refractometer question

Barto · 03/15/2006, 08:58 PM

Dumb newbie question:
All all refractometers the same? (aside from quality/brand issues)
I came across something in late stepdads toolbox. He was a pro mechanic. It's a refractometer, says it's for checking battery acid and coolant, Snap-on brand, I think.
Specific gravities are specific gravities, right?
I'm sure I can post a pic of the gizmo, not sure if I can photo the scale.
Thanks!

stewie24 · 03/15/2006, 10:04 PM

I believe this wouldn't work as some refractometers are used for various things, and such as perhaps mesuring the density of alcohol, wouldn't be measured in salinity, and might be on a lower (or higher such as 95%) percentage scale.
Stewie

moumda · 03/16/2006, 06:19 AM

Be careful! you don't know what's on the old refractometer. I bought one for $50 from fostersmith and am very happy with it.

Saaack · 03/16/2006, 01:15 PM

I used to be a mechanic. What you have is either for measuring battery acid (has floating balls inside) or for measuring glycol in antifreeze (has swing arm or floating balls). Either way forget about it. At least go out and spend six bucks and get a cheap swing arm hydrometer. I bought a refractometer from Marine Depot for about 60 bucks.

Barto · 03/16/2006, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Saaack
I used to be a mechanic. What you have is either for measuring battery acid (has floating balls inside) or for measuring glycol in antifreeze (has swing arm or floating balls). Either way forget about it. At least go out and spend six bucks and get a cheap swing arm hydrometer. I bought a refractometer from Marine Depot for about 60 bucks.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Antifreeze-Teste...QQcmdZViewItem

Were you the type of mechanic that assumes that all customer complaints were imaginary?
I may not know the difference between types of refractometers, but I darn sure know the difference between a refractometer and a hydrometer (swing arm or floating balls)
Kid has my digicam so I can't get a picture of it, but ebay link above is same mfgr just a newer model of what is on my desk.
I was trying to figure out if the readout scale could be extrapolated for use in reefkeeping.

03/15/2006, 08:58 PM	#1
Barto Alleged Lounge Moron Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: BigSkyCountry Posts: 459	refractometer question Dumb newbie question: All all refractometers the same? (aside from quality/brand issues) I came across something in late stepdads toolbox. He was a pro mechanic. It's a refractometer, says it's for checking battery acid and coolant, Snap-on brand, I think. Specific gravities are specific gravities, right? I'm sure I can post a pic of the gizmo, not sure if I can photo the scale. Thanks!

03/15/2006, 10:04 PM	#2
stewie24 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Northwestern PA Posts: 824	I believe this wouldn't work as some refractometers are used for various things, and such as perhaps mesuring the density of alcohol, wouldn't be measured in salinity, and might be on a lower (or higher such as 95%) percentage scale. Stewie

03/16/2006, 06:19 AM	#3
moumda Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: North Dakota Posts: 991	Be careful! you don't know what's on the old refractometer. I bought one for $50 from fostersmith and am very happy with it.

03/16/2006, 01:15 PM	#4
Saaack Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tampa Posts: 57	I used to be a mechanic. What you have is either for measuring battery acid (has floating balls inside) or for measuring glycol in antifreeze (has swing arm or floating balls). Either way forget about it. At least go out and spend six bucks and get a cheap swing arm hydrometer. I bought a refractometer from Marine Depot for about 60 bucks.