Laser temp sensors

[Dave T]

In the construction field a laser type temp sensor is used to check black top temps could a laser type temp sensor be used on a boiler pipe to get accurate readings of water temp where there is no temp gauges..Dave

 

[Nofossil]

In the construction field a laser type temp sensor is used to check black top temps could a laser type temp sensor be used on a boiler pipe to get accurate readings of water temp where there is no temp gauges..Dave

Absolutely. I think one of these should be included with every wood boiler. Make sure you put a masking tape target on the pipe - smooth copper is an infrared reflector any you'll get odd readings.

Every wood boiler should also include a moisture meter.....

 

[Corey]

All true - especially the part about the emissivity of copper. This also goes for stainless and other metal surfaces. Another trick is to use a squirt of high temp black spray paint...this should get the emissivity pretty close to a standard .95 and will hang around on surfaces where heat might destroy masking tape.

 

[700renegade]

Are there any tricks a guy can use to get decent IR readings on the outside of 1"PEX tubing? I've tried masking tape, but it seems as if the skin temp of the PEX is quite a bit lower than the internal temp. I assume the plastic is enough of an insulator to allow the outside to be cooler?

 

[Bad Wolf]

I had the two pin version of that moisture meter and it crapped out after about three weeks. I can return it if I want to send it to Hong Kong.

 

[mtfallsmikey]

I have a Fluke 62 Mini IR...works well

 

[Sawyer]

Are there any tricks a guy can use to get decent IR readings on the outside of 1"PEX tubing? I've tried masking tape, but it seems as if the skin temp of the PEX is quite a bit lower than the internal temp. I assume the plastic is enough of an insulator to allow the outside to be cooler?

Our temps off the pex at my son's house were quite acccurate. His pex was red which may have been a factor. I have not tried one on my clear HePex.

 

[700renegade]

mine is a $150 Raytek and it doesn't work well on either my maroon color pipe or the clear.

 

[woodmeister]

Home depot has the ir sensors for apx $50.00

 

[Dave T]

Thanks for the informative responses I'll be looking to purchase a meter and a laser sensor in the near future..Dave

 

[Corey]

Are there any tricks a guy can use to get decent IR readings on the outside of 1"PEX tubing? I've tried masking tape, but it seems as if the skin temp of the PEX is quite a bit lower than the internal temp. I assume the plastic is enough of an insulator to allow the outside to be cooler?

You might try the same squirt of flat black spray paint to get the emissivity in a good range. If the PEX is somewhere that it might get a breeze and cool off the outside, you could wrap a small towel or bit of pipe insulation around a small area...say 4-6" long. Let the pipe come up to temp, then slide the insulation out of the way, measure the temp (which should now be all the same inside and out) then slide the insulation back.