[TheForge] Way OT -- remote thermometer for river water

[Paul N]

I have one of these. Paid $29 for it. I originally bought it because the 
pig roaster I rented had no thermometer, and this was an easy way to 
determine the temp of the cooker. (That's my excuse and I'm sticking 
with it.) I find I use is a fair amount for cooking, mostly because it's 
quick.

I also use it on steel, but the upper end of the temp range is 968*F. So 
adequate for tempering, but not for hardening.

Anyway, the maximum effective distance from the "target" is about 8 feet.

Here are the specs: 
http://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/96000-96999/96451.pdf

**paul

On 4/22/2011 12:55 PM, Daniel T Hayes wrote:
> Bruce,
>
> Interesting question, interesting enough to make me take my Cen-Tech Laser
> Infrared Thermometer (also from Harbor Freight,  #96451) out and try it on
> the swimming pool. The reading aimed at the water matched the pool
> thermometer within three degrees.
>
> Keep in mind that any of these devices need "calibrated" if you are really
> interested in the precise true temperature. I have mine for checking welding
> preheat temperature. It's off a bit (as determined by a calibrated contact
> thermocouple setup) but consistently so at any given temperature. Much more
> convenient.
>
> I think a HF infrared pyrometer would work very well for what you have in
> mind.
>
> Dan
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Bruce Freeman
> Sent: Friday, April 22, 2011 1:24 PM
> To: Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA
> Subject: [TheForge] Way OT -- remote thermometer for river water
>
> I'm tapping the diverse knowledge of this group for a product I need.
>
> I want to measure the temperature of the water in small rivers.  Purpose -
> kayaking.  I could get right up to some of these and just stick a
> thermometer in them, but in most cases it would be a lot more convenient to
> drop a probe in from a bridge -- maybe 20' maximum distance.  But I can't
> just drop a thermometer into the water and pull it out from 20' above and
> get a reading -- the reading would change by the time I read it.
>
> If they'd work, I could use a remote thermometer like this one --
> http://www.harborfreight.com/non-contact-pocket-thermometer-93983.html  But
> I don't know WHAT temperature I'd be measuring just pointing a device at a
> river.
>
> Any thoughts as to what might work well for such an application?  I'd need
> accuracy within 2* or 3*F, nothing precision.
>
> --
> Bruce
> NJ