Thermometer Fix

[Cheviot]

Hi all,

I have an alcohol Brannan min max thermometer which I love - it has the old school feel about it when reading the temperatures in a driving blizzard.

Alas, the min and max needles have dropped into the alcohol column and I am at a loss as to how I can get the needles back on top of the column.

Any ideas?

I'm averse to buying a new one, but don't want to shake the thermometer too hard for fear of breaking it.

Typical that just when we get some good cold weather, my guage breaks!

[I can't believe it's not better]

Use a magnet (I think).

[Terminal Moraine]

You can try using a magnet, as suggested above, to draw the indices from the mercury, but in my experience this results in tiny amounts of mercury being drawn out with the indice, also once the indices have become embedded in the mercury it tends to happen again and again, even if you manage to get them out.

Shaking or bouncing the thermometer is no good as the glass tube is mounted on a plastic back scale so (a) there is no direct force applied to the glass tube and ( :lol: you're likely to move the plastic scale and make the thermometer even less accurate than it already is.

Time for a new one in my opinion.

[Polar Continental]

I had a similar problem with one of my old thermometer, some how the needle had immersed its self and had sunk half way to the bottom, I was at a loss to know what to do, as TM says knocking it about will only damage it, a magnet may work. In my case it wouldn’t budge, so I put it in the freezer and left it for a couple of hours. When I took it out, the needle had become clear and all was well again, worth a try.

Paul

[johnholmes]

yes, the last idea from Paul is worth a try if its mercury, if its alcohol as your post said then the magnet or GENTLE tapping usually helps.

[Cheviot]

Many thanks all.

I've just tried the freezer trick with no success. I'll try it again...

Failing that, I'll try swinging it about my head like the proverbial cat.