Thermal Imaging for improving fuel economy

[2000mc]

It would make sense that the fronts would be warmer on any fwd car, just like they will wear the tread on the front faster.
Aside from doing more braking, they carry more weight, propel the vehicle and are responsible for steering. Relative to the work the fronts, the rears are just along for the ride

[some_other_dave]

One friend of mine referred to the rear wheels of his VW Scirocco as being there for "noise abatement". Because the rear bumper dragging on the ground would make an unpleasant sound...

-soD

[Cobb]

Mike Holmes uses one of these types of cameras to show leakage around windows and areas in the home with lack or poor insulation.

I got a project for you Ben. Drive a route, check front tire temp. Then install some of those NAPA brake drag reduction springs and repeat.

At least check to make sure both wheels are equal in temp that you do not have a frozen pad or something.

Wonder how well it detects critters in the walls, ceiling and floor?

[oil pan 4]

Originally Posted by oldtamiyaphile

How much can one expect to pay for one of these doo-dads?

$1500 to $2000 for a flir i7.

[Cobb]

Wonder how this works in relation to night vision for low light situations? Ive always wanted a good NVG but seems its hard to tell the knock offs from the good ones as you got some that use an IR illuminator and others that use just light amplification.

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

$1500 to $2000 for a flir i7.

[RunningStrong]

Originally Posted by Cobb

Wonder how this works in relation to night vision for low light situations? Ive always wanted a good NVG but seems its hard to tell the knock offs from the good ones as you got some that use an IR illuminator and others that use just light amplification.

Thermal and IR vision don't require any visible light. Traditional visible light image-intensifiers utilise illumination from stars/moon to provide light.

Some IR cameras will utilise IR illumination, and in most civilian cases this isn't an issue as detection isn't a concern. Military systems are nearly always passive.

Thermal imagining cameras are traditionally cooled. This used to mean carrying large amounts of compressed gas. Modern systems in the high-performance fields often utilise a small compressor instead, whilst less sensitive/compact systems will make do without cooling.

Thernal and IR systems are also great for finding your local provider of illegal herbs. Or perhaps some people prefer to live in a small flat so they can justify the sub-tropical heating bill.

[nackerton]

I've used Flir E4 (with E8 software) to check wheel bearings, it's a handy tool

[oil pan 4]

Originally Posted by Cobb

Wonder how this works in relation to night vision for low light situations? Ive always wanted a good NVG but seems its hard to tell the knock offs from the good ones as you got some that use an IR illuminator and others that use just light amplification.

Good night vision?
Price. Expect to pay around $3000 per tube for some of the best ITT night vision. Stuff covered under title 10 arms export control act (you can buy it but you better not sell it to any one over seas). That is what our pilots in Afghanistan use.
Even on a moonless night you can still see almost everything.
The advantage to night vision its an independent system, it can see through the windshield of an aircraft unlike thermal image which has to have the sensing element out side the air craft.

[oil pan 4]

Originally Posted by RunningStrong

Thermal imagining cameras are traditionally cooled. This used to mean carrying large amounts of compressed gas. Modern systems in the high-performance fields often utilise a small compressor instead, whilst less sensitive/compact systems will make do without cooling.

Look out, there are a lot of cheap thermal cams out there now that don't use a cooled sensing element.
Or don't even display a true thermal image.

[RunningStrong]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

Look out, there are a lot of cheap thermal cams out there now that don't use a cooled sensing element.
Or don't even display a true thermal image.

It doesn't have to be cooled to be any good. However, you're looking at decent money (and err, access) for that level of practicality and performance.