Thermo Precision Coliform Water Bath TSCOL19

Thermo Scientific Precision TSCOL19 19L Coliform Water Bath – Used and Refurbished

The Thermo Scientific Precision TSCOL19 Coliform Water Bath is a 19-liter digital laboratory water bath specifically designed for fecal coliform determination and other microbiological testing procedures requiring precise, uniform temperature control. Factory-programmed temperature presets at 35.0°C, 41.5°C, 44.5°C, and 45.5°C simplify setup for commonly used coliform testing conditions, while perimeter-directed water flow helps maintain consistent temperatures throughout the bath.

Unlike a standard general-purpose water bath, the Precision COL 19 is designed around the temperature-control requirements of coliform testing. Thermo specifies temperature stability of ±0.1°C and uniformity of ±0.05°C under stated test conditions, making the TSCOL19 particularly useful for environmental testing laboratories, water and wastewater facilities, microbiology laboratories, public health laboratories, food and beverage testing facilities, and other organizations performing temperature-sensitive microbial analysis.

The 19-liter stainless steel chamber provides a 12 × 15.3 × 7.6-inch working area for test tubes, bottles, racks, and other compatible laboratory containers. An advanced digital controller with LCD display provides straightforward operation and monitoring, while additional features include low-fluid protection, audible alarms, automatic on/off timers, front-panel calibration, and a coil-free chamber design that simplifies routine cleaning.

This Thermo Scientific Precision TSCOL19 Coliform Water Bath is used and refurbished by American Instrument Exchange. AIE technicians test used water baths before shipment to verify heating and temperature performance. The bath is thoroughly cleaned and includes a 90-day warranty.

Key Features

• Thermo Scientific Precision COL 19 coliform water bath

• Catalog number TSCOL19

• 19-liter chamber capacity

• Designed specifically for fecal coliform determination

• Factory presets at 35.0, 41.5, 44.5, and 45.5°C

• ±0.1°C temperature stability

• ±0.05°C temperature uniformity

• Perimeter-directed water flow for uniform temperature distribution

• Digital controller with LCD display

• Front-panel field calibration

• Auto-on and auto-off timers

• Low-fluid protection

• Audible alarms

• Coil-free stainless steel chamber

• 1200 W heater

• Used and refurbished by American Instrument Exchange

• 90-day warranty included

Overview

The Thermo Scientific Precision TSCOL19 differs from an ordinary laboratory water bath because it was developed specifically for coliform testing.

Fecal coliform and related microbiological procedures can require samples to be incubated within tightly controlled temperature conditions. Variations within the bath can potentially affect test conditions, making both temperature stability over time and uniformity throughout the chamber important.

The COL 19 addresses these requirements through precise electronic temperature control combined with perimeter-directed water flow.

Thermo also provides four factory-programmed temperature settings commonly associated with microbiological and coliform testing: 35.0°C, 41.5°C, 44.5°C, and 45.5°C.

This combination makes the TSCOL19 a specialized laboratory bath for environmental, water-quality, microbiology, and public-health testing rather than simply a general-purpose sample warmer.

Key Specifications

Common Applications

The Thermo Precision TSCOL19 is designed primarily for fecal coliform determination and other temperature-sensitive microbiological procedures. It can support water-quality testing, wastewater analysis, environmental monitoring, food and beverage microbiology, public-health testing, microbiological sample incubation, and related laboratory procedures where precise temperature control is required.

The preset temperatures provide convenient access to conditions commonly encountered in microbiological testing without requiring operators to manually establish frequently used set points for every run.

The TSCOL19 may also be used for other compatible temperature-controlled laboratory procedures when its chamber capacity, operating temperatures, and performance specifications meet the requirements of the method.

Ideal Laboratory Types

The Precision COL 19 is particularly well suited to environmental testing laboratories, municipal water laboratories, wastewater treatment facilities, drinking-water laboratories, public-health laboratories, microbiology laboratories, food and beverage testing facilities, contract analytical laboratories, government laboratories, university environmental-science programs, and industrial quality-control laboratories.

Its specialized coliform configuration can be particularly valuable for laboratories performing routine water-quality testing where the same incubation temperatures are used repeatedly.

Designed for Fecal Coliform Determination

Thermo developed the Precision Coliform series specifically to support fecal coliform testing.

This distinguishes the COL 19 from general-purpose laboratory water baths that may provide adequate heating but are not specifically configured around commonly used coliform testing temperatures.

The TSCOL19 combines programmed temperature settings, tight temperature control, active perimeter-directed water movement, and a chamber sized for racks and sample containers typically encountered in microbiological testing.

Actual testing procedures should always follow the laboratory's approved method, applicable regulatory requirements, and established quality-control procedures.

