Thermo Scientific HERAcell 150i CO2 Incubator

Brand : Thermo

Product Code : SKU 3180W INC

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Thermo Heracell 150i CO₂ Incubator

Not every laboratory requires the largest incubator available. For many research groups, quality control laboratories, and biotechnology startups, the ideal CO₂ incubator is one that delivers exceptional environmental stability while fitting comfortably into existing laboratory workflows. The Thermo Heracell 150i CO₂ Incubator was designed with that balance in mind, combining a compact footprint with advanced contamination control, precise environmental regulation, and dependable day-to-day performance.

With a 150-liter (5.3 cu. ft.) stainless steel chamber, the Heracell 150i provides an excellent solution for laboratories performing routine mammalian cell culture, stem cell research, pharmaceutical development, tissue engineering, and clinical research. Direct heat technology, rapid humidity recovery, continuous environmental monitoring, and Thermo Scientific's proven decontamination system help create consistent incubation conditions that protect valuable cell cultures throughout every stage of the research process. Purchasing a refurbished Thermo Heracell 150i from American Instrument Exchange allows laboratories to acquire premium incubation technology at a significant savings compared with purchasing new equipment.

Key Features

150 L (5.3 cu. ft.) chamber capacity
Electropolished stainless steel chamber
Direct heat incubation technology
Temperature range from ambient +3°C to 55°C
CO₂ control range from 0% to 20%
Thermal conductivity (TC) CO₂ sensor
Rapid humidity recovery with integrated water reservoir
ContraCon™ moist heat decontamination cycle
Mirror-finish stainless steel interior with rounded corners
iCAN™ touchscreen controller
RS-232 data output
Heated inner glass door
Adjustable stainless steel shelving
Stackable configuration available
90-day warranty from American Instrument Exchange

Designed for Everyday Cell Culture

The Heracell 150i is well suited for laboratories that require dependable incubation performance without dedicating valuable floor space to oversized equipment. Its 150-liter chamber offers enough capacity for a wide variety of routine cell culture applications while remaining compact enough for individual laboratories, cleanrooms, and shared research facilities.

Whether incubating suspension cultures, adherent cell lines, hybridomas, primary cells, or tissue engineering samples, the Heracell 150i provides the stable environmental conditions necessary for reproducible experimental results. The direct heat chamber design delivers excellent temperature uniformity while allowing the incubator to recover quickly after routine door openings.

Its straightforward operation, durable construction, and long history of reliable performance have made the Heracell 150i a trusted incubator in research laboratories throughout the life sciences.

Many laboratories pair the Heracell 150i with biosafety cabinets for sterile sample preparation, laboratory centrifuges for harvesting cultured cells, laboratory refrigerators for storing media and reagents, and ultra-low temperature freezers for long-term preservation of cell lines and biological specimens.

Common Applications

The Thermo Heracell 150i is commonly used for:

Mammalian cell culture
Primary cell culture
Stem cell research
Tissue engineering
Regenerative medicine
Hybridoma production
Vaccine research
Pharmaceutical research
Drug discovery
Cancer biology
Clinical laboratory research
Academic life science research
Quality control testing
General microbiology applications requiring controlled CO₂ environments

Its combination of stable environmental control and compact chamber size makes it an excellent incubator for both routine laboratory use and specialized research applications.

Ideal Laboratory Environments

The Heracell 150i is frequently found in biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical laboratories, university research departments, hospital research facilities, government laboratories, contract research organizations, and startup biotechnology companies. It is particularly well suited for laboratories operating multiple incubators, where individual units may be dedicated to separate projects, investigators, or cell lines to improve organization and reduce cross-contamination risks.

The compact footprint also makes the Heracell 150i an excellent option for laboratories expanding their cell culture capabilities without undertaking major laboratory renovations or sacrificing valuable bench space.

Temperature Recovery and Environmental Stability

Successful cell culture depends on maintaining consistent environmental conditions throughout the incubation period. Even brief fluctuations in temperature, humidity, or carbon dioxide concentration can influence cell metabolism, media pH, and experimental reproducibility.

The Heracell 150i uses direct heat technology to provide rapid and uniform heating throughout the incubation chamber. Rather than relying on a bulky water jacket, direct heating transfers energy efficiently into the chamber, reducing warm-up times while maintaining excellent temperature stability across the usable workspace. The incubator operates from ambient +3°C to 55°C, allowing it to support both routine mammalian cell culture at 37°C and specialized applications requiring elevated incubation temperatures.

