In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

New Moisture Meter Not Working

Discussion in 'Everything Else (off topic)' started by firecracker_77, Dec 26, 2013.

  1. firecracker_77

    firecracker_77

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    Got a meter for X-Mas. Popped the prongs into wood and nothing. I need to play with it some more before I deem it a dud. Was disappointed. There's only a couple buttons...how hard could this be?
     
  2. Grizzly Adam

    Grizzly Adam Guest

    Check the battery compartment for one of those pieces of plastic that keeps the batteries from running dead on the shelf.
     
  3. firecracker_77

    firecracker_77

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    The batteries are working and it's powered up. I'm just not getting any reading.
     
  4. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    Not even across your palm?
     
  5. chris

    chris

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    wood being checked needs to be in the same temp range as what painting would be. Possibility that battery is weak. Use alkaline. Referance the manual is there a calibration adjustment? You should get about 25-30% across your palm.
     
  6. firecracker_77

    firecracker_77

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    got a reading across my palm...that's good
     
  7. Grizzly Adam

    Grizzly Adam Guest

    Sounds like your wood is defective. Throw it out and get new.
     
  8. firecracker_77

    firecracker_77

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    LOL! How far do you jab this meter into the wood?
     
  9. Grizzly Adam

    Grizzly Adam Guest

    Give it a good hard jab!
     
  10. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    I try to sink the pins in at least a 1/4". A good strong push, maybe some wiggling, ought to get her done. :zip:
     
  11. firecracker_77

    firecracker_77

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    I was worried about damaging the meter. Ok...sounds good
     
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  12. chris

    chris

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    Make sure when you check the wood that you do so on a fresh spilt open face. In other words take a split replit it and check in middle, pins with the grain.
     
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  13. firecracker_77

    firecracker_77

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    What does pins with the grain mean? The meter parallel with the wood or perpendicular to the grains?
     
  14. fox9988

    fox9988

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    Parallel

    I've tested both ways and not seen much difference on the same piece of wood, but parallel is the correct way.
     
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  15. will711

    will711

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    Parallel
     
  16. will711

    will711

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    Beat me too it:)
     
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  17. fox9988

    fox9988

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    I type at the speed of smell:D
     
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  18. firecracker_77

    firecracker_77

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    Ok guys. I think I wasn't pushing hard enough. Was at someone's house when I opened the present, and they've had that same firewood sitting next to their fireplace for a couple years, so I was surely going to get an awesome reading, but I may not have pushed the pins in enough out of fear of breaking it. My palm reading was over 25%
     
  19. chris

    chris

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    Yep bout right for palm
     
  20. Grizzly Adam

    Grizzly Adam Guest

    Sounds a little dry, better start hydrating.
     
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