Release: TESTS SHOW RAYTEK INFRARED THERMOMETERS FIND AUTO TROUBLES UP TO FIVE TIMES FASTER

Dear Automotive Technology Editor,

 

We have long believed that Raytek infrared thermometers from Fluke
Corporation help auto technicians diagnose problems and get the job done
faster. 

 

This fall we put that belief to the test. For the results, see the attached
release. I've also included it in this message, below.

 

James Lawrence, auto technology program director at Monterey Peninsula
College, conducted the tests with his students. 

 

If you'd like to speak to Mr. Lawrence or want more information about the
test initiative, just get in touch. I'd be happy to help.

 

Walt

 

Walt Greenwood

For Fluke Corporation

618 View Ridge Drive

Everett, WA 98203

 

425-257-3219 (voice&fax)

425-210-7543 (cell)

 

 

 

 


Tests show raytek infrared thermometers find 


auto troubles up to five times faster


 

Non-contact thermometers match or beat expensive test methods

 

LAS VEGAS - (AAPEX Show, Booth 5946) In tests this fall at a leading auto
technology school, Raytek infrared thermometers helped automotive technology
students diagnose common problems up to five times faster than more
expensive test methods.

The Raytek Auto Diagnostics Challenge was sponsored by Fluke Corporation to
show how infrared thermometers perform against alternate test technologies
in controlled blind testing. Raytek and Fluke brand infrared thermometers
are made by Fluke, the world's leading supplier of handheld test and
measurement equipment.

At Monterey Peninsula College in Monterey, Calif., automotive technology
program director James Lawrence and students in the Engine Performance
course conducted two tests, each comparing standard test methods against the
Raytek AutoPROR infrared thermometer. In Test 1, students competed to
identify a misfiring cylinder on a Ford V8 pickup. In Test 2, students
checked performance of an automobile cooling system and temperature gauge.

Power Balance vs RayTek Infrared: Raytek Wins!

In the cylinder misfire test, four two-student teams used a "power balance"
test to find the bad cylinder, which had been disabled by cutting the ground
wire to a fuel injector. Students were equipped with service information, a
test light, vacuum tubing and a tachometer. By shorting individual plug
wires and watching engine speed, all groups found the misfiring cylinder,
but the job required between 36 minutes and 48 minutes - and average of
41.75 minutes for the four teams.

Teams using the Raytek AutoPRO infrared thermometer moved much faster.
Comparing exhaust manifold temperatures at the exhaust ports, they were able
to spot the misfiring cylinder in a little as six minutes. The slowest test
procedure took 12 minutes, and the average for all four tests was 8.75
minutes - just 21 percent of the time required for the power balance test.

"Both methods were equal in terms of accuracy," program director Lawrence
reported. "However, it took the students an average of 33 minutes longer
using the power balance test.  The reason for the difference seemed to be
the set-up time: The power balance test requires a relatively lengthy set-up
time, whereas the test using the infrared thermometer doesn't require any.
The tests themselves took approximately the same amount of time."

"Temp Gauge Reads Low"

In a second series of tests, Lawrence installed a resistor in the coolant
temperature gauge circuit of two test vehicles, to simulate an electrical
problem. The challenge for students: determine whether the customer
complaint, 'the temp gauge reads low,' was caused by the cooling system or
an electrical problem in the gauge or circuit. 

Students in the control group used a scan tool attached to the vehicle's
onboard computer to verify the correct engine operating temperature, plus a
digital multimeter, a service manual and wiring diagram to ferret out the
problem. The job took an average of 27.5 minutes, and one out of four teams
found the problem. 

The competing teams substituted a Raytek AutoPRO for the scan tool. Their
test times averaged slightly faster (23 minutes vs 27.5) and accuracy was 50
percent. 

"In these tests, neither method proved to be very accurate," Lawrence said.
"This is partly because the service specifications provided by the
manufacturer (for the gauge circuit) were incorrect.  The inexperience of
the students also contributed.  In my observations, neither tool seemed
superior; however, when costs are compared, the infrared thermometer comes
out ahead."  

Infrared thermometers work by measuring the infrared energy that radiates
from heated surfaces. Because they don't require contact with the object
being tested, they can take readings where contact-type thermometers would
put the technician dangerously close to hot or moving parts.

The school received a $500 stipend to cover expenses and a Raytek AutoPRO
infrared non-contact thermometer to use in conducting the tests, and in the
instructional program. 

Fluke Corporation

Fluke Corporation is the world leader in compact, professional electronic
test tools.  Fluke customers are technicians, engineers, electricians and
metrologists who install, troubleshoot, and manage industrial electrical and
electronic equipment and calibration processes for quality control.

# # #