Mike,

Do you think any model will work or should I buy one of the expensive ones?
They have them from around $40.00 and up. It would be cool when working on
a pinball if I could point my thermal laser probe at all of the transistors
and find the one that isn't working.

Thanks
Russ
"mike" wrote in message
...
Sam Goldwasser wrote:
"Russ" writes:


I read somewhere that when a IC develops a short it will start to heat
up. So I was thinking that maybe one of the new laser type of Temp probes
might help in troubleshooting. Are they sensitive enough? Can they
isolate a small 1 inch square area without picking up things close by? I
talked to one company and they said a large 12:1 or higher ration between
the distance and spot being measured is what to look for. Any particular
model or ideas a long this line?


This doesn't seem to be particulalry useful unless you have a reverence
thermal map of a working unit. Some parts run hotter than others under
normal conditions. And, what is going on in the electronics will also
affect the heat generated.

Any significant overheating will be obvious to a reasonably well
calibrated
finger.

Might wanna be careful about sticking that well calibrated finger into an
off-line switching power supply...or Horizontal Output Transistor. I'll
use my IR probe, thank you.

You might find other uses for an IR probe. I use mine to find heat leaks
in the house, in cooking, auto repair etc. Handy little gadgets.
mike


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