Suggestions – new meter – thermocouples

[RocketMan]

It never rains it pours – time to fork out some dosh.

My trusty old wire braded thermocouple has given up the ghost. God knows how many years old it is. I used this with an old Alpha meter that’s also due retirement.

I’ve been using a faily cheap digital multi-meter. Also, an old Megga anlogue insulation meter that has to be 9-10 years old but when it’s calibrated it always comes back fine and tested working ok. But I know it’s not going to last forever.

Now the big questions.

Do I buy seperate meters?

Do I buy an all singing expensive multimeter that can perform insulation tests, measure temperatures via K type thermocouples?

Suggestions for a good oven proof thermoouple would be great.
Also, has anyone every had used a decent device to measure the surface temperature of an oven glass/metal and plastic. I’ve tried a few cheapish infrared one and not always got good results – espcially on glosssy/shiny surfaces. I only
get asked about 2-3 times a year to do this so cost vs use has to be a factor.

I’d be interested in your opinions or suggestions. Now I’m off to freeze my butt off on the side of the footy pitch for a few hours 😯 Catch you later.

[Specialist01269]

Re: Suggestions – new meter – thermocouples

Hi: Personally speaking I would’nt buy a combined meter (Had problems with them in the past), If you get a decent meter (Uni-t make some reasonably priced ones) with temp ranges & a seperate insulation tester you should be ok. You can buy good surface temp probes from places like Farnell & RS, if you want an Infrared thermometer look for a good quality 1 like the tpi 373 etc. Don’t forget with an Infrared gauge the accuracy depends on the distance you hold it from the surface your measuring.

[RocketMan]

Re: Suggestions – new meter – thermocouples

Thanks Specialist01269,

I’ve just got cheapo thermocouple from Maplins. It looks like it’s going to last about 1 or 2 jobs but it’ll keep me going until I make a decision in what to buy.

[Specialist01269]

Re: Suggestions – new meter – thermocouples

You could do a lot worse than take a look at http://www.cpc.co.uk they’re part of the Farnell group but often easier to deal with. They sell some really good test gear at quite good prices & do a range of quality thermocouples & surface temperature probes. Bought my last k-type flexi from them & it’s still going strong after about 2 years. I had a Uni-t Insulation Multimeter bought for me but could’nt get on with the thing, you have to change probe positions to do different tests.

[Specialist01269]

Re: Suggestions – new meter – thermocouples

Hi Rocketman: You may like this, ebay item:350644534103 it’s an Exteech MN16 with 2 year Guarantee @ £39.94.
Extech make some good heavy duty meters.

Andy

[RocketMan]

Re: Suggestions – new meter – thermocouples

Thanks. They do look pretty rugged. I will get a new one. Work has just gone mental in the last 2 days and, as usual, everyone wants it done yesterday. Must take it when it’s there.

[Specialist01269]

Re: Suggestions – new meter – thermocouples

As you said: Take it while you can, if this snow comes in as they say on the weekend a lot of us won’t be going anywhere. I’ve got a good stock of inlet valves & my wellies ready for when the thaw comes though. A lot of the people down here put they’re machines in unheated outside shed’s so you can imagine what happens, good luck with the meter.

[RocketMan]

Re: Suggestions – new meter – thermocouples

I was at a an empty property last night and told the letting agents that all the heating was turned off and the boiler shut down. Water supply still on in the property. Expected temperatures to -8 last night.

Letting agent, only a young lady – oh well. We’re in dispute with the LL over leaving the heating on – just leave it as it is.

Lo and behold -8 last night. We’ll see

[Specialist01269]

Re: Suggestions – new meter – thermocouples

Landlords can be totally unbelievable, they’d rather risk damage & massive bills than pay a small amount to keep the Heating on low. We’ve got 1 down here who will never leave an empty property unheated in winter but most of them are like the 1 your talking about.

[RocketMan]

Re: Suggestions – new meter – thermocouples

Hinted about it to the boss of the agency and they came back to me to say the heating was put on this afternoon. I didn’t ask who was paying but we’re expecting -6 tongight and it never got above -4 here. A few quid a day to prevent a pipe burst or £100’s/£1000’s to repair – no brainer for normal people.

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