New Rodeostat Model-8V available

We are happy to announce that we have a new Rodeostat model available - the Rodeostat Model-8V. The Rodeostat Model-8V has output voltage ranges of +/- 1, 2, 4, and 8V. Whereas the original Rodeostat, the Model-10V, has output voltage ranges of +/- 1, 2, 5, and 10V. Other than the difference in output voltage ranges, the features of the Model-8V and Model-10V Rodeostats are exactly the same.

So why the new model? It all comes down to component availability. The output voltage stage of the original Model-10V Rodeostat is based on the AD8250 programmable gain amplifier. This amplifier has programmable gains of 1, 2, 5, 10 and is used to set output voltage range of the potientiostat. The gains correspond directly to the output voltage ranges of +/- 1, 2, 5, and 10V respectively. Unfortunately the AD8250 has been suffering from availability issues which has made it difficult for us to keep a sufficient supply of the Rodeostat Model-10V in stock. Luckily, there exists a readily available alternative to the AD8250 amplifier - its relative the AD8251. The AD8251 is a drop in replacement for the AD8250 and as such using it requires no changes to the underlying printed circuit board. The only difference is that the AD8251 has gains of 1, 2, 4, and 8 rather than 1, 2, 5, and 10. So using the AD8251 results in the potentiostat having output voltages ranges of +/- 1, 2, 4, and 8V rather than +/- 1, 2, 5, and 10V.

For most users there will be practically no difference between Model-8V and Model-10V Rodeostats. Only users who require output voltages less than -8V or greater than 8V will likely be effected.

Will we continue to make the Rodeostat Model-10V? Yes, we plan to make both the Model-8V and Model-10V Rodeostats for the foreseeable future based on component availability and customer demand.