In-the-line thermal sensor?

Edward Ng · Post by **Edward Ng** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 5:11 pm

Does anyone know of a ready-made solution for measuring the temperature of the coolant in the loop? Is there some sort of a pre-made gadget that I can just install as part of my loop that will report the temperature of the coolant to a separate display or something?

-Ed

MattHelm · Post by **MattHelm** » Tue Aug 31, 2004 5:04 am

Try:

http://www.highspeedpc.com/Merchant2/me ... e=H2Oextra

I've never bought from them, but they have 2 inline temp probes.

Edward Ng · Post by **Edward Ng** » Tue Aug 31, 2004 5:46 am

Thanks! I've sent an e-mail off to HSPC to see if it fits my 3/8"ID stuff...

Anyone got any other ideas, maybe in 3/8"ID?

jamesavery22 · Post by **jamesavery22** » Tue Aug 31, 2004 1:33 pm

Do you have a T line setup?

If so just make you own... get the "water proof" epoxy stuff from Home Depot, drill a hole, place the sensor, seal it up with epoxy and save 40$.

That or you could just do what a lot of people do and just put it down the entire T line.

If you dont have a T line get one

J/K Get a 3/8" barbed coupling and drill, place, epoxy it. Paying 40$ for a 5$ sensor just seems like a huge waste to me when you could do it yourself very easily and probably better.

EntropyAJB · Post by **EntropyAJB** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 8:59 am

They have 3/8" and 1/2" sensors for $15 at D-Tek.

http://www.dtekcustoms.com/index.asp?Pa ... &ProdID=48

Edward Ng · Post by **Edward Ng** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 1:17 pm

EntropyAJB...

WELCOME TO SPCR!!!

And thanks for the link, btw. Unfortunately, while the sensor itself is only $15, a compatible readout will tack on quite a bit of money, since I don't have one yet. The Matrix Orbital they stock there is $95!

But yes, thanks again; I'll definitely start looking around for something that is compatible...

...hmm, 10Kohm...

Gooserider · Post by **Gooserider** » Tue Sep 07, 2004 6:54 pm

I would second the earlier comments, you can do quite well by making your own from an existing sensor, all you need is some appropriate silicone or other sealant and a bit of shrink tube for the sensor tip, and epoxy to seal up the hole you use to stick it into the plumbing.

Gooserider

Straker · Post by **Straker** » Wed Sep 08, 2004 3:30 pm

Edward Ng wrote:The Matrix Orbital they stock there is $95!

getting one of those for using a single, ordinary thermistor with is like getting a $2000 PC for playing solitaire.

they're pretty cool toys if you have any other ideas though

1911user · Post by **1911user** » Wed Sep 08, 2004 5:16 pm

Would a thermocouple with exposed wiring short out if placed in water? I should know this, but don't. I have a DMM with a thermocouple reader built-in (automotive model). It'd be nice to be able to measure water temps, but I'd rather not damage something.

dis · Post by **dis** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 2:03 am

It shouldn't if your using distilled and de-ionised water. But IIRC over time the presence of the metal and charge will probably ionise the water anyway. They're cheap, get one with a coating on it.

Gooserider · Post by **Gooserider** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 7:04 pm

No you should not stick an exposed wire thermocouple in coolant (of any sort). It probably wouldn't blow anything up, but the resistance of the coolant would probably screw up the readings in addition to potential corrosion issues. Remember that a thermocouple is made from different kinds of metal by definition.

OTOH, it is not a difficult thing to seal up a sensor with a bit of silicone and some shrink tube. The sealant will slightly slow the response time for the thermocouple, but won't have a significant effect on accuracy.

Gooserider