Does anyone know how to get bubbles out of the thread of a Met.Office
pattern minimum thermometer? Actually, I do know how it’s usually done.
You gently heat the thermometer and the expanding alcohol carries the
bubbles up to the reservoir at the top, where they disappear. I’ve done two
successfully, but the trouble this time is that the bubbles are in the lower
half of the scale and there seems no way I’m going to get them up to the top
by heating.

Ian Bingham,
Inchmarlo, Aberdeenshire.

On Monday, February 11, 2013 6:30:39 AM UTC, Ian Bingham wrote:
Does anyone know how to get bubbles out of the thread of a Met.Office pattern minimum thermometer? Actually, I do know how it’s usually done. You gently heat the thermometer and the expanding alcohol carries the bubbles up to the reservoir at the top, where they disappear. I’ve done two successfully, but the trouble this time is that the bubbles are in the lower half of the scale and there seems no way I’m going to get them up to the top by heating. Ian Bingham, Inchmarlo, Aberdeenshire.

Bang the thermometer lightly on a telephone directory! Bubbles should then rise!

Steve J

On Monday, February 11, 2013 6:30:39 AM UTC, Ian Bingham wrote:
Does anyone know how to get bubbles out of the thread of a Met.Office

pattern minimum thermometer? Actually, I do know how it’s usually done..

You gently heat the thermometer and the expanding alcohol carries the

bubbles up to the reservoir at the top, where they disappear. I’ve done two

successfully, but the trouble this time is that the bubbles are in the lower

half of the scale and there seems no way I’m going to get them up to the top

by heating.



Ian Bingham,

Inchmarlo, Aberdeenshire.

You should still be able to get the bubbles to the top by submerging the bulb in warm water. The water actually needs to be quite hot, but not boiling.. You can also hold the thermometer vertically, about six inches above a telephone directory and drop the bulb on to the book. This breaks up the bubbles and they should float to the top. I know that sounds a bit severe but it works and I've never seen one break using this method. Another way is to tap the thermometer stem against the palm of your hand and in line with where the bubbles are. The bubbles should, again, break up.

On 11/02/2013 08:49, Desperate Dan wrote:
snip

Another way is to tap the thermometer stem against the palm of your hand and in line with where the bubbles are. The bubbles should, again, break up.

.... I've always found that method works well - needs patience - it is a
'smart tap' with couple of fingers closed-up, in rapid succession ...
and perhaps an intervening cup of tea, but it will work.

Martin.


--
West Moors / East Dorset
Lat: 50deg 49.25'N, Long: 01deg 53.05'W
Height (amsl): 17 m (56 feet)
COL category: C1 overall

"Ian Bingham" wrote in message
news
Does anyone know how to get bubbles out of the thread of a Met.Office
pattern minimum thermometer? Actually, I do know how it’s usually done.
You gently heat the thermometer and the expanding alcohol carries the
bubbles up to the reservoir at the top, where they disappear. I’ve done
two successfully, but the trouble this time is that the bubbles are in the
lower half of the scale and there seems no way I’m going to get them up to
the top by heating.

Ian Bingham,
Inchmarlo, Aberdeenshire.

Thanks Steve, Dan and Martin - advice much appreciated. The telephone
directory method worked, with a little bit of patience. The next observer
who shakes down a minimum thermometer will be given the choice of the
garrotte or the bastinado :-)

Ian.