IR thermometer

[RA40]

I need to measure a series of machine components while in operation to check for temperature stability. Most temps will not exceed 150F but I can imagine other uses after this project. Budget somewhere ~$100 but less would be appreciated. Suggestions for a reasonable quality unit?

(This isn't a high accuracy project...just so long as temp accuracy is within a couple degrees. Most units I casually looked at fall into this range. Data does not need to be logged so data connectors aren't necessary.)

TIA

 

[barkingmad]

Have a look at something like the Thermohawk 200 or 400.

 

[coppertrail]

I like the Raytek MT6. I bought it for $56 w/ shipping on eBay, so look around, you might be able to find it for a bit less.

 

[Morelite]

What kind of surfaces are the components? I have had problems getting good readings off of some shiney or reflective metal parts with IR temp guns.

 

[RA40]

It's not a reflective surface, most have been painted a flat black.

 

[jeffb]

I was a Raytek rep, at one time.............inexpensive hand helds will have a
.95 emissivity. If the black color is the same on all parts, the reading will be repeatable............meaning that you will need a touch type thermocouple or a way of verifying accurate temp and then "calibrating" reading, meaning that the emmissivity at .95 will not necessarily display an "accurate" temperature, however, the reading will be repeatable and linear. (if all variables are the same).

With a handheld, the part needs to be larger than the emitted spot and parts read at the same distance and angle to help ensure repeatability.

http://www.raytek-northamerica.com/cat.html?cat_id=9

will help with application.

Hope this helps.

jeffb

 

[ks_physicist]

I purchased an Extech IR-201 (~$55 US) for use in class and for my own personal use measuring all sorts of things. It is fixed-emissivity. There is a slightly more expensive handheld Extech that has adjustable emissivity, and several higher end ones.

Depending on how precise you want to be, you could get one of the $7 or so Harbor Freight IR thermometers. They're tiny, but very useful for students in lab; they give readings that concur with the IR-201 very well.

ETA: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93983

 

[9volt]

http://www.tempgun.com/main.html

 

[RA40]

Thanks guys!

jeffb...that was good info, that helped me a lot.

Still reading up on them. I've been thinking of an Extech 42510 Wide Range. ~$80. I'll run to HF and pick up one of those to play with also.

 

[eluminator]

I have the Extech 403265. It works for me. It was fairly expensive I think. Maybe over $100.

I use it for finding hot spots in my 'puters. One of the bare aluminum heat sinks gave a bad reading. Sometimes your finger can do a better job

 

[RA40]

I eventually bought a Fluke Mini 62. Considered a comparable Extech...the guys in the shop had more praise for the Fluke so I was swayed that direction.

 

[paulr]

Wow, that HF (though $9.99 rather than $7) looks nice. I got athermohawk 200 from woot for around $20 a couple weeks ago but I think I like the HF unit better. The thermohawk uses button batteries which crap out very quickly. I think there's a fancier thermohawk that uses an aaa, so I guess I'd look into that if I were doing it again.

The thermohawk 200 is not that useful/repeatable/accurate, but I think that's a limitation of the technology rather than the unit itself having problems.

 

[RA40]

The battery use was another consideration. AA's or 9V were my preference and the Fluke uses a 9V. Button cells can be a PITA to find except the 2032 or LR88 types. I'm quite pleased with this one.

 

[paulr]

The thermohawk uses a very common type of button cell. I forget the number (ag13?) but I bought a bunch of them from batterystation for something like 10 cents each.

 

[eluminator]

My Extech takes 4 AAA cells. I much prefer that to button or 9 volt.

Button and 9v batteries probably wouldn't run the laser for long. Or maybe those don't have lasers.

Mine seems to give good repeatable readings, but I did pay a lot for it. Mainly because there weren't many around and the cheaper ones didn't have the laser. The cheaper ones also had a wider "viewing" angle, so you had to get closer if you wanted to measure the temperature of something small.

It's still a bit of a crap shoot though because of the emissivity thing. Mine has an adjustable emissivity, but that's worthless to me because I wouldn't know what to set it to. And if I did, I suppose I could simply adjust the reading.

I guess as long as I avoid shiny objects, it works pretty well.

I took mine outdoors in the cold weather, just above freezing, and it didn't work right. Maybe if I let it adjust to the temperature it would have worked better.

 

[LuxLuthor]

I got the Sentry 650. I forget where I bought it now, but it was cheaper than this price. I love it.