Model

ST-129

Wood Moisture Meter

Instruction

Manual

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Table of Contents

Features ......................................................................................... 3

Specifications ................................................................................ 3

Operating Instructions ................................................................4-9

Taking a Measurement ................................................................ 4

Measuring Without Temperature Probe ....................................... 4

Automatically Temperature Corrected (ATC) .............................4-5

Auto Power-Off Set-up ................................................................ 5

Calibration Check ........................................................................ 5

Care and Maintenance ................................................................ 5

Calibration Table for Wood .......................................................... 6

Common Timber Species .......................................................7-9

For service on this or any other REED product or information on other

REED products, contact REED Instruments at [email protected]

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2

Features

• Measure moisture content in wood either directly with the built-in moisture pins or use the remote hand-press probe (included) on hard surfaces

• Automatic Temperature Compensation when used with included temperature probe improves accuracy of moisture measurements

• Memory contains 8 wood groups with calibrations for approximately

170 species of wood

• Built-in 2-point calibration check

• User settable Auto Power-Off with override

• Low battery indicator

Specifications

Measuring Principle:

Measuring Range:

Accuracy:

Moisture Electrode:

Electrical resistance

6 to 99.9% MC

±1% MC

8mm long replaceable contact pins

Temp. Compensation: -31 to 176°F (-35 to 80°C)

Power Supply: 2 x AAA batteries

Dimensions:

Weight:

7 x 1.9 x 2” (180 x 50 x 31mm)

6.1 oz (175g)

Includes: Remote hand-press moisture probe, temperature probe, protective cap, replacement pins, two AAA batteries, and a soft carrying case

Optional Accessories: Replacement pins (model ST-129-P) www reedinstruments com

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Operating Instructions

This instrument is a conductivity moisture meter specifically designed for the timber industry. This instrument has eight calibration scales enabling the user to take accurate moisture measurements in 150 wood species.

Moisture measurements can be taken using the integral pin electrodes or by using the heavy-duty moisture probe. When used with the temperature probe the moisture measurements are automatically corrected with respect to the ambient temperature. This instrument is switched ON by pressing the button and switched OFF by pressing the button for approx 3 seconds. The default auto power-off for this instrument is 5 minutes but can be set manually (see auto power-off set-up).

Taking a Measurement

Remove the cap to expose the needle electrodes or connect the heavyduty moisture probe on the right hand side of this instrument and switch the instrument on by pressing the button. Select the appropriate wood calibration scale (A, B, C, E, F, G, H or J) by referring to the enclosed wood calibration table (see calibration table for wood and common timber species) and by pressing the button. Push the needle pins or the heavy-duty moisture probe pins into the wood and observe the reading in the LCD display.

Measuring Without Temperature Probe

This instrument is calibrated for wood at 20°C (68°F). In general, timber that is hotter than 20°C will give higher readings and timber colder than

20°C will give lower readings. An approximate manual correction of 0.5% moisture content per 5°C may be subtracted from timber that is above

20°C. For timber that is below 20°C, a manual correction of 0.5% moisture content per 5°C may be added to the measured value.

Automatically Temperature Corrected (ATC)

Switch the instrument ON and select the appropriate wood calibration scale as detailed in ‘Taking a Measurement’. Using a hammer and nail of nominal 3mm diameter, make a hole in the wood to be tested. Remove the nail and push the temperature probe into the hole until the tip is at the required depth.

continued ...

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Connect the temperature probe into the instrument via the temp socket.

Using the instrument to measure timber you can obtain the automatically temperature corrected (ATC) moisture value. If you need to read the current temperature of the timber press the button, then the LCD will display the temperature. Press the button again and the LCD will display the other °C or °F temperature. Press the button and the LCD will display the moisture value again.

Auto Power-Off Set-up

To change the default auto power-off times press the and buttons together. Hold the button and press the button to change the auto power-off time (to either disable the auto power-off or to set it from 1 to 9 minutes) by changing the code.

0 disables the auto power-off function, 1 sets the instrument to auto power-off in one minute, 2 sets it to two minutes, 3 to three minutes, and respectfully up to 9 for nine minutes for the instrument to auto power-off.

Calibration Check

There are two checked calibrators in the cap of this instrument. When checking the calibration, the A scale should be selected and the temperature probe must be disconnected. Use the needle to touch the two poles of calibrator. If correctly calibrated, the instrument will register %H

2

O values in the range 17.7 to 18.3 (at the “T” calibration) and in the range

25.5 to 26.5 (at “B” calibration). If the range is over +/-1 the Instrument can’t accurately measure the moisture of timber. Open the back cover and adjust the rheostat to make the tolerance meet the range.

Care and Maintenance

When the instrument is not in use, keep it in its pouch together with its accessories. Store the kit in a stable, dust-free environment out of direct sunlight. Remove the batteries from the instrument if it is to be stored for periods of more than one month, or when the battery symbol appears on the display. Be sure to check the condition of the accessories used with this instrument on a regular basis and replace them if they become worn or damaged.

