Page 8 of 13
Re: Temperature Task
Posted: January 22nd, 2011, 8:59 am
by aubrey048
Ohh. Well, in that case, I'd better tell them!
Thanks for the prompt answer, questionguy!
Re: Temperature Task
Posted: January 30th, 2011, 8:21 pm
by Primate
Warning: AcuRite thermometers suck. I stole the bimetallic strip off of
this one, and it only curls/uncurls in presence of a candle/soldering iron. My measly 6v lantern battery had no chance of curling that thing up. (I know that one is
particularly tempting; spend an additional $243 and you get FREE shipping...)
I don't know about other AcuRite models, but I'd stay on the safe side and look for the bimetallic strip from a meat thermometer. Much more responsive.
Re: Temperature Task
Posted: January 31st, 2011, 7:45 am
by questionguy
Primate wrote:Warning: AcuRite thermometers suck. I stole the bimetallic strip off of
this one, and it only only curl/uncurl in presence of a candle/soldering iron. My measly 6v lantern battery had no chance of curling that thing up. (I know that one is
particularly tempting; spend an additional $243 and you get FREE shipping...)
I don't know about other AcuRite models, but I'd stay on the safe side and look for the bimetallic strip from a meat thermometer. Much more responsive.
Just to clarify, the strip from the meat thermometers work fine with a six volt battery. Also, can you find a meat thermometer at any kitchen store or Sears?
Re: Temperature Task
Posted: January 31st, 2011, 5:04 pm
by Primate
questionguy wrote:Primate wrote:Warning: AcuRite thermometers suck. I stole the bimetallic strip off of
this one, and it only only curl/uncurl in presence of a candle/soldering iron. My measly 6v lantern battery had no chance of curling that thing up. (I know that one is
particularly tempting; spend an additional $243 and you get FREE shipping...)
I don't know about other AcuRite models, but I'd stay on the safe side and look for the bimetallic strip from a meat thermometer. Much more responsive.
Just to clarify, the strip from the meat thermometers work fine with a six volt battery. Also, can you find a meat thermometer at any kitchen store or Sears?
I think they're even sold at CVS. The one I used was actually stolen from my mom's kitchen drawer, so I can't attest to the reliability of any thermometers currently on the market. (But yes, mine works wonderfully with a 6v battery.)
Just a heads up, though: I did have to saw through the needly bit to get the strip out.
Re: Temperature Task
Posted: February 7th, 2011, 4:13 am
by JTMess
Our team used a bimetallic coil from a thermometer with the needle still on it to complete a circuit. We were a little worried about the time it would take to cool enough, but we got with 3 secs of a minute at regionals.
Re: Temperature Task
Posted: February 7th, 2011, 7:43 am
by Primate
JTMess wrote:Our team used a bimetallic coil from a thermometer with the needle still on it to complete a circuit. We were a little worried about the time it would take to cool enough, but we got with 3 secs of a minute at regionals.
Interestingly enough, the bimetallic strip is actually one of our most reliable transfers. Usually it's the sand timer and the balloon that are the issue.
Re: Temperature Task
Posted: February 7th, 2011, 7:35 pm
by yousmellchinese123
Primate wrote:JTMess wrote:Our team used a bimetallic coil from a thermometer with the needle still on it to complete a circuit. We were a little worried about the time it would take to cool enough, but we got with 3 secs of a minute at regionals.
Interestingly enough, the bimetallic strip is actually one of our most reliable transfers. Usually it's the sand timer and the balloon that are the issue.
Haha, Ours too I like bimetallic strips now.
It was suprising that the balloon chemical reaction proved to be the toughest task to get down so far for me.
But, I haven't built the Sand timer or final task yet so
Re: Temperature Task
Posted: February 8th, 2011, 1:25 pm
by questionguy
For some reason, whenever I put the nichrome wire around the little end of the bimetallic coil, it doesn't work. I got the coil from an outdoor thermometer at Lowes and pulled it out with my hands. Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong. I'm using a six volt battery for electricity.
Re: Temperature Task
Posted: February 8th, 2011, 7:31 pm
by Primate
questionguy wrote:For some reason, whenever I put the nichrome wire around the little end of the bimetallic coil, it doesn't work. I got the coil from an outdoor thermometer at Lowes and pulled it out with my hands. Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong. I'm using a six volt battery for electricity.
First of all, try running the current directly through a little piece of the strip (3 to 4 inches, just recurl it up). Also, the strips from meat thermometers are a million times easier to use--they don't require nearly as much juice to curl. My outdoor thermometer required a soldering iron to actually move...
Re: Temperature Task
Posted: February 9th, 2011, 5:10 pm
by questionguy
Primate wrote:questionguy wrote:For some reason, whenever I put the nichrome wire around the little end of the bimetallic coil, it doesn't work. I got the coil from an outdoor thermometer at Lowes and pulled it out with my hands. Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong. I'm using a six volt battery for electricity.
First of all, try running the current directly through a little piece of the strip (3 to 4 inches, just recurl it up). Also, the strips from meat thermometers are a million times easier to use--they don't require nearly as much juice to curl. My outdoor thermometer required a soldering iron to actually move...
Thanks a lot, I'll be sure to try that!