Carbon dioxide concentration is regulated over a 0–20% range using a thermal conductivity (TC) sensor. The system provides stable gas control for routine laboratory applications while helping maintain proper media pH during extended incubation periods.

Humidity is supplied through an integrated pan-less water reservoir that rapidly restores chamber humidity after the door is opened. Compared with conventional removable water pans, this design simplifies maintenance while supporting faster humidity recovery and reducing unnecessary handling.

Together, these systems help provide a stable incubation environment that supports healthy cell growth while improving consistency between experiments.

Contamination Control

Contamination remains one of the most significant challenges in any cell culture laboratory. The Heracell 150i addresses this challenge through a chamber design focused on simplifying cleaning while minimizing opportunities for microbial growth.

The electropolished Type 304 stainless steel chamber features smooth surfaces and rounded interior corners that eliminate many of the crevices where contaminants can accumulate. This not only simplifies routine cleaning but also improves long-term corrosion resistance in humid incubation environments.

For periodic chamber decontamination, the Heracell 150i utilizes Thermo Scientific's ContraCon™ moist heat decontamination cycle. Unlike high-temperature dry sterilization systems, ContraCon uses a controlled moist heat process to reduce contamination throughout the chamber while minimizing stress on incubator components and shortening downtime between cleaning cycles.

The integrated humidity reservoir further supports contamination control by reducing the handling associated with traditional removable water pans. Combined with stable environmental control and durable chamber construction, these features help laboratories maintain cleaner incubation conditions while reducing routine maintenance requirements.

Sample Storage Recommendations

The Thermo Heracell 150i is designed to support a wide range of routine cell culture workflows while making efficient use of valuable laboratory space. Its 150-liter (5.3 cu. ft.) chamber accommodates T-flasks, cell culture dishes, multiwell plates, suspension flasks, roller bottles, spinner flasks, tissue culture bags, and other commonly used culture vessels.

The incubator includes adjustable perforated stainless steel shelves that can be repositioned to accommodate vessels of varying heights. Whether incubating large tissue culture flasks or high-density multiwell plates, the shelving system allows laboratories to configure the chamber for changing experimental needs while maintaining proper airflow throughout the interior.

For the most consistent environmental conditions, culture vessels should be distributed evenly across the available shelves rather than clustered in one section of the chamber. Maintaining adequate spacing between vessels allows heated air and CO₂ to circulate freely, helping preserve temperature uniformity and improving recovery following routine door openings.

Many laboratories dedicate individual shelves to specific projects, investigators, or cell lines, making workflows easier to manage while reducing unnecessary chamber access. This organizational approach also minimizes disturbances to cultures that are not actively being handled, supporting greater experimental consistency over extended incubation periods.

Energy Efficiency and Operating Costs

The Heracell 150i combines compact chamber capacity with an energy-efficient direct heat design that minimizes operating costs during continuous laboratory use. Because heat is transferred directly to the chamber walls rather than through a water jacket, the incubator reaches operating temperature more quickly while reducing energy consumption and simplifying routine maintenance.

The integrated humidity reservoir requires less routine handling than traditional removable water pans, reducing maintenance time while helping maintain consistently high humidity. Likewise, the thermal conductivity CO₂ sensor delivers dependable gas regulation for routine cell culture applications while supporting efficient CO₂ utilization.

For laboratories operating multiple incubators, the Heracell 150i offers an attractive balance between operating cost, chamber capacity, and laboratory footprint. Its compact design allows multiple incubators to be installed within a single laboratory, providing flexibility for separating projects or dedicating individual chambers to specific cell lines without consuming excessive floor space.

Key Specifications

Specification	Details
Manufacturer	Thermo Scientific
Model	Heracell 150i
Catalog Number	51026282
American Instrument Exchange SKU	3180W INC
Incubator Type	Direct Heat CO₂ Incubator
Chamber Capacity	150 L (5.3 cu. ft.)
Chamber Material	Electropolished Type 304 Stainless Steel
Temperature Range	Ambient +3°C to 55°C
Temperature Stability	±0.1°C
Temperature Uniformity	±0.3°C at 37°C
CO₂ Control Range	0% to 20%
CO₂ Sensor	Thermal Conductivity (TC)
Relative Humidity	Up to 95% RH at 37°C
Humidity System	Integrated Heated Water Reservoir
Decontamination Method	ContraCon™ Moist Heat Cycle
Interior Dimensions	Approximately 20.9" W × 21.7" D × 24.8" H
Exterior Dimensions	Approximately 27.6" W × 31.5" D × 38.2" H
Standard Shelves	3
Maximum Shelves	Up to 10
Shelf Material	Perforated Stainless Steel
Shelf Dimensions	Approximately 19.8" W × 20.1" D
Maximum Shelf Load	26 lb (12 kg)
Maximum Chamber Load	79 lb (36 kg)
Interior Door	Heated Glass
Exterior Door	Reversible
Controller	iCAN™ Touchscreen Interface
Data Output	RS-232
Alarm System	Audible and Visual Alarms
Access Port	42 mm (1.65 in.)
Electrical Requirements	120 V, 50/60 Hz
Maximum Power Consumption	Approximately 650 W
Net Weight	Approximately 172 lb (78 kg)