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Calibration Table for Wood

The calibration data in the below table is based on standard tests by oven drying commercial samples of the various wood species, between 7% and fiber saturation. Above fiber saturation point (25%-30%) readings are approximate and only generally apply to wood that has been dried and re-hydrated. Readings higher by 1%-2% may be obtained where wood has been impregnated with a water-borne preservative. High readings obtained with some plywood of peculiar composition must be treated with caution. For measuring building materials select scale A and refer to the following table so you can obtain the building material moisture value.

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Common Timber Species

Cypress, Japanese (18-28%mc) C

Spruce, Japanese (18-28%mc) C

Cypress, Japanese (8-18%mc)

Spruce, Japanese (8-18%mc)

Meranti, Red (dark/light)

Redwood, Baltic (European)

Spruce, Norway (European)

Ash, European

Ash, Japanese

B

A

J

J

C

A

A

Guarea, White

Santa Maria

Cedar, WestIndian

Mahogany, West Indian

Birch, European

Cherry, European

Empress, Tree

Fir, Noble

Guarea, Black

Banga Wanga

Birch, Yellow

Boxwood, Maracaibo

Fir, Grand

Gum, Spotted

Maple, Pacific

Maple, Rock

Maple, Sugar

Myrtle, Tasmanian

Oak, European

Oak, Japanese

Panga Panga

Pine, Lodgepole

Pine, Scots

Pine, Yellow

Poplar, Black

Pterygota, African

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

Kauri, Queensland

Mahogany, African

Queensland Kauri

Walnut, African

Cordia, American Light

Pine, American long leaf

Pine, American pitch

Pine, Caribbean Pitch

Pine, Nicaraguan Pitch

Cedar, Western Red

Gum, American Red

Oak, American Red

Oak, American White

Kauri, New Zealand

Pine, New Zealand White

Abura

Afara

Rosewood, Indian

Sterculia, Brown

Walnut, American

Camphorwood, E African

Cypress, E African

Olive, E African

Silky Oak,African

Silky Oak,Australian

Ash, American

Canarium, African

Cedar, Japanese

Douglas Fir

Fir, Douglas

A

A

A

C

A

B

C

C

B

B

B

B

B

Aformosa

Afzelia

Agba

Amboyna

Ayan

Balsa

Basswood

Berlina

Binvang

Bisselon

Bitterwood

Blackbutt

Bosquiea

F

C

E

E

A

continued ...

C

A

G

B

G

E

J

G

A

E

B

E

A

A

A

C

C

F

C

C

C

J

J

J

J

J

J

J

J

J

H

H

J

B www reedinstruments com

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Gum, Saligna

Gum, Southern

Maple, Queensland

Meranti, White

Pine, Bunya

Pine, Huon

Pine, Maritime

Pine, Parana

Pine, Red

Redwood, Californian

Pine, Japanese Black

Beech, European

Hemlock, Western

Larch, European

Larch, Japanese

Oak, Tasmanian

Pine, Corsican

Pine, Hoop

Pine, Ponderosa

Pine, Radiata

Pine, Sugar

Queensland Walnut

Seraya, Red

Spruce, Sitka

Stringybark, Messmate

Stringybark, Yellow

Walnut, European

Walnut, Queensland

Elm, English

Elm, Rock

Elm, White

Oak, Turkey

Pine, Kauri

Baguacu, Brazilian

Larch, Western

Padauk, African

Elm, Japanese Grey Bark

Walnut, New Guinea

Gegu, Nohor

Rubberwood

E

E

E

E

C

C

C

C

C

C

C

C

C

C

C

C

C

B

B

H

H

F

F

E

F

C

C

C

C

B

B

B

B

B

B

B

B

B

B

B www reedinstruments com

J

C

G

E

C

J

G

J

C

B

B

E

B

A

F

A

E

G

F

E

G

B

G

H

A

B

C

C

A

B

F

J

F

F

C

A

C

G

A

C

continued ...

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Karri

Keruing

Kuroka

Lime

Loliondo

Makore

Mansoia

Matai

Merbau

Missanda

Muhuhi

Muninga

Musine

Musizi

Naingon

Obeche

Odoko

Chestnut

Coachwood

Dahoma

Danta

Erimado

Greenheart

Gurjun

Hiba

Hickory

Hyedunani

Iroko

Ironbank

Jarrah

Jelutong

Karpur

Okwen

Olivillo

Opepe

Padang

Persimmon

Pillarwood

Pyinkado

Ramin

Rubberwood

Sapele

Sen

Sycamore

Tallowwood

A

F

H

C

A

Totara

Turpentine

Utile

Wawa

Wandoo

E

C

J

G

J

Teak F Whitewood

Yew

C

C

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For service on this or any other REED product or information on other

REED products, contact REED Instruments at [email protected]

www reedinstruments com

9

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