Thermocouple in Ring Terminal

[jones12]

Hey guys,

I'm currently working on a project and I need a bolt on thermocouple.
Something like this:
https://au.element14.com/labfacility/fw-j-2m/sensor-t-couple-j-washer-6mm-hole/dp/8597944
I've seen heaps of them around but they're really expensive!
Can I just get a standard K type thermocouple and solder it into a Lug?

I'm just trying to prototype at the moment so trying to keep it cheap

Cheers Guys


Caleb.

[Conrad Hoffman]

Depends on whether your measurements system cares about what the leads are tied to. You might want to insulate the TC from the lug with ceramic cement, or if the temperature is low enough, use an epoxy or thermally conductive epoxy. Or use a mica washer and insulated screw for the lug.

[PTR_1275]

Think about what a type k thermocouple is and what will happen when you solder it.

If filling a lug with an epoxy or something similar, there is thermal inertia to contend with. This could help to average things out. It really depends on your application and what you want to see.

If you want to measure rapidly changing temperatures, then you want as little thermal mass as possible.

[jones12]

Cheers guys,

I'm trying to make a secondary temp sensor for my car.
Idea is that I'll have a sensor that bolts onto the engine block somewhere and reads the temp through an Arduino

Expoxy could work doesn't need to react quickly, would that be the best way?

[PTR_1275]

Ds18b20

They are available in a stainless steel sleeve and should interface with Arduino already

[DTJ]

In engine development labs they routinely use 1/16" mineral insulated metal sheath (MIM) thermocouples crimped in a 3mm thick stainless washer.

The washer has an oblique 1/16 hole drilled in its periphery thermocouple is poked in and the washer wacked with a punch. They are bolted to where ever they are needed.

[duak]

I don't see why epoxy won't work.  We used to epoxy thermocouples and thermistors into hex or Allen head screws and then thread those into the assemblies. 

Cheers,

[N2IXK]

https://www.omega.com/pptst/WT.html