Moisture meters

[Alycidon]

Anything I split from the store that shows under 20% burns a treat over 25% forget it.

 

For Ash and other hard woods that is spot on, soft wood will burn at 25% but not well.

 

A

[Michael C]

I have used a termatech md-812 cheap ebay fodder which I think came from a stove supplier for about £30. You should be able to get them for less. It has been invaluable and consistent showing up some suprises. I had some ash seasoned for 2 years that customer complained was slow and difficult to burn. When split it showed 30% in the middle. Anything I split from the store that shows under 20% burns a treat over 25% forget it. I would not spend much on a meter as it will get wet, run over, left on dash in sun etc. The only time ours lost the plot was when batteries are flat. Worth getting one that auto turns of if u leave ours in your pocket it turns on.

 

[ame]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Handheld-Wood-Moisture-Meter-MD-812/dp/B00118SL6A[/ame]

 

Do the probes ever break, and can replacements be got?

[gensetsteve]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Handheld-Wood-Moisture-Meter-MD-812/dp/B00118SL6A

 

Do the probes ever break, and can replacements be got?

 

I think it came with one spare set. I tend to ease it into the wood with a side to side action rather than throw it like a dart it contains electronics and sudden impacts have got to have an effect on accuracy. Not broken our pins but at £15 I would throw it and buy new.

[TrollSpiel]

question for the guys who know what they're on about.

 

My mate gave me a Doser MM (am4a) which he uses at work (paper mill). I see they do a few models (wood, paper....). Has a dial for material, which I guess is sensitivity?

 

Can this be used for wood - milled boards/kiln drying. Reliably! or not at all?

[slack ma girdle]

Hi Alcidon.

 

Check this out - http://www.woode3.eu/documents/Conversion%20tables_english.pdf

 

I'll find some more info on monday!!!

 

Cheers

 

Holy cow batman, talk about baffling with big words amd long equations.

The second is much easier to read, and some useful snippets.

[gensetsteve]

question for the guys who know what they're on about.

 

My mate gave me a Doser MM (am4a) which he uses at work (paper mill). I see they do a few models (wood, paper....). Has a dial for material, which I guess is sensitivity?

 

Can this be used for wood - milled boards/kiln drying. Reliably! or not at all?

 

You having a dig at me or just anyone not anally hung up on accurate moisture meters.

[WFWales]

Hello again.

 

I bought a couple of these - Search at Westfalia Mail Order UK.

 

Here is what the supplier said in answer to the wet or dry question

"....the working priciple of this moisture gauge is measuring the conductivity of the wood. The more water is inside of the wood the higher is the conductivity.

But this is not a calibrated reference, it is just a guidline for detecting the most suitable firewood."

 

Hmmm!!

After seeking further clarification he came back with "....You are right and I agree with you when say it is closer to the dry method"

 

So here is where I am at - use them as a guide!

 

BUT...Moisture meters are being promoted to punters and producers as a good way to help buyers get dry (ready to burn) wood. We need to be clear about WHAT they are measuring so that when they go and poke their two prongs into our logs - that 33% on a dry basis = 25% on a wet basis = ready to burn....just!!! - I'm guessing their meter will show about 31%??

 

If you bang two nice dry logs together they "Rriiinnnnggg" pleasingly - perhaps someone could work out a sonic tester instead!!!

 

Cheers..

[Alycidon]

The Morso tester has a guide on the back of it that relates to the readings on the front. That way anyone that can read can see if their wood is in the green ( ready to burn), amber ( burn at a push) or Red ( dry some more) band. Easy to use and nothing to confuse the public.

 

A

[gensetsteve]

Of course it would be easier if we just called ourselves wood processors and supplied green logs. Alot cheaper for everyone and no double handling. The customer would need to buy a year in advance like the do in most of europe.

[WFWales]

Way to go gensetsteve

Thanks Alycidon - I'll check one out

M