		
12V at 4.0Amp max. Typ. 1.5 Amp. for HI-24 & HPRE2		
36V at 1.4Amp max.		
12V Peltier element		
18V at 4.0Amp max.
Dimensions: 8.0 x 10.0 x 3.0 inches (LxWxH)

Application notes Power supply options

The TC2BIP has very flexible power options and heater resistance options. For resistive heaters 15-5Ω a 12V supply will provide from 4-13Wattsof power respectively. For 12V Peltier devices a 18-24V supply (eg. two 12V
gel batteries in series) is ideal although a 13.8V DC supply is often adequate.
If you are using resistive heaters with high resistances (eg. 50Ω) you can use
a higher power supply (up to 36V). The GMain and GAux controls allow expansion of the output voltage range at these higher supply voltages.

 Chambers

The BT-1 Bath performance is described in Datyner, Gintant & Cohen(1985). It provides for rapid solution changes (eg. 6 times/min at 1.5ml/min
flow rate), reliable temperature control and uniform temperatures (with theHI-24p/25p heaters). Baths with a central chamber (preferably rectangular)
with similar dimensions to the BT-1-xx will provide predictable rates ofheating/cooling and good temperature uniformity. The HI-24p/25p heaters

will also suit baths with larger working areas (up to 45mm x 18mm). If you
want advice on adapting baths that you currently use please call us.
Figures of better than ±0.2°C are often quoted in describing temperature
controller regulation. Since the exact conditions (flow rate, probe location,ambient temp. etc.) affect this figure and cells are often not located adjacentto the probe, actual temperatures in different locations in the experimental
chamber must be measured under actual conditions of use (see Datyner,Gintant and Cohen (1985)). Use of the HI-24p/25p heaters and HPRE2
Pre-heater optimizes the temperature uniformity.
Our BT-I55D or HWPT-96OL/NK transparent microscope heater stages
are intended for heating 30mm culture dishes or any other transparent dishes.

 Temperature probes

The TC2BIP accepts TH-10Km (standard), TH-2Km, YSI-400 andYSI-500 probes. The Ext In for each PROBE accepts sensor outputs with
10mV/oC (eg. Sensortek thermocouple transducers).

 Special optics (eg. fluorescence)

The HI-24Tp can be used for fluorescence microscopy or where there
is limited working distance (transmission data is available on a separate ITO
heater flyer).

 Pre-heating

The HPRE2 is a miniature pre-heater with athermistor for sensing the pre-heater temperature.
The pre-heater supports a wide range of flow rates.
The cable plugs into the Probe Aux and Aux Output.

 Superfusing

The MPRE8 is a miniature 8 channel pre-heater with a tiny dead volume(1-2µl) and internal thermstor that can be used for superfusing cells, small
pieces of tissue for perfusing small chambers at low flow rates (<1ml/min).
It plugs into the Main, Aux or
TC2-Ch3 channel of the TC2BIP.

 Subambient temperatures

The TC2BIP can drive 12V Peltier devices. When switched to Cool/Heat the outputs can swing both positive (for heating) and negative (forcooling). Our CH Cooling/Heating module can be directly driven by theTC2BIP Another option is to use the CH to pre-cool and then reheat andcontrol the inflow temperature with the HPRE2. This allows rapid increases
and decreases in temperature.

 Other applications

The TC2BIP is versatile enough to be adapted to many different temperature control tasks. For example with a special heater it has been used
to control the temperature of fluid entering kidney tubules. Other labs haveused it with larger tissue chambers for a variety of tissues including wholelenses. Please call if you want advice on any special application.

 Opt. 3rd channel superfusion/objective heating

An optional 3rd heat only channel (TC2-Ch3) is available for theTC2BIP. It can be used for microscope objective heating (with HLS-1p) for
immersion lenses or for superfusing solutions via our MPRE8. The upgrade
can be installed later (or pre-installed eg. TC2PKG3P).

Accessories (partial list)

Probes: TH-10Km, TH-2Km
ITO Heaters: HI-24p, HI-24Tp, HI-22Dp, HI-25Dp, HI-55Dp, HI57Dp, HI-711Dp
Foil heaters: HLS-1p, HLS-8x.8p
Extra channel: TC2-Ch3Pre-heaters: HPRE2, HPRE2HF, MPRE8
Positioning: FL-1