CIN-TECH Laser Thermometer

[Allen]

I've got one of these aboard and it is really handy for checking various things like the temperature of the stove pipe or the area adjacent to where it exits the doghouse. I used it to take some preliminary temp readings off the engine today after running it for a few hours. Once I've been underway for a while I plan on taking a sample reading from the stuffing box. Quite a handy gadget all in all.

[Ceasar Choppy]

I'll second that recommendation. Very handy. Especially for troubleshooting engine issues.

Mine got wet over the winter... long story... and is slowly coming back to life. Still seems accurate enough.

[Ric in Richmond]

same thing goes on sale at harbor freight fairly often. Very handy!!!

Reassuring to see your prop shaft at seawater temp or a few degrees above!!!

Also to see the temp drop on the exhaust near the water injection point.

[gone2ddogs]

I bought the Harbor Freight 2 months ago. I checked my stuffing box after motoring for 2-3 hours and it said 89 deg. I'm assuming that's good?

John
Triton #15 Yawl Silver Girl

[feetup]

We use similar units at work for checking pre-heat temperature for the welders. The good ones are very accurate and the cheaper ones are far more accurate than we would need for our purposes. They can be fooled by a mirror like surface such as chrome or polished stainless. They are fun to check the skin temperature of friends and loved ones and great for exersising the ship's cat.

Feetup

[Allen]

John,

Maybe Tim has some idea on what the temp should be. Once I hit the Chesapeake and can get some similar data I'll post it here. What was the water temp where you were motoring? 89 degrees doesn't seem extreme to me.

Cataloging this type of data here might be handy for future reference.

[Maine Sail]

Here's a tip for fellow infrared fans.

1) Run your engine at operating temp under load for 15 minutes.

2) Begin taking sample readings of temps at the following locations and marking (with a dot) and numbering each reading spot where the laser hits with a Sharpe marker for future repeatability.

A) Raw water intake seacock
B) T-stat housing North and South sides of it
C) HX inlet temp and outlet temp (differential is what's important)
D) Exhaust elbow down and up stream and note temp differential
E) Raw water pump housing and inlet and outlet hose
F) Various points of the cooling system marked & numbered with a Sharpie marker.

3) Write readings and numbered locations down in a note book noting any differential readings by subtracting inlet from outlet or vice versa.

Next time you have a cooling system problem you'll have a good baseline as long as the sea water temp is similar. It will make for quick diagnosis..