Outdoor Wood Furnace Info

All-Purpose OWF Discussions => General Outdoor Furnace Discussion => Topic started by: R W Ohio on March 16, 2009, 08:23:41 AM

Title: OWB water temps.
Post by: R W Ohio on March 16, 2009, 08:23:41 AM

I am using four(4)K type thermocouple thermistors to check on the water temps.of our system.

(1) at the outlet of the pump that is at the OWB.

(2) where the water line enters the basement.

(3) after the water leaves the side arm for DHW.

(4) after the water passes through the HX of the forced air furnace.

This way I can tell what loss that I have from the OWB to the house,across the side arm and the HX for the furnace.This also lets me know if I need to add wood because of low water temp. I use my dig. multimeter to read the information that the thermistors are sending. Posting some photos. Click on the photos to see a larger picture.

Title: Re: OWB water temps.
Post by: Jason on March 20, 2009, 07:21:12 PM

Ron, those are pretty slick.  Where would a person aquire one or two of those?  And what is their price range, as best you know?

Title: Re: OWB water temps.
Post by: R W Ohio on March 20, 2009, 07:44:21 PM

I will look up the bill and let you know. I bought them from a heating supply co. in Canton,Oh.

Title: Re: OWB water temps.
Post by: R W Ohio on March 21, 2009, 06:28:26 AM

Jason,

The thermocouple thermistors that I have are 36" long with a K type plug that plugs into my multimeter They were a little pricey but the work very well and made to last. They were 36 dollars each.

Ron

Title: Re: OWB water temps.
Post by: MarkP on March 21, 2009, 07:30:54 AM

Hi Ron,, one thing you might add before someone goes out and buys some of these, not all multi-meters will accept the plug used on these, or read temperatures.  I have several different ones, and none of mine will read temp., though I did purchase one as a Christmas present for a relative that did.  I purchased it at Sears, and it really wasn't all that expensive.  Less than $50 with one lead (on sale, of course).

I see the K or J  type thermocouple sensors on ebay selling for as little as $4.00 each plus shipping, and meters starting at $20.  Might be a good place to start.

I was a lab supervisor for Alcan Aluminum and used these in our furnaces for thermals and anneals.  Very accurate.  I hadn't even thought of using them until I saw your post. 

Mark

Title: Re: OWB water temps.
Post by: Jason on March 21, 2009, 09:33:22 AM

Thanks for the info, guys.

Title: Re: OWB water temps.
Post by: OBXNC on November 06, 2009, 07:00:39 AM

Thermocouples have two wires, and thermisters, I believe, have three. Most new multimeters accept thermocouple inputs, usually type K, I've never seen one that reads thermisters. My point is, be careful what you ask for if you're buying some place like Ebay.

Title: Re: OWB water temps.
Post by: boyland on December 07, 2009, 11:46:49 AM

I would by a temp laser pointer they are pretty accurate and let you measure temp anywhere.

They usually run $20 range for the least expensive ones.

thanks,, Blaine