The Q-Lab Q-SUN Xe-3-HDSBSE Flat-Array Xenon Arc Test Chamber with RH, Dual Spray and Back Spray is a full-size xenon arc weathering tester for laboratories that need controlled full-spectrum sunlight, heat, relative humidity and advanced moisture simulation. This extended Xe-3 configuration combines humidity control, dual spray and back spray in the Model E flat-array platform. It is designed for technical buyers testing coatings, plastics, automotive materials, textiles, packaging, sealants, printed materials and selected product components where degradation is driven by light, temperature, humidity and complex wetting cycles. For laboratories comparing Q-SUN Xe-3 configurations, the Xe-3-HDSBSE provides dual spray plus front/back water spray capability without the chiller package used on HDSBSCE models.
Test Standards Supported
The Q-SUN Xe-3-HDSBSE supports xenon arc weathering and lightfastness methods where the selected cycle requires irradiance, chamber air temperature, black panel or insulated black panel temperature, relative humidity and spray capability. Because this configuration includes dual spray and back spray, it is suited to methods or internal programmes requiring a second spray liquid and water exposure on both sides of specimens.
- 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, automotive coating exposure, subject to cycle and spray requirements.
- SAE J2412, accelerated exposure of automotive interior trim components.
- SAE J2527, accelerated exposure of automotive exterior materials, subject to cycle requirements.
- AATCC TM16 and AATCC TM169, textile lightfastness and weathering methods.
- ISO 105-B02, ISO 105-B04, ISO 105-B06 and ISO 105-B10, subject to cycle requirements.
Configuration Notes
- This Xe-3-HDSBSE model includes relative humidity control.
- This model includes dual spray for a second spray liquid such as acid rain or soap solution.
- This model includes back spray, allowing water exposure on both sides of specimens.
- This model does not include a chiller. For chiller capability, review Xe-3-HDSBSCE.
- The dual spray system includes a separate reservoir and pump enclosure requiring additional floor space.
- Method suitability depends on filter choice, irradiance, temperature, RH, spray cycle and fluid chemistry.
Key Features
- Full-size Xe-3 flat-array chamber for high-capacity xenon arc weathering and lightfastness testing.
- Three 1800 W full-spectrum ozone-free xenon arc lamps for realistic sunlight simulation.
- Relative humidity control from 20-95% for humidity-influenced material degradation cycles.
- Dual spray system for a second liquid in addition to standard water spray.
- Back spray capability for water exposure on both the front and back of specimens.
- Large 45 x 72 cm flat specimen tray for panels, larger samples and selected product parts.
- 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 compatibility for irradiance control and black panel thermometer calibration.
- Standard Ethernet datalogging plus USB data transfer and software update support.
Performance Specifications
- Chamber type: full-size flat-array xenon arc weathering test chamber.
- Light source: 3 x 1800 W full-spectrum ozone-free xenon arc lamps.
- Specimen capacity: 55 specimens at 51 x 102 mm.
- Specimen area: 45 x 72 cm, depth x width.
- Specimen orientation: 10° measured from horizontal.
- Maximum evenly distributed specimen weight on tray: 23 kg.
- Black panel temperature range: 45 to 110 °C in light, 40 to 90 °C with IR filter and 25 to 50 °C in dark.
- Insulated black panel range: 50 to 120 °C in light, 45 to 100 °C with IR filter and 25 to 50 °C in dark.
- Chamber air temperature range: 35 to 65 °C in light and 25 to 50 °C in dark.
- Relative humidity range: 20 to 95%.
- Standard Xe-3 front/back spray water consumption: 0.4 L/min with front and back spray on.
- Humidifier water consumption: 44 L/day, with actual use dependent on test and laboratory conditions.
- External dimensions: 91 x 178 x 99 cm for the main Xe-3 chamber.
- Dual spray reservoir footprint: approximately 76 x 61 cm.
- Weight: 190 to 233 kg, depending on configuration.
- Electrical requirements: 208 V or 230 V, 3-phase at 39 A, 50/60 Hz; 400 V, 3-phase at 26 A.
Specimen Capacity and Configuration
The Q-SUN Xe-3-HDSBSE uses a large flat-array specimen tray with a 45 x 72 cm exposure area and capacity for 55 specimens at 51 x 102 mm. The near-horizontal 10° specimen orientation is useful for testing flat panels, coated coupons, plastics, textiles, packaging samples and selected three-dimensional parts. Q-Lab notes that Xe-1 and Xe-3 specimen capacities are listed without specimen holders, so holder selection should be confirmed during configuration.
The key configuration advantage of Xe-3-HDSBSE is its combination of dual spray and back spray. Dual spray allows a second liquid to be sprayed onto specimens, while back spray allows moisture exposure on both sides. This is valuable for laboratories developing or validating test cycles where one water spray stream is not enough to simulate the intended service environment, such as acid rain, detergent, salt solution or customer-specific wetting programmes.
Operating Specifications
The Xe-3-HDSBSE is an S model, so it requires high-purity water. Q-Lab lists the water requirement for all S or W models as inlet pressure of 2.1 to 6.2 bar, resistivity greater than 5 MΩ.cm, conductivity less than 0.2 μS/cm, total dissolved solids less than 0.1 ppm and colloidal silica less than 0.1 ppm. Q-Lab also recommends pH 6 to 8 and use of a reverse osmosis/deionisation system for best performance.
For facility planning, the main Xe-3 chamber external dimensions are 91 x 178 x 99 cm, with a listed weight range of 190 to 233 kg depending on configuration. The dual spray system includes a separate cart or reservoir assembly with an approximate footprint of 76 x 61 cm, commonly positioned to the left of the main cabinet. The rear Xe-3 vent duct can be removed to reduce chamber depth from 99 cm to 88 cm for movement through small doors.
The electrical requirement for Xe-3-HDSBSE is 208 V or 230 V, 3-phase at 39 A, or 400 V, 3-phase at 26 A, with voltage tolerance of plus or minus 10% and 50/60 Hz operation. The recommended laboratory ambient condition is 23 ± 5 °C and 50 ± 25% relative humidity. Q-Lab states that operation outside these conditions can cause temperature, humidity or other faults, and the chamber should not be operated above 36 °C ambient or above 80% RH.
Why Choose the Q-Lab Q-SUN Xe-3-HDSBSE?
The Q-Lab Q-SUN Xe-3-HDSBSE is suited to laboratories that need advanced Xe-3 moisture simulation without the lower temperature capability of a chiller model. Compared with Xe-3-HSE, it adds dual spray and back spray. Compared with Xe-3-HBSE, it adds dual spray for a second liquid. Compared with Xe-3-HDSBSCE, it excludes the chiller, which may be appropriate when the selected method does not require lower chamber air temperature operation.
For technical buyers, the main commercial value is configuration alignment. The Xe-3-HDSBSE combines three air-cooled xenon lamps, SOLAR EYE irradiance control, humidity control, BP or IBP plus CAT control, dual spray, back spray, AUTOCAL calibration and a large flat specimen tray. This supports repeatable, documented accelerated weathering and lightfastness testing for R and D, formulation comparison, supplier qualification, quality control and customer specification work.
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, water quality requirements, electrical services and after-sales support. Contact John Morris Group for a quote on the Q-Lab Q-SUN Xe-3-HDSBSE Flat-Array Xenon Arc Test Chamber with RH, Dual Spray and Back Spray, including confirmation of the correct optical filters, specimen holders, spray-fluid requirements, water purification and installation needs for your test programme.
