Thermometer Differences

WriterNick · 10-07-2010, 02:18 PM

Hi everyone, I currently have two digital thermometers in preparation for my new arrival in a couple of weeks. I have placed their sensors next to each other in my currently empty tort table and they are giving very different readings. My exo terra thermometer currently reads 24.1C but my Reuben Heaton thermometer reads 22.6C. The RH thermometer seems to be consistently 1-2 degrees lower than the exo terra. This worries me slightly, as I want to be able to check the temps accurately. Is this normal and which thermometer would you think might be most reliable?
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

Kirkie · 10-07-2010, 02:35 PM

They can vary in accuracy, its frustrating.

You can work out if the ones with probes are accurate by doing the following

Put some ice cubes and add just ebough water to cover them. Leave until the ice has just melted, stir and put the probe in. Under these cinditions the probe reading should be 0C. If its not, thats your degree of variance when taking temp readings.

WriterNick · 10-07-2010, 02:43 PM

Thanks Kirkie, that's great advice. I don't want to sound like a scientific dunce here, but do I wait until the ice cubes have fully melted in the water or until they partially melt? Thanks!

Kirkie · 10-07-2010, 03:13 PM

Hi Nixk

Just as the cubes are about to disappear should do it.

Terrible waste of ice in this weather I know, should be in a beverage

10-07-2010, 02:18 PM	#1
WriterNick Member Juvenile Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Yorkshire Posts: 956	Thermometer Differences Hi everyone, I currently have two digital thermometers in preparation for my new arrival in a couple of weeks. I have placed their sensors next to each other in my currently empty tort table and they are giving very different readings. My exo terra thermometer currently reads 24.1C but my Reuben Heaton thermometer reads 22.6C. The RH thermometer seems to be consistently 1-2 degrees lower than the exo terra. This worries me slightly, as I want to be able to check the temps accurately. Is this normal and which thermometer would you think might be most reliable? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

10-07-2010, 02:35 PM	#2
Kirkie Senior Member Adult Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,887	They can vary in accuracy, its frustrating. You can work out if the ones with probes are accurate by doing the following Put some ice cubes and add just ebough water to cover them. Leave until the ice has just melted, stir and put the probe in. Under these cinditions the probe reading should be 0C. If its not, thats your degree of variance when taking temp readings.

10-07-2010, 02:43 PM	#3
WriterNick Member Juvenile Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Yorkshire Posts: 956	Thanks Kirkie, that's great advice. I don't want to sound like a scientific dunce here, but do I wait until the ice cubes have fully melted in the water or until they partially melt? Thanks!

10-07-2010, 03:13 PM	#4
Kirkie Senior Member Adult Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,887	Hi Nixk Just as the cubes are about to disappear should do it. Terrible waste of ice in this weather I know, should be in a beverage

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