Thermometer - Multimeter Probe Question

[NineInchNails]

I wanted a decent digital thermometer for smelting & casting. I just bought a Cen-Tech #95670 Multimeter (http://www.harborfreight.com/lcd-automotive-multimeter-with-tachometer-kit-95670.html) from Harbor Freight last night for $40. Its range is -4F to 1,382F. It comes with a k thermocouple shown below. For some reason I thought that probes would be reasonably priced and easy to find http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/ag142/boolits/EMOTICONS/wacko_zpsd7d10a34.gif (http://s1303.photobucket.com/user/boolits/media/EMOTICONS/wacko_zpsd7d10a34.gif.html).

http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/ag142/boolits/Thermometer/Cen-Tech95670Multimeter_zpse95fedc1.jpg (http://s1303.photobucket.com/user/boolits/media/Thermometer/Cen-Tech95670Multimeter_zpse95fedc1.jpg.html)

http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/ag142/boolits/Thermometer/KThermocouple_zpsfd8473da.jpg (http://s1303.photobucket.com/user/boolits/media/Thermometer/KThermocouple_zpsfd8473da.jpg.html)

I'm wondering if any of you guys know of a decent, reasonably priced digital thermometer with replaceable probe or a place to buy a better thermocouple or shielded probe for this multimeter.

I used the search function here, but no luck so far. Slim pickins on eBay for thermocouples/probes. They are either too short, located in China or have the wrong connection on them which I would have to modify. I'm trying to find one with at least a 6" or longer probe because I smelt in a cast iron dutch oven and would like to clip the probe to the rim and let the probe drop into the lead. I use a Lee Pro 4 20# for casting and would like to be able to monitor the temp in that too.

I have 90 days to return this multimeter so I'm not opposed to buying a different thermometer. Decent probe or different thermometer?

[dragon813gt]

Grainger, but be prepared to pay. The probes are not cheap. The one I use daily for work purposes is $100. Any digital meter that comes w/ the temperature probe comes w/ exactly what you got. They are good for measuring air temp and that's about it.

[JASON4X4]

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20_3&products_id=22

I bought 2 of these 1 I used with my cheap meter to melt my coww and the other to use with a pid when I get my lee 4 20. The meter should have come with an adapter.

[NineInchNails]

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20_3&products_id=22

I bought 2 of these 1 I used with my cheap meter to melt my coww and the other to use with a pid when I get my lee 4 20. The meter should have come with an adapter.

Excellent link JASON4X4! Thanks a lot! That's pretty reasonably priced and a good variety of usable lengths too.

The meter I bought didn't come with an adapter per say. Here's a better look at it. The plug comes apart very easily so I shouldn't have any problem connecting two wires to this plug.

http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/ag142/boolits/Thermometer/Thermocouple01_zpsd8eb2f50.jpg (http://s1303.photobucket.com/user/boolits/media/Thermometer/Thermocouple01_zpsd8eb2f50.jpg.html)

http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/ag142/boolits/Thermometer/Thermocouple02_zps00cc10fc.jpg (http://s1303.photobucket.com/user/boolits/media/Thermometer/Thermocouple02_zps00cc10fc.jpg.html)

[theperfessor]

I bought all the stuff to make a dual PID controller from Auber and was satisfied with what I got for what I had to pay.

[NineInchNails]

I bought all the stuff to make a dual PID controller from Auber and was satisfied with what I got for what I had to pay.

That's good to hear. At this point I'm pretty sure I'll order one of their 10" thermocouple/probes Monday. Beats buying from China through eBay and waiting for it to arrive ... even though they are only $3-$6 each from China.

[JASON4X4]

They also sell the k plugs so you don't have to take apart the other probe. There should be an adapter that plugs into the meter then the k plug into it.

[JASON4X4]

I did find that ebay has pid's sold and shipped from the us for about half the price

[NineInchNails]

They also sell the k plugs so you don't have to take apart the other probe. There should be an adapter that plugs into the meter then the k plug into it.

