Thermo Scientific Heracell 150i CO₂ Incubator (Model 5102408)

Brand : Thermo

Product Code : SKU 3180U INC

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Thermo Scientific Heracell 150i CO₂ Incubator (Model 5102408)

Successful mammalian cell culture depends on maintaining a stable incubation environment while minimizing the risk of contamination. The Thermo Scientific Heracell 150i CO₂ Incubator (Model 5102408) is designed to provide precise temperature regulation, rapid environmental recovery, and simplified decontamination for biotechnology, pharmaceutical, clinical, and academic laboratories. Featuring a 150 L (5.3 cu. ft.) chamber, ContraCon 90°C moist heat decontamination, precise temperature and CO₂ control, and rapid humidity recovery, the Heracell 150i delivers dependable performance for a wide range of cell culture applications.

Designed for laboratories performing routine mammalian cell culture as well as demanding research applications, the Heracell 150i combines an air-jacket heating system with an advanced chamber design to maintain environmental stability following routine door openings. Its electropolished stainless steel chamber, integrated water reservoir, and user-friendly digital controls simplify daily operation while supporting reproducible experimental results. Purchasing a refurbished Thermo Scientific Heracell 150i from American Instrument Exchange provides laboratories with a premium CO₂ incubator at substantial savings compared with purchasing new equipment.

Thermo Scientific Heracell 150i Key Features

150 L (5.3 cu. ft.) chamber capacity
Air-jacket heating system
Temperature range of ambient +3°C to 55°C
CO₂ control range of 0% to 20%
Rapid humidity recovery system
ContraCon 90°C moist heat decontamination
Electropolished stainless steel chamber
Rapid temperature and CO₂ recovery following door openings
Integrated heated water reservoir
Microprocessor digital controller
Internal glass observation door
Three stainless steel shelves, expandable to ten
RS-232 communication port
120V electrical operation
90-day warranty from American Instrument Exchange

Designed for Reliable Mammalian Cell Culture

The Heracell 150i was developed to maintain stable environmental conditions while minimizing contamination risks during everyday laboratory operation. Its air-jacket heating system promotes consistent temperature distribution throughout the chamber, while rapid recovery following door openings helps protect sensitive cultures from prolonged environmental fluctuations. Stable humidity levels further reduce media evaporation during extended incubation, helping preserve media volume, nutrient concentration, and osmotic balance.

The internal glass door allows researchers to inspect cultures without fully exposing the chamber to ambient laboratory air. This helps reduce temperature, CO₂, and humidity loss during routine observation. When the outer door must be opened for sample handling, the incubator’s control systems work to restore the programmed environment promptly, supporting laboratories with frequent access requirements.

A defining feature of the Heracell 150i is Thermo Scientific’s ContraCon moist heat decontamination system, which raises chamber surfaces to approximately 90°C during an automated decontamination cycle. This process helps reduce biological contamination without relying on chemical disinfectants throughout the chamber. The smooth electropolished stainless steel interior further improves cleanability by limiting areas where spills, residues, and contaminants can accumulate.

Common Applications

The Thermo Scientific Heracell 150i is commonly used for mammalian cell culture, stem cell research, primary cell cultivation, hybridoma production, cancer biology, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, vaccine development, pharmaceutical research, biotechnology research, and cell therapy development. Its 150-liter capacity is large enough to support productive laboratory workflows while maintaining a manageable footprint for shared cell culture rooms and individual research groups.

The Heracell 150i can accommodate commonly used cell lines such as CHO, HEK293, Vero, BHK, HeLa, fibroblast, epithelial, hybridoma, and primary mammalian cells. It may be used with culture flasks, multiwell plates, Petri dishes, roller bottles, and other vessels compatible with the installed shelving configuration.

The incubator is frequently incorporated into complete cell culture workflows. Biosafety cabinets provide controlled environments for media preparation, cell expansion, and aseptic transfers before incubation. Laboratory refrigerators store culture media, sera, antibiotics, and growth supplements, while laboratory freezers preserve biological reagents and working cell banks. Ultralow-temperature freezers support long-term storage of master cell lines and research samples, and centrifuges assist with routine cell harvesting, washing, separation, and downstream sample preparation.

Ideal Laboratory Environments

The Thermo Scientific Heracell 150i is an excellent choice for biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, academic research laboratories, hospital research centers, clinical laboratories, contract research organizations, and regenerative medicine facilities. Its combination of rapid environmental recovery, moist heat decontamination, stable CO₂ control, and straightforward operation makes it particularly valuable for laboratories where protecting sensitive cell cultures is a daily priority.

