Fixing Taylor Patio Thermometer

This video shows how to fix a Taylor Patio Thermometer that isn't showing correct temperature.

[@jimcovington153]

well... you sorta saved my marriage.... bought one of those similar to yours from Home Depot in Scottsdale, AZ. ... placed it next to our old one outside... (which was ALWAYS dead on accurate). After about a couple of hours, my wife said, "OH NO !... you bought one of those cheap ones from that box store.... it's 10 degrees off....darn it !!! I had hoped you would have gotten a good one". Well, I went KZbin searching to see if something could be done before I made a trip back to home Depot to return it. Sure enough.... I found your video, and YOUR adjustment procedure worked! I now have a HAPPY wife.... and I am a bit proud to know that these things can be adjusted. Thank you !👍

[@ejmsasha]

Many thanks especially about the spring adjustment in the back. I've had mine 2 years and all of a sudden it stuck on 80. After watching, I went out to adjust. I had to take off the entire small round cover. Spiders had gunked it all up. I cleaned the spring then adjusted the temp by your instructions. Works like a charm!

[@jagman6538]

Glad it helped. I've posted lots of stuff in various forums etc. over the years and this one has been among the most rewarding😀

[@dbergum1]

Just went out and adjusted the temp like you said..I couldnt get it to 29 degrees but 30 was close enough...good job thank you

[@dmaria848]

Thank you so much! I purchased this exact outdoor thermometer today and was able to calibrate it for an accurate temperature.

[@jagman6538]

You're welcome!

[@mrdlawson]

Great video. Can’t wait to get a house with a patio and try one out!

[@edaciousx]

thank you for posting this

[@lindahoganson8721]

Thank you. Your suggestions are encouraging. I’d like to see the coil cover on the back. The positioning of the cover has so many options I’m having trouble finding the most correct one. ?

[@jagman6538]

I can't take a photo without removing the thermometer from the patio cover post. Even then, the actual coil can't be seen without taking it apart and then you would have the nearly impossible task of winding it back up! But you can see what I'm talking about be pausing the video at 3:31. All you have to do is grab the black knob thing that is in the center and keep it from turning as you gently turn the needle to the actual ambient temperature.

[@lindahoganson8721]

@@jagman6538 Thanx again, and your rapid response is a welcome surprise. After determining a close-enough room temperature, I rotated the dial by moving the face dial in a clockwise rotation to a 5° warmer temperature and an even more accurate reading. Took 2 or 3 complete rotations and it seems to be working. Happy Summer Days ahead!

[@acreguy3156]

So the back adjustment dial provides a calibration of sorts? You set it to a known temperature at the location where you'll hang it, and the temperature should change accurately? After almost 70 years, I've never seen a thermometer you had to calibrate like that. Thanks, Ed!

[@jagman6538]

That's it, Acre. Actually, thermometers (as is one is) must be calibrated in this way. The only difference is on this particular model Taylor didn't do it very well. Also, they pushed too hard when pressing the needle onto the shaft. Only took me 84 years t figure it out 🙂

[@acreguy3156]

@@jagman6538 Great thanks, Ed. I figured as much. I'm only 14 years behind you and as mentioned, I've never seen that adjustment on a bi-metallic device. I guess we learn something new every day, if we're alert :)! Thanks and stay well....

[@florencethompson4161]

Thank you very much!

[@jagman6538]

My pleasure.

[@MountainGardenGirl]

Thanks, bought one on eBay...a mess. A smaller one for 16 dollars and it like you I had one that did not move. By a similar process I discovered the tight and compressed needle, but I fiddled, perhaps too much with the metallic coil. Long story short, I am nowhere. Darn thing just wont move. The metal is connect to the base of the needle, the needle moves freely but just does not change temp. I ended with a refund, and seller realized there was no point in returning it, so I own a broken thermometer I can experiment with, but it is frustrating that I don't seem to understand what else to do. Any ideas? I see your metal still sticks out...I tried to tuck that piece in. I also wound the coil first tighter, and then looser...no change.

[@jagman6538]

Sorry, but I don't know

[@7891234able]

Ty so much

[@user-lz6dm5lk9y]

Did you turn the dial clockwise to make the temperature show hotter? The dial was obscured in your video as you moved it. I could not tell if you were turning it clockwise or counter clockwise to increase the temperature it showed. I think mine is showing 4-5 less hot than it really is outside. Thanks.

[@jagman6538]

It's pretty straightforward. The needle moves in exactly the same direction as the adjustment knob. So since yours is reading too low, you'd need to turn the knob counterclockwise WHEN LOOKING AT THE BACK OF THE CLOCK. Or, if you prefer you can look at the clock from the front and just turn the knob while watching the needle. Turn it to the correct temperature and that's it.

[@user-lz6dm5lk9y]

@@jagman6538 Counter clockwise then. Thank you! :)

[@7891234able]

Ty so much. 2-5-22

[@eleanorcasarez6561]

Can someone tell me how to fix the coil behind this thermometer that's being shown. When I bought it there was a piece if plastic sticking out from where I thought would start the needle working. Well, the cover came off and the coil sprung loose!!!! How can I put coil back the way it was. There's also some metal that needs to be out back to hold spring down, I think..... Please help!!!!! Anyone. Love this because it has a sunflower on it!!! Or did I break it? 😪

[@jagman6538]

The only way would be to hold the case in one hand, the needle with the other and turn the needle so as to wind up the spring just the right amount.. probably multiple turns. Pretty much impossible, I'm afraid. Sorry.

[@eleanorcasarez6561]

@@jagman6538 yeah I figured that out already...you're very nice to answer my question. Thank you!!!!!

[@prabhakumar8926]

@@eleanorcasarez6561 Did you end up trashing yours ? I may have a similar sunflower thermometer, and same thing, the spring like thing and the needle are now 2 separate pieces. Thanks !

[@eleanorcasarez6561]

@@prabhakumar8926 probably did because I don't have it anymore...😅😅😅

[@times461]

would of been nice to actually see what he was turning in the back

[@jagman6538]

It's a black plastic case about an inch in diameter right in the center of the clock. That case holds the spring coil and the shaft that the needle is pressed onto at the factory. Its at 3.31 (3 minutes 31 seconds) on the timeline. Grab the red dot at the end of the time line and drag it to 3.31. Hop this helps