DS18b20 SS probes starting to rust...

[djmx2002]

Hi All.

I am running on my system 3 "Stainless steel" temp probes... but it seems like they are not really good stainless steel and they are starting to rust.

Does anyone have experience "water proofing" those probes?

 

[sleepydoc]

You can get an equivalent probe encased in plastic rather than stainless steel for $10. That may be the easiest route.

Otherwise you could try dipping it in liquid plastic; that's just a guess, though. Never tried it myself.

 

[djmx2002]

What about painting it with that fusion paint?

 

[d0ughb0y]

I started out with the stainless steel type probe and it rusted through after a few months. I replaced it with one from sparkfun. stainless steel is not necessarily rust proof. Only the higher grade stainless steel are truly rust proof.

you can try plasti dip. I might try it.
http://www.plastidip.com/home_solutions/Plasti_Dip

 

[ElmoC]

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11050

Have gotten several from here. Much more professional looking than those stainless steel ones with the shrink tube on the probe end.

 

[djmx2002]

Thank you guys I think that the sparkfun option is probably the safest for the long run.

 

[perkint]

Or just coat them in reef safe silicon.

Tim

 

[ElmoC]

The problem for me with coating in the plastic dip or silicone would be the thermal insulation they might have.

 

[rwb500]

thermal insulation is not a concern. our tanks change temperature very slowly so it is not an issue at all.

 

[perkint]

thermal insulation is not a concern. our tanks change temperature very slowly so it is not an issue at all.

+1 to this!

Tim