The 150-liter chamber also makes the incubator suitable for laboratories that need more capacity than a compact personal incubator but do not require a large reach-in production system. Multiple units can be used to separate cell lines, projects, researchers, or contamination-sensitive workflows while avoiding the risk of placing all active cultures in a single chamber.

Contamination Control and Environmental Stability

Contamination can compromise experiments, damage valuable cell lines, and interrupt entire research programs. The Heracell 150i addresses this concern through a combination of automated moist heat decontamination, a smooth stainless steel chamber, removable components, and an integrated humidity reservoir designed for accessible cleaning.

The ContraCon cycle provides a standardized method for decontaminating the chamber between studies, after suspected contamination events, or as part of a preventive maintenance schedule. Because the process uses moist heat rather than chemical fumigants, laboratories can reduce chemical handling while treating chamber surfaces, shelves, supports, sensors, and other internal components exposed during the cycle.

Environmental stability is supported by the air-jacket heating system and responsive CO₂ regulation. These systems work together to restore culture conditions following door openings, reducing the amount of time cells remain outside their programmed environment. This is especially important for sensitive primary cells, stem cells, and long-duration cultures that may respond poorly to repeated temperature or pH fluctuations.

Why Choose the Thermo Scientific Heracell 150i?

The Thermo Scientific Heracell 150i combines dependable environmental control with proven contamination-management features in one of the laboratory industry’s most recognized CO₂ incubator platforms. Its air-jacket heating system, rapid humidity recovery, automated ContraCon decontamination cycle, and durable stainless steel chamber help laboratories maintain healthy cultures while simplifying routine cleaning and maintenance.

Whether supporting stem cell research, pharmaceutical development, tissue engineering, vaccine research, regenerative medicine, or routine mammalian cell culture, the Heracell 150i provides the environmental stability, capacity, and ease of operation required by modern cell culture laboratories.

Performance and Environmental Stability

The Thermo Scientific Heracell 150i is designed to maintain the stable environmental conditions required for successful mammalian cell culture. Its air-jacket heating system promotes uniform temperature distribution throughout the 150-liter chamber while providing efficient recovery following routine door openings. By minimizing fluctuations in temperature, carbon dioxide concentration, and humidity, the incubator helps create a consistent environment that supports reproducible experimental results and healthy cell growth.

The incubator utilizes a precision infrared CO₂ sensor to continuously monitor chamber conditions and rapidly correct deviations from the programmed set point. Infrared sensing provides accurate long-term CO₂ measurement with minimal drift and is unaffected by the high humidity levels commonly maintained within cell culture incubators. Combined with the integrated heated water reservoir, the system helps reduce media evaporation during extended incubation periods while maintaining the proper pH balance required for bicarbonate-buffered culture media.

The internal glass observation door further contributes to environmental stability by allowing cultures to be viewed without opening the insulated exterior door. This simple design feature minimizes unnecessary heat loss and CO₂ fluctuations during routine inspections, reducing recovery time and helping protect sensitive cultures.

Typical Cell Types and Laboratory Applications

The Thermo Scientific Heracell 150i supports a wide variety of mammalian cell culture applications across biotechnology, pharmaceutical, clinical, and academic research laboratories. Common cell types include CHO cells, HEK293 cells, HeLa cells, Vero cells, BHK cells, hybridomas, fibroblasts, epithelial cells, mesenchymal stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, primary mammalian cells, and numerous suspension and adherent cell lines.

Typical laboratory applications include monoclonal antibody production, recombinant protein expression, vaccine development, gene therapy research, cancer biology, regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, toxicology studies, virology research, drug discovery, cell therapy development, and routine expansion of research cell cultures. The chamber capacity also makes the Heracell 150i well suited for laboratories processing multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining dedicated incubators for different cell lines or research groups.

Thermo Scientific Heracell 150i Specifications

Specification	Details
Manufacturer	Thermo Scientific
Model	Heracell 150i (5102408)
Equipment Type	CO₂ Incubator
Chamber Capacity	150 L (5.3 cu. ft.)
Exterior Dimensions	26.7" W × 28.8" D × 39.9" H
Interior Dimensions	18.3" W × 20.0" D × 25.2" H
Weight	Approximately 185 lbs
Temperature Range	Ambient +3°C to 55°C
CO₂ Range	0%–20%
CO₂ Sensor	Infrared (IR)
Heating System	Air Jacket
Decontamination	ContraCon 90°C Moist Heat Cycle
Chamber Material	Electropolished Stainless Steel
Inner Door	Heated Glass Observation Door
Shelves	Three Stainless Steel Shelves (Expandable)
Communication	RS-232
Electrical Requirements	120V, 60 Hz

Specifications are compiled from manufacturer literature and American Instrument Exchange product information. Specifications may vary depending on production year and installed options. Please verify chamber dimensions, electrical requirements, shelf configuration, and included accessories prior to purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Heracell 150i different from a standard laboratory incubator?

