Infrared vs Digital Thermometer Readings

[silly_sybin]

I have one of those Accurite indoor/outdoor probed thermometers in my tank, with the probe directly over my UTH. My thermostat (on/off, probe between UTH and tank) is set to 100 and the accurite usually reads 94-96. However, my infrared thermometer shows the surface temp inside the hot side hide at 87-89. On the cool side, readings from the two thermometers are very similar (low 80s). Substrate is very thin over the UTH area, you can see the heater thru the cypress.

Are these temps ok? Should I be relying on the temp gun for the actual temps? Could the black plastic covered probe be absorbing extra heat from my heat lamp?

[jclaiborne]

The temp gun should be the more accurate out of the 2, how far away are you holding the gun from the surface you are trying to measure, the size of the area it measures gets bigger the farther you get, depending on the ratio of the gun. If you are really close then the area you are measuring is as tiny as a pin point and you would be getting the temp at that spot not over the entire hot spot.

[Mr. Misha]

Where is your Accurite probe located? I'd suggest moving the substrate and temping the bare floor of the enclosure where the UTH is so you can figure out the actual temp.

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[silly_sybin]

The temp gun should be the more accurate out of the 2, how far away are you holding the gun from the surface you are trying to measure, the size of the area it measures gets bigger the farther you get, depending on the ratio of the gun. If you are really close then the area you are measuring is as tiny as a pin point and you would be getting the temp at that spot not over the entire hot spot.

About 10" with an 8:1 device.

Where is your Accurite probe located? I'd suggest moving the substrate and temping the bare floor of the enclosure where the UTH is so you can figure out the actual temp.

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My accurite probe is stuck to the actual glass directly over the t-stat probe. My substrate layer over the UTH is very thin, leaving the probe halfway exposed. I try to keep it slightly covered with the hide's back edge. Maybe the direct contact with the class is giving a higher temp? Yet temps on the cool side are consistent between the two devices.

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[Mr. Misha]

The accurite probe should be touching the glass so you're good there. Temp the glass with your temp gun where the UTH is without the substrate and see what the temp is.

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