Infrared laser thermometer

Ric in Richmond · Post by **Ric in Richmond** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 2:10 pm

Harbor Freight has a laser infrared thermometer on sale for $50.00.

I picked one up and have been playing with it. Very cool.

You could use it for stuffing box temps. IF you knew what "normal" was a problem would show up pretty quick.

You can find out your epoxy temps real easy as well!!!

I found it to be pretty handy.

Ric

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=91778

heartofgold · Post by **heartofgold** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 6:40 pm

We have one at work, and during the cooler time of year (it really can't be called winter, you know), we use it to determine the temperature of a boat hull. You know, the 55 degree threshold for spraying Awl Grip. It is frustrating when the sunny side of the boat is 59 and the shaded side only climbs to 51. But it is a most useful little tool.

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 12:39 pm

I was watching one of those car shows that come on on Saturday where they were using one of these to determine if synthetic oil made a difference in the transmission and rear end of a car, by taking temp readings (it apparently did make a difference which was confirmed on the dyno). It seems to me this thing could be very useful for everything from checking the hubs on your trailer to the cutlass bearing on your boat, so I ordered one for Kaholee. I think it might be interesting to add a temp reading off of various components like the cutlass bearing to the log so over time I might be able to determine when maintenance is needed.

I know, kind of nerdy, but hay, I'm a computer geek, so no one should be surprised. :)

Ric in Richmond · Post by **Ric in Richmond** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 12:46 pm

If you develop a range of normal operating temps you could certainly spot something unusual.

No doubt better than the "can I touch the hub?" bearing test most of us do on trailers.

You will find all kinds of stuff to measure. HMMMM is my coffee still warm???

You will like the unit. Seems better made that most junk at Harbor Freight.

I do have a love hate relationship with that place. Some stuff is great...some is just trash!!!

Ric

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 12:51 pm

LOL, I hadn't thought of the coffee thing, but good idea. :)

It does seem like it would have a lot of uses, and all you would need to be able to do is see the item.

cfretz · Post by **cfretz** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 8:17 am

i am working on a recoreing a small boat with balsa in the floor. i was trying to figure out how much of the balsa was wet and got this tip.

roll the boat outside when its really cold for 48hours. heat up the shop and bring her in for 2 hours. take the laser and start measuring the hull. water will be apparent as the temp spikes. you can map out the bad areas with a pencil and start cutting.

I didnt try is as i just removed the whole core but i thought it was a great idea.

Ric in Richmond · Post by **Ric in Richmond** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 1:21 pm

I tried the laser IR thermometer Saturday on the boat to asses wet core..

Found three spots (the three spots I already suspected were questionable) but they weren't as big as I thought and the rest of the deck was great...YEAH!!!

Out door temp was mid 50's Overnight was high teens. Deck in the sun was right around 50-53 consistently. Where it was suspected wet it dropped to 38-40.

Very easy to see where the temp changes and you could easily outline what you wanted to go after.

It might work on a sunny day in the summer too. Any time you get a decent temperature differential overnight would probably do it.

Very cool tool!!

Ric