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Topic: cheap IR thermometers?

Are they any good or too inaccurate for measuring bed temp on different parts of the bed?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Infrarot-Thermo … 5409ecec3b

Solidoodle 4

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Re: cheap IR thermometers?

From what I have read IR Thermometers will not read properly off the bed
It has something to do with the beam refraction.

Ultimaker S3.

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Re: cheap IR thermometers?

dubbsd is correct. (reflection, not refraction)

4 (edited by redbarret 2015-02-09 23:26:35)

Re: cheap IR thermometers?

No problem, aiming at something like a piece of painters tape on top of the reflective glass/aluminum instead seems to do the trick. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3mMD6bx5Jo

Solidoodle 4

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Re: cheap IR thermometers?

we used to put a piece of "true" electrical tape black on surfaces to get better readings. still not perfect. dont use cheap knockoff tape as it burns and dont insulate from shock either. "true" means from a supply house for Electricians and is like $8 a roll instead of $1

Solidoodle 2 with Deluxe kit cover & glass bed with heater. and 2nd board SD2 used not 3rd and alum platform not installed yet still wood. also need cooling fan installed to board. use Repetier Host couple vers. Slic3r also have all free ware STL programs

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Re: cheap IR thermometers?

Now about my question... anyone knows if the cheap ir thermometers are any good at all?

Solidoodle 4

7 (edited by n2ri 2015-02-11 01:46:50)

Re: cheap IR thermometers?

not for accuracy no price dont improve that much either. non-contact temp probs cant replace surface ones for accurate surface temp readings and even then prob needs insulated from ambient conditions. same as the ones used for superheat readings on refrigeration systems which now can read withing 100ths of a degree Fahrenheit which is much more accurate than Celsius by its nature. most HVAC and refrigeration techs in the US prefer it for this reason. we only convert for European use due to them being more familiar with it and their metric systems. I have used the IR sensors just for spot checking hard to reach areas for approximate temps to see if they are close to set points. like when a Maintenance man does "the run" for his shift at a Hotel etc. or extreme temp locations or hazardous surroundings preventing access.

Solidoodle 2 with Deluxe kit cover & glass bed with heater. and 2nd board SD2 used not 3rd and alum platform not installed yet still wood. also need cooling fan installed to board. use Repetier Host couple vers. Slic3r also have all free ware STL programs