Extending thermocouple wires?

Daox · 01-19-17, 11:25 AM

I got myself this handy new Mastech MS8229 multimeter, and it comes with a nice remote temperature probe. I believe its a K-type thermocouple. However, the leads for it really aren't that long. I would like to be able to measure the temperature of something in my car's engine bay, and run the wires into the cabin. This means I need to extend the thermocouple wires. Doing a quick google search, this doesn't seem to be a straightforward ordeal. Can anyone explain this and how I might do it without buying 'extension wires' somewhere? Is it just a matter of shielding the wires from RF interference, and using a suitable gauge wire?

AC_Hacker · 01-19-17, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daox

I got myself this handy new Mastech MS8229 multimeter, and it comes with a nice remote temperature probe. I believe its a K-type thermocouple. However, the leads for it really aren't that long. I would like to be able to measure the temperature of something in my car's engine bay, and run the wires into the cabin. This means I need to extend the thermocouple wires. Doing a quick google search, this doesn't seem to be a straightforward ordeal. Can anyone explain this and how I might do it without buying 'extension wires' somewhere? Is it just a matter of shielding the wires from RF interference, and using a suitable gauge wire?

it has to do with the dissimilar metals that constitute the principle that thermocouples are based on. Nothing to do with noise or interference.

Ebay China has them really cheap, but that doesnt healp.

What temp range are you measuring

-AC

Daox · 01-19-17, 12:43 PM

I'm trying to measure oil temps, so ~0F to 250F?

JRMichler · 01-20-17, 07:55 PM

There's good information about thermocouples here: OMEGA Engineering : Technical Reference. The Introduction To Practical Temperature Measurements seems to cover your question. I didn't read it closely, but it looks like you need to get a thermocouple with wires long enough to reach the DMM.

01-19-17, 11:25 AM	#1
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	Extending thermocouple wires? I got myself this handy new Mastech MS8229 multimeter, and it comes with a nice remote temperature probe. I believe its a K-type thermocouple. However, the leads for it really aren't that long. I would like to be able to measure the temperature of something in my car's engine bay, and run the wires into the cabin. This means I need to extend the thermocouple wires. Doing a quick google search, this doesn't seem to be a straightforward ordeal. Can anyone explain this and how I might do it without buying 'extension wires' somewhere? Is it just a matter of shielding the wires from RF interference, and using a suitable gauge wire? __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

01-19-17, 12:43 PM	#3
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	I'm trying to measure oil temps, so ~0F to 250F? __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

01-20-17, 07:55 PM	#4
JRMichler Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Phillips, WI Posts: 109 Thanks: 10 Thanked 30 Times in 25 Posts	There's good information about thermocouples here: OMEGA Engineering : Technical Reference. The Introduction To Practical Temperature Measurements seems to cover your question. I didn't read it closely, but it looks like you need to get a thermocouple with wires long enough to reach the DMM.