Thanks, I wasn't considering getting a new plug, but that would make things REAL convenient. I'll have to add one of those to the list too.

K Type Thermocouple Mini Connector, Plug $3.30 (http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7_34&products_id=162)

http://www.auberins.com/images/TC%20connector4.jpg

[leeggen]

If you check with Fluke, their thermocouples are made in several different arrangements. They also have K type. Also check with McMasterCarr.com they have some K type also. I have one that is 12 in long stainless probe-K type.
CD

[NineInchNails]

I looked up Fluke and "Fluke" is a brand name/manufacturer right? Their website seemed difficult to find stuff. McMasterCarr if I recall does not usually have all that great of prices. They usually have anything you want though.

[theperfessor]

I hope nobody thinks I think they are ignorant and gets bent out of shape if I point out the plug is polarized and you have to hook the T-couple up with the right wires hooked to the right connectors on the plug.

Frozone here shared the "trick" of using a few inches of extra T-couple wire to go from the female plug to my PID terminals. I ordered my first T-couples with the longest wire I could get so I could use some internally and still have enough to hook to the male plug.

I ordered an Auber male plug and T-couple that was (IIRC) 10" long to use in our tempering oven (600F max) that was less than $40 total and has worked just fine for the last year.

[NineInchNails]

I hope nobody thinks I think they are ignorant and gets bent out of shape if I point out the plug is polarized and you have to hook the T-couple up with the right wires hooked to the right connectors on the plug.

Frozone here shared the "trick" of using a few inches of extra T-couple wire to go from the female plug to my PID terminals. I ordered my first T-couples with the longest wire I could get so I could use some internally and still have enough to hook to the male plug.

I ordered an Auber male plug and T-couple that was (IIRC) 10" long to use in our tempering oven (600F max) that was less than $40 total and has worked just fine for the last year.

I did notice that the plug that came with my multimeter indicated the polarity like shown in this pic if that's what you mean. If you look close you can spot the + and the -
http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/ag142/boolits/Thermometer/Thermocouple01_zpsd8eb2f50.jpg (http://s1303.photobucket.com/user/boolits/media/Thermometer/Thermocouple01_zpsd8eb2f50.jpg.html)

NO I don't think anyone would mind that you pointed that out. That's actually a very helpful point for those that don't notice http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/ag142/boolits/EMOTICONS/wink_zps14dfbcec.png (http://s1303.photobucket.com/user/boolits/media/EMOTICONS/wink_zps14dfbcec.png.html)

[theperfessor]

You won't really hurt anything if you get the wires switched, you just won't be able to generate any current flow to measure anything. T-couples use dissimilar metal wires that are wrapped together. An electronic thermometer has a "reference junction" inside that has the identical type of wires wrapped together and at a known temperature. When there is a temperature difference between the reference junction and the T-couple junction a current is generated and the circuitry calculates the temperature based on that. If you turn the wires around it negates this and no current is generated.

[Frozone]

I have what you need in stock and ready to go.

$10 for a TC, add $3 for a plug (or use yours) and $2 shipping.

[NineInchNails]

I have what you need in stock and ready to go.

$10 for a TC, add $3 for a plug (or use yours) and $2 shipping.

That sounds great! I'll PM ya right away.

[bangerjim]

Omega.com sells tons of stuff!

T/c's use what are called isothermic connections. the metals are dis-similar and create (or eliminate) the millivolt potential. The plugs are made of that specific metal for the type couple you are using. As said above, reversing will just cause errors. many digital devices will just read negative.....no harm done.

That cheap thing that came with your HF meter is just the two wires spot welded at the tip. Yes that is a t/c but sticking that in conductive lead will form new electrical contacts other than the tip and cause read errors. T/c's must be insulated at the tip. Most are set in ceramic with a SST sheath.

BTW......you can read temp in the J or K range using a paperclip across the input terminals! Not exactly accurate but close enough for government work. That is the temp at the junctions of the clip and the terminals...each one...additive error.

