The Q-Lab Q-SUN Xe-2-HE Rotating Rack Xenon Arc Test Chamber with Humidity Control is a full-size xenon arc weathering tester for laboratories that require controlled full-spectrum light, temperature and relative humidity in a rotating-rack format. The Xe-2-HE model uses one 1800 W full-spectrum ozone-free xenon arc lamp, SOLAR EYE irradiance control and simultaneous chamber air temperature plus black panel or insulated black panel temperature control. It is designed for technical buyers testing coatings, plastics, textiles, packaging, automotive materials, sealants, printed materials and other products exposed to sunlight, heat and humidity during service. For laboratories comparing Q-SUN configurations, the Xe-2-HE is the humidity-controlled Xe-2 Model E chamber without water spray, back spray or chiller functions.
Test Standards Supported
The Q-SUN Xe-2-HE supports xenon arc weathering and lightfastness methods where the selected cycle can be run with irradiance, chamber temperature, black panel or insulated black panel temperature and relative humidity control. Because this HE configuration does not include water spray or back spray, method cycles that require spray exposure should be reviewed against Xe-2-HSE or Xe-2-HBSE configurations before purchase.
- ASTM G151, exposure of non-metallic materials in accelerated test devices using laboratory light sources.
- ASTM G155, xenon arc exposure of non-metallic materials.
- ISO 4892-2, plastics exposed to laboratory xenon arc light sources.
- ISO 16474-2, paints and varnishes exposed to laboratory xenon arc light sources.
- ASTM D2565, xenon arc exposure of plastics intended for outdoor applications.
- ASTM D4459, xenon arc exposure of plastics for indoor applications.
- ASTM D6695, xenon arc exposure of paints and related coatings.
- ASTM D7869, xenon arc exposure of automotive coatings, subject to cycle requirements.
- SAE J2412, accelerated exposure of automotive interior trim components.
- SAE J2527, accelerated exposure of automotive exterior materials.
- AATCC TM16 and AATCC TM169, textile lightfastness and weather resistance methods.
- ISO 105-B02, ISO 105-B04, ISO 105-B06 and ISO 105-B10, textile colour fastness and automotive textile exposure methods.
- GB/T 16422.2 and JIS K 7350-2, xenon arc methods for plastics and related materials.
- ICH Guideline Q1B, photostability workflows where the selected test conditions match the Xe-2-HE configuration.
Configuration Notes
- This Xe-2-HE model includes relative humidity control and simultaneous BP or IBP plus CAT control.
- This model does not include water spray. For front spray, review Xe-2-HSE.
- This model does not include back spray. For back spray capability, review Xe-2-HBSE.
- This model does not include a chiller. Xe-2 configurations in LX-5046 are not listed as chiller models.
- The supplied feed component list includes X-7523-X UV Detector Assembly - TUV, XE-2-HE-230 Base Model 230 Volts, XR-11464-X-INST Insulated Black Panel Sensor and XR-11602-K-INST Washable Air Filter.
- Method suitability depends on the selected optical filter, irradiance control point, temperature setpoint, humidity setpoint and whether the method requires spray.
Key Features
- Rotating-rack Xe-2 chamber design for uniform exposure of specimens around a central xenon lamp.
- One 1800 W full-spectrum ozone-free xenon arc lamp for realistic simulation of sunlight across ultraviolet, visible and infrared wavelengths.
- Relative humidity control from 20-95% for weathering cycles that require humidity exposure.
- Simultaneous chamber air temperature and black panel or insulated black panel temperature control, unlike Xe-1 models.
- SOLAR EYE irradiance control with selectable 340 nm, 420 nm or TUV control points.
- Model E feature set with dual touchscreen displays and improved irradiance/lamp efficiency.
- AUTOCAL UC20 calibration compatibility for irradiance control and black panel thermometer calibration.
- 100% air-cooled design for simpler maintenance compared with water-cooled xenon lamp systems.
- Durable optical filter lantern system using an outer borosilicate or quartz cylinder and 14 inner filters.
- Standard Ethernet datalogging plus USB data transfer and software update support.
Performance Specifications
- Chamber type: rotating-rack xenon arc weathering test chamber.
- Light source: 1 x 1800 W full-spectrum ozone-free xenon arc lamp.
