Description
Beckman L5-50E L5B-CT Ultracentrifuge 50K RPM 120/208-240V 30A Spinco Vacuum
The Beckman L5B-CT is a floor-standing vacuum ultracentrifuge manufactured by Beckman Instruments' Spinco Division. This class of instrument uses a dual-stage vacuum system — combining a roughing pump with a diffusion pump — to evacuate the rotor chamber and reduce air friction, enabling rotor velocities up to 50,000 RPM for high-force particle sedimentation. The unit incorporates built-in refrigeration to maintain controlled sample temperatures during runs, and the control panel provides both automatic and manual operating modes with brake, acceleration, and vacuum controls. This unit is being sold AS-IS for parts or repair due to a known fault: the vacuum pump does not respond to the control panel and cannot be started through the normal panel controls.
Specifications & What's Included
- Manufacturer: Beckman Instruments, Spinco Division — Palo Alto, CA USA
- Model: L5B-CT (also identified as L5-50E on rating plate)
- Cat No.: 342244
- Maximum Rotor Speed: ~50,000 RPM
- Input Voltage: 120/208V 3-Wire or 120/240V 3-Wire (field selectable)
- Input Current: 30 A
- Frequency: 60 Hz
- Power Connection: Heavy-duty multi-pin twist-lock plug (3-wire single-phase)
- Vacuum System: Dual-stage (roughing + diffusion pump); vacuum circuit leak-free after KF25 x 18" flex hose replacement
- Vacuum Pump: Present; does not run from control panel — 115 VAC direct connector available for external operation
- Refrigeration: Built-in integrated refrigeration system
- Accessory Outlets (rear panel): 115 VAC / 5A and 250 VAC / 5A
- Fuse: 5A, 250V, 3AG (per label)
- Control Panel Features: Vacuum (Auto/On), Brake (Normal/Slow), Mode (Auto/Manual), Accel knob (Slow–Fast), Power switches, Stop/Start
- Indicators: Vacuum-in-microns meter, RPM-in-thousands meter, rotor revolution counter, timer
- Safety: Overspeed cutoff, imbalance detection (Balance/Speed-Norm indicators on panel)
- Form Factor: Floor-standing, large-format laboratory instrument
- Rotor: No rotor included
- Documentation: Included — stored inside the control console
- Condition Note: Sold AS-IS; vacuum pump does not run from panel controls
Applications
The Beckman L5-series ultracentrifuge was designed for preparative ultracentrifugation applications including density-gradient separations, pelleting of subcellular organelles, viruses, ribosomes, proteins, and macromolecular complexes. These instruments were widely deployed in academic research institutions, clinical research labs, pharmaceutical and biotech facilities, and university biochemistry and cell biology departments from the 1960s through the 1990s. A unit such as this in as-is condition would be of interest to researchers or technicians with the capability to diagnose and repair vacuum pump control circuits, labs seeking a source of Beckman Spinco ultracentrifuge parts (drive, refrigeration, chamber, controls), or institutions rebuilding legacy centrifuge systems. Compatible Beckman Spinco rotor families for the L5-series include both fixed-angle and swinging-bucket designs from that era, though rotor compatibility should be confirmed against the included documentation.
This Beckman L5B-CT (L5-50E) floor-standing vacuum ultracentrifuge is being sold AS-IS for parts or repair. The vacuum circuit has been serviced and a new KF25 x 18" flexible hose was installed to replace the original deteriorated rubber hose; the vacuum circuit is now leak-free. However, the vacuum pump does not respond to the control panel and will not run from the panel controls — the vacuum pump does have a 115 VAC connector that allows it to be run directly, outside of the panel control loop. The unit is not confirmed operational as a complete system and is being offered for parts, repair, or as a project machine. Documentation for the unit is present and stored inside the control console. Cosmetically, the cabinet shows age-appropriate wear including surface corrosion along the top frame rail and hinge areas, scuffing on the black rear panels, and general soiling consistent with laboratory use. The blue front panel and overall structure remain intact. Please view our full photo set carefully and contact us with any questions before purchasing.
Warranty Information
Additional Information
Brand: |
Beckman |
Model: |
L5B-CT |
Secondary Model: |
L5-50E |
MPN: |
342244 |
SKU: |
52858 |
Type: |
Floor-Standing Vacuum Ultracentrifuge |
Condition: |
As-Is / For Parts or Not Working |
Seller Notes: |
Vacuum circuit repaired; vacuum pump does not run from control panel. Sold AS-IS. |
Country/Region of Manufacture: |
United States |
Form Factor: |
Floor-Standing |
Power Requirements: |
120/208V or 120/240V 3-Wire, 30A, 60Hz |
Voltage: |
120/208V or 120/240V 3-Wire |
Current Rating: |
30 A |
Frequency: |
60 Hz |
Maximum Speed: |
50,000 RPM |
Vacuum System: |
Dual-stage roughing and diffusion pump |
Refrigeration: |
Built-in integrated refrigeration system |
Drive Type: |
Single-phase motor drive |
Control Panel: |
Automatic/Manual operation, Brake (Normal/Slow), Vacuum Auto/On |
Safety Features: |
Overspeed cutoff, imbalance detection |
Accessory Outlet: |
115 VAC / 250 VAC 5 Amp accessory outlets on rear panel |
Power Connector: |
Multi-pin heavy-duty twist-lock plug, 3-wire |
Application / Use Case: |
Ultracentrifugation, particle separation, sedimentation |
Compatible Rotors: |
Beckman Spinco compatible rotor series (no rotor included) |
Documentation: |
Documentation included in control console |
Condition Notes: |
This Beckman L5B-CT (L5-50E) floor-standing vacuum ultracentrifuge is being sold AS-IS for parts or repair. The vacuum circuit has been serviced and a new KF25 x 18" flexible hose was installed to replace the original deteriorated rubber hose; |