Specifications are believed to be accurate but may vary depending on factory-installed options. Please verify all specifications prior to purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of laboratories commonly use the Thermo Heracell 150i?

The Heracell 150i is widely used in biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical laboratories, academic research institutions, hospitals, contract research organizations, and clinical laboratories. Its combination of compact size and dependable environmental control makes it suitable for both individual research groups and shared laboratory facilities.

Is the Heracell 150i suitable for routine mammalian cell culture?

Yes. The incubator is specifically designed to maintain the stable temperature, humidity, and CO₂ concentrations required for mammalian cell culture, while also supporting stem cells, hybridomas, tissue engineering, cancer research, and many other life science applications.

How does the ContraCon™ decontamination cycle work?

The ContraCon™ system uses a controlled moist heat decontamination cycle to reduce microbial contamination throughout the incubation chamber. This process simplifies routine maintenance while avoiding the need for chemical disinfectants and minimizing downtime between cleaning cycles.

Why does this incubator use a thermal conductivity CO₂ sensor?

Thermal conductivity sensors provide reliable CO₂ regulation for routine laboratory applications and have been successfully used in cell culture incubators for many years. They offer dependable performance for laboratories operating under stable environmental conditions while helping maintain appropriate media pH.

Can the Heracell 150i accommodate different culture vessel sizes?

Yes. The adjustable shelving system allows the chamber to be configured for T-flasks, roller bottles, suspension flasks, culture dishes, multiwell plates, and a variety of other laboratory vessels. Shelves can be repositioned to maximize usable chamber space while maintaining proper airflow.

Is the Heracell 150i appropriate for laboratories with limited space?

Absolutely. The 150-liter chamber provides substantial incubation capacity while maintaining a relatively compact footprint. Many laboratories install multiple Heracell 150i incubators to separate projects, investigators, or cell lines without requiring significant additional laboratory space.

How does direct heat technology benefit laboratory operation?

Direct heat systems warm the incubation chamber efficiently without the complexity of a water jacket. This allows faster warm-up and recovery, reduces overall energy consumption, and simplifies routine maintenance while maintaining excellent temperature stability.

Why purchase a refurbished Thermo Heracell 150i from American Instrument Exchange?

A refurbished Thermo Heracell 150i offers laboratories a dependable, research-grade CO₂ incubator at a significant savings compared with purchasing new equipment. Every incubator is inspected and tested by American Instrument Exchange prior to shipment and includes a 90-day warranty, providing confidence that it is ready to support demanding laboratory applications.

Testing Procedures for Used and Refurbished CO₂ Laboratory Incubators
Ensure Atmosphere Control, Temperature Accuracy, and Regulatory Compliance

At American Instrument Exchange, all used and refurbished CO₂ incubators undergo a multi-step testing and calibration process. These procedures are designed to ensure precise environmental control, microbial safety, and long-term reliability—critical for cell culture, IVF, tissue engineering, and pharmaceutical R&D applications.

Why Testing Used CO₂ Incubators Is Essential

Before a CO₂ incubator is redeployed into a laboratory, it must be thoroughly tested for:
• CO₂ sensor accuracy and gas concentration control
• Temperature uniformity and stability
• Humidity system function
• HEPA filtration and contamination control
• Electrical and safety compliance

Proper testing ensures viable growth environments for sensitive cultures and prevents costly contamination or culture loss in high-stakes lab environments.

Our standardized refurbishment protocol ensures used CO₂ incubators deliver laboratory grade performance at a fraction of the cost of comparable new units.

