Refractometer

[TMB]

I bought a refractometer last year and holy crap they kick ass. Mine has an ATC sticker on it and I was wondering how the auto temp correction works and what is it compensating for - the refractometer temp or the wort temp (seems insignificant with respect to the refract).

Thanks,

[Bugeater]

It compensates for the refractometer temperature. The wort temp will immediately cool to the same temp due to the small volume.

Wayne
Bugeater Brewing Company

[Mylo]

Boog, I have to disagree with you there (at least with my ATC refractometer). I was in the garage brewing today. It was a brisk 50 degrees. I was using my refrac all day - so by the end of the day it was probably 50, too. I checked my OG in the garage - 15* brix. Then I brought my sample and my refrac inside the 68 degree house. I retested it again and it read 15.8* brix. I think the ATC means that it accounts for the wort temp - which becomes the same temp as the refrac within a few seconds...

Either that or I have crappy refrac. I intend to keep mine a consistent room temp from now on.


Mylo

[meisterofpuppets]

From what I read, an ATC has special springs that adjust the lenses for the temperature. Your Refractometer might be screwed up Mylo.

[BadRock]

"Refractometers are available with or without automatic temperature compensation (ATC). ATC is a nice luxury, but not necessary if you use a temperature compensation chart. (In simple refractometers, ATC is done optically ÷ it is not an electronic effect.) They cost anywhere from $75 to $300 depending on quality and features as well as country of origin. I have used the less expensive models with good results. Since the sample has a very small mass compared with the refractometer, it is only the temperature of the refractometer that is important in getting an accurate reading."


"If you are using a model with ATC, you can simply use the reading you have. If you do not have ATC, then you must use a chart included with the refractometer to get the compensated reading. You simply use the ambient temperature and the reading to get a value that must be added or subtracted from the reading to make the compensation. Do not use any temperature corrections when calibrating your refractometer. Instead, ensure that the calibration is made when the meter is at the correct temperature, 68 ¡F
(20 ¡C) for most meters."

Excerpt from BYO - http://www.byo.com/feature/1132.html

[TMB]

Thanks for the article Badrock

[SternBrew]

My ATC refractrometer has a temp range of somewhere around 50 to 90 degrees. The company claims that the correction mechanism can't work any higher or lower. So, if a brisk 50 degrees really means 45, then you may have hit the lower bound of your automatic readjustment.

[BadRock]

Anyone have any thoughts or comments about THIS refractometer. I think that I am going buy one but I thought that I would get the opinion of some of you that have them.