Replacing the Drucker 853VES 6-Place 50 mL Rotor with the HORIZON 24

The Model 853VES has been a familiar part of many laboratory workflows, but with the model now discontinued, laboratories using the 6-place 50 mL fixed-angle rotor may be considering what to use next.

The HORIZON 24 provides a current option for this setup, maintaining the 6 × 50 mL capacity and 2,000 xg maximum RCF of the 853VES while introducing a horizontal rotor design. The HORIZON 24 also accommodates a different range of 50 mL tube dimensions, making tube compatibility an important consideration when transitioning from the 853VES.

Which Centrifuge Replaces the 853VES 6-Place 50 mL Rotor?

For laboratories replacing a discontinued 853VES with the 6-place 50 mL fixed-angle rotor, the HORIZON 24 provides a current 6 × 50 mL option with a maximum RCF of 2,000 xg.

The 853VES reaches a maximum speed of 4,000 RPM with its 6-place 50 mL fixed-angle rotor, producing up to 2,000 xg. The HORIZON 24 reaches 3,400 RPM and also produces up to 2,000 xg.

The primary difference is the rotor design. The 853VES uses a fixed-angle rotor, while the HORIZON 24 uses horizontal centrifugation. The HORIZON 24’s current 50 mL carriers support tubes up to 30 x 115 mm, compared with tubes up to 34 x 125 mm on the 853VES.

Before making the switch, laboratories should confirm the RCF required by their procedures, the dimensions of the 50 mL tubes they use, and whether horizontal centrifugation is appropriate for their applications.

Should I Repair or Replace?

A discontinued centrifuge does not necessarily need to be replaced simply because it is no longer in production. If an 853VES is still reliable, serviceable, and meeting the laboratory’s needs, continuing to use it may make sense.

Replacement becomes more worth considering when:

• Parts or service are becoming difficult to obtain
• Reliability is declining
• Repairs are becoming more frequent
• Laboratory needs have changed

RCF vs. RPM: What Changes When You Upgrade?

One of the most important considerations when moving a centrifugation protocol from one centrifuge to another is the difference between RPM and RCF.

The same RPM does not necessarily produce the same RCF because centrifugal force depends on the radius of the rotor. When transferring a protocol, match the required RCF rather than simply carrying over the RPM setting from the 853VES.

RCF = 1.118 × 10⁻⁵ × radius (cm) × RPM²

Using the known maximum RPM and RCF for each centrifuge, the rotor radius can be calculated. That radius can then be used with the desired RCF to determine the appropriate RPM on the new centrifuge.

For example, if a procedure requires 1,500 xg with 50 mL tubes on the 853VES, the corresponding RPM for the HORIZON 24 can be calculated using the HORIZON 24’s rotor radius rather than transferring the original RPM setting directly.

The HORIZON 24 matches the 853VES’s 2,000 xg maximum while operating at a lower maximum RPM. This illustrates why RPM alone is not a reliable basis for transferring centrifugation parameters.

Even when the target RCF can be matched, a comparative validation study should be performed using the new centrifuge settings against a validated centrifuge to ensure patient results are not affected by the change.

853VES vs. HORIZON 24

The HORIZON 24 maintains several important characteristics of the 853VES 6-place 50 mL setup, including capacity and maximum RCF, while changing the rotor orientation and supported tube dimensions.

Tube Compatibility

Both centrifuges accommodate six 50 mL tubes, but the supported tube dimensions differ. The 853VES 6-place fixed-angle rotor accommodates tubes up to 34 × 125 mm, while the HORIZON 24’s current 50 mL carriers accommodate tubes up to 30 × 115 mm.

Before purchasing a replacement, confirm the dimensions of the 50 mL tubes currently used in laboratory procedures. Capacity alone does not confirm compatibility.

The HORIZON 24 uses current 50 mL carrier buckets, with a 50 mL conical cushion used with the setup. Existing 853VES rotor components should not be assumed to transfer to the new centrifuge.

Rotor Orientation

The 853VES uses a fixed-angle rotor, while the HORIZON 24 uses a horizontal rotor. This is an important difference to consider when evaluating existing procedures.

Laboratories should determine whether the current application requires fixed-angle centrifugation or whether horizontal separation is appropriate for the procedure being performed.

Programmable Cycles

The 853VES and HORIZON 24 can each save up to 10 programs. When moving procedures to the HORIZON 24, review the saved programs currently used on the 853VES and confirm the required time, speed, and RCF settings.

Because RPM and RCF are not interchangeable between centrifuges, existing RPM settings should not simply be transferred to the HORIZON 24 without confirming the corresponding RCF.

Questions Before Switching

Before replacing an 853VES, review the centrifuge and procedures currently in use. A few questions can help determine whether the HORIZON 24 is a good fit:

• What 50 mL tube dimensions are being used? Confirm that the HORIZON 24 carriers accommodate the tubes used in current procedures.
• How many tubes are processed per run? The HORIZON 24 maintains the 6 × 50 mL capacity.
• What RCF is required? Compare the required xg with the HORIZON 24’s maximum RCF.
• Is fixed-angle centrifugation required for the application? The HORIZON 24 uses horizontal centrifugation rather than the fixed-angle rotor used by the 853VES.
• Which saved programs need to move over? Review the time, speed, and other cycle parameters used in current procedures.
• Are new carriers or accessories needed? The current HORIZON 24 50 mL setup uses carrier buckets 7713037K and a 50 mL conical cushion 7787060K.

Answering these questions before making a switch can help identify compatibility considerations before the new centrifuge arrives.

Conclusion

Replacing a discontinued centrifuge is an opportunity to review the equipment and procedures currently in use. For laboratories using the 853VES with a 6-place 50 mL fixed-angle rotor, the HORIZON 24 maintains the same 6 × 50 mL capacity and 2,000 xg maximum RCF while transitioning to horizontal centrifugation.

For labs considering a replacement, Drucker offers a risk-free 30-day evaluation program to see how the HORIZON 24 aligns with your current needs. Run your own samples and protocols, with no payment information required, before making a purchase.

To get started, contact our sales team at [email protected] or by phone at +1-866-265-1486, or review full specifications for the HORIZON 24.