Precision Model 815 Refrigerated BOD Incubator

Precision Model 815 Refrigerated BOD Incubator – Used and Refurbished

The Precision Model 815 Refrigerated BOD Incubator is a large-capacity, temperature-controlled laboratory incubator designed for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) testing, water and wastewater analysis, environmental microbiology, and other applications requiring reliable incubation above and below ambient temperature. Featuring a spacious 20 cu. ft. (566 L) chamber, microprocessor temperature controls, mechanical convection, and a -10°C to +50°C operating range, the Precision 815 provides dependable incubation conditions for environmental, industrial, and research laboratories.

Available used and refurbished from American Instrument Exchange, the Precision 815 offers a cost-effective alternative to purchasing a new refrigerated BOD incubator. Its upright cabinet design, digital temperature display, high- and low-temperature protection, and substantial sample capacity make it particularly attractive for laboratories performing routine water-quality testing or processing large quantities of biological samples.

The manufacturer's standard shelving configuration accommodates up to 333 conventional 300 mL BOD bottles, including bottles stored on the chamber and door shelves. Actual capacity depends on the shelving installed in the individual incubator.

Key Features

• Large 20 cu. ft. (566 L) refrigerated incubation chamber

• Temperature range from -10°C to +50°C

• Temperature uniformity of approximately ±0.5°C at 37°C

• Temperature uniformity of approximately ±0.9°C at -10°C

• Temperature sensitivity of approximately ±0.1°C

• Microprocessor-controlled temperature regulation

• Digital temperature display and push-button setpoint adjustment

• Mechanical convection for uniform air circulation

• Integrated heating and refrigeration

• High- and low-temperature protection

• Gasketed door with key lock

• External recorder connections for temperature monitoring

• Access port for compatible monitoring equipment

• Capacity for up to 333 standard 300 mL BOD bottles with factory shelving

• Refurbished and tested by American Instrument Exchange

• 90-day warranty included

Precision Model 815 Overview

The Precision 815 was developed specifically for laboratories performing biochemical oxygen demand testing and other procedures requiring controlled temperatures at or below ambient laboratory conditions.

Unlike conventional heated incubators, which typically operate only above room temperature, the Precision 815 incorporates both refrigeration and heating. This allows the chamber to maintain temperatures from -10°C to +50°C, supporting a broad range of environmental, microbiological, and industrial testing applications.

Its 20 cu. ft. chamber provides substantially more incubation space than smaller benchtop refrigerated incubators.

The upright configuration is particularly useful for environmental laboratories that process numerous BOD samples each day and need sufficient space for several days of simultaneous testing.

A microprocessor controller provides push-button temperature selection and digital monitoring, while the mechanical convection system circulates conditioned air throughout the chamber.

The Precision 815 also incorporates high- and low-temperature protection designed to alert operators to operating conditions outside the established limits.

The gasketed door helps reduce temperature disturbances, and its key lock provides a means of restricting unauthorized access to chamber contents.

For laboratories seeking a dependable, high-capacity refrigerated incubator, the Precision 815 combines straightforward operation with the temperature performance required for routine analytical work.

Common Applications

The Precision Model 815 is particularly well suited for biochemical oxygen demand testing, environmental microbiology, municipal wastewater monitoring, and industrial water-quality analysis.

Environmental laboratories commonly use refrigerated BOD incubators to maintain water and wastewater samples at 20°C during the conventional five-day BOD test.

The Precision 815 provides a controlled environment for these procedures, with sufficient capacity to accommodate numerous samples at the same time.

Municipal wastewater treatment facilities may use the incubator to monitor treatment efficiency, evaluate influent and effluent water quality, and support routine compliance testing.

Industrial laboratories can use it to evaluate wastewater generated by manufacturing processes and other activities.

Microbiology laboratories may also use the Precision 815 for cultivating microorganisms that require temperatures below or near ambient conditions.

Additional applications include selected seed germination experiments, temperature-dependent biological studies, and conditioning of research materials within the chamber's operating range.

The Precision 815 complements other equipment used in environmental and microbiological laboratories, including laboratory refrigerators for reagent storage, laboratory freezers for sample preservation, and laboratory centrifuges for sample preparation.

Laboratories requiring additional incubation capacity can also explore American Instrument Exchange's selection of used and refurbished laboratory incubators.

Sample Types & Incubation Applications

The Precision 815 accommodates a variety of biological, environmental, and industrial samples requiring controlled-temperature incubation.

