Archival Storage Chambers – AR Series

The Darwin Chambers AR series is designed specifically for the needs of archival preservation. This series is capable of providing long-term controlled storage of photographs, film, rare books, papers, and paintings. Utilizing a simple precisely controlled refrigeration system and advanced desiccant-based dehumidification, temperatures are maintained to within ±0.2ºC (at the sensor) and relative humidity to within ±1% (at the sensor).

Not only is this series of chambers perhaps the most precise, but they are also exceptionally energy efficient for the high performance they offer. Typical uses and temperature ranges the AR series is capable of providing a solution for all as follows:

Books, papers, and paintings: 10ºC (50ºF), 30% RH
Film,photographs, microfilm: 1.7ºC (35ºF), 35% RH

The above settings are somewhat typical, but there are many different desired set-points, depending upon the nature of the preserved media.
Anywhere within the range of 0ºC to 25ºC (32ºF to 77ºF). Relative humidity can be controlled at any percentage from 10% to 60%, within an allowed dew-point range of -12ºC to ambient. The standard chambers do not include humidification (this can be added as an option for unusual applications), as they are normally not needed to maintain lowered dew-points.

Check out this awesome website that goes into a little more detail about preservation basics and the vinegar syndrome: National Film Preservation Foundation.

AR030

AR030

The AR030 is a single-door archival storage chamber.

AR055

AR055

The AR055 is a two-door archival storage chamber.

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AR Series Features

Why Choose The AR Series

The AR series chambers are a top selling archival storage chamber. It is quiet, easy to clean, highly reliable and ideal for laboratory use. It offers hot gas bypass control of refrigeration and resistive heat to facilitate reliable, critical temperature and humidity control. The Darwin Chambers AR series is designed specifically for the needs of archival preservation. This series is capable of providing long-term controlled storage of photographs, film, rare books, papers, and paintings. Utilizing a simple precisely controlled refrigeration system and advanced desiccant-based dehumidification, temperatures are maintained to within ±0.2ºC (at the sensor) and relative humidity to within ±1% (at the sensor). Not only is this series of chambers perhaps the most precise, but they are also exceptionally energy efficient for the high performance they offer. Typical uses and temperature ranges the AR series is capable of providing a solution for are as follows:

Books, papers, and paintings: 10ºC (50ºF), 30% RH
Film, photographs, microfilm: 1.7ºC (35ºF), 35% RH

(The above settings are somewhat typical, but there are many different desired set-points, depending upon the nature of the preserved media.) The AR series chambers allow exceptional temperature control anywhere within the range of 0ºC to 25ºC (32ºF-77ºF). Relative humidity can be controlled at any percentage from 10% to 60%, within an allowed dew-point range of -12ºC to ambient. The standard chambers do not include humidification (they can be added as an option for unusual applications), as they are normally not needed to maintain lowered dew-points.

Services and Warranties

We offer technical support throughout the lifetime of your chamber. In addition to standard warranties, we also offer extended warranties for cooling components, parts and labor. We also provide qualifications, validations and preventive maintenance services at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote.

The Darwin Solution

These chambers incorporate an innovative dryer control system that maximizes performance while lowering energy requirements and increasing reliability. In contrast to existing control systems that cycle dehumidification systems on and off, decreasing life span and causing erratic control, the Darwin solution accurately modulates the dryer output, maximizing reliability and producing tight control.

Widely Proven, Non-Proprietary Controllers

Standard controllers for the AR Series are manufactured by Fuji Electric and are ideal for archival storage chambers Unlike many proprietary controllers, this controller is commercially available and proven in tens of thousands of installations. Standard functions include: autotuning, fuzzy logic, PID control, programmable alarms, calibration capability, ramp/soak, offset capability, etc. A touchscreen control interface is optional. Other controller manufacturers are also supported (Watlow, Allen Bradley etc.)

Options Available

Extended Temperature Range
Chart Recorders
Data Loggers
Online System Monitoring
Tracelock
Touch Screen Control
Dryers

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