Hi all,
Has anyone got a recommendation for Infra red thermometers at all?? I am looking for one to use with a home powder coating kit so needs to read up to
180degC and also want to use to it measure tyre temps when i eventually get my car built.
Been looking at some on ebay but recommendations always welcome if they are available elsewhere
You wanting cheap ? £16 delivered ?
I've used this site before, as long as the item is in stock it should be with you in 7-14 days.
Edited to say, I didn't realise they were only £30 from Maplin, the last time I noticed 'em they were £50-ish. For peace of mind (not to
mention buuild quality) I'd have a trip down to Maplin 
[Edited on 23/12/07 by UncleFista]
Maplin have one on special just now --- I bought one last year very good
http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=46033&doy=23m12
Can you actually get acurate tyretemps with a IR meter? All I've seen are metal probes/pins to read temps. Does anyone know?
IR thermometers are suprisingly accurate and can measure from quite a distance away too.
My Fluke style meter has a lazer guided sight and I can measure tyre temps, header temps (handy for ignition problems) and water pipes several feet
away from the object being measured..
Not convinced a £16 item will be any good for tyre temps though, especially when a reasonably accurate thermocouple based meter isn't overly expensive.. I have one and it gives you a reasonable idea of temperature, but by it's very nature it's not hugely accurate. Mine also has no adjustment for emissivity so different surfaces give different temperature readings.
Thanks guys. I think i will have a really good look at the one in Maplins tomorrow as they have one near me (and i need to do my xmas shopping too on
the same retail park. The ability to read temps in excess of 200degC has won me over due to the very relevant issue as mentioned of reading header
pipe temps which will be great for spotting ignition / lean running issues. Whether 280degC will be enough remains to be seen but would hopefully
spot the issue before the headers get that hot
As for reading tyre temps.... well i dont have much practical experience but most seem to quote accuracy within 2 - 2.5% which i think is more than
adequate. For the use it will be getting, ie comparing inner, middle and outer temperatures of the tyres i think these will be more than adequate in
helping with suspension setup / tyre pressures. Would be interested to hear any racers / experienced trackdayer's comments on this??
[Edited on 23/12/07 by Paul TigerB6]
That maplins one gets my vote. Plus you can take it back if its shite. Wev got a cheapish type one at work and its a nice piece of kit.
Sent my missus out to get me one today - good fun, but I think she's getting bored with a little bright red dot appearing everywhere! 
quote:
Originally posted by David Jenkins
Sent my missus out to get me one today - good fun, but I think she's getting bored with a little bright red dot appearing everywhere!