Appendix
I. Using the Controller With an Oil Bath
Application Note #1
Using your 200-Series controller with an oil bath is usually not recommended. J-KEM manufactures a 400-Series
controller designed for use with oil bath and is recommended for this application. The 200-Series controller can
be used safely with oil baths if the instructions in this application note are followed. An alternative to oil baths is
outlined in Point 2 below.
1.
The following procedure allows your controller to regulate the temperature of an oil bath.
A.
Set the output power level on the controller to the >2 L setting (REQUIRED).
B.
Place the thermocouple in the oil bath (not too close to the heating coil).
C.
Plug a variac into the heating receptacle of the controller and connect the oil bath to the variac.
D.
Adjust the variac to deliver a voltage slightly above the voltage you normally would use to heat
the oil bath.
E.
Enter the desired temperature into the controller. The controller will now regulate the
temperature of the oil bath.
In some unusual cases, the controller may need to be autotuned for the oil bath (see User’s Manual) but
this is discouraged unless you’ll be using the oil bath frequently.
2.
If the reason for using an oil bath is that a small volume is being heated, you have a second option. J-
KEM sells heating mantles for small volumes (5, 10, 25, 50 ml), which can be plugged directly into the
temperature controller. Your controller regulates volumes as small as 1 ml in a 5 ml flask using a 5 ml
heating mantle. If you need to heat even smaller volumes, your User’s Manual describes a technique for
heating microliters (“Controlling the Heating Mantle Temperature Directly”; in Section 4). The
advantage of this option is that it eliminates the mess and safety hazards associated with oil baths.
Accessories for regulating the temperature of small volumes are available from J-KEM including small
volume heating mantles and micro thermocouples.
Call if you have any concerns or would like to discuss your application with a technical representative.
Accessories for Heating Small Volumes Available From J-KEM
Heating Mantles
All sizes from 5 ml to 50 L.
Teflon Coated Microscale Thermocouples
See Catalog.
Thermocouples hermetically sealed in various
size hypodermic needles
See Catalog
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