Delmhorst Instrument Co RC-1E User manual

1
Delmhorst Instrument Co.
Model RC-1E
Owners Manual
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1RC-1E Features
1Before You Begin
1Calibration Check
2Checking the Battery
2Taking a Reading
3Temperature Correction Table
4Species Correction Table
6Care For Your Meter
7 Service for your Meter
8 Warranty
FEATURES
•Resistance technology recognized world wide as the most accurate method
for measuring moisture
•6% -80% moisture range
•Analog readout
•Built-in calibration and battery check
•Temperature stable circuit
•One year warranty
•Over 50 years of proven quality, accuracy and service
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
The RC-1E features a three range analog scale (A, B & C) that reads wood
moisture content directly as a percentage of the dry weight in the wood. The
scale covers a range of 6% to 80%. The C scale on the meter is also a 0-100
relative scale and is used for relative readings on non-wood materials.
*NOTE: The numbers in parentheses refer to the RC-1E/SP
CALIBRATION CHECK
To check the calibration, first put the selector switch on the “B” scale. Push the
“ON/OFF” switch to the “ON” position and hold. The meter is in calibration if it
reads “20%” ±1% (23%)±1% or within the green band on the “B” scale. If the
needle does not read within the green band on the “B” scale, it is likely an
indication of low battery power. If this occurs, change the battery immediately.
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Continued use with a low battery may cause the meter to go out of calibration. If
you install a new battery and the instrument still does not indicate a proper
calibration, return it to DELMHORST for service. See the “Service for Your
Meter” section.
CHECKING THE BATTERY
To check the battery voltage push the “ONOFF” switch down to the “OFF”
position and hold. The battery is “OK” if the needle moves beyond “54” (58)
(BATT “OK”) on the “A” scale.
TAKING A READING
When the meter switch is pushed up to the “ON” position and released it is
turned on and remains on for four minutes. The timer is reactivated for 4 minutes
with each subsequent test yielding a reading of 8% or higher. If readings are
below 8%, push the switch “ON” periodically to prevent the meter from
automatically turning off. The meter will then stay on for another four-minute
period.
To take a test, connect the electrode to the meter and turn the meter on. Align
the contact pins parallel to the grain of the wood. Drive the pins into the wood
and read the moisture content on the meter scale. Make sure the readings are
taken on the scale range at which the selector switch is set. When using
uninsulated pins, drive them to their full length into the wood. This will give you
the highest measured reading. Insulated pins read only at the uninsulated tip
and can be driven to a desired depth to gather shell and core (gradient)
information.
When using the 26-E Electrode with insulated pins (#496 or #1849), the meter
readings should be corrected according to the following table:
METER READINGS WITH 2-PIN 26-E ELECTRODE
7 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
CORRECTED READINGS (TRUE INDICATED MOISTURE CONTENT)
7.3 8.4 10.6 12.8 14.9 17.0 19.2 21.4 23.7 26.0
The above correction should be disregarded when the insulation of the pins has
worn off, or if uninsulated pins are used.
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Delmhorst uses the USDA standard-Douglas Fir as the basis for all calibrations.
For any species other than Douglas Fir and for wood temperature out of the
range of 50°F (10°C) to 90°F (32°C) temperature and species adjustment must
be made. Correct for temperature first, then species. See temperature correction
table and species correction tables below.
TEMPERATURE CORRECTION TABLE
METER READINGS
°C °F 6 7 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 50 60
-20 0 9 11 15 22 31 38 45 53
-10 20 8 10 14 20 28 34 40 47 55
5 40 7 8 12 18 24 30 36 42 48
15 60 6 7 11 16 21 27 32 38 43 54
30 80 6 7 9 14 19 23 28 33 38 47 55
40 100 5 6 8 12 17 21 25 29 34 42 50
50 120 5 5 7 11 15 19 22 26 30 38 44
60 140 4 5 7 10 14 17 20 23 27 34 40
70 160 4 4 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 30 36
80 180 3 4 5 8 11 13 16 19 22 27 33
95 200 3 4 5 7 10 12 14 17 19 24 28
105 220 2 3 4 6 9 11 13 15 17 21 26
Moisture content values shown shaded are only qualitative, since they are above
the fiber saturation point.
The temperature correction values shown in this chart have been rounded for
easy reference.
