Some kind of thermocouple?

Frederick McGuire

Aggressively Loungey
Hey guys, I'm not really sure of what I want exists, but here goes:

Basically, I'm looking to enhance my sublimator experience.

I've already made an extension cord that removes the inconvenience of that stupidly short monkey controller :)

Now to figure out temps.

Straight off the bat - I am not interested in accurate digital heating/whatever.

I am purely after a reliable number I can refer to to ensure I am at the same temp as any other sesh - the actual number is irrelevant.

So I was thinking some kind of sub/supreme vape hybrid would be really cool.

For those not familiar with the supreme, it has a big metal heater at the top which you Heat with a torch, and it has a little digital thermometer readout to allow you to get the same temps each time.

I'm thinking some kind of thermometer like is in the supreme could be really handy.

Mount the little screen/display at the end of the atomizer handle, and have its temperature probe affixed to the base of the atomizer.

This way, I could allow the sub to get nice and up to temp, then record the reading on that thermometer.

Once the thermometer gets to that reading, the sub is up to temp.


Basically, what I'd like to know is
A - would a thermometer like that exist? And if so would I be able to relatively easily integrate it into my sub?
B - is there something really stupid about this idea I'm too high to be seeing? :lol:
 
Frederick McGuire,

DieHard

Accessory supplier
Accessory Maker
Not sure if this helps...
I have a Fluke Multimeter that came with a Thermocouple. Plug it in, touch to surface, read temp in real time. Exit Fluke #83

A cheaper method might be an oven or BBQ thermometer with a probe. Just make sure it's max temp is higher than your max temp on the Sub.
 

OF

Well-Known Member
make sure it's one with adjustable emissivity though. I have the basic non-adjustable version and it's really inaccurate on shiny/metallic surfaces.

We're looking for a relative reading, right? The OP said:

"Straight off the bat - I am not interested in accurate digital heating/whatever.

I am purely after a reliable number I can refer to to ensure I am at the same temp as any other sesh - the actual number is irrelevant."


So not being able to correct for emissivity should be OK. All you'd need to do it pick an appropriate spot and them match the reading of your ideal session.

On the matter of emissivity problems with polished surfaces that's a real problem if you need accurate numbers. Ironically emissivity and absorption are one and the same in the IR world, since a polished surface reflects 'light' it also emits little. There are two easy fixes worth considering. First, give it a more 'dark body' like surface. Make it black instead. Like with a Sharpie. Then 'shoot' that spot instead. Secondly, emissivity correction is a linear deal. Once you know 'it reads XX degrees when I know it's really YY degrees' you can correct the error from emissivity errors at any temperature.


OF
 

Joel W.

Deplorable Basement Dweller
Accessory Maker
I've already made an extension cord that removes the inconvenience of that stupidly short monkey controller
I am not interested in accurate digital heating/whatever.

I am purely after a reliable number I can refer to to ensure I am at the same temp as any other sesh - the actual number is irrelevant
So your plan is to unplug once at the right temp or use a torch? You can get a PID w/ K type thermocouple for $13 on ebay to monitor temps (or control low amps)

Or get the $18 PID w/ k type and get the included solid state 40A relay that will let you control your temps. They are pretty easy to set up. The K probe goes to terminals 9,10. Power to 1,2. Jumper 1 to 3 for control of an SSR, terminals 3,4 to the SSR used as a on /off switch to your vape. The internal settings are pretty easy also if you need help.

Edit: FYI, those PID I listed say they work in fahrenheit but they lie and they only work in celsius.
 
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Joel W.,

Frederick McGuire

Aggressively Loungey
So your plan is to unplug once at the right temp or use a torch? You can get a PID w/ K type thermocouple for $13 on ebay to monitor temps (or control low amps)

Or get the $18 PID w/ k type and get the included solid state 40A relay that will let you control your temps. They are pretty easy to set up. The K probe goes to terminals 9,10. Power to 1,2. Jumper 1 to 3 for control of an SSR, terminals 3,4 to the SSR used as a on /off switch to your vape. The internal settings are pretty easy also if you need help.

Edit: FYI, those PID I listed say they work in fahrenheit but they lie and they only work in celsius.
Nah, my plan is to use the sub as per normal, I'm just looking for some way of reliably knowing it is up to vaping temp.

The sub hits like an absolute beast when it's fully up to speed, but while warming up the hits can be pretty lackluster...

I'm thinking a bbq thermometer will be the way to go - something nice, small and cheap sounds better for my application, compared to very accurate and value-for-money-but-pricey.


Literally all I want my thermometer to do is tell me the temp the base of my atomizer is.

Then I can let the sub get up to thermal equilibrium, and note down that temp.

Once I have that set point noted, I can use that to gauge how up to temp my sub is on future uses.

Ideally it would be small enough to (semi-)permanently attach to the atomizer handle...

Assuming for a second an IR thermometer could read the atomizer, it would allow me to measure the temps I want, but then it would be another tool I have to cart around with my sub...
My ideal unit needs to be pretty small...

Thanks for the discussion so far guys :D
 

jojo monkey

Well-Known Member
Manufacturer
I went with a platinum resistance thermometer, a pt-100 probe. It allows for a fast response and is accurate to one decimal place. The pt-100 probe should also outlast older types of probes. Keep in mind that probe wire is special and cannot be extended with regular wire. Buy the length you need. A little kapton tape (max 260°C (500°F)) and a clamp holds my probe to the outside of my vape.

mcmaster.com and zoro.com have tons of parts to play with.

@Joel W. The $30 jld612 does F and C.
 

OF

Well-Known Member
Ideally it would be small enough to (semi-)permanently attach to the atomizer handle...

That should be easy enough. For instance, I used to have one of these until I set it down in the wrong place which should work handily:
https://www.google.com/shopping/pro...D8AmWA&ved=0CA0Qpis&ei=LBxvVcGOCIy1yATNx4P4CQ

Just 'shoot' some heated spot that stays within range. You can mount it conveniently and if it doesn't view the right spot, use a mirror or fiber optic to correct it. Remember, an IR Pyrometer (the real name) is basically a light meter. It doesn't measure temperature but rather tells you 'how bright the IR light is'. Anything that attenuates (lowers) the level (poor aiming, too far off, filters, etc.) will still give you a useful relative measure. You just need to match 'the magic number' no matter what it is (as long as it stays in range of course).

OF
 

OF

Well-Known Member
What about something like this. I have one that gets used all the time.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/LCD-Non-...305?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1e915085b1

A definite possibility. Notice the link in the post above? Basically the same thing in a much smaller package that you might be able to mount to the vape so it always 'looks at the same spot'.

It won't give a good absolute reading (will probably read low by a fair bit) but relative measure (ability to match and repeat temperatures) should be fine?

OF
 
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