Battery-Powered McFarland Densitometer, Model DEN-1B
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- Measurement parameter: Turbidity of cell suspensions
- Factory-calibrated range: 0.00 to 6.00 McF
- Extended measurement range: Up to 15.00 McF (outside factory calibration; standard deviation increases progressively beyond the calibrated range)
- Precision: ±3 %
- Measurement time: 1 second
- Display: LCD; 0.01 McF resolution
- Light source/wavelength: LED; 565 ±15 nm
- Tube compatibility: 18 mm outer diameter standard; 16 mm with D16 adaptor (included)
- Sample volume: >2 ml
- Power supply: 3 × AA batteries or external AC 120–230 V, 50/60 Hz → DC 12 V
- Power consumption: 0.1 W (0.007 A)
- Operating temperature: +4 °C to +40 °C
- Dimensions (H × D × W): 75 × 115 × 165 mm
- Weight: 0.7 kg
- Included: D16 tube adaptor, external power supply, plug, operating manual
- McFarland standards sold separately.
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DISCLAIMER: All product images are for illustrative purposes only. Actual products may vary slightly in colours, controls, and visible features.
Availability:On Request
SKU
IAHT1203Q08
Product Overview
Compact benchtop turbidity measurement for cell suspension analysis in life-science workflows
The Grant Instruments DEN-1B is a compact, benchtop McFarland densitometer for measuring the turbidity of cell suspensions in life-science applications. It is factory calibrated across a range of 0.00 to 6.00 McFarland units, with an extended measurement range up to 15.00 McFarland units available beyond factory calibration. Precision within the factory-calibrated range is ±3 %, with a measurement time of one second. The LCD display resolves to 0.01 McF units.
The DEN-1B accepts 18 mm outer-diameter tubes as standard. The included D16 tube adaptor extends compatibility to 16 mm tubes. Factory calibration is retained without a power connection, and user calibration using commercial standards or laboratory-prepared cell suspensions is supported. The instrument draws power from three AA batteries or an external 12 V DC supply, making it suitable for use inside biosafety cabinets and anaerobic chambers where mains access may be restricted.
A D16 tube adaptor is included as standard. The optional DEN MCF STDS set provides a matched set of liquid McFarland reference standards in 16 mm glass tubes for user calibration.
Note: 1 McFarland unit is approximately equal to 3 × 10⁸ CFU/ml. The DEN-1B is factory calibrated for the 0.00–6.00 McF range. Measurements beyond this range, up to 15.00 McF, are possible but fall outside factory calibration, and the standard deviation of readings increases progressively as the measurement moves further from the calibrated range.
- Factory-calibrated range: 0.00–6.00 McF
- Precision: ±3 %
- Measurement time: 1 sec
- Display resolution: 0.01 McF
Features
- Battery or mains powered: Operates on 3 × AA batteries or an external 12 V DC supply (120–230 V AC input). Suited to biosafety cabinets and anaerobic chambers.
- Factory calibrated: Calibration is retained without a power supply. No recalibration required after switching off.
- User calibration supported: Can be recalibrated using commercial McFarland standards or cell suspensions prepared in the laboratory.
- LCD display, 0.01 McF resolution: Results are displayed directly in McFarland units at high resolution.
- 18 mm tube compatibility: Accepts standard 18 mm outer-diameter tubes. D16 adaptor (included) extends compatibility to 16 mm tubes.
- Compact footprint: 75 × 115 × 165 mm (H × D × W); 0.7 kg. Fits into confined bench spaces.
Accessories
D16: Spare tube adaptor for 16 mm outer-diameter tubes. One unit included as standard with the DEN-1B.
DEN MCF STDS: Set of liquid McFarland standards in 16 mm glass tubes: 0.5 / 1.0 / 2.0 / 3.0 / 4.0 McF. Can be decanted into an alternative tube (shelf-life no longer valid once decanted). Requires D16 adaptor. Optional.
| Specification | DEN-1B |
|---|---|
| Measurement parameter | Turbidity of cell suspensions |
| Measurement unit | McFarland (McF) |
| Factory-calibrated range | 0.00 to 6.00 McF |
| Extended measurement range | Up to 15.00 McF (outside factory calibration; standard deviation increases progressively beyond the calibrated range) |
| Precision | ±3% |
| Measurement time | 1 second |
| Calibration | Factory calibrated; retained without power supply. User calibration supported using commercial standards or laboratory-prepared cell suspensions. |
| Tube diameter (standard) | 18 mm outer diameter |
| Tube diameter (with D16 adaptor) | 16 mm outer diameter (D16 adaptor included) |
| Sample volume | >2 ml |
| Operating temperature range | +4 to 40 °C |
| Light source | LED |
| Wavelength | 565 ±15 nm |
| Display type | LCD |
| Display resolution | 0.01 McF |
| Reading format | McFarland units |
| Independent power supply | 3 × AA Batteries |
| External power supply | Input AC 120-230V, 50/60Hz; Output DC 12V |
| Input voltage | 12 V |
| Power consumption | 0.1 W (0.007 A) |
| Dimensions (H × D × W) | 75 × 115 × 165 mm |
| Weight | 0.7 kg |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the measurement range of the DEN-1B?
A: The DEN-1B is factory calibrated for a range of 0.00 to 6.00 McFarland units. An extended measurement range up to 15.00 McF is available, but readings beyond the factory-calibrated range fall outside calibration, and the standard deviation increases progressively as the measurement moves further from the calibrated range.
Q: How is the DEN-1B powered?
A: The DEN-1B runs on 3 × AA batteries or an external power supply (input AC 120–230 V, 50/60 Hz; output DC 12 V). The battery option allows it to be used inside a biosafety cabinet or anaerobic chamber, or moved between rooms, without a fixed mains connection.
Q: What size tubes does it accept?
A: The instrument is designed for tubes with an 18 mm outer diameter. The included D16 adaptor extends compatibility to 16 mm tubes.
Q: Does the DEN-1B need to stay powered to hold its calibration?
A: No. The unit is factory calibrated and retains this calibration without a power supply.
Q: Can the DEN-1B be recalibrated by the user?
A: Yes. It supports user calibration using commercial McFarland standards or cell suspensions prepared in the laboratory. The optional DEN MCF STDS set provides liquid McFarland standards for this purpose.
Q: What is the minimum sample volume required?
A: A sample volume greater than 2 ml is required for measurement.
Q: What is a McFarland unit, in practical terms?
A: 1 McFarland unit is approximately equal to 3 × 10⁸ CFU/ml, giving a practical reference point for relating a reading to bacterial cell concentration.
Q: What applications is the DEN-1B used for?
A: Typical applications include determining cell concentration (bacterial and yeast) during fermentation, antibiotic susceptibility testing, identifying micro-organisms with various test systems, and measuring optical density at a fixed wavelength.
Q: What is the difference between the DEN-1 and the DEN-1B?
A: The main differences are power supply and display. The DEN-1B can run on 3 × AA batteries in addition to an external power supply, and uses an LCD display with 0.01 McF resolution. The DEN-1 has no independent battery option and uses an LED display with 0.1 McF resolution.
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