What sort of odd items do you carry in your case and why?

I have a stop watch and operations always ask about it. I use it to measure how long hot areas are in rotating equipment.

Aub

I don't do routine routes - only pick up the camera every once in awhile to investigate specific items. So I'm not sure if my input is relevant for you.

I take a small digital camera in my pocket and a small flashlight pouch on my belt everywhere I go at work. Yes, my thermography camera (Mikroscan 7200V) also gets a visual image but it doesn't have the clarity I sometimes need.

I have on occasion used a infrared mirror (first surface mirror) to look under coupling guards at the coupling. I bought that for $35.... can't quite think of the name of the company, but sometimes you'd like to get a clearer picture than that.

I have heard of people taking a handheld wind gage (anemometer?) to record windspeed at time of an outdoor survey.

I have also heard people taking a range-finder which can be had at golf shops for less than $50.... takes the guesswork out of knowing how far you are from the target.

Zip tie, cut about 3" long for opening disconnects that have that litte slot which doesnt fit a small screw driver too well, which when I do IR Inspection the tech usually doesnt have one and The zip ties are non conductive and sturdy enough to push down the safety release. A large paper clip for those safety catchs that have the small hole to depress the safety release. Spare batteries, seems like they crap out at the worst times, kestrel meter for Temp & those times you need wind speed, RH, & in some cases depending on what type of inspection dew point. Black tape for emissivity issues and tinactin foot powder which sprays on, wipes off and has an emmissivity of about .95 (not for electrical though unless de-energized) I use for die faces and other difficult to scan shiny metal surfaces. A plastic pen with the insert taken out for use as a pointing device which is non conductive. Square D panel keys for opening breaker panels if needed. A Thomas Glover reference book, has good conversions and a ton of good reference material about electrical, phisical properties of items etc. (some of the stuff in my bag of tricks)

Craig

tinactin? HHmmm, now thats something you don't see everyday!! How did you find that?

Aub

I picked it up from another thermographer. I dont use the foot powder but once you try it it makes sense for various applications. alcohol based dries fast, wipes off, not affected by lower temperatures I have not tried it above 300 deg F. I had to locate some temperature problems in plastic injection dies that had cold and hot areas affecting the production of good parts. I sprayed both die surfaces and scanned, found a water passage way blocked and a couple of heater probes that were overheating. I cant take credit for its discovery but it works well.

Craig

Tinactin? Do you have FDA approval for that?

I'd suggest being very cautious about using spray powders. There are two potential problems. First, they can be combustible or even explosive. Second, they can be highly corrosive. Also, the reality of using them is that you end up with a great deal of variation in thickness and, thus, emissivity.

One of the tools in my bag is a small crochet hook. I can use it on a built-up roof to hook a small sample of insulation out of a hole I make with a 20d spike as this is much easier to repair than a full core cut. Using the crochet hook you can easily tell what kind of insulation, how many layers of insulation, and whether a layer (or both!) is wet or dry.