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My Hydrometer and my Face: Like Magnetic Poles

Discussion in 'General Homebrew Discussion' started by passedpawn, Apr 28, 2012.

 

  1. #1
    passedpawn

    Some rando  

    Posted Apr 28, 2012
    There must be some magnetic repulsion between my face and the Sp.Gr. scale on my hydrometer. 100% of the time, it settles with the scale facing away from me. I always have to walk around the damn thing to see the scale. What gives?
     
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    bracconiere, burtom and dmtaylor like this.
  2. #2
    pickles

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Apr 28, 2012
    Yeah I have the same problem. I wonder if I start using the Brix scale if the Spec gravity side would settle in front?
     
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  3. #3
    Yooper

    Ale's What Cures You! Staff Member  

    Posted Apr 28, 2012
    Yes, that's exactly what happens. When I make wine, it gives me the SG scale. When I make beer, it gives me the potential alcohol scale.

    Ok, I tell myself- I'm smarter than this hydrometer. So I give it a gentle spin. But no matter how I spin it, it always ends up facing exactly opposite of where I want it. And when I turn the test jar, the hydrometer turns the other way! Apparently I am NOT smarter than a $6 hydrometer.
     
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  4. #4
    dutchoven

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Apr 28, 2012
    Hahaha ... Time for one of those little dentist mirrors ...
     
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  5. #5
    rico567

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Apr 29, 2012
    The human body possesses a magnetic field, not a very strong one, but since it is positive, it repels the positively charged scale on the side of the hydrometer. I'm afraid a mirror is your only recourse.*


    * I began laughing out loud as I was typing "negatively charged scale." I was going to write something about it being governed by the same principle as bread hitting the floor peanut butter side down, but that seemed too easy.
     
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  6. #6
    Stauffbier

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Apr 29, 2012
    HAHA! Glad I'm not the only one! I'll even keep turning the flask to try and get the hydrometer to turn with it, but it won't!
     
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  7. #7
    kh54s10

    Supporting Member  

    Posted Apr 29, 2012
    If you turn sample tube somewhere between 6-25 full rotations the scale will come to the front. Read it fast because it will keep turning until the scale is facing away from you!;)
     
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  8. #8
    Yambor44

    Well-Known Member  

    Posted Apr 29, 2012
    Hahahhaha. I have the EXACT same challenge!
     
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  9. #9
    gavball6

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Apr 29, 2012
    Spot on!

    Happens every time and just happened to me 3-4 times about 5 minutes ago! When in doubt, it always looks like 1.014 to me!
     
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  10. #10
    TarVolon

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Apr 29, 2012
    I've been fighting my hydrometer all day too. So glad someone posted this. Cracked me up
     
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  11. #11
    AZ_IPA

    PKU  

    Posted Apr 29, 2012
    I just tried to get a reading on my young braggot. Between the excess CO2 in solution and "Passedpawn's Law," I gave up. I think it is at ~1.015.
     
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