Dial thermometer analogue

Vapor, Liquid or Cooling Management. Flutes, plates, etc.

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Copperhead road
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Dial thermometer analogue

Post by Copperhead road »

i have a 5pated 4" custom all copper modular bubbler. i don't look the digital thermometer at the top of my bubbler. However i have a thermo port in one of the 4" copper sections.

i want to replace the digital thermometer with a good quality analogue thermometer. i thought surely people on the forum and used all different thermometers.hopefully a couple of guys & girls using these and know of the best place to purchase a really good one.

I am not concerned about the dollar value just want to buy a top notch one....
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BigSwede
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Re: Dial thermometer analogue

Post by BigSwede »

I don't know if there is a massive difference between some cheap import, or something nice. I'll say this, don't skimp on the dial size. I've had this one for years, the dial is large, about 4" / 100mm, and easy to read at some distance. Big dials spread out the increments. I've compared it to a legit lab-grade glass thermometer, and it is spot on. "Weksler Instruments" is the USA maker.

Obviously, find one with a temp range appropriate for the expected use.
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Re: Dial thermometer analogue

Post by Saltbush Bill »

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/25468186735 ... R4TA89OaaA
Thing is you need the 1/2 BSP thread to screw it in.
And the quality at that price?
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Copperhead road
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Re: Dial thermometer analogue

Post by Copperhead road »

Saltbush Bill wrote: ↑Thu Sep 24, 2026 1:10 pm https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/25468186735 ... R4TA89OaaA
Thing is you need the 1/2 BSP thread to screw it in.
And the quality at that price?
Thanx Salty, Emptyglass told me the brand of the Analogue thermometer and they were made in Germany. He was going to order me one but that never eventuated.

i never realised that they screw in, i have never touched my digital one.
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shadylane
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Re: Dial thermometer analogue

Post by shadylane »

Copperhead road wrote: ↑Thu Sep 24, 2026 2:49 am
i want to replace the digital thermometer with a good quality analogue thermometer. i thought surely people on the forum and used all different thermometers.hopefully a couple of guys & girls using these and know of the best place to purchase a really good one.

I am not concerned about the dollar value just want to buy a top notch one....
Finding an analog thermometer to fit the hole is easy.
But it isn't going to be accurate enough to measure the vapor temp and get any useable information.
For that an accuracy of +/- 0.1'F or better would be needed.

Long story short, I've given up on attempting to measure vapor temp, for many reasons it very difficult to accurately do.
Better to measure the liquid boiler temp to see what alcohol is there and use an accurate hydrometer to see what's doing into the jug. :wink:
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Copperhead road
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Re: Dial thermometer analogue

Post by Copperhead road »

shadylane wrote: ↑Thu Sep 24, 2026 6:42 pm
Copperhead road wrote: ↑Thu Sep 24, 2026 2:49 am
i want to replace the digital thermometer with a good quality analogue thermometer. i thought surely people on the forum and used all different thermometers.hopefully a couple of guys & girls using these and know of the best place to purchase a really good one.

I am not concerned about the dollar value just want to buy a top notch one....
Finding an analog thermometer to fit the hole is easy.
But it isn't going to be accurate enough to measure the vapor temp and get any useable information.
For that an accuracy of +/- 0.1'F or better would be needed.

Long story short, I've given up on attempting to measure vapor temp, for many reasons it very difficult to do.
i don't actually need a thermometer to be accurate its just to fill the thermo-port hole. i wish it never had the thermo-port hole in the section but at the time i told the still builder to include one.

Personlly i think the thermometer on the column is about as handy as an ashtray on a motobike.
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shadylane
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Re: Dial thermometer analogue

Post by shadylane »

Copperhead road wrote: ↑Thu Sep 24, 2026 6:53 pm
i don't actually need a thermometer to be accurate its just to fill the thermo-port hole. i wish it never had the thermo-port hole in the section but at the time i told the still builder to include one.