Factory-Preset Testing Temperatures

The TSCOL19 provides factory presets at 35.0°C, 41.5°C, 44.5°C, and 45.5°C.

These settings allow operators to move quickly among frequently used microbiological incubation temperatures.

Preset operation can be especially useful in high-throughput laboratories where multiple technicians use the same equipment. Instead of repeatedly entering a set point manually, users can select an established temperature with the controller.

The appropriate temperature should always be determined by the specific analytical or microbiological method being performed.

±0.05°C Temperature Uniformity

Thermo specifies temperature uniformity of ±0.05°C for the Precision COL 19 under stated test conditions with the bath cover installed.

Uniformity describes temperature variation between different locations within the bath.

This is particularly important when multiple samples are processed simultaneously. A highly uniform bath helps provide comparable thermal conditions to containers positioned at different locations within the chamber.

Sample loading, water level, cover position, ambient conditions, and container placement can affect actual operating performance.

±0.1°C Temperature Stability

Thermo specifies temperature stability of ±0.1°C for the COL 19 under stated conditions.

Stability describes how consistently the bath maintains the selected temperature over time after thermal equilibrium has been established.

Tight stability is useful for microbiological procedures where samples must remain within a narrow temperature range for an established incubation period.

For regulated or validated methods, laboratories should independently verify bath temperature according to their own quality-control procedures.

Perimeter-Directed Water Flow

The Precision COL 19 uses perimeter-directed water flow to improve temperature distribution throughout the chamber.

Rather than creating aggressive turbulent agitation around samples, the system gently directs water around the perimeter of the bath.

This continuous movement helps reduce localized hot or cool areas and contributes to the bath's specified temperature uniformity.

For coliform testing, consistent water temperature throughout the usable chamber helps ensure that multiple samples experience similar incubation conditions.

19-Liter Chamber Capacity

The TSCOL19 provides a 19-liter chamber with a working area measuring approximately 12 × 15.3 × 7.6 inches.

This provides room for multiple sample containers and compatible laboratory racks while remaining compact enough for benchtop installation.

The 7.6-inch working depth also accommodates taller laboratory vessels than many shallow general-purpose baths.

Actual sample capacity depends on container dimensions, rack configuration, required immersion depth, and the laboratory's analytical method.

Stainless Steel Chamber

The bath uses a stainless steel interior designed for durability and straightforward routine maintenance.

Stainless steel provides good resistance to normal laboratory water-bath conditions and creates a smooth surface that can be cleaned between procedures.

Routine cleaning is particularly important in microbiology and environmental testing laboratories, where biological contamination or accumulated residue could interfere with laboratory practices.

Users should follow Thermo Scientific recommendations regarding bath fluids, cleaning agents, and maintenance.

Coil-Free Chamber Design

Thermo designed the Precision Coliform bath with a coil-free chamber.

Removing exposed heating or circulation coils from the main working area simplifies access to the reservoir during cleaning.

This can be particularly useful in laboratories where water baths require frequent cleaning as part of established microbiology or quality-control procedures.

The open chamber also makes it easier to position racks and sample containers without working around exposed internal components.

Digital LCD Controller

The TSCOL19 uses an electronic controller with an LCD display for temperature setup and monitoring.

The graphical interface provides convenient access to operating information and preset temperatures.

Digital control also makes the bath easier to use consistently across multiple operators compared with older analog systems.

For laboratories performing routine coliform testing, straightforward operation can help standardize equipment setup between shifts and technicians.

Front-Panel Field Calibration

Each Precision Coliform bath is factory calibrated, and Thermo provides the ability to perform subsequent field calibration from the front control panel without opening the instrument or using tools.

This can simplify routine verification and adjustment when a laboratory's quality system requires periodic comparison against a calibrated reference thermometer or temperature probe.

Calibration frequency and procedures should be determined by the laboratory's quality program and applicable test-method requirements.

Auto-On and Auto-Off Timers

The COL 19 incorporates automatic on and off timers that can help laboratories schedule bath operation around testing workflows.

For example, a laboratory may prepare the bath in advance so that it reaches the required operating temperature before samples are ready for incubation.

Automatic scheduling can reduce waiting time at the beginning of a testing period and can help standardize routine laboratory workflows.

Users should still verify that the bath has reached equilibrium before beginning temperature-sensitive procedures.

Low-Fluid Protection

Water loss through evaporation can become significant during extended operation, particularly at elevated temperatures.

The TSCOL19 incorporates low-fluid protection to help prevent overheating and potential bath damage if the water level becomes too low.

This feature provides an additional safeguard but does not eliminate the need for routine water-level monitoring.

Laboratory personnel should confirm adequate bath fluid before beginning a procedure and monitor water level during extended operation.

