Gauging interest. lab grade thermometers

[five.five-six]

one thing that sort of bothers me is that my new chiller, ACIII, ACJR, old chiller and heater thermostat all seem to read slightly different temperatures. this is fine except if you are running your tank at 80 degrees and your thermometer is reading 1.5 degrees off and you are at 81.5

I am in the beginning stages of organizing a group buy of lab grade thermometers that can be used to calibrate electronic offset on controllers and thermostats. I am considering 2 different ones. the first one is 12" long and reads 74.5 to 79.5 degrees and is graduated to the 1/10. it will be expensive, probably over $100, the other one I am looking at is bit shorter only 11 inches, reads from 66 to 80 degrees and is graduated to 1/5 degree but it is a lot cheaper, in the range of $35-$45 depending on what I can negotiate.

personally, I like the better one but I think that we will all find that 1/5 degree is far better than we need.
it seems to me that it would be great for a club to have

 

[SteveOhh]

I'm in for one of the "inexpensive" ones.................

 

[Captain Quirk]

I'd do some checking around, personally. I looked into the same thing some time ago, and I recall (incorrectly or not, I dunno - it's what I recall) that I found a few at the lower price range.

But, yeah, I think something like that's pretty valuable for most of us. But some of us are even too cheap to buy a refractometer, so...

I mean, hydrometers are accurate, aren't they?

:lol:

 

[five.five-six]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12361851#post12361851 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Captain Quirk
I'd do some checking around, personally. I looked into the same thing some time ago, and I recall (incorrectly or not, I dunno - it's what I recall) that I found a few at the lower price range.

But, yeah, I think something like that's pretty valuable for most of us. But some of us are even too cheap to buy a refractometer, so...

I mean, hydrometers are accurate, aren't they?

:lol:

well actually if properly maintained, your standard "sea test" hydrometer is quite often more accurate than the average $100 refracometer. I personally, will not risk my tank to a refractometer without 35ppt calibration solution

I was thinking that it might be a good idea for clubs to buy 1 or a few to loan out (with a deposit) to members as a benefit of membership, and could rent them out to non members for a small revenue stream. for instance, members rent for $1/day, non members $2/day

either way, I am going to get one because between all my temperature devices there is about 2 degrees of variation

 

[Captain Quirk]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12362005#post12362005 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by five.five-six
well actually if properly maintained, your standard "sea test" hydrometer is quite often more accurate than the average $100 refracometer. I personally, will not risk my tank to a refractometer without 35ppt calibration solution

Not sure I agree with your statement about the hydrometer, however your statement about the cal fluid is dead on IMO.

I was thinking that it might be a good idea for clubs to buy 1 or a few to loan out (with a deposit) to members as a benefit of membership, and could rent them out to non members for a small revenue stream. for instance, members rent for $1/day, non members $2/day

Funny you say that, as that was exactly what I was thinking. We already have a Milwaukee light meter (well, it's mine, but I loan it out), and I think we have a couple of other items, as well. I totally think this is an appropriate club item. Hence, I'm down for one, as well. Just keep me posted as to the details.

 

[five.five-six]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12362384#post12362384 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Captain Quirk
Not sure I agree with your statement about the hydrometer, however your statement about the cal fluid is dead on IMO.

I have seen studies of the IO hydrometer and it turns out to be incredibly accurate IIRC, they used ~ 100 units from various production runs.. and if zeroing you refractomter, you are basically guessing that the slope is right


Funny you say that, as that was exactly what I was thinking. We already have a Milwaukee light meter (well, it's mine, but I loan it out), and I think we have a couple of other items, as well. I totally think this is an appropriate club item. Hence, I'm down for one, as well. Just keep me posted as to the details. [/QUOTE]

yep, I imagine I will end up loaning out the one I get.. a lot. I wonder what the best way is to contact lots of clubs

 

[five.five-six]

GREAT NEWS, I GOT A GREAT PRICE

GREAT NEWS, I GOT A GREAT PRICE

After an exhaustive search I have found what appears to be the last available ASTM No. 17F lab grade thermometers. These thermometers can be used to calibrate your existing electronics. They retail for over $60 plus shipping in this group buy you can have one for $29.57shipped. These thermometers are 11” long and have a range of 66-80 degrees with 0.2 degree f subdivisions which is perfect for calibrating chillers, heaters and controllers.

The intended use would be for:

Clubs to loan out to members as a benefit of membership
Super nerdy tech heads like me that want the very best
Manufactures for double checking /spot checking production
Retailers and service men to offer calibration services
Repair facilities for troubleshooting


The calibration on these should last indefinitely unless you damage one. Also available and highly recommending a protective armor case for $11.74

There are only 41 of these available, once they are gone, I do not think I can find any more as the industry is moving toward using thermocouples which will do about the same thing but start at $500.

If buying more than one, the price is $26.42 per additional unit and if picking up in person, they are $25.65 each

 

[reefkt]

Do they also have lab grade hydrometer for sale, not the refracometer?

 

[five.five-six]

these are just thermometers. that would have to be a whole different group buy. and anything lab grade is big bucks,

 

[Captain Quirk]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12404225#post12404225 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by five.five-six
these are just thermometers. that would have to be a whole different group buy. and anything lab grade is big bucks,

I'm down for at least one with the case. You should post this elsewhere, as well.

Thanks for the effort - I know how much of a pain in the arse GB's are...

 

[five.five-six]

yes thay are but I see this as a great value to reefers. i could sure use some help figuring out where to post

I think i am going to do this through nanoreef becaus my mailbox there can take about 400 more messages and there is a meter to tell me when it is full

 

[SteveOhh]

Put me down for one w/ a case................since it's for personal use, does it make me a super nerdy tech head???

 

[gps]

Please put me down for one. Thanks!

 

[CW from the OC]

In for one with a case, thanks!!

 

[five.five-six]

CW from the OC, you are down. gps, did you want the armor? I have you down for just the thermometer

 

[five.five-six]

good news, bad news

good news, bad news

the good news:
18 hours into it and there are only 27 thermometers left

the bad news:

the thread in the WTS forum was closed, apparently you can not do group buys there, however you can do them in other forums. could you post a link to this thread in any forums that you regularly visit to help get the word out. I just spent $1500 on thermometers and would rather not have them in my garage all that long

 

[Jeff]

[priceflame]

 

[Jeff]

[violation]

 

[BlueCorn]

Strike two.

Drop it and move on Jeff.

 

[bergzy]

can you post a a link to the thermometer to see what we would be getting?

i am interested in one.

thanks for taking the trouble for organizing a group buy!