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I am the proud owner of a non-contact, infrared…
Thermometer. Now what?
My reasons for buying this handheld thermometer were twofold. One, it was heaviliy discounted and two, I had seen a trucker using one and pointing it at his wheels.
Now, somebody, please give me some clues as to what I am supposed to do AND see, when I Point it at Olivia. I know that she is a hot chick without using the thermometer. So, I guess, I should point it somewhere else on our bus.
I suspect thst I should see a certain temperature, probably pretty much the same, for each tire. What is a good temperature and what is bad?
What about the wheel hubs/brakes? When is hot too hot and telling me to have the brakes checked?
Obviously, I do not have a clue about what to do with the darn thing and if you would tell me to point it at the turkey in the oven, I would believe that, too.
🙂
Thanks for your advice.
Cheers,
Ronald
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7 Replies
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Far too many uses to list here, but what you saw the trucker doing was likely checking his tires (one tire hotter than the others could be an indication of loss of pressure), his wheel bearings or for brake drag, all of which are usually equal or close to equal with the odd reading indicative of a problem.
Get in the habit of using it to measure temps at the center of the tire treads to check tires, the wheels near the hubs to check bearings or brakes and soon you will learn what is normal so when a temp is out of what you know to be normal you can check further.
Inside the house you can check you AC supply and return temps. A 15 to 20 degree spread is probably normal so when the temps are closer you know you have a problem or the beginning of one.
You will find many uses such as checking the temps of your steaks to verifying the wine is chilled to the perfect temp for serving. Good investment.
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when I’m building I shoot differant areas of the bus to decide where to spend $ on insulation. Play with it sometime and see how your converter did. Especially roof area and front windshield area. I have seen as much as 40 degree differance in a few inches in bright sun. Also shows heat loss in cold weather. Bob
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I used mine on the way home and had a 2-3 degree difference between a couple of tires measured in the middle of the treads. Is that significant?
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Nope, your good Karl….
About a year ago, I had mine serviced in Florida, won’t mention a name online and using the infrared gun on the way home I discovered a very hot steer wheel. The service facility greased a fitting on the caliper that is not suppose to get any grease causing the brake pad to drag. Expensive lesson, but the infrared gun saved my day.
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If the temperature spread between tires after they have been heated up by driving is within the few degrees you mention that is good and indicates the tire pressures (cold) are likely to be good, at least in the respect they are all equally correct or equally high or low. On hot days with the sun shining on one side of the coach it is normal to see temperature differences between the sunny and shaded sides.
Similarly if you check your tire pressures prior to driving if one side of the coach has been in the sun while the other side has been shaded you should expect to see a few PSI difference between the sunny side tires and the shaded side.
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Like many of us, I carry a 5 gallon propane tank for the BBQ.
After I’m done grilling, I scan the tank from top to bottom. The propane level
is where the tank suddenly has a drop in temperature due to the phase change or
boiling of the propane. I will never run out of propane again. -
Good idea John, I never know when my grill propane tank at home is
about to go dry, leaving me with unkind words from the better half.
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