The Heracell 150i is a dedicated CO₂ incubator designed specifically for mammalian cell culture. Unlike conventional microbiology incubators, it precisely controls temperature, carbon dioxide concentration, and humidity to create the optimal environment for growing living cells.

What is the benefit of the infrared CO₂ sensor?

The infrared CO₂ sensor provides highly accurate carbon dioxide measurements with excellent long-term stability. Unlike thermal conductivity sensors, it is not affected by humidity changes, reducing calibration frequency while improving environmental consistency.

What is the ContraCon decontamination cycle?

ContraCon is Thermo Scientific's automated 90°C moist heat decontamination system. The cycle heats the chamber and internal components to help reduce biological contamination without relying on chemical disinfectants, simplifying routine maintenance between research projects.

Which laboratories typically use the Heracell 150i?

The Heracell 150i is widely used in biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical laboratories, university research facilities, clinical laboratories, contract research organizations, hospital research centers, and regenerative medicine laboratories performing routine mammalian cell culture.

What types of cultures can be grown in this incubator?

The incubator supports a broad range of adherent and suspension mammalian cell lines, including CHO, HEK293, HeLa, Vero, hybridoma, stem cells, fibroblasts, epithelial cells, and primary cell cultures used in research and biomanufacturing.

Why is an internal glass door important?

The heated glass door allows users to inspect cultures without exposing the chamber to ambient laboratory conditions. This helps preserve temperature, humidity, and CO₂ levels while reducing recovery time after routine observations.

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

A refurbished Thermo Scientific Heracell 150i from American Instrument Exchange offers laboratories a proven, research-grade CO₂ incubator at a substantial savings compared to purchasing new equipment. With its 150-liter chamber, air-jacket heating system, infrared CO₂ sensor, ContraCon 90°C moist heat decontamination, and durable stainless steel construction, the Heracell 150i remains an excellent choice for biotechnology, pharmaceutical, academic, and clinical laboratories. Every unit is thoroughly inspected and tested prior to shipment and includes a 90-day warranty from American Instrument Exchange.

Testing Procedures for Used and Refurbished Laboratory Incubators
Ensure Quality and Stability Before Use

Used and refurbished laboratory incubators from American Instrument Exchange are thoroughly tested to ensure optimal performance and temperature stability with laboratory safety standards. Each unit undergoes a detailed inspection and functionality assessment to meet the needs of research, clinical, and industrial labs.

Why Testing Used Laboratory Incubators Is Essential

Before a laboratory incubator is reintroduced into any work environment, it must be tested for:
• Temperature uniformity and accuracy
• Airflow and humidity control (if applicable)
• Door seal integrity and insulation effectiveness
• Electrical and safety system compliance

Comprehensive testing reduces the risk of culture loss, contamination, and equipment failure—especially critical in applications involving cell culture, microbiology, pharmaceutical research, and diagnostics.

Our multi-point testing protocol for used and refurbished incubators ensures reliability, safety, and performance across all models and brands.

Key Testing Procedures for Refurbished and Used Laboratory Incubators

1. Initial Visual Inspection
• Check for cosmetic damage, corrosion, and wear to exterior surfaces, door hinges, and gasket seals
• Inspect power cord, wiring, and display panel for any defects or signs of tampering
• Confirm that shelves, chamber components, and internal fixtures are present and undamaged

2. Functional Testing
• Power on the incubator and verify all display indicators and alarms function correctly
• Test door latch and seal mechanisms for proper closure and insulation
• Run basic temperature cycles to ensure the unit maintains stability over time

3. Temperature Accuracy and Uniformity Tests
• Test internal sensors and controllers using temperature probes
• Measure temperature consistency at multiple chamber locations over several hours
• Confirm that programmable temperature settings respond accurately

4. Airflow and Humidity Control (if applicable)
• Test internal fan operation and airflow distribution
• For humidified incubators, inspect and test humidity reservoirs, sensors, and control systems
• Check for condensation buildup and confirm environmental stability

5. Electrical Safety and Compliance Checks
• Ensure all electrical components are properly grounded
• Perform insulation resistance and leakage current tests
• Verify compliance with current electrical safety standards for laboratory equipment

6. Final Quality Assurance Checklist
• Perform full cycle testing at various temperature setpoints
• Document performance benchmarks and results

All refurbished incubators from American Instrument Exchange are backed by our commitment to quality and precision. With our strict testing procedures, you can rely on your incubator to deliver dependable results from day one.

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.