Pipe Temperatures

[RussellHarju]

This is a survey on when you take pipe temperatures.

Do you take pipe temperatures without your gauges hooked up as a quick check?

If you answered yes to this question, what type of instrument do you use and what is the reason for the quick check?

[Realist]

Little one warm... Big one cold and sweating if I am. Fast hit and run its workin REALLY JUST KIDDIN But it works to some extent , most of my no cooling call are just office people Remember we live in 68 to 72 degrees. Some like it 68 some 72 ... Ever deal with office women ? Especially the one under the diffuser? although nothing to do with thread ( sorry venting ) . Cooper temp probe is the one I use. And gauges also unless hit and run

[itsiceman]

You need air temps along with pipe temps.
Russ if your looking for new product ideas I like the testo 905-T2 but some improvements would be nice,
backlit display
battery door with a screw
possibility to take a measurement and hold then bump the display like a list so you can take multiple reading sorta like a old fashioned calculator.
Since it is a hand held device you can use smaller numbers and get it closer to read.
HTH

[kamikaze126]

see superclamp thread

[RussellHarju]

see superclamp thread

This is for input for product development and I'd appreciate it if you could post your opinion here to help us develop a better product. Thanks.

[RussellHarju]

You need air temps along with pipe temps.
Russ if your looking for new product ideas I like the testo 905-T2 but some improvements would be nice,
backlit display
battery door with a screw
possibility to take a measurement and hold then bump the display like a list so you can take multiple reading sorta like a old fashioned calculator.
Since it is a hand held device you can use smaller numbers and get it closer to read.
HTH

This is for a much smaller product and what i really want to know if guys take quick measurements before doing any analysis to get an idea of what may be wrong. Sort of a quick check to get his plan of attack for diagnostics.

[gonefishing]

If the SPK1 had a pipe clamp on it also, would be great for getting Approach,
line temps and insertion temps in duct work and Petes Plug applications, etc.

Just not the current clamp design, don't like that one..........GF..

[VTP99]

If the SPK1 had a pipe clamp on it also, would be great for getting Approach,
line temps and insertion temps in duct work and Petes Plug applications, etc.
Just not the current clamp design, don't like that one..........GF..

I use my SPK1 in the liquid line well of some Lennox models to figure Approach. Made to order.

[itsiceman]

This is for a much smaller product and what i really want to know if guys take quick measurements before doing any analysis to get an idea of what may be wrong. Sort of a quick check to get his plan of attack for diagnostics.

You can't get much smaller than the 905's Russ
Its a pocket thermometer with three AAA so you never need to change them (another plus)

[pageyjim]

This is for a much smaller product and what i really want to know if guys take quick measurements before doing any analysis to get an idea of what may be wrong. Sort of a quick check to get his plan of attack for diagnostics.

Are you talking about something like this?

http://72.21.207.34/Supco-PT100-Digi.../dp/B004XS0X20

I'm not a fan of Supco but I would find it useful. Testo has a similar one but it looks too expensive and flimsy imo.

Also are you getting good feedback on your wireless system?

[itsiceman]

Thanks for posting that. I haven't seen that one.
RTD sensor with .2 ˚F surface temp accuracy
Its worth a shot. I'll let you know how it works.

[pageyjim]

Thanks for posting that. I haven't seen that one.
RTD sensor with .2 ˚F surface temp accuracy
Its worth a shot. I'll let you know how it works.

I received mine a couple days ago. Pleased with the performance. Responds as fast as my Fluke 52 and pipe probe. It is accurate, though does not show in tenths of a degree . The little piece on the battery cover broke the first time I put a battery in.

http://72.21.207.34/Supco-PT100-Digi.../dp/B004XS0X20

[darctangent]

Are you talking about something like this?

http://72.21.207.34/Supco-PT100-Digi.../dp/B004XS0X20

I'm not a fan of Supco but I would find it useful. Testo has a similar one but it looks too expensive and flimsy imo.

Also are you getting good feedback on your wireless system?

That's ok are far as it goes, but there's no air temps with that, so not really.

[Moparmyway]

I use my Fluke 68is IR temp gun for very quick readings. I understand that its not exactely the same as a thermocouple that is wrapped in insulation, but its within a few degrees. This allows me to get a great feel for the system without attaching or hooking up anything.

[dextronfleet195]

Hey Russ. I use your clamp ATC2 on my meters and SMAN2. Wish it had 1) better temp resistance than it does. I have broke the ends off many of these when checking -20 degrees, and just melted two when I was checking a discharge line temp.They melt at 250 degrees.The compresssor won't be far behind. 2)Make different sizes. I need one for 1/4" to 5/8" lines about the size of a 5/8" imp tubing cutter. Also a 3/4" to 1 1/8" about the size also of a small tubing cutter. I ran into a situation on a case that none of my clamps would fit and I couldn't get my hands in there to wrap a probe on the 7/8" line.
Also put some aerogel mix behind the sensor plate to stop the clamp handle from messing up the reading. (Google aerogel- it's awesome). Other tan that I have few opinions.

[itsiceman]

Interesting.... Which product and where did you get it Dex? http://www.aerogel.com/products/overview-product.html
Will it absorb moisture if you get it wet?

[Makinhole]

I would like to see wireless k type clamps to use with my NEW SMAN3 so I could take more accurate superheat readings from the outlet of the evaporator coil while I am at the condenser where my gauges are hooked up. Thanks for listening.

[dextronfleet195]

Itsiceman, got the aerogel on ebay, but in native form is too brittle. However, you can get it mixed with fiberglass pad which is possibly stronger but not as good an insulator. Couldn't hurt to try some.

[RussellHarju]

I would like to see wireless k type clamps to use with my NEW SMAN3 so I could take more accurate superheat readings from the outlet of the evaporator coil while I am at the condenser where my gauges are hooked up. Thanks for listening.

Later this month we will have a product that can take wireless wetbulb measurements. The part number is the ARH5. What you'll do is hook that up to a wireless transmitter (ET2W) and the transmitter will send the wet bulb temp outside to a receiver (part number EH4W). All of these products will be available later this month so solve this problem. keep your eye out on our website.

[jim bergmann]

I would like to see wireless k type clamps to use with my NEW SMAN3 so I could take more accurate superheat readings from the outlet of the evaporator coil while I am at the condenser where my gauges are hooked up. Thanks for listening.

In order to measure evaporator superheat you would have to measure the pressure and the temperature at the same location as there is a pressure drop in the line between the suction service valve and the evaporator outlet.

When I want to check the superheat at the outlet, AI typically pump down the system and install a braze in access fitting at the evaporator outlet. Later if the service requires service this is also a great place to install your vacuum gauge.

If you remember the old Sporlan T& P charts if you measured suction pressure at the condenser you had to add 2-3 psi to the reading then convert to saturation temp to determine the superheat. This however is only a guess. A kinked suction line, short radius fittings, not reaming the line, under sizing or excessive length would all impact performance.

Why did they used to do that? Systems were engineered. Today they are to often just "built".