Centech 96497 User manual

4 PIN WOOD MOISTURE METER
Model 96497
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Diagrams within this manual may not be drawn proportionally.
Due to continuing improvements, actual product may differ slightly from the product described herein.
Distributed exclusively by Harbor Freight Tools®.
3491 Mission Oaks Blvd., Camarillo, CA 93011
Visit our website at: http://www.harborfreight.com
Read this material before using this product.
Failure to do so can result in serious injury.
SAVE THIS MANUAL.
Copyright©2007 by Harbor Freight Tools®. All rights reserved. No portion of this manual
or any artwork contained herein may be reproduced in any shape or form without the
express written consent of Harbor Freight Tools.
For technical questions or replacement parts, please call 1-800-444-3353.

Page 2SKU 96497 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
SPECIFICATIONS
Moisture Percentage Rating 5% to 40%
Accuracy +/- 1%
Operating Range 32° F ~ 104° F / 0° C ~ 40° C
<70% R/H Factor
Battery 9V (included)
Features
Four Steel Probes
Two Buttons Marked Power & Hold
Digital Read-out
Compact/lightweight Black Carrier
Protective Probe Cover
Save This Manual
You will need the manual for the safety warnings and precautions, assembly instructions,
operating and maintenance procedures, parts list and diagram. Keep your invoice with this
manual. Write the invoice number on the inside of the front cover. Keep the manual and
invoice in a safe and dry place for future reference.
SAFETY WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
WARNING: When using tool, basic safety precautions should always be followed to
reduce the risk of personal injury and damage to equipment.
Read all instructions before using this tool!
Keep work area clean. Dark and cluttered areas invite injuries.
Observe work area conditions. Do not use Moisture Meter in damp or wet locations.
Do not expose to rain or immerse in any liquid.
Keep children away. Children must never be allowed in the work area. Do not let
them handle the Moisture Meter.
Store idle equipment. When not in use, the Moisture Meter must be stored in a
dry location to inhibit rust. Always lock up Moisture Meter and keep out of reach of
children.
Dress properly. Use eye protection. Always wear ANSI approved impact safety
goggles. Protective, electrically non-conductive clothes and non-skid footwear are
recommended when working. Wear restrictive hair covering to contain long hair.
Maintain Moisture Meter with care. Keep Moisture Meter clean for better and safer
performance. The body must be kept clean, dry, and free from oil and grease at all
times.
Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating the
Moisture Meter. Do not use while this product while tired or under the inuence of
drugs, alcohol or medication.
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Page 3SKU 96497 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
Take caution as some woods contain preservatives such as copper chromium
arsenate (CCA) which can be toxic. When working with these materials extra care
should be taken to avoid inhalation and minimize skin contact.
Take care when handling the Moisture Meter. The probes of the Moisture Meter are
sharp.
The warnings, cautions, and instructions discussed in this instruction manual cannot
cover all possible conditions and situations that may occur. It must be understood by
the operator that common sense and caution are factors which cannot be built into
this product, but must be supplied by the operator.
UNPACKING
When unpacking, check to make sure the parts shown the Parts List are included. If any parts
are missing or broken, please call Harbor Freight Tools at the number on the cover of this
manual as soon as possible.
OPERATING
Remove the rear battery panel and insert a nine volt battery making sure the positive
(+) and negative (-) polarities on the battery match the polarities in the battery case.
Push the Power Button.
Remove the Probe Cap. To test the unit, place ngers on the
outside of the pins and apply light pressure, as shown to the
right. Be careful, the pins are sharp. The unit should read at
about 30% after a few moments.
Make sure there are no utility lines, wires, nails, or screws under
the surface of the material to be measured.
To measure moisture content, insert the Spikes into the material
approximately 1/4 inch (5mm) deep.
Allow the readout to settle on a number, and push the HOLD
button to lock the number.
When nished, push the Power button and place Probe Cover back on the unit be-
fore storing.
MAINTENANCE
Keep the unit dry and clean. Wipe clean with moist cloth as needed.
When the digital display shows this icon: , the battery must be changed. Follow
the directions in Step 1 under the Operating section to replace the battery. Dispose
of used batteries as appropriate for type according to State, Local and Federal laws
and regulations.
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Page 4SKU 96497 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
For extended storage, remove the battery and keep the Moisture Meter in a dry
location in temperatures between 32 and 104 degrees.
3.
LIMITED 90 DAY WARRANTY
Harbor Freight Tools Co. makes every effort to assure that its products meet high quality
and durability standards, and warrants to the original purchaser that this product is free from
defects in materials and workmanship for the period of 90 days from the date of purchase. This
warranty does not apply to damage due directly or indirectly, to misuse, abuse, negligence or
accidents, repairs or alterations outside our facilities, criminal activity, improper installation,
normal wear and tear, or to lack of maintenance. We shall in no event be liable for death,
injuries to persons or property, or for incidental, contingent, special or consequential damages
arising from the use of our product. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of
incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation of exclusion may not apply to
you. THIS WARRANTY IS EXPRESSLY IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS
OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS.
To take advantage of this warranty, the product or part must be returned to us with
transportation charges prepaid. Proof of purchase date and an explanation of the complaint
must accompany the merchandise. If our inspection veries the defect, we will either repair or
replace the product at our election or we may elect to refund the purchase price if we cannot
readily and quickly provide you with a replacement. We will return repaired products at our
expense, but if we determine there is no defect, or that the defect resulted from causes not
within the scope of our warranty, then you must bear the cost of returning the product.
This warranty gives you specic legal rights and you may also have other rights which
vary from state to state.
3491 Mission Oaks Blvd. • PO Box 6009 • Camarillo, CA 93011 • [phone]

Page 5SKU 96497 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY
THE MANUFACTURER AND/OR DISTRIBUTOR HAS PROVIDED THE PARTS LIST AND ASSEMBLY
DIAGRAM IN THIS MANUAL AS A REFERENCE TOOL ONLY. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER OR
DISTRIBUTOR MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND TO THE BUYER THAT HE
OR SHE IS QUALIFIED TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS TO THE PRODUCT, OR THAT HE OR SHE IS QUALIFIED
TO REPLACE ANY PARTS OF THE PRODUCT. IN FACT, THE MANUFACTURER AND/OR DISTRIBUTOR
EXPRESSLY STATES THAT ALL REPAIRS AND PARTS REPLACEMENTS SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN
BY CERTIFIED AND LICENSED TECHNICIANS, AND NOT BY THE BUYER. THE BUYER ASSUMES
ALL RISK AND LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF HIS OR HER REPAIRS TO THE ORIGINAL PRODUCT OR
REPLACEMENT PARTS THERETO, OR ARISING OUT OF HIS OR HER INSTALLATION OF REPLACEMENT
PARTS THERETO.
PARTS LIST
Part Description Qty
1 Moisture Meter 1
2 Carrying Case 1
3 Probe Cover 1
4 9V Battery (not shown) 1
1
3
2
Record Product’s Serial Number Here:
Note: If product has no serial number, record month and year of purchase instead.
Note: Some parts are listed and shown for illustration purposes only, and are not available
individually as replacement parts.