High-Temperature IR Thermometer

[ehmcfarl]

Those of you who have purchased an IR Thermometer to use to check tire temps, hub temps, and such. Can you discuss what brand of thermometer you purchased, and maybe where you purchased it? Also, can you tell what distance-to-target ratio it has? I am looking to purchase one and there seems to be a large price range in the models available. From what I can tell the higher the price, the bigger distance-to-target ratio it will have. Is this the biggest difference in the more expensive ones over the cheaper ones?

Thanks

[Fire5er]

Purchased from Harbor Freight for about $40 (I think its less now). Use it for hub and tire temps. Works great! Only need to use it to find any large difference, not looking for great accuracy.

[Jolu]

I use the one from Harbor Freight like Fire5er refers to. Works great and easy to use.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=96451

[WorkerB]

Fire5er is right on. I also have the Harbor Freight $40 model. If you shoot all four hubs they will normally be reasonably close in temperature. When something is going wrong, the bad one will stick out like a sore thumb. Concerning the distance you will probably be 3 feet or closer so just try to be about the same distance when shooting temps.
John

[tim43]

Got mine at Radio Shack a few years ago. In the high $40.00 range.

[Waynem]

Same, Radio Shack. It is sufficient for what I want to do with it.

Besides tires, I point it at the DW and see if she is "hot" or not.

[grampachet]

Home depot just under $40. Ryobi, three feet or so for most accuracy.

[richfaa]

I am glad this topic came up as all the readings we have are for the 05 Ford truck and the mission ST tires on the 3400.Went out and got the IR thermometer and will take new readings over the remainder of this trip.. Our instructions say that it is best used at a distance of 3 to 12 inches from the target. You will need to experiment a bit to get a set of readings that you are comfortable with. The Tire pressure monitor is also a tool as it measures the rise in tire pressure therefore heat. Takes sme time and experimentation to put all this stuff together but it results in increased tire safety.

[Bill-N-Donna]

Well you got me on this one!
I looked at the web site and decided to order one. I’ve thought about getting one for a long time but really hadn’t looked into it. Checked with Radio Shack and they don’t carry them any more. I asked why and they said they didn’t sale enough of them. It didn’t seem to be too expensive so I just hope its as good as it looks.

[richfaa]

It will work fine bill. I even shot both sides of the dual pane windows to check the insulating factor. I can tell you that the top of of my 3 watt WI FI antenna amp reads 115 degrees and the TV screen TV on reads 79 degrees

[2 Sinks]

I've got a Raytek MT6 from NAPA auto parts.The cost was around $75.00,it came with a cordura case which will strap to your belt or belt loops,informative instruction manual for taking auto/truck temps.The Raytek MT6 is a class II laser product that meets several CE certifications.

Please read the instruction manual carefully (do's & dont's)as some of these thermometers emit laser radiation.

[bigmurf]

quote:Originally posted by richfaa

It will work fine bill. I even shot both sides of the dual pane windows to check the insulating factor. I can tell you that the top of of my 3 watt WI FI antenna amp reads 115 degrees and the TV screen TV on reads 79 degrees

I know you checked. What was the temp of the BIRD. g

[richfaa]

Bird 103..not gonna say what else we checked..

[ehmcfarl]

Thanks guys, for all the info. As usual I have found everything I need here on the MOC.

Buddy

[richfaa]

We re checked our temps with the IR thermometer yesterday on this trip since we realized the readings we had were on the ST missions and we now have LT Coopers. We have the pressure pro monitor system. The readings are variable and dependent on the outside temp, tire pressure and speed.
Yesterday the outside temp was 90/91 speed was 62/65 MPH and the tire presure was a exact 80psi on all tires. The tire pressure monitor saw a high reading of 90/91 psi with the average being 88/89 The tire temps were 120/121/121/120 and the hub temps were all 118. That was with the pressure monitor showing 91PSI. I would have liked to have shot the road temp but coud not do that. The Mission ST tires ran a bit cooler than the LT's. Later in the day the outside temp dropped to 84 and the tire sat at a steady 88 psi.

[Bill-N-Donna]

I got the IR thermometer gun today. I must have been one of the lucky ones. I was looking back on their web site and it went from $29.99 up to $59.99. I wonder if there was some kind of rush on them that made them raise the price? That was quite a jump. Anyway, it’s a neat little toy to play with. It also seems to be fairly accurate and gives a quick temperature reading.

[dieselguy]

Sears Craftsman IR gun ... $49.00 ... actually didn't cost me anything ... Santa brought it by last Winter.

[electryc_monk]

got one from NAPA using it currently to figureout fridge issues... looked at tires on car... didn't get to test it on 5-er when we took it to state park this evening... to many other distractions.... go figure eh?