Key Testing Procedures for Refurbished and Used CO₂ Incubators

1. Initial Visual Inspection
• Inspect the exterior for corrosion, dents, or door alignment issues
• Check door gasket integrity and hinge function
• Verify presence and condition of internal shelves, water pans, and humidity trays
• Examine power cords, gas connectors, and display interfaces for signs of wear

2. Functional Startup Test
• Power on the unit and check for successful system boot
• Verify touchscreen or keypad response, and test all user-programmable settings
• Check door alarms and temperature/CO₂ alerts

3. Temperature Control and Uniformity Testing
• Use temperature probes to verify internal temperature accuracy
• Monitor temperature uniformity across multiple chamber zones
• Ensure fast recovery times after door openings

4. CO₂ Sensor Testing and Gas Delivery System Test
• Test accuracy of infrared (IR) or thermal conductivity (TC) CO₂ sensors using certified reference gas and probes/Fyrite analyzers
• Test inlet pressure regulators and gas flow control systems
• Confirm stable CO₂ levels at multiple setpoints (e.g., 5%, 10%)
• Check for proper mixing and diffusion throughout the chamber

5. Humidity and Contamination Control Testing
• Test humidity generation (via water pan or active system) and verify chamber RH levels
• Inspect HEPA filters (if equipped) and airflow systems for particulate control
• Sanitize interior and confirm antimicrobial coatings or copper components are intact

6. Electrical Safety and Compliance Check
• Ensure proper grounding and insulation of all electrical components
• Perform leak and continuity testing
• Verify the unit meets electrical safety standards for laboratory environments

7. Final Quality Assurance and Performance Validation
• Run a 24-hour performance cycle with monitored CO₂, temperature, and RH
• Document data and final readings
• Complete service report

All refurbished CO₂ incubators sold by American Instrument Exchange are tested to meet the performance demands of today's advanced laboratory workflows—ensuring safety, precision, and peace of mind with every unit.

Repair and Refurbishment Protocol for Used Laboratory Incubators
Performance and Quality from American Instrument Exchange

At American Instrument Exchange, every used laboratory incubator we sell goes through a repair and refurbishment protocol. Whether it’s a standard, CO₂, or refrigerated incubator, our goal is to restore each unit to laboratory-level performance—ensuring temperature accuracy, environmental stability, and long-term reliability in your lab.

Why Choose a Refurbished Laboratory Incubator from American Instrument Exchange?

• Fully tested for performance and safety
• Backed by a warranty
• Cost-effective alternative to new equipment
• Environmentally sustainable through reuse and restoration
• Refurbished by expert technicians with decades of lab equipment experience

Step-by-Step Refurbishment Protocol

Every incubator at American Instrument Exchange follows this comprehensive, multi-stage process:

1. Initial Intake & Inspection
• Visual inspection for cosmetic wear, corrosion, dents, or broken components
• Mechanical assessment of door hinges, gaskets, seals, and chamber components
• Document any missing parts or issues requiring repair or replacement

2. Cleaning and Decontamination
• Thorough internal and external cleaning using non-abrasive solutions
• Decontamination/cleaning of surfaces to remove biological, chemical, or particulate residue
• Cleaning of removable parts (e.g., shelves, trays, etc.)

3. Mechanical and Electrical Repair
• Repair or replacement of worn mechanical components such as door latches, fans, hinges, and seals
• Evaluation and repair of control panels, switches, thermostats, and displays
• Inspection and testing of wiring, fuses, relays, and power supplies

4. Environmental Control System Assessment
• For CO₂ incubators: CO₂ sensors, regulators, and gas delivery systems are tested
• For refrigerated incubators: compressors, condensers, and cooling systems are evaluated for performance and leaks
• Fan motors and airflow systems are tested to ensure uniform environmental conditions

5. Temperature and Sensor Testing
• All temperature sensors and controllers are tested using thermometers/probes
• Uniformity and accuracy tested at multiple chamber locations
• For humidified or CO₂ incubators, humidity and CO₂ stability are verified

6. Safety System Testing
• Test of over-temperature protection systems and alarms
• Evaluation of door sensors, safety interlocks, and power failure recovery

7. Final Quality Control and Documentation
• Full performance test run over 24 hours
• Validation of setpoints for temperature, CO₂ (if applicable), and humidity (if applicable)
• Final inspection and cleaning before packaging
• Complete service report

Trust the Experts at American Instrument Exchange

With over 50 years in the lab equipment industry, American Instrument Exchange is a trusted source for high-quality refurbished laboratory incubators. Our proven refurbishment protocol ensures every unit is reliable, accurate, and ready to meet the demands of your lab from day one.

