Tronic MK IV Chilling Heating Bath Tank Ultrasonic 120V Refrigeration Benchtop

Tronic MK IV Chilling Heating Bath Tank Ultrasonic 120V Refrigeration Benchtop

The Tronic Corporation MK IV is a dual-tank benchtop chilling and heating bath unit with integrated ultrasonic capability, designed for laboratory and industrial process applications requiring precise temperature control in a fluid bath. The stainless steel cabinet houses two separate open-top bath tanks side by side, each independently usable, with front-panel controls for refrigeration, heating, and ultrasonic agitation. The unit runs on 120V AC and includes a self-contained hermetic compressor for the refrigeration circuit.

Specifications & What's Included

• Brand: Tronic Corporation (Belmont, California)
• Model: MK IV
• Configuration: Dual tank — left tank (with wire rack insert) and right tank (with agitator paddle)
• Power: 120V AC
• Functions: Refrigeration (chilling), heating, ultrasonic agitation (high frequency and low frequency modes)
• Front panel controls: Refrigeration On indicator light, Heater On indicator light, rotary speed/temperature dial (Off / Lo / 1–4 range), Ultrasonics On button, High Freq buttons, Low Freq buttons
• Cabinet: Stainless steel exterior construction
• Overall dimensions: 25 x 19 x 36 in. tall (approximately)
• Refrigeration: Self-contained hermetic compressor unit in rear compartment with refrigerant plumbing and condenser
• Rear access panel: Missing (exposed internals visible in photos)
• Missing: One to two front control knobs
• Left tank interior: Shows staining and residue buildup (see photos)
• Right tank interior: Stainless steel, in better condition
• Includes: Stainless steel wire basket/rack insert and original 3-prong power cord
• Shipping: Freight required (approximately 148 lbs)

Applications

Chilling and heating bath tanks like the Tronic MK IV are used in laboratory, industrial, and quality-control settings where samples, parts, or process fluids need to be held at a controlled temperature — either cooled below ambient or heated above it. Typical applications include chemical and biological sample conditioning, parts cleaning or degreasing with ultrasonic assist, photographic processing, and temperature-cycling tests on components. The integrated ultrasonic function adds agitation at the fluid level, which accelerates cleaning and surface treatment processes. Units of this type were widely used in university research labs, semiconductor fabs, and industrial QC lines from the 1970s onward, and similar recirculating bath systems remain in active use in lab and production environments today. The Tronic Corporation was based in Belmont, California and produced specialized lab thermal equipment; the MK IV represents a mid-era design combining refrigeration, resistance heating, and ultrasonic agitation in one self-contained floor-standing cabinet.