Dickey-John M-3G User manual

M-3G/M-20P Operation and File Handling
11001-1361-200512
i
Safety Notices ..................................................................................................... 1
Introduction ......................................................................................................... 3
Key Functions ...................................................................................................................3
Enter Key .......................................................................................................................... 3
Product Specifications ....................................................................................... 5
Performance .....................................................................................................................5
USB Connectivity .............................................................................................................. 5
Regulatory Requirements ................................................................................................. 5
Canadian ICES-003 Statement ........................................................................................ 6
Operation ............................................................................................................. 7
Fill Technique ................................................................................................................... 7
Emptying Cell .................................................................................................................... 7
Grain Sample Testing ....................................................................................................... 7
Changing Products/Grains ................................................................................................ 9
Bias Adjustment ................................................................................................................ 9
Averaging ........................................................................................................................ 10
Adding Samples To The Average - Quick Key ............................................................... 12
Downloading Calibrations ................................................................................ 13
Quick Guide - Downloading ............................................................................................ 13
Quick Guide - Deleting Files ........................................................................................... 13
Operation and File Handling Instructions ........................................................................ 14
PC Communication Program .......................................................................................... 14
Language Files ............................................................................................................... 14
Product Files ...................................................................................................................14
Maintenance ...................................................................................................... 17
Checking Battery Voltage ............................................................................................... 17
Battery Replacement ...................................................................................................... 17
Battery Storage ............................................................................................................... 17
Error Codes ....................................................................................................... 19
ERROR 20 ...................................................................................................................... 19
ERROR 22 ...................................................................................................................... 19
ERROR 24 ...................................................................................................................... 19
ERROR 38, 60, 78, 90, 91 and 92 .................................................................................. 19

M-3G/M-20P Operation and File Handling
11001-1361-200512
ii

OPERATOR’S MANUAL
M-3G/M-20P Operation and File Handling
11001-1361-200512
1
SAFETY NOTICES
Safety notices are one of the primary ways to call attention to potential
hazards.
This Safety Alert Symbol identifies important
safety messages in this manual. When you see
this symbol, carefully read the message that
follows. Be alert to the possibility of personal
injury or death.
Use of the word WARNING indicates a potentially hazardous
situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious
injury.
Use of the word CAUTION with the Safety Alert Symbol indicates a
potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in
minor or moderate injury.
Use of the word CAUTION without the safety alert symbol
indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
may result in equipment damage.
!

OPERATOR’S MANUAL
M-3G/M-20P Operation and File Handling
11001-1361-200512
2 SAFETY NOTICES

OPERATOR’S MANUAL
M-3G/M-20P Operation and File Handling
11001-1361-200512
INTRODUCTION 3
INTRODUCTION
The M-3G/M-20P Portable Moisture Tester is very simple to use and very
intuitive in its operation. The M-3G and M-20P are identical, except that the
M-3G offers four grain capability, while the M-20P can test twenty individual
grains. Operating and file handling instructions are also virtually identical
and will be treated as such. Four function keys, coupled with a menu-driven
operating system, make the unit usable even without written instructions.
However, the following instructions and guidelines may provide additional
insight into the unit’s operation.
KEY FUNCTIONS
ON/HOME KEY
The On/Home key is used to power the unit on and return the unit to the
Main menu. Holding and pressing this key will power the unit off.
ENTER KEY
The Enter key is used to select the item pointed to by the cursor or store a
value to be saved.
UP ARROW KEY
The Up Arrow key is used to move the cursor up or increment a selected
value.
DOWN ARROW KEY
The Down Arrow key is used to move the cursor down or decrement a
selected value.
The unit will power off automatically if no activity is sensed. However, it may
be manually powered off by pressing and holding the On/Home key until
the display clears.
The Enter key is typically used to initiate a selection or cause a save
operation. For example, the Enter key must be pressed to save a new bias
adjustment.
On/Home key
Enter key
Up Arrow key
Down Arrow key

OPERATOR’S MANUAL
M-3G/M-20P Operation and File Handling
11001-1361-200512
4 INTRODUCTION

