INFRARED THERMOMETER

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forvols

Member
Dec 6, 2007
55
NORTHEAST TN
I bought one of these at HD to help detect air leaks and drafts. I live in a log home have replacement windows which is a big help. But main floor was still drafty. I played around with it some I could not believe just HOW many small drafts I found. Did the same thing in my basement, where the NC-30 is same thing. When you add up all the small air leaks it adds up to alot of cold air getting in my house. I paid 39bucks for it. I would recommend if you dont have one to get one of these IR thermometers. Its a neat toy but I can see its going to be a great tool also. Much better than using a bic lighter or the back of your hand to find the drafts.


Tony
 
Its a

COMMERCIAL ELECTRIC - MS6530H
DS - 10:1
ACCURACY - +/- 1.5%
TEMP RANGE: -22F/-30C to 570F/300C
EMISSIVITY - .95
BACK LIGHT
AUTO ON/OFF
LASER POINTER
COMES WITH A 9V BATTERY

I had went to get a KLIEN(79.00) but HD did not have them in stock. So got this figured if I did not like it I could take it back.
 
Based on a recommendation on this site, I bought a Sixth Sense LT100 Infrared Thermometer for myself, early Christmas, I guess. It arrived yesterday. First impressions are that the plastic is pretty heavy and durable. I wouldn't be afraid of an accidental fall (unlike the lightweight plastic one my dad has).

$49 including S&H

http://www.instrumart.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=10228

The kids and I have been having lots of fun wandering around the house reading temps. Discovered the girls bedroom ceiling was 41 F last night. That would explain why they huddle together in bed with 5-6 blankets and have trouble getting up in the morning, I suppose! Attic insulation scheduled for 12/29...
 
When the kids claim they don't feel well the 1st. thing I do is hit em with the laser(at least I try to before my wife gives the "are you drunk" look and uses a real thermometer).
Joe
 
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Yep, I even used it on her last night. I told her, "Hold still, I need to see if you're HOT!" I think the humor of the moment escaped her....
 
forvols said:
I bought one of these at HD to help detect air leaks and drafts. I live in a log home have replacement windows which is a big help. But main floor was still drafty. I played around with it some I could not believe just HOW many small drafts I found. Did the same thing in my basement, where the NC-30 is same thing. When you add up all the small air leaks it adds up to alot of cold air getting in my house. I paid 39bucks for it. I would recommend if you dont have one to get one of these IR thermometers. Its a neat toy but I can see its going to be a great tool also. Much better than using a bic lighter or the back of your hand to find the drafts.

That's exactly the same reason why I laid out a few more bucks to get the IR thermometer instead of just one for the stove. Can't wait for it to arrive. I am sure there are a lot of places where I need to upgrade the insulation. I can already tell you for sure that styrofoam peanuts are NOT good insulators in the attic which the previous owner of our house seemed to think.
 
I got one too and plan on really putting it to use in a couple days when that really cold air hits us. It will no doubt come with some strong wind so any air leaks should really show.
 
I bought a Harbor Freight and it seems fine, hot things read hot and cold things read cool. The scary thing is that it reads pretty close to my Rutland magnetic thermometer.
 
I also have the harbor freight model, and I like it alot. I think it was $30. I looked at the home depot unit but the HF model went up to 900 degrees. Since Ive had my stove upwards of 650 degrees on some days, I like that this model can detect that level of heat.
 
KevinG said:
Based on a recommendation on this site, I bought a Sixth Sense LT100 Infrared Thermometer for myself, early Christmas, I guess. It arrived yesterday. First impressions are that the plastic is pretty heavy and durable. I wouldn't be afraid of an accidental fall (unlike the lightweight plastic one my dad has).

$49 including S&H

http://www.instrumart.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=10228

The kids and I have been having lots of fun wandering around the house reading temps. Discovered the girls bedroom ceiling was 41 F last night. That would explain why they huddle together in bed with 5-6 blankets and have trouble getting up in the morning, I suppose! Attic insulation scheduled for 12/29...

Hey Kevin,

Thanks for the tip. I particularly like the fact that it says it uses 2 AAA batteries. The others I've seen either use 9V, or don't say. I use rechargeable batteries, so this is a good fit for me. Thanks again!
 
It's always nice to be able to look around and get such a vast array of personal experiences displayed on this forum. I was thinking of getting one of these. Anyone know about a good moisture meter?
 
VCBurner said:
It's always nice to be able to look around and get such a vast array of personal experiences displayed on this forum. I was thinking of getting one of these. Anyone know about a good moisture meter?

Hey Chris,

I don't know if it's any good, but I remember Lowes or Home Depot having one for a very reasonable price--like $30. Has anyone tried it?

I'll do some thread searching--it's probably well-discussed. I'll add a link if I find something.

EDIT:

Here ya go:

https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/viewthread/59943/

Looks like folks like Harbor Freight's $12 unit.
 
I have to say this forum is a treasure trove of information for newbies or better put ... the in experienced. First of all thanks to the various posters and supporters of this forum! Unfortunately I've discovered this site 4 years too late, but better late than never. This particular thread has been a trememdous help as I never even thought about an IR meter. I've been reading the various posts and in addition to the importance of seasoned wood, knowing the operating temperature is an obvious aid too. I was wondering how I would manage this with the BIS CE traditional. I'm off today to look at both a mastercraft IR and moisture meter as they just happen to be on sale.
 
If you are shopping for one, it's never a bad idea to check them out on amazon.com. Whether you buy it there or not, I like previewing items there since I can read the feedback from those who have purchased and used the item.

I purchased the KINTREX IRT0421 Non-Contact Infrared Thermometer with Laser Targeting from amazon last year. I liked how high a range it would read to. I've used it for better than a year now and have no complaints other than it will not read the temperature of very shiny things like polished stainless or chrome. Not sure if that is a trait of all IR thermometers or just this one.

pen
 
Good advice Pen. We also do that a lot. We try to do our homework before the purchase.
 
RenovationGeorge said:
VCBurner said:
It's always nice to be able to look around and get such a vast array of personal experiences displayed on this forum. I was thinking of getting one of these. Anyone know about a good moisture meter?

Hey Chris,

I don't know if it's any good, but I remember Lowes or Home Depot having one for a very reasonable price--like $30. Has anyone tried it?

I'll do some thread searching--it's probably well-discussed. I'll add a link if I find something.

EDIT:

Here ya go:

https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/viewthread/59943/

Looks like folks like Harbor Freight's $12 unit.

Thanks for the link George. One of these is essential while learning everything about burning. I guess you'd have to know your fuel to really understand your stove.
 
I have both the moisture meter and IR thermometer from Harbor Freight. Bought both on discount at the local store, so lower price and no shipping charge. I like both and they appear accurate.
 
I have both the moisture meter and IR thermometer from Harbor Freight. Bought both on discount at the local store, so lower price and no shipping charge. I like both of them and both appear quite accurate.
 
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