Two SFA Light Heads mounted to the NIGHTSEA adapter ring with Light Head Hangers

Light Head Hanger System for the Stereo Microscope Fluorescence Adapter

The Light Head Hanger system is an accessory for the NIGHTSEA Model SFA Stereo Microscope Fluorescence Adapter. It is a combination of power extension cables and a custom made holder that enables you to take the fluorescence excitation light heads off the gooseneck and mount them directly on the SFA adapter ring. In addition, it provides the capability to drive two light heads from one lamp base.

Quick page index

How does this work?

The extension cables plug into the gooseneck lamp base and can bring power to either one or two light heads.

(Click image for larger view)

The Light Head Hanger mounts to the end of any of the thumbscrews on the SFA adapter ring. It can be configured for use with either long or short working distance microscope objectives.

  • Long working distance (LWD) – 6.5 cm (2.5 in.) and greater
  • Short working distance (SWD) – 6.5 – 4.6 cm. (2.5 – 1.8 in.)

 

What is the benefit?

There are two main potential benefits with this accessory:

Increase excitation intensity without buying a second lamp base
Without this system if you wanted to increase the fluorescence excitation intensity of the SFA you would need to buy a second light head and lamp base. This would take up additional real estate on your laboratory bench. With the Light Head Hanger system you can power two light heads from one base and mount them both directly to the NIGHTSEA adapter ring.

“We had some issue detecting red fluorescent proteins with some of our weaker transgenic zebrafish lines, but by shining two LED lights onto the same embryo, most of our weakest GFP and mCherry transgenic lines can now be detected. One light head was fine for reasonably bright specimens, and with two lights, the fluorescence is nearly the same as traditional stereomicroscopes priced $15-20K.”

Reduce the chance of accidentally bumping the light
Taking the light head off the gooseneck and mounting it directly to our microscope adapter ring reduces the chance of the light head being bumped so that it is not illuminating the subject on the microscope stage to best effect. This might be especially valuable if you are using the system for outreach demonstrations and multiple people will be working around the microscope.

Switch between excitation wavelengths rapidly
If you need to switch back and forth between two different illumination wavelengths we offer a Switch Box Kit that includes everything you need to add this capability to your system.

 

What are the options, part numbers and pricing?

Abbreviations: HK – Hanger Kit, DHK – Dual Hanger Kit. Cables include an adapter for attaching one end of the cable to the gooseneck lamp base.

  • Hanger Kit for single light head – $212.00
    • Includes single Light Head Cable and one Light Head Hanger
    • SFA-HK
  • Hanger Kit for dual light heads – $434.50
    • Includes Dual Light Head Cable and two Light Head Hangers
    • SFA-DHK
  • Light head hanger – $132.50
    • SFA-LHH
  • Dual light head power cable – $169.50
    • SFA-DLHC
  • Single light head power cable – $42.50
    • SFA-LHC

Note that if you are ordering a Dual kit to power two light heads at once for increased intensity you will need to have two light heads of the same color. Above prices do not include the cost of an additional light head.

Note – The default configuration is for systems with the BNC connector on the lamp base and the light head. Cables are available for the pre-2015 V1 connector on request.

 

How do I order?

Order from the Electron Microscopy Sciences (EMS) web site.