Frequently Asked Questions
- How many pictures can I store on the camera and how do they download to my computer?
- How long can the battery last?
- How do I know from the temperature if the device needs repair?
- Can I adjust the temperature span?
- Can I use programs other than ThermalVision™ to look at the pictures?
- Does the unit need to be registered with the United States Government?
- Does IDEAL provide thermography training?
- Is calibration and traceability available and at what cost and how long does it take?
- What is the effective range for taking IR pictures with this camera?
- I am unsure why the camera memory sometimes puts one photograph in a file, sometimes multiple. I have one instance in which 4 photographs are stored in one folder, and 1 in every other folder, why?
- I want to create reports and then edit them later, as I make changes to equipment. Is this possible?
- I make reports to customers, but sometimes I just want to discuss an image with a coworker in another city. Do I have to send them the PDF report?
- I have had some issues with the software such as I can't generate a pdf report. What should I do?
- I recorded a voice annotation with my pictures but cannot find it.
- I selected the wrong emissivity when I took the image. Now what do I do?
How many pictures can I store on the camera and how do they download to my computer?
The 61-844 comes with a 1 gigabyte mini SD card installed. This equates to about 1000 images including both IR and visual. Text annotation and voice annotation will of course decrease this number. Larger capacity SD cards may be installed by the user. The card may be removed and/or replaced to download or simply plug in the included USB cable and your computer will see the card as an external drive and allow you to copy over the files. Use Windows Explorer and copy and paste all files to ensure that all files that may be present (thermal, visual, text and voice annotation) are copied and kept together.
How long can the battery last?
The internal Lithium Ion battery will provide up to 6 hours of use when fully charged. Charging can take up to 4 hours for a complete charge. It is not necessary to allow the battery to fully discharge before recharging.
How do I know from the temperature if the device needs repair?
Every piece of equipment has an acceptable operating temperature range. It is impossible for anyone to broadly assume that all pieces of similar equipment such as circuit breakers or fuses will all fall into a single pass/fail mode based upon one temperature reference point. General specifications provide a range of operating temperatures based on ambient temperature as well as percentage of load a device is handling. Many Standards exist, it is import you select the standard to which the device was manufactured. Generally, the difference in temperature between ambient and the device in question can be used as the basic measurement for comparison. We encourage any technician to consult with the manufacturer of any device they are checking for valid thermal criteria. It is incumbent upon the technician to properly focus and set the camera for emissivity and reflected temperature to ensure the most accurate readings for analysis and troubleshooting.
Can I adjust the temperature span?
Yes. You can do this both for the image displayed on the camera and in the software. This allows the technician to concentrate only on those temperature ranges that may affect equipment performance.
Can I use programs other than ThermalVision™ to look at the pictures?
Yes, but with certain limitations. Windows Explorer will view both the digital and thermal images once they are saved as such by ThermalVision™ software. The raw temperature data may also be exported as an Excel .csv file for analysis.
Does the unit need to be registered with the United States Government?
No, the 61-844's IR update rate is 8Hz and 9Hz is the threshold for which a unit must be registered.
Does IDEAL provide thermography training?
IDEAL will offer Certified Level l Infrared Thermography training that meets all Level I ASNT-SNT-TC-1A recommendations for thermal/infrared testing in 2010. The cost of the 3 day course is $1750.00. If you own an IDEAL 61-844 thermal imager, the cost of the training will be reduced to $1150.00. Please check the training page for dates and locations.
Is calibration and traceability available and at what cost and how long does it take?
The cost of calibration is $800.00 and will add an additional 2-3 weeks to delivery of a new camera.
What is the effective range for taking IR pictures with this camera?
This camera is a lower resolution IR camera. It is suitable for taking pictures up to 30 feet. Longer distances simply require higher IR resolution. Our target market is for those technicians that want to inspect panels, motors etc, etc, at distances less than 30 feet. In fact, most end users we talk to tell us that they shoot at about 3 to 8 feet away from their point of interest.
I am unsure why the camera memory sometimes puts one photograph in a file, sometimes multiple. I have one instance in which 4 photographs are stored in one folder, and 1 in every other folder, why?
Every time you turn the camera on, it assumes that you are starting a new session and files any new pictures in a new folder. This may happen even after the screen saver shuts the camera down.
I want to create reports and then edit them later, as I make changes to equipment. Is this possible?
Yes. You can save reports and open them later and edit them by deleting or adding more images and notes. To print the report, you must first save it as a PDF file and print from that, but you can always update the original report, save it as a pdf, and then print the later version.
I make reports to customers, but sometimes I just want to discuss an image with a coworker in another city. Do I have to send them the PDF report?
That is one way to do it, but since ThermalVision™ software is freely available online, we suggest you simply direct your contact to our website, install the software, and email them the ir picture file. They can easily listen to any verbal annotations you made as well! It is so easy to paste copies of the thermal images, as well as all the temperature data, you may never have to use the report generator.
I have had some issues with the software such as I can't generate a pdf report. What should I do?
First of all, since the report generator uses a .pdf file, you need to make sure your computer has Adobe Acrobat loaded. This is a free program, very common, that allows you to view acrobat files. The next step is always uninstall the software using Windows add/remove program. Simply installing a newer version of ThermalVision™ leaves some older components in place and the problem may not go away. Next, visit our website where you will find the latest software and product literature. Please understand that software based products often are updated on an ongoing basis and you are encouraged to check this site periodically. In fact, we encourage users to install the software even if they have just purchased the camera as there is no way to ensure that the software shipped with the camera is the very latest. Other issues may be caused by the operating system you are using, most notably, Vista 64 bit. A solution for this is available now, if you are using 64 bit, simply download the correct software.
I recorded a voice annotation with my pictures but cannot find it.
Don't use the Windows help wizard to copy and paste files from the camera to your computer. Use Windows Explorer, and commands Select All, Copy, and Paste to make sure you get all the paired files. It is critical to use Windows Explorer when transferring data from the camera's memory card to your computer. There can be as many as 4 files per picture which are the Visual and IR images, and text and voice annotation (if made). Using something other than Windows Explorer may leave some of the files behind. Simply select the files you want to download copy and then paste them to the folder where you wish to keep them organized in.
I selected the wrong emissivity when I took the image. Now what do I do?
ThermalVision™ software has the unique feature of allowing the user to correct several parameters anytime after the image has been taken. These include correcting the emissivity, reflected temperature and the image overlay alignment. The most important parameter to set when the image is taken, and this cannot be changed later, is to focus the Infrared image to the approximate distance as indicated on the screen. So, remember to focus the image by rotating the lens, and be sure you get a crisp, shake free visible image before you save for the very best results. You will be pleased with the professional quality of the images and the temperature information.
Where to Buy HeatSeeker™
To find a distributor near you, call us toll-free at 800-435-0705 or contact us.