Temperature in the incubator

tglazie

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This is all incredibly fascinating. I had no idea it was measuring via conical projection. That would explain a lot. I agree that they're bad about reading temps on an incubator medium that has just had the lid removed. Whenever I set an incubator, I use five different digital thermometers. Usually, two or three of those will be dead on, and when I see two or three of them with very close temps in common, I can be fairly certain which ones are working. I have several Springfields that I use, as well as a few other brands whose names escape me. One brand that I bought from Britain was total garbage. I still have the thing sitting in storage somewhere. When I'm cleaning the garage tomorrow, I'll try to find it to let everyone know not to buy it. That thing is always five to eight degrees Fahrenheit off, made me so upset that I wasted twenty bucks on the thing.

Curious, but does battery power have anything to do with accuracy? If the battery is low on a digital thermometer, will it be more likely to read inaccurately? Also, does anyone know of a good, highly accurate plug in digital thermometer?

T.G.
 

ZEROPILOT

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Dual type laser. Showing dual lasers dialing in.
I use them for finding hot spots.
The readings fluctuate until the dots are alligned.
 

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cdmay

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You see? This is why I stick to my old ways of simply having a few inexpensive thermometers in my incubators to check the temps (that I keep at 83.5 to 85 degrees) with and don't over-think things. If I started to potschke around with temp guns and lazer beams I'd never hatch anything.
 

HLogic

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All of the digital non-contact temp guns measure the average temp of an area. That area is defined by the lens & sensor used by the device and usually there is a spec (D:S), distance to spot ratio, that describes the size of the area and calibrated distance from the object at which temperatures should be taken. Unless there are dual sensors, dual lasers don't make much sense other than to 'force' you to put the gun at the correct distance.

Tom is correct concerning the purpose of the non-contact thermometers and the varying surface temps noted in the incubator. Evaporation will alter readings. Carl is correct concerning a more logical method of monitoring ambient temps like those in an incubator or enclosure - the old way is better! Each tool has a specific purpose - to a hammer, every problem is a nail! Ambient temp vs. surface temp; choose the right tool for the job.

Whether you acquire the $100+ Raytek (Fluke) gun with dual lasers or the $20 Centech (Harbor Freight special) or the $3 Harbor Freight one (like I have), you will notice the accuracy specs to be essentially the same. BTW, if your temps are -10 or +400, you may want to consider altering something...

Yvonne, I'll bet if you 'shoot' the temp of your cheapo thermometer, the gun will magically display the correct temp (+/- 1° C).
 

HLogic

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Curious, but does battery power have anything to do with accuracy? If the battery is low on a digital thermometer, will it be more likely to read inaccurately? Also, does anyone know of a good, highly accurate plug in digital thermometer?
T.G.

Usually not but if your thermometer has a low battery indicator, do not trust the readings when it says change the battery!

The thermometer listed below is rather accurate but may be a little overkill for what is necessary...
http://www.omega.com/googlebase/product.html?pn=DP9602&gclid=CLC-q9Cc_cMCFQckgQod1lAAaA
 

allegraf

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You see? This is why I stick to my old ways of simply having a few inexpensive thermometers in my incubators to check the temps (that I keep at 83.5 to 85 degrees) with and don't over-think things. If I started to potschke around with temp guns and lazer beams I'd never hatch anything.
For once I agree with the old man.
 

Yvonne G

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Yvonne, I'll bet if you 'shoot' the temp of your cheapo thermometer, the gun will magically display the correct temp (+/- 1° C).

This make a whole lot of sense to me.
 

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