What is the best tool/method/device to locate hot spots (poor connections, etc.)?
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timselectric
If I can do it, you can do it.
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I have used all three. But the first two give more accurate readings. lol
I prefer the camera.
MaikaiLife
Solar Enthusiast
This is what I use. Been super cool!!
1234enough
New Member
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- Sep 6, 2022
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I use this, only cos I have it at work, great for seeing temp variations, been a god send in R&D for house ventilation system 
Rednecktek
Solar Wizard
I've had to do thermal inspections of all the electrical components on ships before, you can't beat a thermal camera for finding out which leg is hotter and by how much! I've been able to avoid a few disasters that way.
Rednecktek
Solar Wizard
Unless you have a lot of wires close together, then the IR gun just tells you the temperature of the whole bundle. Unless you get the gun basically right on the terminal and all but touching, the cone is just too wide. It'll work fine for a battery lug, but a fuse block or wiring bundle is going to be pretty worthless.
OzSolar
Whatever you did, that's what you planned.
Voltage Drop is the quickest and most reliable way I know if you don't have a thermal camera.
Assuming you're talking about DC side of the system:
I start with loading up the system to 100% more of it's rating then measure voltage drop across the system.
Then I measure Vd across each component which hopefully will add up to the total Vd. If anything needs fixed you'll know it there and might get a chance to fix.
After that I get the thermal camera out because things have been running for a while now.
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