# BactoBox® hardware changelog

Track changes for each BactoBox® hardware version.

For software releases, see [BactoBox® software changelog](/encyclopedia/software/bactobox-r-software-changelog.md).

{% hint style="info" %}

### Find your BactoBox® hardware version

Check the sticker on the bottom of your BactoBox®.

You can also check *System info* in the [menu system](/encyclopedia/software/user-interface/menu-system.md).
{% endhint %}

## Changes

{% updates format="full" %}
{% update date="2025-01-01" tags="receives-software-updates" %}

## v7.6a

**Added**

* Add vibration dampers to the pump bracket.\ <mark style="color:$info;">Reduces 300 Hz noise and pump sound. Reduces measurement bias in some setups.</mark>
* Add an internal filter between the pump and the flow cell.\ <mark style="color:$info;">Prevents tubing fibers from entering the flow cell. The root cause was pump-driven</mark> [<mark style="color:$info;">spallation</mark>](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spallation)<mark style="color:$info;">.</mark>

**Changed**

* Reorganize and fasten internal components and tubing.\ <mark style="color:$info;">Makes assembly and disassembly more reliable.</mark>
* Change properties of some tubing sections.\ <mark style="color:$info;">Adjusts length, inner diameter (ID), and conditioning. Better matches barb specifications.</mark>
* Change rod layout in the bottom shell to a 4 cm grid.\ <mark style="color:$info;">Makes the internal layout easier to modify later.</mark>

**Removed**

* Remove the flow sensor.\ <mark style="color:$info;">Software does not use it. It also caused too many false positives.</mark>
  {% endupdate %}

{% update date="2023-08-01" tags="receives-software-updates,hw-upgrade-available" %}

## v7.5

**Added**

* Add a pulsation damper.\ <mark style="color:$info;">Uses the 10403 mp-damper.</mark>
* Add isolation between the TIA mount and the PCB.\ <mark style="color:$info;">Prevents PCB short-circuits from conductive mount material.</mark>

**Changed**

* Change the conductivity sensor.\ <mark style="color:$info;">Switches to a newer sensor revision.</mark>
* Change tubing for flow paths.\ <mark style="color:$info;">Switches from Chem-Durance™ tubing to Tygon® tubing for everything but the pump.</mark>

**Removed**

* Remove the 60 cm tubing loop.\ <mark style="color:$info;">The loop had unclear effect. The pulsation damper replaces it.</mark>
  {% endupdate %}

{% update date="2022-10-01" %}

## v7.4

**Changed**

* Change to a "sideways" Oina stepper motor.\ <mark style="color:$info;">Replaces the "pancake" Oina stepper motor.</mark>

**Removed**

* Remove the built-in vial holders.\ <mark style="color:$info;">These were the three holes in the side for 7 mL vials.</mark>\ <mark style="color:$info;">Use the stand-alone</mark> [<mark style="color:$info;">vial rack</mark>](/encyclopedia/item-register/accessories/vial-rack.md) <mark style="color:$info;">for 10 mL vials.</mark>\ <mark style="color:$info;">A few special-built devices still retain the built-in vial holders for legacy use cases. This includes some later hardware versions, so you may find a rare v7.5 with built-in vial holders.</mark>
* Remove the PCB-mounted liquid detector.\ <mark style="color:$info;">We have not used it for a while.</mark>
  {% endupdate %}

{% update date="2022-06-01" %}

## v7.3

**Changed**

* Change component tolerances on the main PCB.\ <mark style="color:$info;">Affects resistors and capacitors in the analog chain.</mark>
  {% endupdate %}

{% update date="2022-04-01" %}

## v7.2

**Changed**

* Change the pogo pin assembly process.\ <mark style="color:$info;">The PCB manufacturer now mounts pogo pins. SBT no longer mounts pogo pins in-house.</mark>

**Removed**

* Remove the rack that constrains the 60 cm tubing loop.
* Remove the remaining pieces of Tygon® tubing.\ <mark style="color:$info;">This also removes the corresponding steel fittings and adapters.</mark>
  {% endupdate %}

{% update date="2022-02-23" %}

## v7.1

*Hardware v7.1 is identical to hardware v7.0.*
{% endupdate %}

{% update date="2022-01-01" %}

## v7.0

**Added**

* Add flow sensor.
* Add 60 cm tubing loop.\ <mark style="color:$info;">Reduces pulsation in the flow.</mark>

**Changed**

* Fasten the conductivity sensor to the bottom shell.
* Change tubing for flow paths.\ <mark style="color:$info;">Switches from Tygon® tubing to Chem-Durance™ tubing for most parts.</mark>
* Stop using the PCB-mounted liquid detector.\ <mark style="color:$info;">The liquid detector is still mounted on the PCB. We just do not use it anymore.</mark>
  {% endupdate %}

{% update date="2021-11-22" %}

## v6.1

*Hardware v6.1 is identical to hardware v6.0.*
{% endupdate %}

{% update date="2021-07-13" %}

## v6.0

**Added**

* Start using the PCB-mounted liquid detector.\ <mark style="color:$info;">The liquid detector had been in place for a while, but this version starts using it.</mark>
  {% endupdate %}

{% update date="2021-02-01" %}

## v5.0

**Added**

* Add protective circuitry to avoid flow cell overloading.\ <mark style="color:$info;">Prevents electrode damage during electrical overload.</mark>
  {% endupdate %}

