infared temp sensor

[RJ2]

Anyone have a special going on a good one?

 

[illflem]

I got my Raytek from Enco $79. It was over $150 elsewhere. You will have to order a catalog, they don't have one online. Beware of the cheapos from Craftsman, Napa etc, some are only good to 400°F, not high enough if you want to use it on a running vehicle. My Raytek is good for 1200° and is also available with laser sighting, something you really don't need.

 

[redram]

If you can get one with a laser it is a good idea as the accuracy of the area that you are measuring expands quite rapidly the farther away from the measured surface.



At less than a foot, it's not a big deal. If you tend to be more than a foot away from the surface, the area that is being measured becomes quite large, sometimess getting to be larger than a foot wide circle.



This is important if you are trying to determine an exact measurement, say on different exhaust runner on the exhaust manifold. If you hold the gun more than 6 inches from the runner, you may actually be getting an average of two or three runners rather than a true temp on one.



Illflem's right, the best bargain I've found is the Raytec. Check with an industrial supply house such as a Grainger or even better, a competitior to them. I got one for $90, tax included with a belt holster.

 

[Rambling]

Jeese! Long again.

Bill,



Looks like you got a good deal.



I've checked both Enco and Grainger sites for current infrared thermometers. The only inexpensive models(less than $100) the two are advertising only go to 450 degrees (Raytek Model MT2 & MT4).



For those wanting to know what Raytek currently offers, here's their portable infrared main page

http://www.raytek.com/RPD2000/portover.htm



The ST60ProPlus is the least expensive model that reaches 1100 degrees(SRP $349). The next lower priced unit is the ST30Pro with a maximum temp of 950 degrees (SRP $250 - $220 at Enco).



There might be close out or refurb units out there . I didn't hunt for anything like that.



Another source I know of is Omega.com. Their unit OS450 has a maximum temperature of 788 degrees. It also has both dot and circle laser aiming aid($ 85 http://www.omega.com/ppt/pptsc.asp?ref=OS540).



Anyway, just info that might help.

 

[cap-n-cray]

Ebay

I found a good deal on Ebay for the Raytek. I got the MT-4 with lazer dot and a case for $65. 00 plus shipping. I use it for construction work. Although I did uses it at the last dyno event in Southern California to see how hot the intercooler would get.



About two months after I purchased the unit off Ebay, I got a call from the Santa Clara Sheriff Department. The deputy was doing an investigation on the guy who sold me the Raytek. It seems he worked for Raytex and was running a small business on the side. He would sell them on Ebay, supply, and ship them directly from the plant. Nice profit and he got paid to work too. Luckly they did not want the unit back only my cooperation and evidence. Ebay the worlds largest fence.



Cary

 

[PRout]

Just curious as to how warm did the intercooler get?

 

[illflem]

Not from an infrared temp gun, haven't found anyone to ride under the hood while the truck is moving, but a from temp sender in the intake manifold, highest temp ever has been 130°. The intake air is usually 30°-40° higher than the outside air temperature.

 

[cap-n-cray]

Not too hot

I took the measurement while Gary C truck was on the dyno. There were two big fans blowing air and the shop was using a pump sprayer to spray water on the cooler. The hood was up. The truck had been warmed up by driving it around prior to the dyno. It was about 78 degrees that day. At the end of the run it was about 85 - 95 degrees. Gary C almost made 500 HP, 490 something. It was his second run.



He took me for a ride after the dyno, an E ticket ride. Better than Knots Berry Farm.



Cary

 

[DMC]

I have a raytech handheld I bought at napa, and i'm curious as to what kind of temp readings others are gettin at the exhaust manifold. That is after moderate use in city driving. I'm getting 375*-420* in most cases and am just curious as to how that compares to an internal probe. I would imagine that this temperature would be a little higher than what the probe would read as the internal temps should actually drop faster than the external temperatures during cool down.



Thanks



Don

 

[illflem]

Don, your temps are about the same as the post turbo temps if you just stopped driving but a little hotter than the pre-turbo readings. You probably noticed the temp drops pretty fast after you quit driving.

 

[LandShark]

I've got a $30 Radio Shack infrared temp gun that fine for temps up to 400F. Good for checking tires, differentials, and transmission on road trips.

 

[y-knot]

If you want a good deal on a raytec tower hobbies has them on sale every once in a while.



If you are interrested in the air temps, I monitor the intake air charge, I have a probe in the intake track. It's temperature is displayed in my a-pillar mount. quiet interresting.

 

[wlowe]

Here is the one I have. Bought it from Sears. It is a combination digital multimeter-infrared temp gun w/laser guide. Works great!



http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=03481079000



Bill

 

[DMC]

Thanks for the replies guys, I was just curious as to how the external temp on the exhaust manifold would compare to a temperature probe installed in the manifold.



I guess, its time I broke down and got some gauges. I saw some nice dual digital gauges somehere. It looked to me like you could actually mount two gauges say on the a pillar and actually be monitoring 4 different readings. I think it was boost and pyrometer in one, and fuel pressure and something else in the other. I think I saw these in one of the recent TDR publications.



Thanks again



Don

 

[Blue2002]

DMC,



I have the same Craftsman handheld as Bill mentioned above and I also have the Westach Boost/EGT Combo. The handheld tracks very close from ~280-580F whether I use the IR function of the gauge or the contact function of the gauge. By the time I jump out of the truck and open the hood the turbo has always been less than 580F.

The handheld is interesting to look at different areas of the engine such as comparisons between pre turbo and post turbo. Preturbo temp is higher than post turbo until the engine cools (temp gets below ~300F), then post turbo eventually becomes slightly higher than preturbo on my truck. (No Engine mods yet. )

I told the wife I needed the handheld to check for insulation problem in the house

 

[Blue2002]

I hope I did not mislead you with my post above.

If you are trying to decide about whether to get an external gauge (handheld) or a internal gauge (permanent mount such as the Westach) , then get the internal gauge. It is nice to know how hot you are running when pulling a load up a big hill. I can get mine up to 1200F, then I back it down a bit. Usually 500-700F highway @ 70mph.

My wife would not consider getting on the hood and holding the hand held gauge.

 

[Jammar9082]

IR Thermometers

I bought an IR thermometer, model 800002, from Technika.com in Phoenix. They have an extensive variety of precision test equipment that spans all price ranges and capabilities. The unit I ordered has more functions than the "gun" type but at the same cost due to a sale price reduction. I payed $88. 90 plus shipping.

 

[JLEONARD]

Just got an Enco sale catalog and they list one for $74. 95 that goes to 600*F and one for $83. 95 that goes to 1000*F.

Both have a laser sight.

www.use-enco.com

Jay