Audible Alarms

The Precision COL 19 incorporates audible alarms to alert users to operating conditions requiring attention.

Audible notification can be useful in busy analytical laboratories where personnel may not remain directly in front of the bath throughout an incubation period.

Alarms supplement, rather than replace, routine monitoring and laboratory quality-control procedures.

Water and Wastewater Testing

One of the strongest applications for the TSCOL19 is environmental water analysis.

Municipal and private laboratories may test drinking water, wastewater, recreational water, process water, and environmental samples for microbiological indicators of contamination.

Coliform organisms are commonly used as indicators in water-quality assessment, and many established methods specify controlled incubation conditions.

The TSCOL19 provides a laboratory bath specifically configured to support these types of temperature-sensitive procedures.

Environmental Microbiology

Environmental microbiology laboratories frequently process water and other environmental samples under controlled incubation conditions.

The COL 19's combination of tight uniformity, stability, active water movement, and preset temperatures makes it useful for these workflows.

The bath itself does not determine which microbiological method should be used. Sample preparation, incubation temperature, incubation time, media, controls, and interpretation should follow the laboratory's approved analytical procedure.

Food and Beverage Microbiology

Food and beverage laboratories may also perform coliform and related microbiological testing as part of quality-control, sanitation, raw-material, or finished-product programs.

A dedicated coliform water bath can provide controlled incubation conditions for compatible methods.

Its 19-liter chamber provides enough space to support multiple samples while the perimeter-directed water flow helps maintain consistent temperatures across the working area.

Public Health Laboratories

Public-health laboratories may analyze water, environmental, food, and other samples for microbiological indicators.

Equipment used for these procedures must provide reliable and repeatable temperature conditions appropriate to the selected analytical method.

The Precision TSCOL19 provides a specialized platform for laboratories that routinely require the preset temperatures associated with coliform testing.

Coliform Water Bath vs. General-Purpose Water Bath

Both types of equipment use temperature-controlled water to incubate laboratory samples, but the TSCOL19 is specifically configured for coliform testing.

A general-purpose water bath typically provides a broad user-selected temperature range for warming and incubation.

The COL 19 adds factory-programmed microbiology temperatures, active perimeter-directed water flow, tight temperature uniformity, field calibration capability, timers, and other features useful for repetitive coliform-testing workflows.

For laboratories routinely performing fecal coliform analysis, these specialized features can make the TSCOL19 preferable to a basic water bath.

Coliform Water Bath vs. Incubator

A laboratory incubator controls the temperature of air surrounding samples, while the TSCOL19 uses temperature-controlled water.

Water provides efficient thermal transfer and direct thermal contact with the immersed portion of sample containers.

Whether a water bath or incubator is appropriate depends on the specific microbiological method.

Laboratories should use the equipment type specified by their approved testing procedure rather than substituting one incubation method for another without validation.

Coliform Water Bath vs. Circulating Water Bath

The Precision COL 19 uses perimeter-directed water movement to enhance temperature uniformity, but it is designed specifically as a coliform-testing bath.

General circulating baths may offer broader temperature ranges or external circulation connections for other laboratory applications.

The COL 19's advantage is its combination of active water movement with factory-programmed temperatures and controls designed around fecal coliform testing.

Using Sample Racks

The 19-liter chamber can accommodate compatible test tube, bottle, Petri dish, and other laboratory racks depending on the selected testing method.

Using racks can simplify sample organization and help maintain consistent container positioning and immersion depth.

Thermo offers several compatible rack styles for its coliform and circulating water baths.

The exact racks supplied with this individual used unit should be confirmed with American Instrument Exchange before purchase.

Cleaning and Routine Maintenance

Routine cleaning is particularly important for equipment used in microbiological laboratories.

The stainless steel, coil-free chamber provides an accessible interior that can be cleaned without navigating around exposed heating coils.

Bath water should be replaced according to laboratory procedures, and surfaces should be cleaned using materials compatible with Thermo Scientific recommendations.

Laboratories should establish their own cleaning schedule based on usage, test methods, contamination-control requirements, and water quality.

Refurbishment and Testing by American Instrument Exchange

American Instrument Exchange tests used laboratory water baths before shipment to verify proper operation.

For the Thermo Scientific Precision TSCOL19, AIE technicians operate the bath and evaluate heating, temperature control, display operation, water circulation, alarms, and other installed functions. Temperature performance can be checked using an external temperature probe.

The stainless steel chamber, cover, exterior surfaces, and accessible components are also thoroughly cleaned before shipment.

Customers with a specific testing temperature or application requirement can contact American Instrument Exchange before shipment to discuss additional testing.

Why Buy a Refurbished Thermo Precision TSCOL19?

A dedicated coliform water bath can represent a significant equipment investment for environmental and microbiology laboratories.

