Infrared Thermometer. A hot Idea?

[Ag&Au]

Because I was suffering from shoppers anxiety, I decided it was necessary to buy something I have obviously needed for a long time, but have just now recognized that fact.

I ordered an infrared thermometer.

Here is my request. Please post your favorite applications for this obviously indispensable tool. This will help me justify this purchase that I am already sure was of the utmost necessity.

Thanks in advance,

Ken

P.S. I have already recognized the need to know the temperature of the white area in the middle of Daisy(my avatar)'s belly.

[dznf0g]

Tires: Inside edge, middle, outside edge
Hubs
Under my tongue (the mouth one)
lots of other stuff...I just point and shoot...just because I can!

[Tom Nugler]

We use these in the shop all the time. Checked seat heaters this morning.
On the road I use it to check tire temps; low pressure, overload, failing carcass. Wheels and hubs; dragging brakes, hot bearings.
In camp for dutch oven cooking, grill temp and to make sure the beer is cold enough.

Tom

[HiHoAgRV]

Originally Posted by w7ts

... Please post your favorite applications for this obviously indispensable tool. This will help me justify this purchase that I am already sure was of the utmost necessity.

Thanks in advance,

Ken

P.S. I have already recognized the need to know the temperature of the white area in the middle of Daisy(my avatar)'s belly.

Rapid movement of the laser dot drives our cats crazy...Oh, we also check hub temps...

[reinergirl]

I use it to check the temperature of my horses feet! Its a good predictor of laminitis.... maybe you need a horse

[idroba]

You can use it to find out just how cold those cold feet are in bed, or cold hands. Or how well you are doing on a date.... ooops.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, I bought one of those and had a lot of fun playing with it.

Check my dog's body temp.

Check my refrigerator; My drinks.

Check the walls in my house.

Check the windows too.

Check my engine's various parts and the radiator.

I actually checked my tow vehicles and trailers tires a few times.

Check the bath water for my dog.

And on and on and on; Check everything in sight whether moving or not.

Keep it in my Lincoln's consul for whenever I want to check something.

Can be very useful and fun too.

WHY NOT?

[Scott J-24]

I use mine to check all of the above plus the temp of the Tarmac in the summertime before I let our dog Heidi jump out of the car (don't want her to burn her paws on the hot ground).

[richinny]

you folks have just begun to play! i'd say the thermometer is like catnip is to cats :-)

[Scott J-24]

We gotta have our gadgets.

[Intrepid]

The wife asked me what I was going to use it for...I told her men need gadgets before they know the need.

A couple days later I pulled a microwave meal out of the microwave and re-read the instructions. It said the food temperature had to be 165 degrees. I scanned the underside of the container and it displayed 168. I found a use for it: food safety!

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by Intrepid

..............................

men need gadgets before they know the need.

.......................................

I am going to make a sign that quotes that.

I wonder what new gadgets will be necessary for that project.


I will say that my wife is starting to be a believer. In the last couple years, she has been able to complete a few of her projects, because I have come forth with some gadget I had previously acquired and saved until the time its need appeared.

Ken

[barts]

Some interesting things to measure:

On my 19' steam launch:

* stack temp.
* exhaust temp.
* engine temp.
* feed water temp.
* boiler skin temps - looking for hot spots.

In the shop:

Welding interpass temp - is base metal too hot to weld?
temp. of parts in lathe, esp. with negative rake tooling.
electrical connection temp - is connection loose?
circuit breaker temp - are connections failing?
temp of Lexan before bending

On the Tin Pickle & truck:

Tire, brake, hub, differential temps
Interior and exterior skin temp - esp. at Burning Man!

These are great gadgets - and available very cheaply now.
I remember when a good voltmeter was expensive - a very
serviceable, rugged DVM is less than $40 today.

Good instrumentation is a real boon to repeatable, predictable
results.


- Bart

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by barts

On my 19' steam launch:

* stack temp.
* exhaust temp.
* engine temp.
* feed water temp.
* boiler skin temps - looking for hot spots.

- Bart

Are there pictures of your launch posted anywhere?

[barts]

Originally Posted by w7ts

Are there pictures of your launch posted anywhere?

Some pictures can be seen here:

Mechanical details, although somewhat out of date:
Steamboating!

Otter (and other steamboats) in action at Klamath Lake:

2006_Klamath

- Bart

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by barts

Some pictures can be seen here:

Mechanical details, although somewhat out of date:
Steamboating!

Otter (and other steamboats) in action at Klamath Lake:

2006_Klamath

- Bart

Thanks for the links.

That looks like a bunch of fun. I like boats and have always been interested in steam power.

We paddled our canoe around those reeds and lilies in Klamath Lake in 1992.

Maybe I can arrange to be in Anacortes next summer to see the boats. Thats my home territory.

Ken

[RangerJay]

CAUTION!!!

It is not wise to use the word "Gadget" in the presence of ones spouse....

..... with great respect to the domestic relationship - there is simply is no understanding of the need for any "gadget" .....

..... however .....

..... a "Tool" is a much different story ......

...... the need for a "tool" cannot be disputed - there can be many tools in the RV "tool kit" - but there should be no "gadgets" .....

...... in this case the Infra-Red Scanning Tool should be described as a critically important "Multi-Purpose Temperature Evaluating Device" ......

...... on that is obviously designed to ensure the safe operation of a number of vitally necessary RVing functions ......

...... of course there is a wide range ......

......from wheel bearing temperatures to ensuring your morning coffee will not scald your lips ......

..... please remember ...... solidarity is important if we are to achieve domestic tranquility ...... there no gadgets ...... there are only tools .....

..... and each tool makes it own essential contribution to every successful RV outing .....


Thanks,



Jay

[casarodante]

On our Balloon Fiesta trip two years ago, our truck started flashing lights about the transmission being overtemp. Checking the fluid (no burnt smell and good color), operation was good. The final piece of mind was using my infrared thermometer to shoot the temp (under 140 degrees). Turned out to be a bad sensor.

Very nice to have.

[TBRich]

OK. Well, now I HAVE to get one. I KNEW there would be a reason! I must talk to Santa. But have I been good enough this year? (I think so!)

[Aage]

Electric motors (like in fans and compressors?) temp.

Too hot = too bad