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Species Correction Table
METER READINGS WITH NON-INSULATED PINS
SPECIES 7 8 9 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
ALDER 8 9 10 11 13 15 17.5 19.5 21.5 24 27
APITONG 8 9 10 11 13 15 17 20 22 24 27
ASPEN 7 8 9 10 11.5 13 15 16.5 18 20 21
ASH, WHITE 6.5 7.5 8 9 11 13 14.5 16 18 19.5 21
BASSWOOD 7 8 8 9 10.5 13 15 17 19 20.5 22
BIRCH 8 9 10 11 13 15 17 19 21.5 23.5 25.5
CEDAR, EAST. RED 8 9.5 10.5 12 14 17 19 21 23 25 26
CEDAR, INCENSE 7 8 9.5 10.5 12.5 15 17 19 21 23 25
CHERRY 8 9 10 11 13.5 15.5 18 20 22 24 26
COTTONWOOD 6 7.5 8.5 9.5 12 14 15 17 19.5 21 23
CYPRESS 7 8 9 10 12 14 16 18 19.5 21.5 23.5
ELM, AMERICAN 7 7.5 8 8.5 10 11.5 13 15 16 18 19
FIR, DOUGLAS 7 8 9 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
FIR,RED 7 8 9 10 12.5 15 17 19 21 23 25
FIR, WHITE 8 9 9.5 10.5 12.5 15 17 19 21 23 25
GUM, BLACK 7.5 9 10 11 13 15 16 18 19 20.5 22
GUM, RED 7 8 9 10 12.5 14.5 16.5 19 20.5 22.5 24
HEMLOCK, WESTERN 7 8 9 10.5 13 15 17 19 20.5 22 23.5
HACKBERRY 7 8.5 9 9.5 12 13 15 17 18.5 20 22
HICKORY 8 8.5 9 10 11 12.5 14 15.5 17 19 20.5
KERUING 8 9 10 11 13 15 17 20 22 24 27
LARCH 7.5 9 10 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25.5
MAGNOLIA 7.5 9 10 11.5 14 16 17.5 19 21 22.5 24.5
MAHOGANY,
AFRICAN 8
9.5 10.5 12 15 17 19.5 22 24 26 28
(ALSO KHAYA)
MAHOGANY, HOND. 7 8 9 10.5 12.5 14.5 16 18 19.5 21.5 22.5
MAHOGANY, PHIL. 6 7 7.5 8 9.5 11 13 14 15.5 17 18
MAPLE, HARD/SOFT 8 9 9.5 10 12 14 16 18 20 22.5 25
MERANTI, DARK RED 8.5 9.5 10.5 11.5 12.5 16 18 20.5 22.5 24.5 26.5
OAK, RED 7 8 9 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
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OAK, WHITE 7 8 8.5 9.5 11.5 13.5 15 17 18.5 20 22
PECAN 6.5 8 9.5 11 12.5 14 16 17.5 19 22 24
PINE, LONGLEAF 8 8.5 10 11 13 15.5 17.5 19.5 21 23 25
PINE, PONDEROSA 7.5 8.5 10 11 13.5 15.5 17.5 19.5 21 23 25.5
PINE, SHORTLEAF 7.5 9 10 11 13 15.5 17.5 19.5 21.5 23.5 25
PINE, SO. YELLOW* 8 9.5 10.5 12 14.5 16.5 19 21 23 25 28
PINE, SUGAR 7 8 9 10 12 15 17 19 21 23 25
PINE, WHITE 7 8 9 10 13 15 17 19 21 23 25.5
POPLAR, YELLOW 8 8.5 10 11 13 15.5 17.5 19.5 22 24 26
RAMIN 7 8 9 10 11 13 15 16 18 20 21
RADIATA PINE 10 11 11 12 14 16 18 20 23 25 27
REDWOOD 7 8 9 10 12 13.5 15 17 19 22 24
SPRUCE, SITKA 7 8 9 10 12.5 14.5 17 19 21 23.5 26
SPF** 9 10 11.5 13 15.5 18 20.5 23 25 28 30
SPF/COFI 8 9 10 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25
TEAK 7 8 8.5 9 11 12 14 15 17 18.5 20
VIROLA 6.5 7 8 9 11 12.5 14 16 18 18.5 20.5
WALNUT, BLACK 7.5 8.5 9.5 10.5 12.5 14.5 16 18 20 22 23.5
*Meter readings taken with 26-E 2-pin electrode. Do not apply 2-pin correction.
**SPF correction based on 2-pin 26-E reading with insulated pins. It is based on
USDA/Forintek data and can be used for the following species:
Lodgepole Pine
Alpine Fir
Eastern White Spruce
Black Spruce
Jack Pine
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CARE FOR YOUR METER
ØStore your meter in a clean, dry place.
ØChange the 9-Volt battery as needed. Continued use with low batteries may
cause the meter to go out of calibration.
ØChange contact pins on probe as needed. Keep pin retainers hand tightened.
ØClean the probes with any biodegradable cleaner. Use the cleaner sparingly
and on external parts only. DO NOT IMMERSE THE METER OR ANY
ELECTRODE IN WATER.
ØRemove the batteries if the meter will not be used for one month or longer.
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