Purchasing a used and refurbished Thermo Scientific TSCOL19 can provide access to specialized coliform-testing features at a lower acquisition cost than purchasing a comparable new bath.

Unlike a basic general-purpose bath, the COL 19 provides factory-programmed testing temperatures, perimeter-directed water circulation, tight temperature uniformity, digital controls, field calibration, timers, and low-fluid protection.

American Instrument Exchange tests and cleans the unit before shipment and includes a 90-day warranty.

Shipping and Installation

The TSCOL19 should be installed on a stable, level surface capable of supporting the filled bath and sample load.

Laboratories should provide sufficient space for opening the cover, loading sample racks, filling and draining the reservoir, and performing routine cleaning.

Before connecting the bath, verify the voltage and electrical requirements shown on the individual unit's nameplate.

After filling, the bath should be allowed to reach and stabilize at the required temperature before temperature-sensitive samples are introduced.

Related Equipment

Laboratories using the Thermo Scientific Precision TSCOL19 may also require microbiology incubators, general-purpose water baths, circulating baths, laboratory refrigerators, freezers, autoclaves, balances, centrifuges, shakers, test tube racks, sample storage equipment, and other instruments used for environmental, microbiological, and water-quality testing.

American Instrument Exchange supplies used and refurbished laboratory equipment for environmental testing facilities, water and wastewater laboratories, biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical laboratories, universities, government facilities, and industrial quality-control laboratories.

Thermo Scientific Precision TSCOL19 Coliform Water Bath FAQs

What is the Thermo Scientific TSCOL19?

The TSCOL19 is a 19-liter Precision Coliform Water Bath designed specifically for fecal coliform determination and related microbiological testing procedures.

What is the capacity of the TSCOL19?

The bath has a 19-liter chamber capacity.

What temperatures are preset on the COL 19?

The bath provides factory presets at 35.0°C, 41.5°C, 44.5°C, and 45.5°C.

Why are those temperatures preset?

They correspond to temperatures commonly used in coliform and related microbiological testing procedures. The appropriate setting should always be selected according to the laboratory's specific analytical method.

What is the temperature stability?

Thermo specifies stability of ±0.1°C under stated test conditions.

What is the temperature uniformity?

Thermo specifies uniformity of ±0.05°C under stated test conditions.

What is the difference between stability and uniformity?

Stability describes how consistently the bath maintains temperature over time. Uniformity describes how closely temperatures at different locations within the bath agree with one another.

Does the TSCOL19 circulate the water?

The bath uses perimeter-directed water flow to promote consistent temperature distribution throughout the chamber.

Is this a general-purpose water bath?

It can support compatible temperature-controlled applications, but the TSCOL19 was specifically designed and configured for fecal coliform testing.

Can it be used for drinking-water testing?

It can support compatible microbiological water-testing procedures when the bath specifications meet the requirements of the laboratory's approved method.

Can it be used for wastewater testing?

Yes, the TSCOL19 is well suited to laboratories performing compatible fecal coliform and microbiological testing of wastewater and environmental samples.

Can food laboratories use the COL 19?

Yes. Food and beverage laboratories performing compatible coliform or microbiological procedures may use a controlled coliform water bath when required by their testing method.

What is the working area?

The usable chamber measures approximately 12 × 15.3 × 7.6 inches, or 305 × 387 × 192 mm.

What are the exterior dimensions?

The bath measures approximately 15.5 × 24.9 × 9.8 inches without the cover.

What is the heater output?

The TSCOL19 uses a 1200-watt heater.

Does the bath have digital controls?

Yes. It uses an advanced digital controller with an LCD display.

Can the bath be calibrated in the field?

Yes. Thermo provides front-panel field calibration without requiring the unit to be opened or tools to be used.

Does it have automatic timers?

Yes. The COL 19 provides automatic on and off timer functions.

Does it have low-water protection?

Yes. Low-fluid protection helps protect the bath against overheating and damage if the water level becomes too low.

Does it have audible alarms?

Yes. Audible alarms alert operators to conditions requiring attention.

Is the chamber stainless steel?

Yes. The TSCOL19 uses a stainless steel chamber.

Why is the coil-free design useful?

The coil-free chamber provides an unobstructed working area and simplifies routine cleaning and maintenance.

Does this bath include a cover?

The Thermo TSCOL19 was supplied with a stainless steel gable cover. Buyers should confirm the accessories included with the individual used unit before purchase.

Is this Thermo TSCOL19 refurbished?

Yes. This unit is used and refurbished by American Instrument Exchange.

Does it include a warranty?

Yes. American Instrument Exchange includes a 90-day warranty with this refurbished coliform water bath.

Click here to see a video of the Thermo Coliform water bath on our YouTube channel.