Typical applications include:

• Water and wastewater BOD samples

• Municipal wastewater treatment samples

• Industrial wastewater samples

• Surface water and groundwater samples

• Environmental microbiology cultures

• Bacterial and fungal cultures

• Selected seed germination studies

• Temperature-sensitive biological materials

• Industrial quality-control samples

• Research samples requiring refrigerated incubation

The chamber accommodates conventional BOD bottles, laboratory flasks, sample containers, and other vessels appropriate for the selected temperature.

For high-volume BOD testing, the manufacturer's published maximum capacity of 333 standard 300 mL bottles provides a useful measure of the incubator's potential sample throughput.

However, this capacity assumes the original shelving arrangement, including the chamber and door shelves.

Actual bottle capacity should be determined from the shelves included with the individual refurbished unit.

Samples should be arranged to maintain adequate airflow and avoid overloading shelves.

Biochemical Oxygen Demand Testing

Biochemical oxygen demand testing is one of the principal applications for the Precision Model 815.

BOD testing measures the dissolved oxygen consumed by microorganisms as they break down biodegradable organic material in a water sample.

The conventional five-day BOD test, commonly called BOD5, involves incubating prepared samples at 20°C in the dark for five days.

This procedure is widely used by municipal wastewater treatment facilities, environmental testing laboratories, and industrial wastewater monitoring programs.

The Precision 815 provides the controlled-temperature environment needed for these procedures.

Its refrigeration system allows the chamber to maintain 20°C even when the surrounding laboratory temperature is higher than the required setpoint.

Mechanical convection helps distribute conditioned air throughout the chamber, supporting consistent temperatures across sample positions.

The large chamber is particularly useful for laboratories processing substantial sample volumes or conducting multiple tests simultaneously.

Because BOD results depend on adherence to established analytical methods, laboratories should verify incubator temperature performance and maintain appropriate monitoring records for their specific procedures.

Refrigerated Temperature Control & Uniformity

The Precision Model 815 incorporates a microprocessor-controlled heating and refrigeration system designed to maintain stable chamber conditions.

The operating temperature range extends from -10°C to +50°C, allowing the incubator to support both refrigerated and elevated-temperature applications.

Manufacturer specifications indicate temperature uniformity of approximately ±0.5°C at 37°C and ±0.9°C at -10°C.

Temperature sensitivity is approximately ±0.1°C.

These specifications describe different aspects of incubator performance. Temperature uniformity refers to differences between locations within the chamber, while sensitivity describes the system's ability to respond to changes in temperature.

The mechanical convection system circulates conditioned air throughout the chamber, helping reduce temperature differences between shelf positions.

For environmental laboratories performing BOD testing, consistent chamber temperature is important because incubation temperature can influence microbial activity and analytical results.

The Precision 815 also provides relatively rapid recovery following routine door openings.

Manufacturer documentation describes a recovery time of approximately 10 minutes at 20°C following a 30-second door opening under specified test conditions.

Actual recovery performance depends on chamber loading, ambient conditions, and the frequency of door openings.

Microprocessor Controls & Temperature Monitoring

The Precision 815 uses a microprocessor-based controller designed for straightforward temperature adjustment and monitoring.

Push-button controls allow operators to establish the desired temperature setpoint.

A digital display provides a direct indication of chamber temperature, reducing the need for separate analog thermometers during routine operation.

The controller also supports front-panel calibration procedures, allowing qualified personnel to make appropriate adjustments when necessary.

High- and low-temperature protection provides an additional safeguard against abnormal operating conditions.

The incubator includes recorder connections for external temperature-monitoring equipment.

Manufacturer literature also identifies RS-232 communication capability, although the presence of the interface should be confirmed on the individual unit.

These features can be useful for laboratories that need to document chamber temperature during extended incubation procedures.

For regulated testing, an independent calibrated temperature recorder or monitoring system may be used to establish a documented record of environmental conditions.

Chamber Capacity & BOD Bottle Storage

The Precision 815 provides approximately 20 cu. ft. of interior capacity, making it suitable for high-volume environmental testing laboratories.

The original manufacturer configuration includes six chamber shelves and six door shelves.

Manufacturer literature identifies capacity for up to 297 standard 300 mL BOD bottles on the chamber shelves, plus an additional 36 bottles on the door shelves.

This produces a maximum published capacity of 333 bottles.

The large chamber allows laboratories to organize samples by collection date, test batch, or other operational requirements.

Door-mounted shelving can provide additional storage capacity without occupying the main chamber shelves.

However, the actual shelving arrangement may vary between individual refurbished units.

