How to Check if a Barometer is Working

Just ran across this video -- thank you so much for this! I've had my grandparents' barometer for years and never knew how to know if it was really working. I tightened the tiny screw on the back, gave it a few gentle taps and the needle moved for the first time! It landed on Rain, which is correct. I've never seen it on Rain. Thanks again. :)

Really helpful.. I have my barometer fixed in my RV, I noticed how much it moved when I drove up a very steep road to an elevation of 1,789 feet . another good way to see if it's working

Thanks for the tips. They do work with me. Vintage barometers can be encountered in the most unexpected places when rudimentary tools like a small screwdrivers or Ziplocs can be out-of-hand like in some yard sales. Testing for that springiness is a good idea that also works for my on-the-spot testing. Sometimes, the pointers move a little when I slam-close the car door, indicating response to air pressure. Also, driving over some hilly areas would indicate lowering of air pressure but you can do all that post-purchase.

Thankyou so much I inherited a barometer over 100 years old and was worried it’s not working……tried the Ziplock bag test and the black needle moved just as you showed…..I guess it’s the weather pressure not really changing! Thankyou

Great tips - thanks! I inherited a small antique barometer from my parents after they passed away, and there is no hole in the back to insert a screwdriver. But I was able to use the plastic baggie pressure test to see that it was working. Very cool!

Thanks so much for your videos. I’ve just inherited a lovely barometer. A family heirloom and your videos have been really helpful.

Thank you Parke for at great video, learned a lot how a barometer works! greetings from Sweden :)

Thank you for your knowledge. I have my Grandfather’s old airguide Bakelite wall mount temp/baro. I wasn’t sure if it was working because it was so far off the actual pressure. The plastic bag trick was great. It works, just needed calibration. Thank you, again.

Excellent video that answered my question. Ours is the case where the needle is stuck at the bottom. We just moved to Utah from Florida so I believe something was shaken loose during the move. Thank you for this video.

thx.. tried the bag thing and now im relieved my new barometer actually works lol

Good show! Thank you.

I have a few Barometers. I find they rarely go into 'Stormy' (I live in the UK by the way) but about thirty years ago when we had a spell of recurring and violent thunderstorms and rain repeatedly over a few days in 1992 – it was quite exciting to see the massive change! Quite atmospheric when there’s big and sudden activity in Barometers (no pun intended) as, just as you say; they generally move in very small increments for the most part. More interesting devices than most people give them credit for. I collect Watches and Clocks too, and a bit like those; it doesn’t always necessarily follow that the more you pay - the better the accuracy; I have one particular Barometer that’s extremely accurate (made in USA) but wasn’t that expensive. Plus, I also have a £5.99p modern Chinese Mechanical Watch that is more accurate than my £4.000.00 Omega!! No word of a lie! Thanks for sharing your info.

Thank you for this info 👍

Cool!! thanks!

Excellent tips. I would like to know what precautions to be taken while reading aneroid barometer on a boat while all doors are closed due to air conditioning?

Great information subbed 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 I have a question which is one of my barometers has a hygrometer currently showing around 62% whereas weather forecasts are showing 92% humidity. So does humidity vary that much inside and out? I believe barometric pressure inside and outside is the same which my barometers always show as they are always spot on compared to official reading. But as I say the hygrometer varies a lot! Thank you🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿👍👍👍😮

Do you have to put tiny drop oil in them ? The 3 mounting screws I thought were oil points , the one screwed back in , but the other 2 just keep turning into nothing , have I damaged anything ? Can you take front round cover off to oil ? Or does takes front cover off upset the vaccum inside ? Thanks ian

Hi, Should the barometer needle be reset? I have moved it with the tips you mentioned in the video and I am wondering if its to be reset? or will it automatically move to its correct position?

Hi My barometer changes when placed in bag and pressure applied. However if The Glass covers it, it does not react. Could it be the Glass is wrong and it needs one less hermetic with a positioning needle.?

I have emphysema and would like to use one….I live in South florida and the weather is crazy