OPERATOR’S MANUAL
M-3G/M-20P Operation and File Handling
11001-1361-200512
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS 5
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
PERFORMANCE
Operating range (moisture): Grain dependent
Fill technique: Scoop or fast fill from auger
Repeatability: +/- .5% depending on grain (normal stored grain)
Bias: Operator adjustable for agreement with reference meter
Grain temperature compensation: Automatic
Resolution: .1% moisture display (graphic LCD)
Power: One 9V alkaline battery
Warranty: One year
Weight: 1 lb., 6 oz.
Communications: USB port (type B connector)
USB CONNECTIVITY
PC INTERFACE
The M-3G and M-20P may be interfaced to a personal computer using a
USB cable. Using an executable file provided on the DICKEY-john website
(located at www.dickey-john.com), the PC can interrogate the unit and
retrieve its calibration files, or it can send the unit new calibration files.
Likewise, language files are handled much in the same manner, allowing
the unit to be configured for different languages. This connectivity also
provides calibration and diagnostic information which is beyond the scope
of this document.
The files associated with this USB connectivity are available on the
DICKEY-john website.
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation.

OPERATOR’S MANUAL
M-3G/M-20P Operation and File Handling
11001-1361-200512
6 PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits
are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference
in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance
with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not
occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which may be determined by
turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct
the interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for
assistance.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by DICKEY-john
Corporation could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
CANADIAN ICES-003 STATEMENT
This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du
Réglement sur le matériel brouilleur du Canada.
This device complies with the EMC Directives 89 / 336 / EEC; EN61326-1:
1997 including Amendment A1: 1998; ICES-003; and EN55011.

OPERATOR’S MANUAL
M-3G/M-20P Operation and File Handling
11001-1361-200512
OPERATION 7
OPERATION
IMPORTANT: The cell must be empty and the pouring cup must be
removed before turning the unit on and while the
hourglass is displayed.
FILL TECHNIQUE
This unit eliminates sample weighing by utilizing advanced technology to
compensate for density including that associated with sample compaction
variations in the measurement cell. Some grain calibrations provide
excellent compensation, while others are slightly affected by sample
compaction. Therefore, it is recommended that the standard fill technique
be scooping or catching grain from an auger. If pouring is required, pour at a
fast rate (dump the grain into the cell). Do not pour slowly. In all cases, be
consistent in your method of fill. Biasing can be used to correct for small
errors associated with different techniques.
EMPTYING CELL
It is essential that the cell be empty upon power up of the unit. Empty cell
correction takes place immediately after the unit is powered on and is
shown by an hourglass on the display.
GRAIN SAMPLE TESTING
An empty cell reference measurement is taken immediately after power-up.
This reference measurement is used for all product testing until the unit is
powered off. Thus, it is critical that the cell be clean and completely empty
when the unit is powered up and the hourglass is displayed. Keep the
measurement cell opening clear of hands or other objects during this
period.
If the unit is to be used for an extended period of time without a normal
power down, it is recommended that the unit be powered off periodically so
that new empty cell readings may be taken. This should only occur where
continuous sample measurements are being made with no time in between.
To test a grain (see Figure 1):
1. Power the unit on by using the On/Home key. Allow the unit to
complete the self-test. An hourglass will be displayed while the
self-test is being performed.
2. Once the unit has completed the self-test, select the grain, fill the cell,
and press the Enter key. The unit will display the sample being tested
by teardrops appearing across the screen.
On/Home key
Enter key

OPERATOR’S MANUAL
M-3G/M-20P Operation and File Handling
11001-1361-200512
8 OPERATION
3. When the unit has completed the test, the moisture value will be
displayed. Press the Enter key to save to an average.
Figure 1
Grain Sample Testing
Enter key
Up Arrow key
Down Arrow key

OPERATOR’S MANUAL
M-3G/M-20P Operation and File Handling
11001-1361-200512
OPERATION 9
CHANGING PRODUCTS/GRAINS
The M-3G can hold four calibration files. It typically comes from the factory
installed with three products. This allows one grain to have a low and a high
range (usually corn). Thus, the M-3G can hold up to four products, fewer if
multiple ranges are used for a product.
The M-20P can hold 20 calibration files. Likewise, the unit can hold up to
twenty products, fewer if multiple ranges are used for a product.
To change grains (See Figure 2):
1. From the Main menu, select PRODUCT and press the Enter key.
2. On the Product menu, select the new grain to be tested and press the
Enter key. If the cursor dwells on a product longer than 5 seconds, a
detail screen will appear for the product. The product may still be
selected using the Enter key, or other products may be selected by
using the Up or Down Arrow keys.
3. The Main menu will be displayed with the product name listed at the
top.
Figure 2
Changing Products
BIAS ADJUSTMENT
Biasing is performed by forcing the moisture readout value to the value
desired (i.e., to match the calibration to grain elevator). This may be
accomplished if an ERROR 20 (reading below the lowest limit of the
calibration table) or ERROR 22 (reading above the upper limit of the
calibration table) exists. The Enter key must be pressed to save the new
bias information.
The bias value is associated with a given calibration file. Thus, the corn bias
is unique and independent of the bias of other product calibrations. Each
bias value is nonvolatile and will be retained during power off and battery
replacement.
To adjust bias (See Figure 3):
1. From the Main menu, select BIAS and press the Enter key.
Enter key
Up Arrow key
Down Arrow key
5 second
dwell

