Mark42
Fleet Admiral
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2003
- Messages
- 9,334
My 1998 Firebird does not have a thermometer or even an "information center" or what ever they call those displays in new cars. So I have no idea what the temperature is inside or outside. For some odd reason, I have a strong need to know the temperature when driving. 
Bought the common/typical aftermarket thermometer for auto use for about $20. (a serious rip-off)
First thing I noticed is the indoor and outdoor temps were always about 6 degrees off, even when the unit was totally inside (as in the picture left on a shelf for a day). So I knew it would not be accurate, but it did register changes in temperature every second or so. Second the instruction say to attach the outdoor sender to the back of the front bumper, but they do not provide nearly enough wire to make that run even on the Firebird. Unfortunatelly, the unit died an untimely death when my kids were playing with it in the car (I had not installed it yet, it was just laying on the seat). It got knocked out of the car probably as the kids exited the Firebird. Found it on the driveway the next day with tire tracks on it, cracked housing, even the battery was flattened. Funny, it still worked, just looked like crap.
So I found a home model indoor/outdoor thermometer at Walmart last night and it was marked down so I decided to give it a try. It is wireless, so the outdoor sender can be mounted anywhere. Last night the sender and the display were set together and within half an hour they had the exact same temp, down to 1/10 of a degree. Outstanding! The outdoor sender is about as big as a thick key fob. I duct taped it to the inside of the Firebirds nose where outside air is always blowing over it. This morning the display read the inside temp at about 80*, and the outside dropped steadily down to 21* (same as the mercury outdoor thermometer) . The only drawback is the outside sender only updates the temperature every one or two minutes. So its not instantaneous, but for the level of accuracy, it is a great buy at $9.99. I found out why its so cheap, the manufacturer has discontinued the item. So if you want one, go to Walmart and get it before they are sold out.
The brand is Accu-Rite (Chaney) and it seems to be a quality product.
I am so happy with this little thermometer that I'm going to buy a second one for the house on my way home tonight. The display has large numerals, about 3/4" high, and temps are displayed to a 1/10 of a degree. The pic shows 71.4 indoor, and 69.1 outdoor. There is also a display for the indoor and outdoor battery condition (two AAA batteries are needed for each), and the signal quality. The sender has a little red LED that blinks when sending the temp. Good for up to 100 feet between sender and remote. I was afraid it would not work well in a car application, but duct taped in the nose of the car the display was picking up the signal fine while laying on the passenger seat.
This would be great for anyone with a cabin cruiser where indoor/outdoor temps are needed. And you don't have to drill or run wires. They claim the outdoor sender is weather proof. But I would wrap it in plastic before mounting outside on a boat. Maybe under a gunnel or the like. Could even be used to monitor engine compartment temps or the like. Wireless is cool.
Just thought I would pass this along...
Bought the common/typical aftermarket thermometer for auto use for about $20. (a serious rip-off)
First thing I noticed is the indoor and outdoor temps were always about 6 degrees off, even when the unit was totally inside (as in the picture left on a shelf for a day). So I knew it would not be accurate, but it did register changes in temperature every second or so. Second the instruction say to attach the outdoor sender to the back of the front bumper, but they do not provide nearly enough wire to make that run even on the Firebird. Unfortunatelly, the unit died an untimely death when my kids were playing with it in the car (I had not installed it yet, it was just laying on the seat). It got knocked out of the car probably as the kids exited the Firebird. Found it on the driveway the next day with tire tracks on it, cracked housing, even the battery was flattened. Funny, it still worked, just looked like crap.
So I found a home model indoor/outdoor thermometer at Walmart last night and it was marked down so I decided to give it a try. It is wireless, so the outdoor sender can be mounted anywhere. Last night the sender and the display were set together and within half an hour they had the exact same temp, down to 1/10 of a degree. Outstanding! The outdoor sender is about as big as a thick key fob. I duct taped it to the inside of the Firebirds nose where outside air is always blowing over it. This morning the display read the inside temp at about 80*, and the outside dropped steadily down to 21* (same as the mercury outdoor thermometer) . The only drawback is the outside sender only updates the temperature every one or two minutes. So its not instantaneous, but for the level of accuracy, it is a great buy at $9.99. I found out why its so cheap, the manufacturer has discontinued the item. So if you want one, go to Walmart and get it before they are sold out.
The brand is Accu-Rite (Chaney) and it seems to be a quality product.
I am so happy with this little thermometer that I'm going to buy a second one for the house on my way home tonight. The display has large numerals, about 3/4" high, and temps are displayed to a 1/10 of a degree. The pic shows 71.4 indoor, and 69.1 outdoor. There is also a display for the indoor and outdoor battery condition (two AAA batteries are needed for each), and the signal quality. The sender has a little red LED that blinks when sending the temp. Good for up to 100 feet between sender and remote. I was afraid it would not work well in a car application, but duct taped in the nose of the car the display was picking up the signal fine while laying on the passenger seat.
This would be great for anyone with a cabin cruiser where indoor/outdoor temps are needed. And you don't have to drill or run wires. They claim the outdoor sender is weather proof. But I would wrap it in plastic before mounting outside on a boat. Maybe under a gunnel or the like. Could even be used to monitor engine compartment temps or the like. Wireless is cool.
Just thought I would pass this along...
