BX Microscope Upgrade: X-Cite Mini + LED Fluorescence System

Read the Edited Video Transcript for ‘BX Microscope Upgrade: X-Cite Mini+ LED Fluorescence System’

Hi, this is Chad with Munday Scientific. Today, we’re going to talk about upgrading your old fluorescent microscope with the new X-Cite Mini+ system from Excelitas. We have a brand new unit in the box, and we’re going to unbox it and install it on a BX40 microscope. One of our clients is upgrading their BX40 and had a few questions about the process. So, we’re going to walk through unboxing the system and mounting it to a BX40—so they’ll know exactly how to do it when it arrives.

Michael’s going to come in now. We’ll move the BX40 out of the way and lower the table. These ergonomic tables are great for packing and working—it’s nice to be able to stand instead of sit.

So let’s open the box. This is a brand new unit that just came in yesterday. We do keep these in stock, so if you’re looking to upgrade your system, just reach out.

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What’s in the Box

When you open the box, you’ll find:

• A power cord
• A USB cable
• A quick-start guide
• The BXIX flange (which we needed for this particular BX model)
• The controller
• The illuminator unit itself

We’ll show you how to install the flange and connect everything. It’s all very simple—but a picture is worth a thousand words, and a video is worth even more—so we like to show you exactly how it’s done.

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Overview of the X-Cite Mini+

This is a compact, space-saving unit. It features:

• Instant on/off capability (no warm-up time)
• A rotary dial that doubles as a shutter—just press to turn the light on or off
• 80% lower energy usage compared to traditional mercury systems
• 20,000-hour LED life
• A 3-year warranty
• No mercury or hazardous materials

If you do need a warranty repair—which is rare—Excelitas typically offers a 3-day turnaround.

Now we’ll open the unit just enough to demonstrate how it works while keeping most of the packaging intact. You’ll see a few Allen bolts that allow you to attach the flange.

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Installing the Flange

This flange mounts to the back of the microscope. The on/off switch is located on the unit itself, and the rotary dial plugs into the back port labeled “Remote.” Once connected, pressing the dial activates the unit (you’ll see a green light). You can rotate the dial to adjust brightness from 0% to 100%. When finished, press the dial again to power it off. It’s a very straightforward, user-friendly system.

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Mounting the System to the Microscope

The client currently uses a standard BX40 without a fluorescence illuminator. We’re sending them this system, and we’ll show how to disassemble and reassemble it step-by-step.

First, you’ll want a 3 mm Allen wrench, which is an essential tool for these microscopes. To remove the microscope head, loosen the screw on the left side and lift it off.

To change the filter cubes:

• Use the same 3 mm Allen wrench on the turret side.
• It’s a four-position turret. Loosen the screw, slide the old cube out, and insert the new one.
• Lock it down and slide it back in on the dovetail. Hold the turret while tightening the screw again.

There are two ways the illuminator can be mounted:

1. Quick method (not recommended): Some users only use the flange and skip bolting it down. In this case, you can lift the unit right off.
2. Proper method (recommended): Pop off the larger caps on the illuminator to access the screw holes. Use your 3 mm Allen wrench to tighten the mounting screws inside. If your unit arrives with caps in place, use a small pick or razor blade to remove them using the notches.

Continue Reading ‘BX Microscope Upgrade: X-Cite Mini+ LED Fluorescence System’

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Adjusting the Illumination

If your light seems off-center, you may need to realign the field stop and aperture stop, which are controlled by two adjustment screws. When we ship units, these are usually already centered, but it’s good to know how to adjust them if needed.

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Final Installation Steps

To attach the flange to the X-Cite Mini+:

• Remove the cap covering the LED opening.
• Line up the two alignment pins on the flange with the holes on the unit.
• Use a 3 mm Allen wrench to insert and tighten the three screws provided.
• Once secured, hold the unit firmly, position it on the microscope, and tighten the flange screws (bottom first, then top).
• Remove all packaging, and it’s ready for use!

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Operation and Conclusion

Once installed, plug in the remote dial, press to power on, and adjust intensity as needed. This is a great solution if you’re upgrading from mercury. It’s safer, more efficient, and much easier to use.

If you have any questions, feel free to email us at .

Anyway, you can find us at microscopemarketplace.com if you’re interested in purchasing any of these scopes.

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