TWL: Infrared Thermometer Recommendations
I want to buy an infrared thermometer to uses for general troubleshooting
on the boat. My thoughts are to measure and label various points on both
engines and the generator to establish what the normal temperatures are and
in case of a problem remeasure the same points to find variances. I also
intend to use it to measure the exhaust temperatures at the exhaust
manifold to check for any variations in individual cylinders.
I think the model I want to buy is a Raytek Raynger ST-30. It ranges from
-25 to 950 F (-32 to 545 C) and uses a laser to aim the device. It lists
for about $250 and is about $180 on the Internet.
I would appreciate any experiences that the members of the group have had
with this type of equipment or recommendations.
Frank Burrows fburrows@compuserve.com 1979 43' Viking MY Piney
Narrows Chesapeake Bay
Frank Burrows wrote:
I want to buy an infrared thermometer to uses for general troubleshooting
on the boat.
I bought a $550 Omega infrared pyrometer on eBay for $42.
It hasn't arrived here yet, but I believe it may also be
useful to detect the heat coming from bad electrical
connections.
Note that this type of equipment comes in various distance
ranges. Some is for use up close, like in a lab or an
industrial process line, while some is used in the field
for looking at power pole connections and equipment from
the ground.
Bob
Bob Conrich bob@eastcaribbean.com
Box 666 http://www.ai/bob
Anguilla Tel: 264 497 2505
British West Indies
Frank,
One of the more interesting Testimonial reports on Soltron reports the
reduction of Pyrometer temperatures - on a 43 ' twin engine yacht ( engines
not identified ).
Before Soltron - at cruise 785 -795 F ( Engine RPM not given )
With Soltron at cruise 715 - 725 F " "
" "
( I think that might be regarded as a signficant drop )
Also reported in same testimonial were 6 % increase in cruise speed
and estimated 90 % decrease in smoke at startup and W.O.T. ..
Another reports a 10 F drop in exhaust Temp on a generator ....
interesting
Should you acquire a Pyrometer - it might be of interest - and a
bit of fun - to attempt to replicate this bit of information with a bit
more specificity .
The testimonials are copies of copies and I doubt that they will
scan well at all - still I would offer them - should you desire..
Usual Disclaimers
All the Best
Ken
m/v Mrs. Hudson
Baltimore
What does Soltran sell for? Who sells it?
Ron,
I obtained some directly from Matt Cohen - the sales mgr in Calif. To
my knowledge it is not available in Maryland yet. Suggest that you go via
their web page. or contact Matt Cohen directly at
mcohen@Solpower.com
or better still at 888 289 8866
It sells for about 30 bucks a bottle ... and treats 1000 gal - about
2 seasons worth for me at least .
I know that Joe DellaFerra found some on the shelf at a marina in
Fla - I forget which marina however .. He has not checked in yet with a
report of it's use .
Since there are many things that I cannot control or really measure
reliably - like water content microscopic weights of filtered bugs or
their residue .
I've been thinking about using one of the string mops to swirl around
the bottom of the tank on the end of a pole -- which should pick up some of
the skuzzy on the bottom -- cutting the mop in half and placing each half
in a quart jar filled with fuel drawn from the tank and equally divided to
fill both jars - adding say 30 cc of water to each - then adding Soltron to
one - say 10 or 20 cc - and storing them both in the basement for a while
.. next to each other - with holes punched into their lids for Oxygen &
dampness .. after some time - say a month or so .
Taking pictures of before and after of the jars and then running each
batch of fuel through a doubled coffee filters - taking pictures of each
and then weighing each if possible .
Any suggestions are welcomed which might improve on this some
what basic ( possibly crude ) experimental method .. sans laboratory costs .
If anyone in the area acquires a inferred Thermometer and we could get some
before and after temp readings with it -- that would be great ...
Usual disclaimers
All the Best
Ken
Ken,
What does Soltran sell for? Who sells it?
Thank you,
Ron Rogers
Annapolis, MD (Just missed the snow!)
At 05:27 PM 12/30/2000 -0200, Ken McQuage wrote:
What does Soltran sell for? Who sells it?
I know that Joe DellaFerra found some on the shelf at a marina in
Fla - I forget which marina however .. He has not checked in yet with a
report of it's use .
