O2k-Peltier Temperature Control

MitoPedia O2k and high-resolution respirometry: Oroboros Open Support

Description

Oroboros Peltier Temperature Control: Built-in electronic thermostat controlling temperature for two Oroboros chambers in the range of 4 to 47 °C; ±0.002 °C (at room temperature). Continuous recording of the Oroboros Copper Block temperature with DatLab. Temperature change from 20 to 30 °C within 15 min; cooling from 30 to 20 °C within 20 min. Integral component of the Oroboros Main Unit. The electronic temperature control of the Oroboros replaced the conventional water jacket.

Reference: Oroboros

Lower limit of experimental temperature

From O2k-Series E there is a more efficient temperature management system in comparison compared to previous series. At an ambient temperature of 21.1 °C, a stable Peltier power of about 83% reached 0 °C from 37 °C in about 1 h.

For an ambient temperature of 25 °C, the Oroboros chamber can reach lower temperatures down to 4 °C. The use of temperatures lower than 4 °C is not within our Oroboros specifications, as such the quality control parameters under these conditions are not guaranteed. We recommend taking special precautions with a set temperature of 0.5 °C as it could potentially damage the Oroboros chambers or any other component.
For experiments at 0 °C, the Oroboros can be exposed to ambient temperatures slightly above 0 °C (all the electronic components are evaluated under minimum temperatures of 0 °C, which should be avoided due to condensation concerns). For low room temperatures close to 0 °C a humidity control system should be used.

With O2k-Series D a stable chamber temperature of 0 °C was obtained at a room temperature of ~14 °C. The cooling power of the Peltier element reached 95% of its maximum capacity.

To use temperatures lower than our Oroboros specifications , see test experiments on Oroboros specifications. Please note that to reach a lower ambient temperature needed for experiments at 2 °C, a cold room is not necessarily required; an air-conditioned room should suffice.

Troubleshooting

Block temperature does not increase while heating with full power

Customer ID: Stier A, FI_Turku_Nikinmaa M

Question:

Our Oroboros (likely bought in 2004) seems to have a problem of temperature control (error message + T°C staying at RT despite a set T°C of 40°C). Following the instructions of DatLab_error_messages; I switched it off and on (likely > 10 times), tried with an older version of the software and different temperature (20 to 40°C), but nothing seems to fix the issue. Representative data is attached (2020-04-22).

Answer: See DatLab error: Average block temperature over past 10 min has not reached set temperature and DatLab error: Block temperature does not increase while heating with full power. If the problem persists, the Oroboros Peltier Temperature Control has an electronic defect and the Oroboros Main Unit has to be sent to the electronics workshop of Oroboros Instruments for service.

MitoPedia O2k and high-resolution respirometry: Oroboros hardware