Pretty nifty gadget.

jimwrinn · **Posted:** Mon May 07, 2001 1:35 pm

My engineer showed up yesterday with a present from his wife that I found useful and some of y'all might enjoy having.

It was a laser temperature gauge--aim it at the target, hold the trigger and in about 2 seconds you get a temperature reading.

While the back of your hand will still aways work to see if your bearings are heating up, this little rig (i have no idea of the cost) will give you a precise temperature.

So, if you want some readings but don't want to rig up temperature sensors like the Frisco 1522 guys, this is the machine for you! I have no idea of the manufacturer or cost, but I would think it would be reasonable.

Incidentally, running gear temperatures on Shay 1925 were about 90. A jacketed backhead about 150 and a firedoor right at 348. We did NOT open the fire door and shoot the laser on the fire so as not to knock it off the scale!

http://nctrans.org
Wrinnbo@aol.com

Kevin McCabe · **Posted:** Mon May 07, 2001 2:26 pm

> My engineer showed up yesterday with a
> present from his wife that I found useful
> and some of y'all might enjoy having.

> It was a laser temperature gauge--aim it at
> the target, hold the trigger and in about 2
> seconds you get a temperature reading.

> While the back of your hand will still aways
> work to see if your bearings are heating up,
> this little rig (i have no idea of the cost)
> will give you a precise temperature.

> So, if you want some readings but don't want
> to rig up temperature sensors like the
> Frisco 1522 guys, this is the machine for
> you! I have no idea of the manufacturer or
> cost, but I would think it would be
> reasonable.

> Incidentally, running gear temperatures on
> Shay 1925 were about 90. A jacketed backhead
> about 150 and a firedoor right at 348. We
> did NOT open the fire door and shoot the
> laser on the fire so as not to knock it off
> the scale!

Can you provide any more details, such as manufacturer/model number, distributor, etc.? Thanks!

Kevinmccabe@avenew.com

Tom Shreve · **Posted:** Mon May 07, 2001 2:27 pm

> My engineer showed up yesterday with a
> present from his wife that I found useful
> and some of y'all might enjoy having.

> It was a laser temperature gauge--aim it at
> the target, hold the trigger and in about 2
> seconds you get a temperature reading.

> While the back of your hand will still aways
> work to see if your bearings are heating up,
> this little rig (i have no idea of the cost)
> will give you a precise temperature.

> So, if you want some readings but don't want
> to rig up temperature sensors like the
> Frisco 1522 guys, this is the machine for
> you! I have no idea of the manufacturer or
> cost, but I would think it would be
> reasonable.

> Incidentally, running gear temperatures on
> Shay 1925 were about 90. A jacketed backhead
> about 150 and a firedoor right at 348. We
> did NOT open the fire door and shoot the
> laser on the fire so as not to knock it off
> the scale!
My fireman wanted to know how hot it was in the cab one August and put up a thermometer above his window. when it reached 155 degrees F he through it out! There are some things you don't want to know!

ironbartom@aol.com

Richard Wilkens · **Posted:** Mon May 07, 2001 2:47 pm

Go to www.google.com (great search engine) and type in "laser thermometer". Quick glance showed units from $120 to $270.

Richard

> Can you provide any more details, such as
> manufacturer/model number, distributor,
> etc.? Thanks!

richard.s.wilkens@boeing.com

Stuart · **Posted:** Mon May 07, 2001 3:26 pm

Hey guys,

The ones we use at work are manufactured by Raytek.

www.raytek.com

Raytek thermometers
gnufe@apex.net

Mark D. · **Posted:** Mon May 07, 2001 4:26 pm

Jim, you won't hurt the thing if you do point it into the firebox. It will just go to 999 degrees. Besides looking for hot bearings with them, they are useful for training hostlers and would be firemen. You can show the effects of uneven heating and cooling by having them point it at certain places on the boiler that will show how a cool spot in the fire travels all the way to the outer sheets. It will amaze a lot of people when the see the temperature differentials from one spot to another. Then compare that to what the fire is doing. It's interesting. Mark D.

mnmach@lakes.com

Been There · **Posted:** Mon May 07, 2001 4:53 pm

Amen!

Brian Hebert · **Posted:** Mon May 07, 2001 6:48 pm

The thing might melt!

Brian Hebert

Conway Scenic Railroad
btamper@hotmail.com

J.David · **Posted:** Mon May 07, 2001 9:15 pm

We have one at The Valley which was obtained so our crews could monitor hot bearings etc. We found that there was a wide variation between different guys as to what was "hot". The thermometer enables them to accuratly quantify just what "hot" is. It takes a lot of the guess work out of making the call as to go on or go back to the shop.
An essential tool, our crews have access to it when needed.
J.David

jdconrad@snet.net