Binder LED plant light module for climate chambers and refrigerated incubators, 16 LED light bars, 8012-2439

A Binder constant-climate cabinet or refrigerated incubator can be converted into a plant growth cabinet using the 8012-2439 LED plant light module, without the need to purchase a separate unit. The module produces lighting conditions that closely resemble natural sunlight and fits into cabinets from the KB, KB PRO, KBF and KBF PRO series with development stage E7. Installation is carried out on site by the customer or a service partner.

Design and lighting control

The Binder LED plant lighting module consists of 16 LED light strips, which can be positioned individually within the cabinet, and a lighting control box with its own programme controller. Each light strip has three separately controllable colour channels: daylight-like cool white (SunLike, 6,500 K), daylight-like warm white (SunLike, 2,700 K) and dark red phytochrome-controlled light (730 nm), which specifically activates the plant’s phytochrome system. All three channels can be dimmed independently of one another from 0% to 100%. Real-time programming is available for daily routines, either as a cyclical daily programme or individually for each day of the week, supplemented by a twilight function that gently fades the light on and off over a one-hour ramp rather than switching it on or off abruptly. An integrated ventilation function feeds 0 to 500 litres of ambient air per hour into the chamber, thereby maintaining the CO₂ level close to the ambient value required by plants for photosynthesis. The light module is powered by 120 V to 240 V at 50 or 60 Hz, regardless of the mains voltage of the climate cabinet itself.

Light output by cabinet size

The light intensity depends on the cabinet size and the distance from the light source. With 100 per cent white light and all 16 light strips evenly distributed on a single plane, size 260 achieves a photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) of 1,660 µmol/m²/s at a distance of 25 cm. Size 470 achieves 1,540 µmol/m²/s at a distance of 25 cm, 990 µmol/m²/s at 50 cm and 730 µmol/m²/s at 75 cm. For the 720 size, the figures are 1,080, 740 and 560 µmol/m²/s at the three distances; for the 1060 size, they are 880, 610 and 480 µmol/m²/s respectively. In the largest available size, 1600 – which is only available for the KB PRO and KBF PRO models – the values are 640, 470 and 380 µmol/m²/s. Distributing the 16 light strips across several levels reduces the light output accordingly: to around 50 per cent of the initial value with two levels, and to around 25 per cent with four levels. The maximum temperature during lighting operation is 60 °C for all sizes.

Order mounting grids separately

The LED plant light module does not include any grids for mounting the light strips. However, LT Laborhandel supplies insert grid sets with telescopic rails (size 260/470: 8012-2384, size 720: 8012-2385, size 1060: 8012-2386, size 1600: 8012-2387) as well as insert grille sets with U-rails, which Binder expressly recommends for mounting the light strips (size 260/470: 8012-2390, size 720: 8012-2391, size 1060: 8012-2392, size 1600: 8012-2393). The number of additional grilles required depends on the desired lighting configuration. For the basic configuration without an additional level, the two standard grids supplied with the cabinet are sufficient; for one or two light levels, at least one additional set is recommended; for full distribution across several levels, up to six sets are required. An additional grid between the light bars and the sample material also creates a gap of around 10 cm, thereby reducing thermal effects on the samples.

Typical applications

• Plant growth experiments with day-night simulation via real-time programming
• Germination and seedling experiments with reduced light intensity on a single light bar level
• Photoperiodism and phytochrome studies via the separately dimmable dark red channel
• Retrofitting existing Binder E7-generation climate chambers and refrigerated incubators to create plant growth chambers, without the need for additional equipment

If a higher CO₂ concentration is also required, for example to accelerate plant growth, the LED plant light module can be combined with a CO₂ injection module. According to the operating instructions, both accessories can operate simultaneously within the same cabinet, unlike the ICH light module, which occupies the CO₂ connection.

Technical details

Contents of delivery

• 16 LED light strips with retaining clips for clipping into standard slotted grilles
• Lighting control box with programme controller
• Mains cable
• Power distribution cable for the LED light strips
• PU tubing for the air supply
• Operating instructions

Insert grilles for mounting the light strips are not included. These must be ordered as separate accessories; see the section above.

Customised requirements & procurement service

LT Laborhandel can assist in putting together the right combination of climate chamber, lighting module and insert grilles, for example if the existing size or series is unclear or if multiple lighting levels are planned. The procurement service is also available for other Binder accessories such as CO₂ gas injection modules, water supply systems or sample temperature control sensors. Details can be found on our Services page.