iBike temperature readings - they are HIGH

[rstrom]

One thing that I've noticed is that the iBike always seems to report significantly higher temperatures than the actual temperature (at least when it is sunny out, and that condition tends to exist quite a bit here in Arizona).

My ride today (after being outside for a 1 mile warm up ride prior to a calibration ride and then a 2+ mile calibration ride) showed the temperature at 10:17am starting at 77 degrees and ending up about 2 hours later at almost 90 degrees. Two hours after my ride is over Weather.com reports the temperature is 73 and Wunderground reports 76 degrees.

So why does the iBike regularly report the temperature a good 10 degrees or more high for me?

I dare guess what readings I'm going to see when summer hits here!

Thanks,

Robert

[coachboyd]

Any thermometer that you put in direct sunlight is going to read higher than the actual temperature. The sensors that read temperature can be affected by baking in the sun. On cloudy days it will be very accurate, but your problem is you live in sunny, warm, perfect riding Arizona (kind of a good problem to have)

[rstrom]

Ant thermometer that you put in direct sunlight is going to read higher than the actual temperature. The sensors that read temperature can be affected by baking in the sun.

Point taken and basically agreed upon but this does make the thermometer pretty useless/meaningless for me - not a big deal but it would be nice to have more accurate readings. I have no idea if it would be possible, but it would be nice if there could be a software or firmware function that could be invoked that would allow for some standardized adjustment to be made for units that "bake in the sun".

Thanks,

Robert

[R Mc]

black unit case or white unit case?

The black case tends to make the thermometer read high, too.

[rstrom]

Of course it's the black one

[Velocomp]

We say in the instructions that, for the reasons Boyd mentioned, the iBike's reported temperature will be high when used in sunny conditions.

I live in Florida, another blessedly sunny place. I find that my (white) iBike reads about 12F high. So, while I may not know exact temperature, I do have a pretty good idea what the outdoor temperature is.

[cwwees]

I was under the impression that the thermometer was needed for the barometric altimeter. The readings of the altimeter change with temperature. The proper correction is based on the "real" temperature inside the case of the iBike. Sure, it's not the air temperature you're feeling as you ride, but it's the correct value by which to adjust the readings of the other sensors.

Charlie

[redherring10]

That makes very little sense. The temperature error will be greater on sunny, calm days versus breezy, cloudy days. Consequently, any "correction" you claim the thermometer makes to the barometer would be wildly inconsistent.

Furthermore, temperature has a direct effect on an altimeter because of its effect on air pressure (hotter air is less dense). Are you suggesting that a temperature correction is applied in order to - what - express the altitude at a constant temperature??? I would be very surprised if there is any temperature correction whatsoever applied to the barometric altimeter.

Someone from VC, please correct me if I'm wrong.