| Author |
Message |
Stephen Gutknecht (Roundsparrow) (67.116.37.82)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 11:30 pm: | |
So, has anyone put a air pressure / temp monitoring system on a bus? |
Jim Stacy (12.87.109.32)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - 8:44 pm: | |
Stephen,
I use the poor mans tire temp system - a laser pointed remote thermometer. These sell for way under $100, are pocket size and work great. It takes hardly a minute at a rest stop to tour the rig and get tire temps to a tenth of a degree from every tire including the inside duals and the toad.
This info can alert you to a possible problem with pressure or loading long before it becomes a problem. It will also give info on brake drum and wheeel bearing temp, what cylinder is not at full power, where the problem is in a cooling system, etc. Instant readings and you don't even get your hands dirty.
I keep it in the overhead by the driver and use it when I "walk" the rig while mother is walking the dogs. Don't know how I got along without it. Ain't science wonderfull?
Jim Stacy |
Jack.In.KC (65.26.91.94)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 9:49 am: | |
Sounds great, where do you buy a laser pointer remote thermometer? What brand is good and how much should I pay. Father’s day is coming. |
John Rigby (63.185.81.94)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 12:43 pm: | |
Jim ,You have sold me were can we get one?
Thanks
John |
Paul Wiest (Pwiest) (66.73.188.58)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 2:59 pm: | |
Radio Shack has a good one for 30 bucks or so.
It has even survived a few drops. |
Tom Caffrey (Pvcces) (64.114.233.226)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 8:24 pm: | |
EBay and Grainger's are a couple more places you can get them. The 600 degree models run $60-70 or so.
We just finished a trip with one and it was as much help with the car as it was with the bus. We had around 1000 pounds of freight in the car, but it wasn't as well balanced as I thought and it had some tendency to weave.
After a ways on the freeway, I pulled off and took a reading on the tires. It was loaded heavy to the right rear, so I adjusted the tires accordingly and the car behaved normally after that.
It's easy to get the drum temps by sticking the thermometer in the wheel hand holes and it's easy to check for blocked radiator tubes as well.
Good luck!
Tom Caffrey PD4106-2576
Suncatcher |
John Rigby (63.185.81.185)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2003 - 10:53 am: | |
Tom,
I looked though Granger and could not find it.Do you have a model # etc.
Thanks
John |
DrivingMissLazy (24.196.191.70)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2003 - 9:02 pm: | |
I got mine at NAPA several years ago. It works great.
Richard |
Tom Caffrey (Pvcces) (64.114.233.235)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2003 - 10:38 pm: | |
John, ours is a Westward, model 6JG66A. I don't know if it is currently offered by Grainger's, but I did happen to see Johnstone listings for the Raytec (sp) recently.
We don't have a current Grianger catalog. I know that NAPA was selling the Raytec, as well.
Tom Caffrey PD4106-2576
Suncatcher |
Jim Stacy (12.87.108.158)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 01, 2003 - 8:34 pm: | |
I've seen them at J C Whitney, Radio Shack, Harbor Freight, NAPA, etc. They are often referred to as non contact thermometers. Cheapest ones don't have the laser pointer (which ahs nothing to do with the temp reading function) but is very handy. Most expensive models have higher temp range and work from further away.
The cheapest model with the laser pointer is probably fine for our needs.
Good tool.
Jim Stacy |
mrjimmystewart (68.105.105.16)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 02, 2003 - 5:36 pm: | |
Grainger has an online catalog at www.grainger.com
That particular infrared thermometer (Grainger part # 6JG66A) is still available and costs $92. There is a whole range of prices, temp ranges and distance available. Great tool. |
DrivingMissLazy (24.196.191.70)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 02, 2003 - 10:19 pm: | |
However, Grainger sells wholesale only, so you must establish a business entity and convince them that you really are a business. It can be done. I set myself up as a home repair business. Much easier to go to NAPA for under $100.00 to get one.
Richard |
JimNH (172.147.57.39)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 02, 2003 - 11:05 pm: | |
OK guys- the way to go is with one of these things. But the big question is, what is a good temperature? I have used mine to check tires in cold weather and they run under 100 degrees. In 80 degree weather with the tar temp at 120 I have measured 140 degrees at the tire. Anyone got the ultimate answer to how much is too much tire temp? A good instrument is useless unless the measurement can be interpreted as to a satisfactory range of temp above ambient or an absolute temperature. By the way, with proper tire inflation, my tires are all within 5 degrees. Sometimes slightly more on the sunny side of the bus on an east/west stretch of road. Inquiring minds.... etc.
Jim |
FAST FRED (63.215.225.154)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 03, 2003 - 5:27 am: | |
What your looking for is a big difference in tire temps ,
that could indicate one is flat , and the hot one is doing all the work.
FAST FRED |