OPERATOR’S MANUAL
M-3G/M-20P Operation and File Handling
11001-1361-200512
10 OPERATION
2. On the first Bias screen, select ADJUST (or DEFAULT to restore
factory values) and press the Enter key.
3. If ADJUST was selected, use the Up and Down Arrow keys to modify
the displayed value. Press the Enter key to store the new bias.
Figure 3
Bias Adjustment
AVERAGING
The M-3G and M-20P have 10 registers for storing 10 moisture values to be
averaged. Each register is identified with a number (#1, #2, #3...#10). An
added value is placed in the next open register. If all registers are full when
adding a new value, the value in register #1 will be replaced with the new
value being placed in register #10.
Clearing the registers allows all 10 positions to be recalculated.
The average calculation is based on only added values where each value
can be read. The average registers do not automatically clear when a
different product is selected. It is up to the user to clear the average
registers when changing products.
To add a calculation to the average (See Figure 4):
1. From the Main menu select AVERAGE and press the Enter key.
2. On the Average screen, select ADD TO and press the Enter key. The
last sample tested will be added to the average.
Figure 4
Adding To Average
Enter key
Reading w/o Bias
Bias Factor Reading With Bias

OPERATOR’S MANUAL
M-3G/M-20P Operation and File Handling
11001-1361-200512
OPERATION 11
To read the average (See Figure 5):
1. From the Main menu select AVERAGE and press the Enter key.
2. On the Average screen, select READ and press the Enter key. The
average of all stored samples will be displayed.
3. Press the Up and Down Arrow keys to scroll through the samples that
were averaged. These are displayed at the bottom of the screen.
Figure 5
Reading Average
Up Arrow key
Down Arrow key
Enter key

OPERATOR’S MANUAL
M-3G/M-20P Operation and File Handling
11001-1361-200512
12 OPERATION
To clear the average (See Figure 6):
1. From the Main menu select AVERAGE and press the Enter key.
2. On the Average screen, select CLEAR and press the Enter key. The
averaged samples will be cleared.
Figure 6
Clearing Average
ADDING SAMPLES TO THE AVERAGE - QUICK
KEY
This function provides a short cut method to add a sample to the average. It
is provided to make the process more convenient for a quick addition to the
average registers. This function may also be accomplished by using the
Average menu.
To quickly add samples (See Figure 7):
1. After the completion of a moisture reading, press the Enter key. The
screen will display that the sample was added to the AVERAGE. The
sample number will also be displayed.
2. Press the On/Home key to return to the main menu.
Figure 7
Adding Sample To Average
On/Home key

OPERATOR’S MANUAL
M-3G/M-20P Operation and File Handling
11001-1361-200512
DOWNLOADING CALIBRATIONS 13
DOWNLOADING CALIBRATIONS
The following files associated with the M-3G and M-20P are downloadable
from the DICKEY-john website.
• Operation and File Handling Instructions (1-1361.pdf). To use this file,
either print or save to the computer’s hard drive.
• PC Communication Program - executable file (PMTutility.exe). To use
this file, save to the computer’s desktop.
• Language files (example: English - 111110002_EN.txt). To use this file,
perform a SAVE AS to the computer’s desktop.
• Product files (example: Soybeans - 111120002B_.txt). To use this file,
perform a SAVE AS to the computer’s desktop.
• The product files are then retrieved and loaded via the PMT UTILITY
window.
QUICK GUIDE - DOWNLOADING
1. Connect the USB port of the M3G/M20P (located at the bottom of the
unit under the cover where the battery is stored) to the PC.
2. Access DICKEY-john’s website online at www.dickey-john.com.
3. Select MOISTURE TESTERS, located under the AGRICULTURE
heading.
4. Select the M-3G.
5. Select the PC COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM.
6. Save the file to your computer’s desktop.
7. Locate the newly installed icon on your computer’s desktop (called
ag_pmt_M3G_M20P_pcCommProgram.exe).
8. Double click on the icon and select the RUN button.
9. Change the location of the file to be saved to your computer’s desktop
and select the UNZIP button.
10. An icon will appear on the desktop (called PMTUtility).
11. Double click the icon.
12. The PORTABLE MOISTURE TESTER (PMT) USB UTILITY window
will appear.
13. Back on the DICKEY-john website, right click on the grain calibration to
be saved. Choose SAVE TARGET AS and save the calibration to your
computer’s desktop.
14. On the PMT USB UTILITY window, choose FILE, OPEN.
15. Make sure the directory is pointing to the desktop and choose the grain
file. The file should appear in the file viewer.
16. Choose the SEND FILE button.
17. The file will be sent to the M3G/M20P.
QUICK GUIDE - DELETING FILES
1. Connect the USB port of the M3G/M20P (located at the bottom of the
unit under the cover where the battery is stored) to the PC.
2. Open the PMT USB UTILITY window.
3. Located under the word PRODUCT, use the drop down menu to select
the grain to be deleted.
4. Choose the DELETE PRODUCT FILE button.

