The case for DIAL thermometers

[Pat-inCO]

As the title says, I now have a case for dial thermometers. I have a relatively new
(a few weeks) small chest freezer. I have been adjusting the temperature a little
at a time, but it seemed to be going UP in place of down ( :roll: ). You guessed
it, it is/was below zero (I want it AT zero).

I got a digital, non contact, thermometer a few years back (really handy) and this
is the first time I've used it at or below zero temperatures. Well . . . . as you can
easily guess (now) the minus sign is NOT close to the numeric value displayed.
This morning I was checking again to see what temperature I had going in the
freezer and the sun was shining in a narrow path around the window blinds.
Yup, the minus showed up and now my freezer is a minus 17 degrees (WITH the
control reset back about half the amount I had changed it to over this last several
days). - - - I do reset it and wait eight to twelve hours before checking the
temperature in the chest again.

On the plus side (pun?) the digital non contact thermometer is VERY handy for
checking your temp for CV-19 purposes. Takes about three seconds. I use it for
that several times per day.
(so far, so goodest :wink: )

 

[loaded round]

Cheaper dial thermometers are notorious poor in giving exact readings considering the way they're made and calibrated. Use a glass thermometer if you want an accurate reading, specifically a mercury (silver liquid) thermometer if you can find one these days.

 

[Bull Barrel]

I prefer Proctor & Gamble thermomometers over Dial..

 

[caryc]

As the title says, I now have a case for dial thermometers. I have a relatively new
(a few weeks) small chest freezer. I have been adjusting the temperature a little
at a time, but it seemed to be going UP in place of down ( :roll: ). You guessed
it, it is/was below zero (I want it AT zero).

I got a digital, non contact, thermometer a few years back (really handy) and this
is the first time I've used it at or below zero temperatures. Well . . . . as you can
easily guess (now) the minus sign is NOT close to the numeric value displayed.
This morning I was checking again to see what temperature I had going in the
freezer and the sun was shining in a narrow path around the window blinds.
Yup, the minus showed up and now my freezer is a minus 17 degrees (WITH the
control reset back about half the amount I had changed it to over this last several
days). - - - I do reset it and wait eight to twelve hours before checking the
temperature in the chest again.

On the plus side (pun?) the digital non contact thermometer is VERY handy for
checking your temp for CV-19 purposes. Takes about three seconds. I use it for
that several times per day.
(so far, so goodest :wink: )

I have two of those with the laser pointer on them. I just tried both on my forehead. They both read 93 degrees. I guess I'm going into hypothermia. I wonder how much time I've got left :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

I couldn't find the first one when I went to use it so I ordered another in case you were wondering.

 

[blume357]

Pat-inCo,

I think you need to find a better hobby.. something like shooting & collecting guns....

Oh, and they have specific infrared thermometers for checking your temperature for the covid thing... they are a little more pricy than the standard ones....

 

[Pat-inCO]

Pat-inCo,
I think you need to find a better hobby.. something like shooting & collecting guns....
Oh, and they have specific infrared thermometers for checking your temperature for the covid thing... they are a little more pricy than the standard ones....

True . . . . But if you get a "Fluke" brand (not mine) they are "only" $200. :shock:

Found out there are versions . . . not rated . . . for use on humans. I'll bet mine is
one of those because, like cary, my temp shows around 93. I just ordered one
rated for CV-19 type use (due in tomorrow) and I'll compare the readings to see
if that's why I'm so cold. :wink:

 

[Bull Barrel]

Re Dial vs digital...
Many pilots prefer analog (dial) vs digital (numeric readout) because the dial type with a needle is easier to read at a glance. If the needle is pointing in the right direction you know you're good.
The numerical readout requires a bit more attention to ensure things are ok or......

 

[NikA]

IR thermometers with any sort of adjustment allow you to change the emissivity used in the temperature measurement (basically, how close what you're measuring is to a black body). I know my cheapy came set at 0.95 (something like paint on a grill), which I'd bet is wrong for human surfaces (and the inside of a freezer). The industrial ones also might not be accurate enough; I seem to remember something like a 2 degree spread, which really wouldn't distinguish a mild fever from normal.

 

[blume357]

I've used the 'cheap' ones for years for my outdoor kitchen & around the house as we'll as for work (tax deduction)... ordered one of the human test ones a few months ago on the assumption my church was going to open back up and have the temperature test as the front door, I'm on the safety team... still waiting for the powers that be to move us to phase two and allow services. the one I bought has two settings... one for humans and another for 'other'.....

 

[JFB]

Re Dial vs digital...
Many pilots prefer analog (dial) vs digital (numeric readout) because the dial type with a needle is easier to read at a glance. If the needle is pointing in the right direction you know you're good.
The numerical readout requires a bit more attention to ensure things are ok or......

in power generation, I thought the transition from analog indications to digital displays is a generation of engineers not exposed to slide rules! (frigging computers)

I recall Nuke Operators were tested with control room simulators with all the indications BLANK. (not only numbers but names). Seeing the position of a dial with respect to total scale was much faster than trying to mentally perform the same "calculations". (not sure, but bet ADM Rickover mandated such)

as for IR thermoters, I think of them like a tape measure in a machine shop. They are very useful and many times all you need, BUT if a true value is needed, usally another measurement is used (and the tape assisting choose that device)

 

[Johnnu2]

I've used this one for freezers and refrigs; it seems to be OK: https://www.acurite.com/shop-all/home-devices/kitchen-cooking/stainless-steel-digital-refrigerator-freezer-thermometer.html

J.

 

[Pat-inCO]

I got my new "for use on the body" digital one today. It reads about four degrees
higher than the other one, on my forehead. :wink: