Infrared Non-Contact Pyrometers

I don't see it on their site. Whats the stock number?

 

Never know, especially with rear brakes that aren't properly cooled at the track, you can see 500+ back there.

Some engineers say the IR pyrometers are not precise enough. In my toying with one unit, my feelings are, the data is at least consistently off, if it is off. So I could see differences in little cooling changes/pad swaps and brake kits.

 

These devices are highly inaccurate unless you understand how they work. First, the ones with the red dots do not measure only that spot. There is an enlarging cone of measurement, something as: 3 ft. from the device the cone may be 1 ft. wide, for 6 ft. away the cone may be 2 feet wide. It is an average over that whole distance. It is similar to the way a center weighted camera spot light meter works.

Next is the emissivity of the substance being measured. The better measuring devices have adjustments for emissivity from 0 - 1. If you measure a shiney metal piece, then the same piece next to it but painted flat black, the different in temperature may be off by a factor of 50 percent or more.

Mine costed $400 and you must be able to plug in the emissivity by knowing the exact type of metal you are measuring. It is not easy.
Mine has a separate hand held small probe that can be placed directly next to the area to be measured. It deas not have to touch but it must be close for a more accurate measurement.

aehaas

 

They're not worth a damn to check tire temps, you have to have a probe type. It's more of a novelty of good marketing. They are not good for discs either, cause don't read high enough temp unless you buy one that goes to 1000' that runs about $250.

We use probe type only for tire temps, as accuracy is absolutely critical in proper chassis setup.

However, the IR guns are good for quickly finding a cylinder not firing properly by measuring right at exhaust port.

If you are looking for a high quality unit, I recommend buying a 50692 from Longacre. http://www.longacreracing.com/catalog/item.asp?id=188&catid=7

 

How come these great ideas seem so simple after I hear them, but I have never thought of them myself?