Ten times faster, new protection, inputs, and event marker in a smaller box.

ValveLink8.2® Controller & FREE ValveLink8.2 PC Software

ValveGuard™ technology detects bad valves
Prevent damage to your ValveLink and easily observe problem valves.

Run experiments automatically – even unattended
By running experiments automatically, AutoMate Systems will leave you free to accomplish other tasks – saving you both time and money.

Microprocessor-based for accuracy and flexibility
Our low-cost ValveLink controller has powerful perfusion commands and capabilities not offered by competing valve drivers: open single or multiple valves, master channel for control/buffer solution, computer control.

Low noise & low voltage valve control
Designed for electrophysiology. CE marked for Europe.

Manual, TTL (digital), analog, and USB inputs
Control valves manually (by push button) or by computer – simultaneously
thanks to the microprocessor design. Spill sensor protects your equipment when a leak is detected.

ValveLinks can switch 12V DC solenoid valves open and closed in one millisecond using full power, then hold-in at 1/2 power to prevent thermal transfer to your solutions. Low noise circuitry minimizes recording artifacts in electrophysiology. Both ValveLinks and ValveBanks are designed for use with pClamp, Patchmaster, AxoGraph, et al. All AutoMate products include a one-year limited warranty covering both parts and labor (see manual for more details).

ValveGuard™ technology detects bad valves to prevent damage to your ValveLink and easily observe problem valves. Front-panel LEDs are dark for broken or disconnected valves, or blink for short-circuited valves. Automatic networking lets you connect up to eight ValveLinks to a USB hub and PC to create a single 64-channel controller. One analog input can control eight valves: zero volts closes all valves, and each half-volt increment opens the next valve (i.e. 3 volts opens valve six). Analog event marker allows you to record all valve activity.

ValveLinks are less expensive than AutoMate’s ValveBank controllers and include manual pushbuttons, digital/TTL, analog and USB inputs to control valves. They are designed for easy control by your data acquisition software. The ValveLink is the controller of choice for dose response work at pharmaceutical companies and the NIH. Its sophisticated design allows control of sixteen valves with only four digital outputs from pCLAMP. A spill sensor stops all valves when a leak is detected to protect your microscope and table. All LEDs blink until you press a button to continue. ValveLinks can now power individual valves up to 1 amp (12 watts), and a total of 2 amps for all valves open simultaneously.

ValveLink

ValveBank or ValveLink8.2: Which controller is right for you?

Heka EPC Customers

AutoMate Scientific offers cables to connect your EPC-10 to our valve controllers.

Free ValveLink8.2 PC Software

Note: This program will not work without a ValveLink8.2 connected to your computer by USB cable. It will not do anything with a very old ValveLink (with white buttons) or ValveBank controller. You may wish to download this ValveLink8.2-readme.pdf before downloading the entire program.

If you purchased your ValveLink after June 2015, download the free ValveLink8.2 software for Windows 7 and above. It is a 1.8 MB download. Windows should automatically download and install the required drivers. If not, please visit www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/D2XX.htm and download the drivers for your version of Windows. Let us know if you would be interested in a Macintosh version.

If you purchased your ValveLink before June 2015, click here to download the free ValveLink8.2 software for Windows 7 and below. It is a 4.4 MB download including the necessary drivers for older ValveLinks.

“Our lab has been using ValveLink controllers for years with good, reliable results. The new ValveLink8.2 is even smaller and faster than its predecessor. It also looks cool and the buttons feel nicer than the previous version. I use it manually or programmed by outputs from my stimulator. I haven’t observed any noise from the valve system on my electrophysiology rig.”

Hillel Adesnik, Ph.D.
Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and HWNI
University of California, Berkeley

ValveLink8.2 Controller

ValveLink
  • Manual push buttons
  • Red/green LED indicators
  • 1.5 Amp, 12V AC supply included
  • Dimensions: 9.28” x 1.6” x 5.13”
  • Weight: 3 lbs. (1.4 kg.)
ValveLink-RearView
  • Eight TTL inputs directly activate 8 valves
  • Or control 16 valves with only four digital outputs

ValveLink PC Software

Easycode
  • Control valves directly from your PC screen by USB
  • Network multiple ValveLinks into a single, virtual instrument

Heka EPC Adapter

Heka EPC Adapter
  • Digital output lines of the EPC-10 Patch Clamp amplifier to control external devices, like the ValveLink controllers.

References – ValveLink