Ken: We found Soltron at a local "Boat Owners Warehouse" for about $30.00
a Qt. Put in a double dose, but have no real way to tell if there are any
changes yet...Have not had a chance to use the boat due to Holydays and
"cold" weather (going down to 40 tonight...;)
Also, our Norcold gave up the ghost again, the third time in two years...
If I was younger I would open a business that makes a unit that is a direct
replacement for the Norcold product line. Norcold has been nice about
replacing the hardware but I have to pay for labor. My repair guy
suggeested that I go with a 12VDC Fosse compressor, maybe next time.. A
happy new year to all...jd
Joe DellaFera / Margaret Murray
36' Prairie DC "SAMAKI"
Pompano Beach, Fl.
Alex,
Many thanks for your welcome suggestions
- Consider using metal cans (coffee cans) instead of glass jars. Since a
possible benefit of Soltron is the clean up of sludge from tank walls it
would seem to be appropriate to have as similar a substrate as possible
for
the test.
*** I agree but don't think I can take as illustrative of a
picture of / through a can as might be possible with a glass jar.
- In order to accelerate the process consider enriching the water with a
small quantity of water soluble fertilizer (a couple of drops of
Miracle-Gro).
*** Had not thought of that one at all - wonder how it would
affect results - possible case for argument against any possibility
validity of the test -- heck might do both -mops and jars are not that
expensive ... will think on it .
- Try to keep the experiment warm (70's to 80's F), again to speed things
up a bit.
*** Thought of doing it while we will be away this spring / summer
and placing jars/ cans under stairs closet in basement - temp there 60 to
mid 70s - will place limit indicating thermomiter from green house to record
temp extremes ..
- Use a lot less Soltron! If one quart will treat 1000 gallons then 4 to
6
drops ought to treat one quart of fuel.
*** OK will do 5 drops !
- Run the experiment for a month or so before adding the Soltron to let
the
bugs get off to a good start. BTW: By doing this you'll eliminate the need
to be extremely careful about getting the same level of contamination in
both containers since the contamination should grow to equivalent levels
fairly quickly.
*** That should be a good added control - hope to be at least
close enough for Government work ....
- Try to put your apparatus somewhere that you'll see it often and
whenever
you see it give a "swirl" so that things will have some mixing (simulated
seaway).
**** Not possible - if left to sit while we are away
6a. S. Holmes would, most assuredly, keep such an experiment on his dining
table (much to Mrs. Hudson's chagrin!).
**** Will gladly send all apparatus and samples to you - for test
of your Mrs.Hudson - Mine would simply remove the entirity to the
bin -possibly yours is more Victorian .. Forward you address please !
-
At the same time try to keep the fuel/water mixture in the dark since
that is the environment in a boat's tanks.** As above -
Do everything you can to ensure that the fuel you use doesn't contain
any
biocide. This step would be pretty expensive to do via a lab analysis so
what I suggest is that you just ask around about the fuel's history. Your
only real concerns are; Was anything added on the boat? ; Was anything
added
at the fuel dock? Don't worry about anything upstream from the fuel dock,
it's cost prohibitive for terminals and refineries to use biocide.
***** Aye - There's the rub -- I added some MPW in Sept / Oct to
prepare for winter storage at last fillup -- don't know what can be done
about it - any ideas ?? Still most of us add various biocides and have
problems anyway - or so it would seem ---
hummmmmmmm -- a three pipe problem ......
Hope all your preparations are set for clebration of Birthday of S.
Holmes - Jan 6 th .
I will be in NY for the Annual Dinner of the Baker Street Irregulars
and the boat show .
Anyone else on the List planning to visit the NY boat show on Sat
Morning ???
All the Best
Ken
Baker Street Irregular
Invested as the Plumstead Marches
( Alex - please identify by story and significance as to why that investure
was given me - hint it has something to do with a boat running aground -
drats - that's why it was given me - and well deserved it was too ! )
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken McQuage" tobyboat@erols.com
Any suggestions are welcomed which might improve on this some
what basic
Hi Ken,
I've got a few ideas that ought not to be too expensive.
