infrared thermometer?

[Poohblah]

sorry if this is a dumb question, but i have a light-duty IR thermometer and i was wondering if this would be safe and accurate for use on b/w chemicals... i'm not sure since i'm not wise in the ways of chemistry, or even how this thermometer works... i would like to avoid buying a new thermometer.

 

[Lee L]

I have one that I've been using lately, from Harbor Freight Tools, recommended in another APUG thread. It's great for measuring the wash water I store, and allowed me to catch some upward drifting temps in my small rollfilm developing tanks during development. It agrees closely with my other thermometers and is plenty accurate for B&W work in my experience.

In what way are you anticipating that it would be unsafe to use for B&W chemicals?

Lee

 

[bobwysiwyg]

I have one that I've been using lately, from Harbor Freight Tools, recommended in another APUG thread. It's great for measuring the wash water I store, and allowed me to catch some upward drifting temps in my small rollfilm developing tanks during development. It agrees closely with my other thermometers and is plenty accurate for B&W work in my experience.

In what way are you anticipating that it would be unsafe to use for B&W chemicals?

Lee

I'm guessing the IR thermometer I have from Harbor Freight is the same one, around $20 as I recall. Very accurate, almost instantaneous. I use it to check the chem temps and wash water temps for each session.

 

[Martin Aislabie]

Infrareds only read surface temps

Fine for moving liquids - not so good for static (like dev in a shallow tray)

Martin

 

[Poohblah]

Infrareds only read surface temps

Fine for moving liquids - not so good for static (like dev in a shallow tray)

Martin

thank you, i just wanted to make sure that the IR light didn't excite the atoms or break any molecular bonds or anything crazy like that.

 

[amuderick]

Your IR thermometer is a passive device. It sees infrared, it doesn't output any kind if visible or invisible radiation.

 

[Photo Engineer]

An immersion thermometer is more accurate.

PE

 

[Martin Aislabie]

I still trust Mercury in Glass thermometers over anything else

I have yet to find anything more accurate over their narrow working range (which comfortably includes photogrphic processes)

Martin