I was at the local big box Chinese hardware joint and I noticed a very small laser temperature gun for under $20. The information on the package said it would read temperatures into the 400 degree Fahrenheit range with an accuracy of +/- 2 degrees.

I think it was small enough to allowmounting somewhere out of the wayand still have the laseraimed at a cylinder head. Is anyone familiar enough with de-soldering circuit boards to tell me ifit is possible toremove the on/off push button switch and the digital display screenfrom the unit unit and relocate them in the dash. If that's possible, I could get get an accurate digital head temperature reading at the push of a button.

I currently don't have the miniature de-soldering tools, but if it's not too outrageous, I'd give it a try. Any thoughts?

 

Interesting concept, let me know what you figure out!

 

Most, if not all of those IR devices read an area that is usually proportional to the distance from the spot measured.
ie; if your device is 5" from an object, it will measure the temperature of a 5"circle around the point of aim of the laser....10" = 10" circle
The laser is only an aiming device to give you an indication of where you are focusing your IR signal.

 

Hmm, I have one of those HF guns and actually thought about the same idea for a cheap head-temp gauge. It might just work, but will require someone to do the R&D. Problems I forsee is heat on the laser unit, as it will be very close to the engine at all times. You sound like a good candidate, so get cracking and keep us informed!

I had another idea, which was to find out if one of these head-temp senders that fit under the spark plug might just accidentally have the same values as the HD oil-temp gauge/sender. If so, you could wire it through a switch and toggle oil and head temperature. That would be way too easy, though, I'm sure. I've been meaning to call Dakota Digital about that, as they make such a sender for <$15.