Circulating hot water heating

augie1

Is pointing an infrared gun on a copper line ( gas hot water boiler) a good secondary way of checking water temp in the system . A line or return line.
THANK YOU.

Zman

The infrared gun will get tripped up by the shiny copper. Putting tape on the pipe and then shooting it works pretty well. I use black electrical tape.

augie1

Ok great THANK YOU Z I appreciate it.

hot_rod

Or a black magic marker to color the tube

augie1

Thank you much appreciated.

rick in Alaska

I have a small can of flat black modelers spray paint I use. The flat black is the best to stop reflection. Even most electrical tape is somewhat shiny and can affect the reading.
Rick

ThomasM84

A marker does the job just fine, it's your cheapest and easiest route for sure.

augie1

Thank you very much guys.

mattmia2

a thermocouple probe is the best way to do it

mikeg2015

I prefer a TC clamp probe Plugged into my multimeter. Electrical tape or marker truck sounds good too.

pecmsg

augie1 said:

Is pointing an infrared gun on a copper line ( gas hot water boiler) a good secondary way of checking water temp in the system . A line or return line.

THANK YOU.

https://www.thermoworks.com/infrared_thermometry101_limitations_of_infrared

I use this

mattmia2

I have this one, mainly because of cost. They are both likely similar accuracy but the fluke can grab larger pipes.

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Fieldpiece-ATC1R-ATC1R-Pipe-Clamp-for-Refrigeration-1-8-to-3-4

hot_rod

I use this temperature head with my Fieldpiece. It allows you to use the thermistors on any surface or any size pipe. Some pipe insulation and a zip tie works well.