IKA RT 15 Multi-position Magnetic Stirrer with Heating, 15 Stirring Positions in a 90 Mm Grid, 0003692600

Anyone who regularly stirs a whole series of identical samples in parallel, for example, in quality control, in series of experiments or in laboratory classrooms with many groups working simultaneously, will quickly reach the limits of space and cost when using individual magnetic stirrers. The IKA RT 15 (0003692600) accommodates 15 heated stirring positions in a 90-millimetre grid, driven by a single coil drive instead of 15 individual motors, with a speed deviation of 0 per cent between the positions.

Shared coil drive instead of individual motors

Unlike 15 separate magnetic stirrers, the RT 15 operates using silent coil drive technology that powers all 15 stirring positions simultaneously. According to the data sheet, the speed variation between the individual positions is 0 per cent; all positions therefore run synchronously at the same set speed of 0 to 1,000 revolutions per minute, adjustable in increments of 10 revolutions per minute.

15 stirring positions in a uniform 90-millimetre grid

The base, made from an aluminium alloy, measures 270 x 495 millimetres and is designed to accommodate 15 standard vessels in a 90-millimetre grid. Up to 0.4 l of water is provided per stirring position; in total, the unit can carry a maximum load of 15 kilograms. Stirring rods measuring 25 to 30 millimetres in length are suitable for the individual positions.

Heating function with a total power output of 580 watts

The integrated heating system covers a temperature range from room temperature to 120 degrees Celsius, with a total heating power of 580 watts for all 15 positions combined. The safety limit can be set between 50 and 150 degrees Celsius. A silicone mat supplied with the unit protects the surface on which it is placed and, according to the manufacturer, ensures optimised temperature distribution across the heating zones.

Silent drive with no mechanical wear

The coil drive technology generates the rotating field for all 15 positions electronically, without any mechanically moving drive elements such as belts or gears at each stirring point. This not only reduces noise levels during continuous operation but also minimises maintenance requirements compared to a bench comprising 15 individual, mechanically driven stirrers, where each motor has its own wear parts.

Typical applications

With synchronously operating multiple stations, the RT 15 is ideally suited for:

• Parallel batch tests with identical stirring and heating parameters across 15 batches
• Quality control with recurring sample series in routine laboratories
• Training laboratories where several workstations are required to operate simultaneously at the same speed
• Solution preparation for sample series of up to 0.4 l per station
• A space-saving alternative to several individual heated magnetic stirrers

Selection guide: single-station or multi-station stirrer

Anyone who regularly stirs more than three to four identical batches in parallel should weigh up the cost of a multi-station stirrer against that of several individual units:

If heating is required in addition to stirring, the RT series is the right choice. If stirring alone without heating is sufficient, the RO series with its 24-volt power supply saves on initial purchase costs and ongoing electricity costs. For smaller batches of up to 10 runs, the RT 10 is also available within the RT series, which requires fewer positions whilst maintaining the same grid layout.

Differences between the RT 10 and RO 10

The most significant difference within the multi-station series lies between the RT and RO models: The IKA RT 10 shares the same heating function and 230-volt mains voltage as the RT 15, but offers only 10 stirring positions instead of 15, with a correspondingly lower heating power of 375 watts instead of 580 watts. The IKA RO 10 does not have a heating function at all and is instead powered by an external 24-volt power supply; this is the key factor in the purchasing decision: those who only need to stir, but do not need to heat, are better served by the RO series.

Technical details

Scope of delivery

• 1 x IKA RT 15 multi-position magnetic stirrer with heating (0003692600)
• 1 x silicone mat for protection and optimised temperature distribution

The scope of delivery does not include stirring rods for the individual positions, and they must be purchased separately if required.

Use, installation, maintenance and disposal

With an IP 40 protection rating, the RT 15 is protected against solid foreign objects from 1 millimetre in size; however, it is not splash-proof. Accordingly, the unit should be operated on a dry, level surface and not in the immediate vicinity of sources of splashing water. The supplied silicone mat should be checked regularly for damage and cleaned if necessary, as it protects against both mechanical contact and uneven heat distribution. Before moving the device, which, at 10.5 kilograms, is comparatively heavy, it should be allowed to cool down and disconnected from the mains. At the end of its service life, as an electrical appliance, the device must not be disposed of with household waste but must be placed in the separate collection scheme for waste electrical and electronic equipment; the manufacturer’s WEEE registration number is DE 66784213.

Business case: Multi-position stirrer versus multiple individual units

For batch processing involving many small, similar batches of up to 0.4 l per position, the RT 15 is generally more cost-effective than 15 individual heated magnetic stirrers, both in terms of purchase cost and in terms of space required on the laboratory bench and cabling requirements, as only a single mains cable is required instead of 15 individual connections. The 0 per cent speed deviation between stations also ensures comparable results across all positions, an advantage over multiple individual units with potentially slightly differing calibration. If, on the other hand, only a few samples need to be processed in parallel or larger stirring volumes per vessel are required, individual C-MAG or RCT/RET units with a higher stirring volume per position are the more suitable choice.

Individual requirements and procurement service

Suitable original accessories are available for the RT 15 as required, such as magnetic stirring bars in various shapes, beaker lids, a stirring bar remover and power cables for different country variants (EU, USA, UK, Switzerland). Through our procurement service, we also assist you with spare parts and the standardisation of equipment across multiple production workstations. Further information and contact details can be found at lt-laborhandel.com/service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all 15 stirring stations really operate at the same speed?
Yes, according to the data sheet, the speed variation between the stations is 0 per cent, made possible by the shared coil drive rather than individual motors.

Can each stirring station be heated individually?
According to the data sheet, the heating power of 580 watts is specified for all stations combined; all stations share the same setpoint temperature.

How does the RT 15 differ from the RO 10?
The RT 15 heats and operates on a 230-volt mains supply, whilst the RO 10 does not have a heating function and is powered by an external 24-volt power supply; however, it offers only 10 stirring positions instead of 15.

What is the maximum size of a stirring vessel per position?
According to the data sheet, up to 0.4 l of water per stirring position is permitted; the spacing between positions is 90 millimetres, which is sufficient for standard test tubes and small beakers.

Are stirring rods included in the scope of delivery?
No, the RT 15 is supplied without stirring rods for the 15 stirring positions; suitable PTFE-coated magnetic rods in various shapes are available separately from the IKA range of accessories.

Is the RT 15 suitable for continuous operation with multiple parallel batches?
The silent coil drive technology, which does not use individual mechanical motors, is designed for long-term, low-maintenance continuous operation.

How does the RT 15 differ from the RT 10?
The RT 15 offers 5 additional stirring positions and correspondingly higher heating power (580 instead of 375 watts), whilst otherwise featuring identical operating logic and the same 90-millimetre grid.

How should the RT 15 be disposed of correctly?
As an electrical appliance, it should be taken to a waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) collection point rather than disposed of with household waste; the manufacturer’s WEEE registration number is listed in the section on ‘Use, Installation, Maintenance and Disposal’.