The Ford Barn

HCO41 · 02-07-2015, 12:28 PM

I'm thinking of buying one of these. I've read a few posts where these were used to check head temps. and other areas including header outlets, I assume to diagnose problems.
When I looked into them I found prices all over the place. Seems that one criteria that ramps up the price is the ratio (ie. 6:1, 12:1, 30:1 etc.) of the units. I'll probably go online to get some explanation but for now, can anyone give me some insight and their experience with one of these?
Thanks,
Howard

V8COOPMAN · 02-07-2015, 12:58 PM

The link below explains it pretty well. DD

http://www.zytemp.com/infrared/faq_ds.asp

Rand · 02-07-2015, 02:04 PM

What ever you do don't buy one from Harbor Freight...pure junk. At least the one I got there was!
Randy

wga · 02-07-2015, 02:10 PM

I have the Fluke 62 (pricey) and the Harbor Freight (not so pricey). The Fluke has a 12:1 ratio, plus it will withstand a 3 meter drop.

http://www.fluke.com/fluke/inen/Ther....htm?PID=74272

G.M. · 02-07-2015, 02:31 PM

I have 4 or 5 RayTeck Mini Temps. I had a few failures 10 or more years ago and they replaced them. I used one this morning on a friends Model A. Sears used to sell them and maybe still does. About $50.00 on eBay. A friend bought one at Sears and I was showing him how to use it and it was way off in it's readings. I told him to take it back and take a reading of items in the store which should be in the 75 degree range with air conditioning. He showed the salesman the readings and got another one the was OK. So if you buy one in a store check it out or online ask them to check it and that you can return it if it's not reading right. When using hold about a foot from the object, hold at the same angle, same distance and hit the same spot each time you take a reading. DON"T get to close to spark plug wires or it will zap them. G.M.

HCO41 · 02-07-2015, 02:52 PM

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Thanks V8COOPMAN, it's going to take a while to digest the info in the Zytemp link you sent but it has answered some of my questions.
WGA, I have a couple of Fluke meters that have never let me down. I'll check their product line. Thanks.
Howard

Scott H in Wheaton · 02-07-2015, 02:54 PM

I have a FLIR Model 7 infrared camera. Shows a color picture of hot and cold, pinpoint temp readings, takes still pictures. Pricey, but way cool when doing diagnostics.

chap52 · 02-07-2015, 03:49 PM

I picked up a "Nubee" NUB8500H on E-Bay for less than $20. Works great.

1MoreFord · 02-07-2015, 04:15 PM

I have one of these from Thermoworks. It's been good so far. Thermoworks Thermopens are the standard in the food service biz and this one seems similar in quality. Nice thing about this IR unit is it uses AAA batteries not expensive coin cells like many others.

http://www.thermoworks.com/products/...Specifications

Tony, NY · 02-07-2015, 05:09 PM

I have the HF one and works good.

hook00pad · 02-07-2015, 06:11 PM

Anybody tried the Riobi 4 volt rechargeable?

FLA48 · 02-07-2015, 10:22 PM

I have the Ryobi 4 volt unit. Works great. no problems.

02-07-2015, 12:28 PM	#1
HCO41 Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Lyndon, Vt. Posts: 456	Infrared Thermometer I'm thinking of buying one of these. I've read a few posts where these were used to check head temps. and other areas including header outlets, I assume to diagnose problems. When I looked into them I found prices all over the place. Seems that one criteria that ramps up the price is the ratio (ie. 6:1, 12:1, 30:1 etc.) of the units. I'll probably go online to get some explanation but for now, can anyone give me some insight and their experience with one of these? Thanks, Howard

02-07-2015, 12:58 PM	#2
V8COOPMAN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Shore of LAKE HOUSTON Posts: 11,118	Re: Infrared Thermometer The link below explains it pretty well. DD http://www.zytemp.com/infrared/faq_ds.asp __________________ *Click Links Below* __ ▼ *'35-'36 W/8BA & MECHANICAL FAN* *T5 W/TORQUE TUBE*

02-07-2015, 02:04 PM	#3
Rand Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Buford, GA Posts: 380	Re: Infrared Thermometer What ever you do don't buy one from Harbor Freight...pure junk. At least the one I got there was! Randy

02-07-2015, 02:10 PM	#4
wga Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorba Linda, CA Posts: 900	Re: Infrared Thermometer I have the Fluke 62 (pricey) and the Harbor Freight (not so pricey). The Fluke has a 12:1 ratio, plus it will withstand a 3 meter drop. http://www.fluke.com/fluke/inen/Ther....htm?PID=74272 __________________ Henry Ford designed the flathead without the aid of a computer.

02-07-2015, 02:31 PM	#5
G.M. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida and Penna. Posts: 4,471	Re: Infrared Thermometer I have 4 or 5 RayTeck Mini Temps. I had a few failures 10 or more years ago and they replaced them. I used one this morning on a friends Model A. Sears used to sell them and maybe still does. About $50.00 on eBay. A friend bought one at Sears and I was showing him how to use it and it was way off in it's readings. I told him to take it back and take a reading of items in the store which should be in the 75 degree range with air conditioning. He showed the salesman the readings and got another one the was OK. So if you buy one in a store check it out or online ask them to check it and that you can return it if it's not reading right. When using hold about a foot from the object, hold at the same angle, same distance and hit the same spot each time you take a reading. DON"T get to close to spark plug wires or it will zap them. G.M. __________________ www.fordcollector.com

02-07-2015, 02:52 PM	#6
HCO41 Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Lyndon, Vt. Posts: 456	Re: Infrared Thermometer Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks V8COOPMAN, it's going to take a while to digest the info in the Zytemp link you sent but it has answered some of my questions. WGA, I have a couple of Fluke meters that have never let me down. I'll check their product line. Thanks. Howard

02-07-2015, 02:54 PM	#7
Scott H in Wheaton Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Wheaton, IL near Chicago Posts: 861	Re: Infrared Thermometer I have a FLIR Model 7 infrared camera. Shows a color picture of hot and cold, pinpoint temp readings, takes still pictures. Pricey, but way cool when doing diagnostics.

02-07-2015, 03:49 PM	#8
chap52 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Marana Arizona Posts: 1,776	Re: Infrared Thermometer I picked up a "Nubee" NUB8500H on E-Bay for less than $20. Works great.

02-07-2015, 04:15 PM	#9
1MoreFord Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 1	Re: Infrared Thermometer I have one of these from Thermoworks. It's been good so far. Thermoworks Thermopens are the standard in the food service biz and this one seems similar in quality. Nice thing about this IR unit is it uses AAA batteries not expensive coin cells like many others. http://www.thermoworks.com/products/...Specifications

02-07-2015, 05:09 PM	#10
Tony, NY Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Capital of Corruption , NY Posts: 812	Re: Infrared Thermometer I have the HF one and works good.

02-07-2015, 06:11 PM	#11
hook00pad Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 105	Re: Infrared Thermometer Anybody tried the Riobi 4 volt rechargeable?

02-07-2015, 10:22 PM	#12
FLA48 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Conroe TX Posts: 170	Re: Infrared Thermometer I have the Ryobi 4 volt unit. Works great. no problems.