-
Consider using metal cans (coffee cans) instead of glass jars. Since a
possible benefit of Soltron is the clean up of sludge from tank walls it
would seem to be appropriate to have as similar a substrate as possible for
the test. -
In order to accelerate the process consider enriching the water with a
small quantity of water soluble fertilizer (a couple of drops of
Miracle-Gro). -
Try to keep the experiment warm (70's to 80's F), again to speed things
up a bit. -
Use a lot less Soltron! If one quart will treat 1000 gallons then 4 to 6
drops ought to treat one quart of fuel. -
Run the experiment for a month or so before adding the Soltron to let the
bugs get off to a good start. BTW: By doing this you'll eliminate the need
to be extremely careful about getting the same level of contamination in
both containers since the contamination should grow to equivalent levels
fairly quickly. -
Try to put your apparatus somewhere that you'll see it often and whenever
you see it give a "swirl" so that things will have some mixing (simulated
seaway).
6a. S. Holmes would, most assuredly, keep such an experiment on his dining
table (much to Mrs. Hudson's chagrin!).
-
At the same time try to keep the fuel/water mixture in the dark since
that is the environment in a boat's tanks. -
Do everything you can to ensure that the fuel you use doesn't contain any
biocide. This step would be pretty expensive to do via a lab analysis so
what I suggest is that you just ask around about the fuel's history. Your
only real concerns are; Was anything added on the boat? ; Was anything added
at the fuel dock? Don't worry about anything upstream from the fuel dock,
it's cost prohibitive for terminals and refineries to use biocide.
Elementarily yours,
Alex
Ken McQuage wrote:
- Try to put your apparatus somewhere that you'll see it often and
whenever
you see it give a "swirl" so that things will have some mixing (simulated
seaway).
**** Not possible - if left to sit while we are away
Ken, If you decide that you would like to have it swirled, I could
always stop by and do it for you while you're away.
Mel Knott
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken McQuage" tobyboat@erols.com
*** I agree but don't think I can take as illustrative of a
picture of / through a can as might be possible with a glass jar.
Agreed, but how bout putting a small piece of mild steel or cast iron into
the jar?
- In order to accelerate the process consider enriching the water
*** Had not thought of that one at all - wonder how it would
affect results -
I didn't come up with this myself. The idea came from the magnet experiment
that I hope to report on in the next week or so. Of course, they used lab
chemicals (potassium nitrate and disodium orthophosphate) but I think water
soluble fertilizer ought to be "close enough for jazz".
- Use a lot less Soltron! If one quart will treat 1000 gallons then 4
to
6
drops ought to treat one quart of fuel.
*** OK will do 5 drops !
It would be a good idea to double check my math on this. What I did was
pretty approximate: 1 liter will treat 4000 liters so 1/4000 liter will
treat 1 liter so 1/4ml = 1/4000 liter and 20 drops = 1ml therefore 20/4 = 5
drops which should treat 1 liter. As you can see there's plenty of room for
error here ( but I think I'm in the ballpark).
you see it give a "swirl" so that things will have some mixing
**** Not possible - if left to sit while we are away
This could create a problem. The magnet experiment didn't show any results
until they started agitating the contaminated fuel. OTOH: Your experiment is
significantly different from theirs so maybe it isn't important.
**** Will gladly send all apparatus and samples to you - for
test
of your Mrs.Hudson - Mine would simply remove the entirity to the
bin -possibly yours is more Victorian ..
I'm afraid that my Mrs. Hudson is as thoroughly modern as your own. Any
Victorianism is limited to enjoying the architecture of the period.
***** Aye - There's the rub -- I added some MPW in Sept / Oct to
prepare for winter storage at last fillup -- don't know what can be done
about it - any ideas
One answer would be to substitute new fuel, perhaps from a fuel dock of ill
repute (if such a thing is convenient) and to obtain water from a "nasty"
area in your marina since such water probably has oil eating bugs living in
it.
I will be in NY for the Annual Dinner of the Baker Street Irregulars
I'm afraid that I don't share the profundity of knowledge that you obviously
have for this subject. For example, my understanding of "The Sign of Four"
is limited such that I cannot infer whether your own grounding was
intentional or not or if you were trying to avoid a greater danger in the
way that Jonathan Small sought to avoid Holmes and Watson. In fact, unlikely
though they may be in today's workaday world, I cannot even rule out
absolutely the involvement of poison darts or chests of treasure.
Deductively yours,
Alex