Personlly i think a thermometer in the column is about as handy as an ashtray on a motobike.
My 2 cent's is a thermometer in the vapor path is as logical as roll down windows in a submarine.
Personally, I'd stick an organic cork in the hole and pretend it was a PRV. :lol:
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Re: Dial thermometer analogue

Post by shadylane »

BigSwede wrote: ↑Thu Sep 24, 2026 8:15 am
Obviously, find one with a temp range appropriate for the expected use.
There's the problem, for use on a reflux column Ya need to find an analog thermometer that starts at 175' and goes to around 195'F.
The 20 degree temp spread would cover more than needed for 5 plates during a run.
Maybe there's such a thermometer available, but I haven't found one yet. :lol:
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Re: Dial thermometer analogue

Post by Saltbush Bill »

You should just be able to find a stainless threaded bung to fill the hole.
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Copperhead road
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Re: Dial thermometer analogue

Post by Copperhead road »

Saltbush Bill wrote: ↑Thu Sep 24, 2026 8:40 pm You should just be able to find a stainless threaded bung to fill the hole.
That's a Brillant idea Salty. :thumbup:
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Re: Dial thermometer analogue

Post by Yummyrum »

Copperhead road wrote: ↑Thu Sep 24, 2026 9:52 pm
Saltbush Bill wrote: ↑Thu Sep 24, 2026 8:40 pm You should just be able to find a stainless threaded bung to fill the hole.
That's a Brillant idea Salty. :thumbup:
Wasn’t Shadys suggestion of a natural cork to plug the hole flash enough :ebiggrin:
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Re: Dial thermometer analogue

Post by Saltbush Bill »

We have fancy stuff here in Au like stainless threaded plugs Yummy. :lol:
You should know that.
:lol:
But Shady is right a lump of cork screwed in would do the same job.
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Copperhead road
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Re: Dial thermometer analogue

Post by Copperhead road »

Saltbush Bill wrote: ↑Fri Sep 25, 2026 12:52 am We have fancy stuff here in Au like stainless threaded plugs Yummy. :lol:
You should know that.
:lol:
But Shady is right a lump of cork screwed in would do the same job.
i will stick with the stainless plug. :ewink:

but i agree you could use cork. As a matter of fact Emptyglass used to use cork gaskets on his CCSC professional copper flutes.
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BigSwede
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Re: Dial thermometer analogue

Post by BigSwede »

What is the port opening, Copper? Do you guys use NPT or similar threads in that land of dangerous critters you abide in? :lol:

Yes, get thee a $2 stainless plug, 3 wraps of teflon tape, and be done! Cork trees are endangered, save the planet. :moresarcasm:
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Re: Dial thermometer analogue

Post by Saltbush Bill »

Copperhead road wrote: ↑Fri Sep 25, 2026 1:03 am save the planet
Doubt its gunna save anything , take some bark off of a cork tree, or dig, mine, smelt enough raw materials , to make a lump of stainless and then similar again to manufacture the Teflon tape.
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Re: Dial thermometer analogue

Post by BigSwede »

Saltbush Bill wrote: ↑Fri Sep 25, 2026 4:35 am
Copperhead road wrote: ↑Fri Sep 25, 2026 1:03 am save the planet
Doubt its gunna save anything , take some bark off of a cork tree, or dig, mine, smelt enough raw materials , to make a lump of stainless and then similar again to manufacture the Teflon tape.
Just joking, my friend. I am with you. That is the problem with the EV argument. Dig coal, transport coal using diesel, burn coal, make electricity, lose a % of it transmitting it to the charging station... by the time your clean EV drives off, it's already left behind a lot of CO2 and the like.
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Re: Dial thermometer analogue

Post by Saltbush Bill »

:thumbup:
Best we both back out of here fast and :silent: before the politic rule gets mentioned.
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Re: Dial thermometer analogue

Post by Bushman »

What ever you decide make sure the stem is not to long. I purchased some years ago and the stems were 5” long and my diameter of my column is 4”.
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