{% update date="2021-01-01" %}

## v4.1

*Hardware v4.1 is identical to hardware v4.0.*
{% endupdate %}

{% update date="2020-12-01" %}

## v4.0

**Changed**

* Update the conductivity sensor to v2.
  {% endupdate %}

{% update date="2020-06-01" %}

## v3.1

**Added**

* Add conductivity sensor v1.
  {% endupdate %}

{% update date="2020-04-01" %}

## v3.0

**Fixed**

* Power on now works more reliably with the ON/OFF rocker switch.
  {% endupdate %}

{% update date="2019-12-01" %}

## v2.0

**Added**

* Add Green Mango board.\ <mark style="color:$info;">Includes CPU, FPGA, memory, storage, USB controller, TIA, and an onboard flow cell interface.</mark>
* Add a USB micro-B port.

**Changed**

* Change to flow cell interface v2.0.\ <mark style="color:$info;">Uses clamps to lock the flow cell in place. Supports dual-site flow cells and a flow cell memory chip.</mark>
* Change from single-site to dual-site TIA.
* Change to the "pancake" Oina stepper motor.

**Removed**

* Remove Red Pitaya and its HAT and support boards.\ <mark style="color:$info;">The Green Mango board replaces them.</mark>
  {% endupdate %}

{% update date="2018-01-01" %}

## v1.0

**Added**

* Add [Red Pitaya](https://redpitaya.com/) board.
* Add custom HAT[^1] board for Red Pitaya.\ <mark style="color:$info;">Includes motor driver and RTC.</mark>
* Add custom board for PSU and USB I/O.
* Add custom PCB for buttons.
* Add display.
* Add flow cell interface v1.0.\ <mark style="color:$info;">Uses two screws to lock the flow cell in place.</mark>
  {% endupdate %}
  {% endupdates %}

## Gallery

### Version 7.5

<div><figure><img src="/files/TvC1Eaze6t9qxPVQbauk" alt=""><figcaption><p>BactoBox® hardware v7.5 disassembled.</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/T9j2RC5LQkpxFo5udDjq" alt=""><figcaption><p>BactoBox® hardware v7.5 disassembled.</p></figcaption></figure></div>

### Version 7.4

<div align="center"><figure><img src="/files/y5Aqd525CBuf7UAQnQqc" alt="" width="375"><figcaption><p>BactoBox® hardware v7.4 disassembled.</p></figcaption></figure></div>

### Version 7.3

<div align="center"><figure><img src="/files/eWqobBNLFln8tUjycd0i" alt="" width="375"><figcaption><p>BactoBox® hardware v7.3 disassembled. Upgraded from a v6.0 (still says v6.0 on the PCB label).</p></figcaption></figure></div>

### Version 7.2

<div align="center"><figure><img src="/files/VKXWn1mU9VIcC2NWoqIc" alt=""><figcaption><p>BactoBox® hardware v7.2 disassembled.</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/al8fOM5jL6YtLakh1jjU" alt=""><figcaption><p>BactoBox® hardware v7.2 disassembled.</p></figcaption></figure></div>

<div><figure><img src="/files/X93aJvppwM1mpUCQlToD" alt=""><figcaption><p>BactoBox® hardware v7.2 disassembled.</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/F1HvwGFsgA5TNO454hh7" alt=""><figcaption><p>BactoBox® hardware v7.2 disassembled. Experimental version with unconstrained 60 cm tubing loop.</p></figcaption></figure></div>

### Version 7.1

<div align="center"><figure><img src="/files/mgSUCCHSdY5zPb7MQg6o" alt=""><figcaption><p>BactoBox® hardware v7.1 disassembled. Note the "V6" tubing holder.</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/0E6xBgJTnY3mOFG8gU1D" alt=""><figcaption><p>BactoBox® hardware v7.1 disassembled. Note the "V5" tubing holder.</p></figcaption></figure></div>

### Version 6.0

<div><figure><img src="/files/95LyGNgs4poxKi8NJNA6" alt=""><figcaption><p>BactoBox® hardware v6.0 disassembled.</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/rasDOnPvjy2Qpr45wrpL" alt=""><figcaption><p>BactoBox® hardware v6.0 disassembled.</p></figcaption></figure></div>

### Version 5.0

<div><figure><img src="/files/G5F0OJejjpWXkazC2GL3" alt=""><figcaption><p>BactoBox® hardware v5.0 disassembled.</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/Xi7AHHIqLgNThFzVutqW" alt=""><figcaption><p>BactoBox® hardware v5.0 disassembled.</p></figcaption></figure></div>

### Early prototypes

<figure><img src="/files/3qLsRcWBs7D5uBxTXkRu" alt=""><figcaption><p>BactoBox® hardware v2.0–3.0 prototype. (a) Assembled. (b) Disassembled.</p></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/DndUL6lGAD2MwiuL4iRn" alt=""><figcaption><p>BactoBox® hardware v1.0 prototype. (a) Assembled. (b) Disassembled.</p></figcaption></figure>

<div align="center"><figure><img src="/files/hiQYz0s09v5N8jQ3y5Od" alt="" width="312"><figcaption><p>Disassembled BactoBox® hardware v1.0 prototype. Image from around 2019-08-12.</p></figcaption></figure></div>

[^1]: Hardware Attached on Top


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