ARES Cool 17 Cu. Ft. Basic Series Auto Defrost Laboratory Freezer

Description

ARES Cool ARS-HC-AFB-1720 17 Cu. Ft. Basic Series Auto Defrost Laboratory Freezer – Product Highlights

• ARES Cool proprietary cold storage line: The ARS-HC-AFB-1720 is part of ARES Cool, ARES Scientific’s exclusive line of laboratory and medical-grade cold storage equipment — distributed solely by ARES Scientific with full single-source warranty support and dedicated service continuity across the product lifecycle.
• 17 cu. ft. capacity — approximately 21% more storage than the 14 cu. ft. model: Provides expanded frozen storage volume for laboratories managing larger reagent, consumable, or specimen inventories, without requiring a larger equipment footprint or additional electrical infrastructure compared to the smaller ARS-HC-AFB-1420.
• Auto-defrost frost-free operation: Eliminates manual frost removal cycles, maintaining a perpetually accessible interior without the periodic labor requirement of manual defrost procedures — a practical advantage in clinical and pharmaceutical environments where staff time is a constrained resource and daily frozen access is routine.
• HFC-free R600a natural hydrocarbon refrigerant: Operates on R600a, free of hydrofluorocarbons, meeting EPA/SNAP mandates and UL and ASHRAE compliance guidelines with significantly reduced global warming potential — supporting sustainability purchasing goals across university, healthcare, and pharmaceutical procurement programs.
• CFC-free high-density urethane foam insulation: Cabinet and door insulation constructed from CFC-free high-density urethane foam supports consistent temperature stability across the storage volume during normal laboratory operation and routine defrost cycling at the -15°C to -20°C setpoint range.
• Four adjustable shelves plus wire basket for organized frozen inventory: Configurable shelf layout combined with one wire basket accommodates a mix of boxed sample sets, rack-format tube storage, and bulk reagent containers — supporting organized retrieval workflows and reducing door-open duration during high-frequency access events.
• Auto-defrost temperature cycle disclosure: The evaporator heater used during defrost cycles may cause a moderate, temporary rise in chamber air temperature — a characteristic buyers should assess relative to their sample sensitivity requirements when choosing between auto defrost and manual defrost laboratory freezer options.
• Leveling legs for stable freestanding placement: Adjustable leveling legs provide a stable, level installation on standard laboratory floors without floor anchoring requirements, supporting flexible placement and straightforward repositioning during facility reconfiguration or equipment consolidation.
• Standard 5-amp, 115VAC electrical footprint: Plugs into a standard NEMA 5-15 outlet on a 115VAC, 60 Hz circuit — no dedicated high-amperage circuit or electrical upgrade is required, simplifying integration into existing laboratory and clinical facility electrical infrastructure.
• Five-year compressor parts warranty and keyed access control: A five-year compressor parts warranty and one-year parts and labor warranty provide long-term reliability assurance, while a keyed door lock limits access to authorized personnel in shared laboratory cold storage environments handling regulated or sensitive frozen materials.

Frequently Asked Questions – ARES Cool ARS-HC-AFB-1720 Auto Defrost Laboratory Freezer

What is the ARS-HC-AFB-1720 and how does it differ from the ARS-HC-AFB-1420?

The ARS-HC-AFB-1720 is a 17 cu. ft. Basic Series auto defrost laboratory freezer from the ARES Cool proprietary cold storage line — sharing the same footprint, R600a refrigerant system, -15°C to -20°C operating range, auto-defrost configuration, mechanical thermostat, leveling leg installation, and electrical requirements as the ARS-HC-AFB-1420, but providing approximately 21% more interior storage volume in exchange for a modest increase in product weight (190 vs. 180 lbs) and shipping weight (248 vs. 220 lbs). The 1720 is the appropriate selection for laboratories with a larger frozen inventory or faster sample turnover that would otherwise require a second smaller unit to cover storage demand.

What types of samples and materials is the ARS-HC-AFB-1720 designed to store?

The ARS-HC-AFB-1720 is designed for general-purpose -20°C frozen storage of laboratory enzymes, PCR reagents, antibodies, frozen buffers, clinical consumables, pharmaceutical intermediates, and biological specimens that do not require temperatures colder than -20°C or strict temperature stability during defrost cycles. It is well-suited for research laboratories, pharmacy frozen storage areas, and clinical environments managing moderate-to-high frozen inventory volumes where frost-free access convenience outweighs the temperature cycling associated with auto-defrost operation. For biospecimen archives or compliance-sensitive frozen storage, a manual defrost laboratory freezer or ULT freezer may be more appropriate.

Does the auto-defrost system affect sample temperatures during operation?

Yes — the auto-defrost system on the ARS-HC-AFB-1720 uses an evaporator heater that assists in removing frost accumulation from the evaporator coil, and this process may cause a moderate, temporary rise in chamber air temperature during defrost cycles. For most general-purpose frozen reagent and consumable storage applications, this temperature variation is acceptable within the -15°C to -20°C operating range. However, for applications involving temperature-sensitive biological specimens, long-term sample archives, or any workflow where temperature excursions must be avoided, buyers should evaluate a manual defrost design before finalizing equipment selection and consult with ARES Scientific for application-specific guidance.

Is the R600a refrigerant in the ARS-HC-AFB-1720 compliant with current environmental regulations?

Yes — R600a is a natural hydrocarbon refrigerant that contains no hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), giving it a very low global warming potential (GWP) compared to conventional HFC refrigerants phased down under EPA/SNAP regulations. The ARS-HC-AFB-1720’s R600a system meets current EPA/SNAP mandates and complies with UL and ASHRAE standards, making it an environmentally responsible choice for laboratory cold storage procurement programs that include refrigerant sustainability criteria or require documentation of HFC compliance for institutional reporting.

What electrical requirements does the ARS-HC-AFB-1720 have?

The ARS-HC-AFB-1720 requires a standard 115VAC, 60 Hz circuit rated at 5 amps with a NEMA 5-15 plug, compatible with standard laboratory wall outlets — no dedicated circuit upgrade, three-phase power, or special electrical infrastructure is required. The unit is freestanding on leveling legs at 190 lbs product weight, and no external plumbing, drain connections, or ventilation modifications are required for standard installation in laboratory, clinical, or pharmacy environments.