Thread: How accurate is a digital inclinometer

I notice that there are 3 types of batteries used. 9v, AA & 2032. Which ones are wearing out? Or do they all hav3 a short life?

TT

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

Just sit it on the table and press zero, no? Or can't you zero them?

Never used one, just couldn’t visualise what the gauge registers against.
TT

Originally Posted by Twisted Tenon

Does the table saw have to be dead level for the gauge to work?

Nope - the gauge is first zeroed on the table and then magnetically attached to the blade, hence blade angles are all relative to the table.
Same on a DP. The gauge zeroed on the quill or drill bit if it is big enough.

Originally Posted by BobL

Nope - the gauge is first zeroed on the table and then magnetically attached to the blade, hence blade angles are all relative to the table.
Same on a DP. The gauge zeroed on the quill or drill bit if it is big enough.

Thanks, gottit now
TT

Originally Posted by Blocklayer

Lots of level/angle finding apps available for phones, but you can also just use web apps (go to a web page) to have your phone measure angles.
Here's one on my site https://www.blocklayer.com/roof-pitch.aspx (Lots of calculators on the site have this angle measuring tool)

Just hit the green 'Start Measuring' button, then the 'Speech' button to have it speak the angles.

Thanks, Blocklayer, I have used your inclinomet and some of the other tools on your site occasionally. I have found them to be very useful.

Originally Posted by rrich

Mick,
How do you manage to achieve that kind of battery life?

I guess I don't use it all that much. It doesn't take long to check or adjust a blade angle. I make angle boards or other simple jigs when I have to make frequent references during projects. Where possible I use both cut sides for mitres rather than try to cut 45.0 degrees.

mick

Originally Posted by rrich

Mick,
How do you manage to achieve that kind of battery life?

I watched an interesting video comparing a genuine Mitutoyo digital caliper to a fake. While turned on the caliper consumed between 4 and 8 micro amps. When turned off, these gauges maintain the reading and update the position if the caliper is moved. To do this it constantly consumed around 1 micro amp. The fake on the other hand consumed 17 micro amps while turned on and roughly the same while turned off. A big difference between quality instruments and cheapies is the battery management. Also, while the genuine had a voltage level that it would stop working at the fake kept trying to work no matter how low the voltage dropped and gave erratic and incorrect readings at low voltage.

On my big chainsaw mill I have a 5 digit LCD screen SenDEC tachometer/hour meter, and a RC (brand name Trax) LCD Temperature gauge (Blue gizmo)

Tempmon1.jpg

The SenDEC has no on/off switch and the LCD display is always on.
Apart from the LCD screen the whole thing is potted in black epoxy hence the batteries are not replaceable.
The potting in black epoxy is done because of the massive vibration the tacho experiences when the saw is running (usually flat out at 11,500 rpm), and a non-potted tacho I tried lasted about 2-3 months.
The first one of the SenDECs I had lasted for 3 years, but a=during that time I did store the saw and mill outside under a tarp, at times exposed to direct sunlight, and I know that LCDs/batteries etc do not like heat.
Since then I have store the saw and mill inside my shed (with AC running if I am in the Shed n summer) and the unit is still working after 7 years.
Maybe it has a sensor inside it that switches the measuring circuit off but even then the LCD displays "0" as shown above.
I wonder why more small LCD devices can't deliver similar performance.

BTW the Trax has an on/off switch and uses a standard 1.5V replaceable button battery. Even though it's always turned off when not in use the battery lasts about a month so I am regularly replacing these.

Nope, as you "zero" the gauge on the table top before placing on the blade therefore getting a differential reading between the two..