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pyrometer sources

updated sun 24 aug 03

 

Gaye Sekula on fri 22 aug 03


Does anyone know where else a person could buy a pyrometer other than from
ceramic suppliers? The ceramic suppliers are charging 3 times what a
thermocouple would be, so I assume they've jacked up the pyrometer cost as well.
Gaye

Reg Brown on fri 22 aug 03


Gaye, try looking on Ebay.com using keywords "pyrometer" or "digital
thermometer" --- I got an excellent Fluke 51 II (new) for less than half price. You
can also search keyword "Fluke" to find other keywords used to describe them.
You should factor in the price of a thermocouple which you can get from
Baileys Ceramic Suppy (around $20).

Regards, Reg
in Virginia

Leland G. Hall on fri 22 aug 03


Hi Gaye,
I bought a dual imput from "Omega" three years ago. Nice unit. Close to
two hundred Raku firings and no problems. Mine goes to 2000 F. Remember
that the thermocouple that comes with this unit is only good to 500 F., so
you'll have to get another. Check out their website. Omega.com I think.

Hope this helps
Leland Hall
Before The Wheel
La Pine, OR
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Gaye wrote
"Does anyone know where else a person could buy a pyrometer other than from
ceramic suppliers? The ceramic suppliers are charging 3 times what a
thermocouple would be, so I assume they've jacked up the pyrometer cost as
well."
Gaye

Zoe Paddy Johnson on fri 22 aug 03


My ex, got a cheapo voltmeter for $9 at harbor frieght, attached it to the
thermocouple and then calibrated it by placing it next to my pyrometer and
heating them up.
zoej

steve harrison on sat 23 aug 03


Hi Gaye,
You could try using a multi-meter from radio shack. Get one that can
read milli-volts DC. It will read out the electrical output (emf) from
the thermocouple as mv. You can get the files from Roger, or I can send
a copy to you, (I got mine from Roger, - thanks Roger) Once youv'e used
the millivolt metre for a few firings, you get used to it reading out
numbers like 35 mv which might translate as 1500oF or whatever,
depending on what type of thermocouple you have. After you get used to
it you dont need the chart. you just fire to the particular number of
millivolts that you know you need to achieve. It's just another symbol
like degrees Fahrenheit.
If you need to buy a new thermocouple consider a type N -
nicrosil/nisil. it is cheap and stable to stoneware temps. It also has
3 times the emf out put of a platinum t/c at a fraction of the cost.
If this all sounds like double Dutch I'd be happy to elaborate a
little, or perhaps one of the gurus will add - clarify the topic.
I presume that it has all been covered many times before over the years
- before my time.
regards
Steve Harrison

> Gaye - check the archives approximately 4-6 weeks ago when Steve
> Harrison
> suggests buying a multi-volt meter to use in lieu of pyrometer.
>

steve harrison on sat 23 aug 03


Sorry, forgot to add that if you want the most accurate reading from
your multimetre/pyro combo. you have to add room temp on to the
read-out. the commercial units do this for you automatically.
regards
Steve Harrison

MarjB on sat 23 aug 03


Gaye - check the archives approximately 4-6 weeks ago when Steve Harrison
suggests buying a multi-volt meter to use in lieu of pyrometer. You can
"google" for charts for coversions of volts to temperature. If you ask
nicely, Roger Graham has put together really good charts for different
thermocouples. His offer is in the achives in the same time frame.

I purchased my digital multi-volt meter - on sale at Radio Shack. Not the
least expensive one but it had long leads, not hard wired leads and big read
out display. Have not used it for a firing as yet (we are still under
electrical conservation and high temp/humidity). Tested it with my propane
torch . Works great. Cost me half of a new analog pyrometer. Could have
saved more by purchasing other models.

Thank you Steve Harrison and Roger Graham for the information and
assistance. MarjB

----- Original Message -----
From: "Gaye Sekula"
To:
Sent: Friday, August 22, 2003 6:30 AM
Subject: pyrometer sources


> Does anyone know where else a person could buy a pyrometer other than from
> ceramic suppliers? The ceramic suppliers are charging 3 times what a
> thermocouple would be, so I assume they've jacked up the pyrometer cost as
well.
> Gaye
>
>
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