Infrared Temp Guns
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 1
From: AL
it takes much more $, like 700-800 to get a good IR with adjustible emissivity and a narrower focus. worth it in some industry apps, but again not necessary for autos, i think.
that's my 2 cents, hopefully others will offer owner testimonies . . .
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
From: Cameron Tx
I've got a cbb that keeps reading hot on the guage but tried one IR gun and it was no where near hot. I've changed the sending unit and it still climbs up there on the gauge so I want the gun to ease my soul until I get it figured out.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 1
From: AL
see if you can borrow the IR meter again. with the "cheaper" meters, you may need to be no more than 4-6 inches away from the surface (have to read instructions to determine the size of the "cone"). you should be able to get a reading from the exhaust manifold, the cool and hot parts of the intake manifold, etc. exhaust should not be over 500-600F if just hot idling, intake should read close to thermostat setting at the thermostat and front cooling runners-will be a little hotter in the rear. exhaust crossover will be much notter. you will not be able to get a reading off the temp sensor if in the side of the head, it is too small.
these are numbers off the top of my mind; someone who has recent readings can post better numbers.
if the borrowed IR meter does not give readings in this neighborhood or relative readings, i would try another IR meter first.
thanks
these are numbers off the top of my mind; someone who has recent readings can post better numbers.
if the borrowed IR meter does not give readings in this neighborhood or relative readings, i would try another IR meter first.
thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
These guns are pretty accurate. Keep in mind that they don't work so well on shiny, highly curved, or clear surfaces (like glass).
I check my coolant temp with the gun by placing some blue painters tape on the thermostat housing since mine is chrome.
Use the laser beam to locate the aim accurately. There is also a ratio of distance to spread that is important to keep in mind. I think mine is 2:8 which means that from 8" away it measure a diameter of 2". A 2" diameter may be too big for the area you are measuring so you would need to move in closer. There is a scale on the gun to remind me.
I check my coolant temp with the gun by placing some blue painters tape on the thermostat housing since mine is chrome.
Use the laser beam to locate the aim accurately. There is also a ratio of distance to spread that is important to keep in mind. I think mine is 2:8 which means that from 8" away it measure a diameter of 2". A 2" diameter may be too big for the area you are measuring so you would need to move in closer. There is a scale on the gun to remind me.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 923
Likes: 37
From: Green Bay Wisconsin
Hello,
Go to Grainger website, you can get them for under $100. They are accurate as long as you don't try to point the laser at bright shiny surfaces.
Useful for all sorts of troubleshooting.
Good Luck,
Douglas in Green Bay
Go to Grainger website, you can get them for under $100. They are accurate as long as you don't try to point the laser at bright shiny surfaces.
Useful for all sorts of troubleshooting.
Good Luck,
Douglas in Green Bay
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
I have one it was 100 bucks, it has a laser to point it in the correct place. I get readings on curved shiny surfaces, are these readings not true ? 
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 175
Likes: 11
From: Omaha ne
I would not rely on one of these for an accurate reading. They are an indicator at best. To many variables with surface condition requirements. If the unit is calibrated for excatly what you are doing and reading off of OK, otherwise your info may be skewed.
I use an actual thermocouple with a digital meter. The probe is installed directly into the coolant as close to the t/sat housing as I can get. A bit **** but it's my process engineering background coming back to haunt me.
I also have a fluke surface probe attachment that i have found to be pretty close to the readings obtained with the thermocouple. If plugs into a DVM and give a reding in millivolts. 1 mv = 1 degree. It can be held on the t/sat. radiator tank or wherever one wants
Tim
I use an actual thermocouple with a digital meter. The probe is installed directly into the coolant as close to the t/sat housing as I can get. A bit **** but it's my process engineering background coming back to haunt me.
I also have a fluke surface probe attachment that i have found to be pretty close to the readings obtained with the thermocouple. If plugs into a DVM and give a reding in millivolts. 1 mv = 1 degree. It can be held on the t/sat. radiator tank or wherever one wants
Tim
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 1
From: AL
cheers