Heat indicating strips

[Flynny]

Hey guys, I saw something cool at the local airport yesterday. One of the helicopter pilots was showing me around an R22 and he pointed to temperature indicating strips on one of the gearboxes. The mechanics use them to make sure the various mechanical parts that don't have built in sensors aren't getting too hot in flight. The first thing I thought of would be using them on trailer bearings. Instead of guessing when the bearings need maintenance, you could just take a quick look at the strips. I work at a boat store and it's scary how many people rush in and say "I'm on the side of I-95, I need replacement bearings now!". Maybe something simple like these could help those knuckleheads out. They look like this:

GRAINGER APPROVED VENDOR Non-Rev Temp Indicator, PK10 - Temperature Test Strips - 9UDG3|80609 - Grainger Industrial Supply

What do you think, would they work? Are they already used and I'm just behind the curve?

 

[Flynny]

Re: Heat indicating strips

Seems like this would be a pretty good temperature range. GRAINGER APPROVED VENDOR Non-Rev Temp Indicator, PK10 - Temperature Test Strips - 9UDG3|80609 - Grainger Industrial Supply

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: Heat indicating strips

I carry a non-contact thermometer. Point the laser beam at the hub, read the temp. Maybe 20 or 30 bucks at Horror Freight.

 

[Splat]

Re: Heat indicating strips

The ir thermometer is a great idea if you remember to carry it around and check the hubs after they are warm. The strips would give a visual indication EVERYTIME you walk past the trailer regardless if the hubs were warm or not. I think they're a great idea.

 

[doyall]

Re: Heat indicating strips

The strips are a "Non-Reversible Temp Indicator" which means they will tell you the max temp the part has ever become. It will not go back down when the temperature does and therefore will not necessarily tell you what the part temperature is at any particular inspection. In the right application they are beneficial but they are not an everyday, reusable indicator.

 

[Splat]

Re: Heat indicating strips

That's what I meant, perhaps I worded it wrong. They will always show what the max temp of that hub was, regardless of if the wheel was still warm or not. You could walk past the trailer wheel after its been parked, or dunked and see if the bearing had been hot at any time previously.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Heat indicating strips

first time they are over greased the temp will spike for a short time until they purge which may lead to a bad reading.

 

[gm280]

Re: Heat indicating strips

If you are seriously concerned about your hub bearings then they seem like a good investment. However, I've hulled trailers around for many many years and never ever had one failed bearing problem myself. So I'll just continue doing what I've been doing and not worry about the bearings but do the regular maintenance on them on schedule, like always...