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.

Page 1 of 2
  1. firecracker_77

    firecracker_77

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Messages:
    2,481
    Likes Received:
    3,606
    Location:
    IL
    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?
     
    firecracker_77, Dec 26, 2013
    #1 Top
  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.
     
    Grizzly Adam, Dec 26, 2013
    #2 Top
    My IS heats my home, BrianK and will711 like this.
  3. firecracker_77

    firecracker_77

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Messages:
    2,481
    Likes Received:
    3,606
    Location:
    IL
    The batteries are working and it's powered up. I'm just not getting any reading.
     
    firecracker_77, Dec 26, 2013
    #3 Top
  4. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2013
    Messages:
    9,648
    Likes Received:
    26,035
    Location:
    Greenville County SC
    Not even across your palm?
     
    MasterMech, Dec 27, 2013
    #4 Top
  5. chris

    chris

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2013
    Messages:
    3,163
    Likes Received:
    11,249
    Location:
    SE WI
    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.
     
    chris, Dec 28, 2013
    #5 Top
  6. firecracker_77

    firecracker_77

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Messages:
    2,481
    Likes Received:
    3,606
    Location:
    IL
    got a reading across my palm...that's good
     
    firecracker_77, Dec 28, 2013
    #6 Top
  7. Grizzly Adam

    Grizzly Adam Guest

    Sounds like your wood is defective. Throw it out and get new.
     
    Grizzly Adam, Dec 28, 2013
    #7 Top
    clemsonfor, eatonpcat, HDRock and 1 other person like this.
  8. firecracker_77

    firecracker_77

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Messages:
    2,481
    Likes Received:
    3,606
    Location:
    IL
    LOL! How far do you jab this meter into the wood?
     
    firecracker_77, Dec 28, 2013
    #8 Top
  9. Grizzly Adam

    Grizzly Adam Guest

    Give it a good hard jab!
     
    Grizzly Adam, Dec 28, 2013
    #9 Top
  10. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2013
    Messages:
    9,648
    Likes Received:
    26,035
    Location:
    Greenville County SC
    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:
     
    MasterMech, Dec 28, 2013
    #10 Top
  11. firecracker_77

    firecracker_77

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Messages:
    2,481
    Likes Received:
    3,606
    Location:
    IL
    I was worried about damaging the meter. Ok...sounds good
     
    firecracker_77, Dec 28, 2013
    #11 Top
    clemsonfor likes this.
  12. chris

    chris

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2013
    Messages:
    3,163
    Likes Received:
    11,249
    Location:
    SE WI
    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.
     
    chris, Dec 29, 2013
    #12 Top
    firecracker_77 likes this.
  13. firecracker_77

    firecracker_77

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Messages:
    2,481
    Likes Received:
    3,606
    Location:
    IL
    What does pins with the grain mean? The meter parallel with the wood or perpendicular to the grains?
     
    firecracker_77, Dec 29, 2013
    #13 Top
  14. fox9988

    fox9988

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Messages:
    2,710
    Likes Received:
    8,286
    Location:
    NW Arkansas 72717
    Parallel

    I've tested both ways and not seen much difference on the same piece of wood, but parallel is the correct way.
     
    fox9988, Dec 29, 2013
    #14 Top
    will711 likes this.
  15. will711

    will711

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Messages:
    10,270
    Likes Received:
    50,828
    Location:
    Pocono Mts.
    Parallel
     
    will711, Dec 29, 2013
    #15 Top
  16. will711

    will711

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Messages:
    10,270
    Likes Received:
    50,828
    Location:
    Pocono Mts.
    Beat me too it:)
     
    will711, Dec 29, 2013
    #16 Top
    fox9988 likes this.
  17. fox9988

    fox9988

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Messages:
    2,710
    Likes Received:
    8,286
    Location:
    NW Arkansas 72717
    I type at the speed of smell:D
     
    fox9988, Dec 29, 2013
    #17 Top
    will711 likes this.
  18. firecracker_77

    firecracker_77

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Messages:
    2,481
    Likes Received:
    3,606
    Location:
    IL
    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%
     
    firecracker_77, Dec 29, 2013
    #18 Top
  19. chris

    chris

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2013
    Messages:
    3,163
    Likes Received:
    11,249
    Location:
    SE WI
    Yep bout right for palm
     
    chris, Dec 30, 2013
    #19 Top
  20. Grizzly Adam

    Grizzly Adam Guest

    Sounds a little dry, better start hydrating.
     
    Grizzly Adam, Dec 30, 2013
    #20 Top
    firecracker_77 and eatonpcat like this.
Page 1 of 2