Temperature calibration

[Xiaan42]

I just got my ProfiLux with the baling pumps up and running the other day. On thing I found is that my temperature probe is reading my tank temp at 81F-83F where my temperature probe in my display tank (ACjr) is reading 76F-78F. I am just wondering do I have to calibrate the temperature on the controller and if I do how do I calibrate it (what should I use to get an actuate temperature reading)?

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Hi

No the ProfiLux temp probes are laboratory calibrated and 100% accurate within industry tolerence of +/- 1degree C

To get an accurate temp reading use the ProfiLux.

IF you really want to play with the temp reading and put in an offset, when Matthias comes back he will explain how to do this, BUT I strongly suggest you do not do this.

A replacment temp probe is nearly $100, the cost is due to the high quality used, my advise is trust it.

 

[kidney514]

I can vouch for that, profilux is the one that is most probably right....

 

[Xiaan42]

Thanks that is what I thought. I will recalibrate my ACJr for now as I do not have the temperature controlled using my ProfiLux. I was planning on getting the power bar today to control the temp and some of my lighting but Pat (Ottawa Inverts) is not open I guess I will have to wait to next week.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

he will be open tomorrow and he is picking a shipment up from us today

 

[wesheltonj]

Can alway double check with a good old mercury one.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Dont be so sure

Industry standard for mercury is +/- 3dgrees C !!!!

Thats a whopping 6++ degree F tolerence!!!!!

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Medical study of Mercury thermometers used in neonatal and accepted accuracy.

Accuracy of glass/mercury thermometers

Inherent in any discussion of alternatives is the assumption that glass/mercury thermometers are accurate. Data suggests that our faith in glass/mercury thermometers may be misplaced.

Leick-Rude and Bloom describe a study in which axillary temperature in neonates was taken with non-mercury thermometers and compared with a "standard" of glass/mercury thermometers. For the purpose of the study, the accuracy of each glass/mercury thermometer was tested as a condition of accepting it for the study. 25% of the glass/mercury thermometers tested differed from the reference thermometer by >0.2 degrees Centigrade and were deemed unacceptable for use in the study. The authors cite another study in which 28% of glass/mercury thermometers were discarded because they differed by more than 0.1 degree Centigrade from the reference thermometer. The authors raise concern as to the accuracy of glass/mercury thermometers for general use, when one out of four of those tested was not deemed accurate enough. (In fact, the ASTM standard for glass/mercury medical thermometers specifies a maximum allowable error of + 0.1 C in the cited range).

 

[Xiaan42]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14170893#post14170893 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AQD_ottawa
Dont be so sure

Industry standard for mercury is +/- 3dgrees C !!!!

Thats a whopping 6++ degree F tolerence!!!!!

That is what I was finding to. I tested with my glass thermometer it read ~72F and my coralife Digital was reading 78F, where the ProfiLux read 80F.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

I have been doing support for GHL now for a couple of years and one trend that I always see is when people have a new piece of equipment no matter how great the quality and they get a reading different from what they are used to, they will always assume the GHL is the one that is wrong.

It is human nature, comfortable with what you know, old saying "better the devil you know" comes to mind. But that saying is also lyrics to a Kylie Minogues song so now got visions of her in my head

ER moving on!

 

[jwalters103]

the best way to check is by using boiling and freezing points of known substances. assuming the temp probe can handle the extremes, place it in heated water. when the water hits boiling, the reading should be 212f or 100c and try getting it down to freezing. the temp should then read 32f/0c

 

[jwalters103]

also you have to keep in mind that mercury thermometers are fossils. you are more than likely using alcohol thermometers which are even less accurate

 

[wesheltonj]

Not so sure about mercury being fossils. They still sell, can they be off yes.
http://www.analyticalsci.com/science/Thermometers.htm
http://www.analyticalsci.com/science/Thermometers2.htm

 

[jwalters103]

i shouldnt say fossil. but definately a relic. you can still get them, but i bet if we took a poll, the vast majority of people would have only alcohol thermometers in their homes, not mercury. now something like a barometer that measures in mm/hg, well thats self explanatory