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Old 05-09-2006, 03:59 PM   #1
rames14
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Infrared Thermometer

During the Great Lakes Rally last year, one of the presenters showed a digital infrared thermometer for checking tire temperature. Elevated tire temperature is a way to diagnose a problem with a tire before it blows. I had found a less expensive, but not near as nice, model at Radio Shack. It worked fine for the short time that I had it until someone broke the window out of my truck and helped themselves to that and numerous other items. I just found a good deal through Amazon.com for a Mastercool #52224. Besides tires, you can use it to sense temperature of air coming from the A/C, engine temp, heat loss from the Montana, etc. Cost was about $50. This one will measue up to 932 deg F and is switchable to Celsius with the flip of a switch for our Canadian friends.
 
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Old 05-10-2006, 05:58 AM   #2
8.1al
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This raises the question (What is excessive or elevated tire pressure?) I asked Goodyear that once and couldn't get an answer. I a temp gun and use it to compare tires to see if one is running hotter and also check wheel bearings. On hot days I have seen tread temps around 120 and don't think that's excessive but just don't know.
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Old 05-10-2006, 03:25 PM   #3
Gene Chaltry
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bought a really good one for about $30.00 at Sears. Works Great.
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Old 05-12-2006, 06:45 PM   #4
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COSTCO $30.00 or 40.00 good deal
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Old 05-13-2006, 05:25 AM   #5
dsprik
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Rich bought one at Radio Shack, can't remember what he paid...
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Old 05-13-2006, 09:19 AM   #6
OntMont
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For Canadians, Efston Science carries about a dozen different models, some quite expensive, but this one is only CAN$30 http://www.escience.ca/genSci/RENDER...075/10107.html
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Old 05-13-2006, 03:49 PM   #7
montanared
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I don't know what is excessive either. I just check to see if all 4 trailer temps are the same (or close), the front TV tires are the same, and my dual wheels are the same. If one is significantly higher, you may have a problem developing, and catching it now is a very good thing. I don't worry about a 5 degree diff, but a big diff would be reason to investigate.
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Old 05-14-2006, 01:28 AM   #8
uhftx
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Hey Guys,

Don't forget that this item can also be used to check the braking action.
I borrow one from work when I need to. It would be nice to have one on board all the time though.

After you hook up and tow for a short distance. Using the trailer brakes normally. I can pull over and shoot the beam through the steel rim slots and hit the brake drum. There may be temperature variations and this tells me which of the 4 brakes (8 shoes total 2/wheel) are not making the same contact with the drum.

I don't have specific numbers. Just looking for some balance between all 4 brake drums.

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Old 05-15-2006, 03:28 PM   #9
rames14
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There are several main differences that determine price range such as maximum temperature, laser/no laser, outside switch for celsius vs farenheit and spot size for a given distance. For tires, several hundred degrees will be adequate. For someone that wants to check radiator/engine temps, it will be necessary to have higher readings. I had the radio shack one, and it was stolen. The cost was about $49.99 as I recall. I would be interested to know if anyone has used one and actually found a bad tire.
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Old 05-15-2006, 04:43 PM   #10
William H. Collier
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This is the one I just ordered.
Bill
http://www.infrared-usa.com/Product....ategoryID=4158
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Old 05-19-2006, 04:29 PM   #11
rames14
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Looks like a nice one. I almost ordered the Raytek except for they are a competitor of mine in other products (no money to the competition) and the one I got also had a hard case for storage.
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