And you need to use t/c extension wire from the t/c to the plug. Do not use lamp cord or regular copper wire. Each junction forms another t/c! You get multiple errors that add up.

bangerjim

[NineInchNails]

I have what you need in stock and ready to go.

$10 for a TC, add $3 for a plug (or use yours) and $2 shipping.

Frozone you around? I sent you a PM and an email a couple days ago and no response. Just checking.

[Frozone]

I'm here. Didn't I send you an Invoice??
You shouldn't have said anything, I though you had already paid me and was getting ready to ship it!

Sorry about the delay.
I had to place an order to restock the TC plugs so I included a round pin version for you.
I expect that shipment tomorrow.

[NineInchNails]

I'm here. Didn't I send you an Invoice??
You shouldn't have said anything, I though you had already paid me and was getting ready to ship it!

Sorry about the delay.
I had to place an order to restock the TC plugs so I included a round pin version for you.
I expect that shipment tomorrow.

Nope, no invoice yet. Let me know if you need me to PM you the info again.

You mentioned having ordered a "round pin version". Does that mean that the plug has round connectors?

My multimeter and its plug has flat connectors like shown below.

http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/ag142/boolits/Thermometer/KThermocouplePlug_zps84ba9721.jpg (http://s1303.photobucket.com/user/boolits/media/Thermometer/KThermocouplePlug_zps84ba9721.jpg.html)

[Frozone]

I've sent the invoice twice now.

[Frozone]

I asked you to pay the invoice, not paypal to an email address. BTW you didn't even include a mailing address.

So, Instead of just printing a first class mail label, sticking it on a package and putting the package in my mailbox for pick up. ( cost ~ $2)
I would now have to go to the post office, stand in line for 30 minutes and pay More for postage. ( with MY time that is > $15 cost)

I have refunded your money and I will not sell you a thermocouple. Get it from auber.

[jmort]

"I will not sell you a thermocouple. Get it from auber."

Charming. Awesome people skills. Read "How to Win Friends and Influence People" - O wait, you probably put me on the ignore list and previously said you would never sell me anything even though I never asked to buy anything from you and never would. Stick your nose into a thread, sponge for business, then insult the prospective customer. You are a "Peach."

[NineInchNails]

I asked you to pay the invoice, not paypal to an email address. BTW you didn't even include a mailing address.

So, Instead of just printing a first class mail label, sticking it on a package and putting the package in my mailbox for pick up. ( cost ~ $2)
I would now have to go to the post office, stand in line for 30 minutes and pay More for postage. ( with MY time that is > $15 cost)

I have refunded your money and I will not sell you a thermocouple. Get it from auber.

Relax. Not everyone uses PayPal on a daily basis or whatever. It's not a big deal. eBay makes using PayPal very easy. I've never had to use one of those invoices like you sent me before.

I did in fact receive your first invoice on my home PC, but for some reason it did not come through on my iPhone. I didn't realize that fact until I got home from work to find that you did send it late the night before. I don't know why it didn't come through on my phone, so yeah that was my fault. Not a big deal. I PMed you my address a couple of times this past week, but not a big deal.

Just ordered from Auber Instruments. I understand your aggravation. It can't be easy dealing with a lot of people online (person to person) without a website with a shopping cart especially if you're busy with other stuff.

At first I was aggravated because you said in stock & ready to ship though I didn't get any responses to my PMs for 3 days. Didn't hear from ya until I posted in this topic to which you responded very quickly. Not a big deal. Later you said you had to place an order for it. I understand, you thought that my plug had 'round pins' but after I let ya know that they are flat ... yes you did have it in stock just like you said. Not a big deal. I fouled up the invoice is all.

No hard feelings here, just try to have at least half the patience that you expect from your customers.

[jaysouth]

http://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Steel-K-Type-Thermocouple-Insertion/dp/B0043964P4/ref=pd_sim_hi_2