AIE's listing for SKU 3134A INC does not identify the number of shelves currently installed, so laboratories should verify included shelving before planning around the full manufacturer-rated bottle capacity.

Proper spacing and airflow clearance are also important for maintaining consistent incubation temperatures.

Mechanical Convection & Chamber Airflow

The Precision 815 uses mechanical convection to circulate conditioned air throughout the incubation chamber.

This system helps distribute heated or refrigerated air more consistently than a chamber relying exclusively on natural convection.

Mechanical convection is particularly beneficial in large BOD incubators because numerous sample bottles can restrict natural airflow.

The forced-air system helps reduce temperature differences between shelf positions and supports recovery after routine door openings.

For best performance, sample containers should be arranged to avoid blocking airflow passages.

Overloading shelves or placing containers directly against circulation openings may reduce temperature uniformity.

The circulation system should be inspected and maintained as part of routine equipment service.

Safety Features & Sample Protection

The Precision 815 incorporates high- and low-temperature protection designed to safeguard laboratory samples against abnormal operating conditions.

These features are especially useful during extended BOD testing procedures, when samples may remain inside the chamber for several days.

The gasketed main door helps minimize temperature disturbances and reduces the exchange of chamber air with the surrounding laboratory.

A key-operated door lock provides additional control over access to samples.

The incubator also incorporates an access port that can accommodate compatible monitoring probes or other instrumentation.

This allows laboratories to perform independent temperature measurements without leaving the main door open.

External recorder connections support temperature documentation, which can be important for environmental testing and laboratory quality-control programs.

The Precision 815 does not incorporate independent CO₂ or relative-humidity control and should not be confused with a CO₂ cell culture incubator or programmable humidity chamber.

Precision Model 815 Specifications

Specifications are based on manufacturer documentation for the Precision Model 815 and AIE's listing for SKU 3134A INC. The shelf count, actual equipment weight, electrical configuration, and installed monitoring interfaces should be verified for this particular unit.

Precision Model 815 Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Precision 815 used for?

The Precision 815 is a refrigerated laboratory incubator designed primarily for biochemical oxygen demand testing, water and wastewater analysis, environmental microbiology, and other applications requiring controlled temperatures from -10°C to +50°C.

Is the Precision 815 suitable for BOD5 testing?

Yes. The Precision 815 can maintain the 20°C incubation temperature commonly required for five-day biochemical oxygen demand testing. Laboratories should follow the applicable analytical method and verify chamber performance before conducting regulated testing.

How many BOD bottles can the Precision 815 accommodate?

The original manufacturer configuration accommodates up to 333 standard 300 mL BOD bottles, including 297 bottles on the chamber shelves and 36 on the door shelves. Actual capacity depends on the shelving installed in the individual unit.

What is the temperature range of the Precision 815?

The incubator operates from -10°C to +50°C, allowing it to maintain temperatures both below and above ambient laboratory conditions.

Does the Precision 815 have refrigeration?

Yes. The Model 815 incorporates an integrated refrigeration system, allowing it to maintain low temperatures for BOD testing and other refrigerated incubation procedures.

What is the capacity of the Precision 815?

The incubator provides approximately 20 cu. ft., or 566 liters, of interior capacity.

Does the Precision 815 have a digital temperature controller?

Yes. The incubator incorporates microprocessor temperature control with push-button setpoint adjustment and a digital temperature display.

Can the Precision 815 connect to a temperature recorder?

Yes. The manufacturer's literature describes external recorder connections and RS-232 capability. The installed interface should be verified before connecting a particular unit to a monitoring system.

What is the temperature uniformity of the Precision 815?

Manufacturer specifications indicate approximately ±0.5°C at 37°C and ±0.9°C at -10°C under defined operating conditions.

Does the Precision 815 control humidity or CO₂?

No. The Precision 815 is a refrigerated temperature-control incubator and does not provide independent relative-humidity or CO₂ regulation.

What is the difference between the Precision 815 and Precision 818?

The Precision 815 is primarily designed for refrigerated incubation and BOD testing, with a 20 cu. ft. chamber. The Precision 818 is a related plant growth incubator with a smaller 17.8 cu. ft. chamber and programmable lighting capabilities for selected plant research applications.

Is this Precision 815 refurbished?

The Precision 815 offered by American Instrument Exchange is used and refurbished. AIE technicians inspect, clean, and test refrigerated incubators using calibrated temperature-recording equipment to verify temperature accuracy and stability. Heating, refrigeration, air circulation, temperature protection, and other installed functions are evaluated as applicable. Components are repaired or replaced as necessary, and refurbished equipment includes a 90-day warranty.

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