- Specimen capacity: 31 specimens at 45 x 132 mm.
- Specimen area: 30 x 25 cm, height x diameter.
- Specimen orientation: 90° measured from horizontal.
- Maximum evenly distributed specimen weight: 4.5 kg.
- Black panel temperature range: 50-100 °C in light, 35-85 °C with IR filter and 25-45 °C in dark.
- Insulated black panel temperature range: 55-105 °C in light, 40-90 °C with IR filter and 25-45 °C in dark.
- Chamber air temperature range: 35-65 °C in light and 25-45 °C in dark.
- Relative humidity range: 20-95%.
- Humidifier water consumption: 8 L/day, with actual use dependent on test and laboratory conditions.
- External dimensions: 91 x 166 x 69 cm.
- Weight: 172 kg.
- Electrical requirements: 208 V 1-phase at 24 A or 230 V 1-phase at 23 A, 50/60 Hz.
Specimen Capacity and Configuration
The Q-SUN Xe-2-HE uses a rotating-rack exposure system with a 30 x 25 cm specimen area and capacity for 31 specimens at 45 x 132 mm. The rotating-rack geometry positions specimens at 90° measured from horizontal, helping laboratories expose samples consistently around the central xenon arc lamp. This configuration is useful for standard flat specimens, colour and gloss change evaluation, textiles, plastics, coatings, packaging samples and smaller material coupons requiring controlled light, heat and humidity exposure.
The Xe-2 specimen capacity listed by Q-Lab is shown with specimen holders, which is important when comparing it against Xe-1 and Xe-3 values. The maximum evenly distributed specimen weight is 4.5 kg. For laboratories planning unusual specimen geometry, thicker samples or mounted assemblies, specimen holder choice should be checked during quotation so the final usable loading arrangement matches the intended test programme.
Operating Specifications
The Xe-2-HE requires water for humidity generation but does not use spray water because this HE configuration does not include spray. For all non-S and non-W models, Q-Lab lists inlet water pressure at 0.7-6.2 bar, with purity greater than 200 kΩ.cm, less than 5 μS/cm and less than 2.5 ppm TDS. Q-Lab also recommends maintaining pH 6-8 for best performance. Humidifier water consumption is listed at 8 L/day, although actual consumption depends on the test method, software settings and laboratory ambient conditions.
For facility planning, the Xe-2-HE external dimensions are 91 x 166 x 69 cm, with a listed weight of 172 kg. The electrical requirement is 208 V 1-phase at 24 A or 230 V 1-phase at 23 A, with voltage tolerance of plus or minus 10% and 50/60 Hz operation. Q-Lab’s recommended laboratory ambient condition is 23 ± 5 °C and 50 ± 25% relative humidity, and the chamber should not be operated in laboratory ambient conditions above 36 °C or above 80% RH.
Why Choose the Q-Lab Q-SUN Xe-2-HE?
The Q-Lab Q-SUN Xe-2-HE is a strong fit for laboratories that want the rotating-rack exposure geometry of the Xe-2 family together with controlled relative humidity, but do not require spray exposure. Compared with the Xe-1 tabletop models, it provides a full-size chamber, simultaneous BP or IBP plus CAT control and humidity control. Compared with Xe-2 spray configurations, it keeps the system focused on light, heat and RH-controlled exposure cycles, which may be the correct scope for many indoor lightfastness, humidity-assisted weathering and material durability methods.
For technical buyers, the main commercial value is controlled repeatability. The combination of SOLAR EYE irradiance control, AUTOCAL calibration support, rotating-rack specimen exposure, humidity control and dual touchscreen operation helps laboratories produce defensible accelerated weathering data. This is valuable for quality teams approving incoming materials, R and D groups screening formulation changes, automotive suppliers validating interior or exterior materials and manufacturers comparing the durability of alternative coatings, plastics, textiles or packaging substrates.
John Morris Group supplies Q-Lab capital test equipment across Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and the Pacific Islands, supporting customers with model selection, facility planning, calibration workflow, installation considerations and after-sales support. Contact John Morris Group for a quote on the Q-Lab Q-SUN Xe-2-HE Rotating Rack Xenon Arc Test Chamber with Humidity Control, including confirmation of the correct optical filters, detector assembly, specimen holders, calibration accessories and installation requirements for your test programme.