Warranty Information

All used equipment sold by American Instrument Exchange is refurbished/reconditioned, tested to meet specifications, cleaned, and comes with a 90-day warranty from the date of shipment unless otherwise specified. New products include a warranty from the manufacturer. Your warranty is only valid if you have paid your invoice. If your invoice is over 30 days old, warranty work will not be performed until your invoice is paid in full. American Instrument Exchange is not liable for any special or consequential damages that result from the use of, or the inability to use, the materials on this site or the performance of the products,

Exceptions include international sales and items that are agreed to be sold with a lesser warranty or items that are agreed to be sold “as is.”

Should there be visible shipping damage to packaging or concealed shipping damage to item(s) supplied, buyer must communicate such damage to the delivering entity or carrier upon receipt first and to American Instrument the same day item is accepted / signed for. Failure to do so voids warranty. Customer decision to involve / procure third party or OEM service other than American Instrument or AIE assigned vendors to resolve in-warranty instrument failure or defect without first placing a service call to American Instrument voids warranty.

Return & Cancellation Policy

American Instrument Exchange will authorize the return of and issue a full refund for any equipment that is not working as represented and could not be replaced or repaired to the customer’s satisfaction by AIE or a representative of AIE during the warranty period. Returns without prior authorization and an RMA number will not be accepted.

Customers are responsible for proper packaging of the equipment and all included accessories. American Instrument will pay for insurance and shipping costs. Non-inventory items bought specifically to fill customer orders may possibly be returned, but on a case by case basis.

Customers who cancel orders after refurbishing has begun or after delivery where there are no equipment performance issues may be subject to a Restocking/Cancellation Fee of 20% or more and responsible for shipping costs for both the delivery and return.

Ongoing and Extended Support Options

American Instrument Exchange is able to provide additional repair and support services outside the warranty terms for most products that sell.

For biosafety cabinets, clean benches, chemical fume hoods, and other clean air products our team at AIE Laboratory Services can provide certifications, repairs, decontaminations, and other services for customers throughout New England, and guidance and limited technical assistance for any customers in the US and Canada for new or refurbished biosafety cabinets purchased from American Instrument Exchange.

For all other products, the repair service team at American Instrument Exchange can provide both field and depot repair evaluations. We can easily schedule and coordinate the pick-up and transportation of your malfunctioning equipment. By offering hourly rates lower than most OEM service providers and eliminating travel time for technicians, we help reduce repair costs. Furthermore, our lab depot repair service minimizes or eliminates scheduling delays. Our experienced service technicians are qualified to restore your equipment to factory specifications.

Please contact our team at info@americaninstrument.com for more details.

FAQ

Does the equipment come with a warranty?

Yes, all equipment from American Instrument Exchange comes with a warranty.
Used/reconditioned/refurbished equipment is tested to make sure it operates to the manufacturer's specifications and comes with a 90-day warranty (unless otherwise noted). New equipment comes with a warranty from the manufacturer.

How do you test and recondition the equipment?

Testing requirements vary across all the equipment categories we sell. Temperature controlled units are tested with NIST traceable probes and data loggers. Gaskets, external housing, glass, handles, controls and control screens are all thoroughly inspected for integrity and functionality.
We test all equipment using the manufacturer's parameters and specifications to confirm that the unit operates properly.

How do products ship from American Instrument Exchange?

We can ship products both nationally and internationally using a well-established network of transporters. Smaller items will ship via UPS. Larger equipment will be palletized and shipped either LTL or air-ride, depending on the specific equipment and/or delivery requirements.

Return and order cancellation policy

American Instrument Exchange will accept the return of any product that is not working as represented and could not be replaced or repaired to the customer's satisfaction during the warranty period. Customers who cancel orders after refurbishing has begun will be subject to a cancellation and restocking fee of between 20% and 40%.

Are discounts available for educational or non-profit institutions, or for bulk purchases?

Yes – call or email us today with a list of equipment you're looking for and we can potentially put together a quote that includes a discount.

How does your price matching policy work?

We strive to keep our pricing competitive and reasonable. If you find comparable items for sale at a lower price from other vendors please send us a link and or quote for the item and we'll do our best to match or beat the price.

Can I see the equipment in person before committing to a purchase?

Customers are welcome to make an appointment to view equipment in our warehouse. Given our workload we may not be able to test or clean the equipment prior to your arrival if you have not committed to an order.

1023 Western Avenue is a working warehouse, not a showroom, and customers should dress appropriately and wear closed toe shoes.

Can I ship products that I purchased elsewhere to American Instrument for repair?

Yes – please see our repair services page for more information.