OPERATOR’S MANUAL
M-3G/M-20P Operation and File Handling
11001-1361-200512
14 DOWNLOADING CALIBRATIONS
OPERATION AND FILE HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS
This file, named 1-1361.pdf, provides information regarding the detailed
operation of the unit as well as an explanation of the file downloading
process.
PC COMMUNICATION PROGRAM
This file, named PMTutility.exe, can be downloaded and placed in a
convenient subdirectory on a local computer. It requires no installation
program, but rather is ready for immediate use once it is saved to the hard
drive.
LANGUAGE FILES
Language files (i.e., 111110002_EN.txt), are typical files and all contain the
extension .txt. They are easily read in a text editor if desired. The files
contain all the required phrases to customize the M-3G and M-20P for that
particular grain/language. The number of the file name is the formal
document number used at DICKEY-john to identify the file.
PRODUCT FILES
Product files (i.e., 111120002B_EN.txt) are commonly called calibration files
or tables. Like the language files, all such files are in .txt format. These files
contain all the information required for the indicated product to be used with
the M-3G and M-20P. The number in the file name is the formal
documentation number used at DICKEY-john to identify the particular file.
These files must be transferred and saved on the computer’s hard drive
from the website by using the FILE, SAVE AS functions.
To download new products or languages:
1. Download the PMTutility.exe file and store it in a convenient location on
the computer.
2. Download the desired product/language file and store in a similarly
convenient location using the FILE, SAVE AS functions.
IMPORTANT: Do not use copy/paste as file terminators may be lost.
3. Remove the battery cover panel from the M-3G or M-20P and connect
the unit to the computer using a common peripheral USB cable (type A
male to type B male).
4. Initiate the PMTutility.exe file by double clicking on the file.
5. Power up the M-3G or M-20P. The sequence of connecting the unit,
initiating the PMTutility.exe file, and turning the unit on is not critical.
Once the unit is powered on, the power time-out feature will be
overridden to prevent the unit from automatically powering down.
6. Using the computer, determine how many product files are currently in
the unit. If all 4 product file allocations are being used on the M-3G, or
all 20 allocations are being used on the M-20P, one must be deleted if
a new one is to be added. Such deletion must be accomplished prior to
sending a new product file to the unit.

OPERATOR’S MANUAL
M-3G/M-20P Operation and File Handling
11001-1361-200512
DOWNLOADING CALIBRATIONS 15
7. Open the new product file using FILE or FILE, OPEN. The contents of
the file will appear in the file viewer window. Select SEND FILE. The
new product file will be sent to the M-3G or M-20P.
8. Power the unit off by holding down the On/Home key. Disconnect the
USB cable. Power the unit back up to verify the new product
information is available for selection.
Other file transfers are beyond the scope of this document, including
calibration file transfers that allow the M-3G or M-20P to collect
calibration data and transfer the data to a computer for calibration
development.
Normalization files are used to calibrate the unit at the factory or service
center.
A diagnostic file may be used to convey information to the computer
regarding the last test run on the M-3G or M-20P. To develop this file in the
unit, the diagnostic mode must be enabled (a menu selection under the
Setup screen). This is typically used for troubleshooting.
On/Home key

OPERATOR’S MANUAL
M-3G/M-20P Operation and File Handling
11001-1361-200512
16 DOWNLOADING CALIBRATIONS

OPERATOR’S MANUAL
M-3G/M-20P Operation and File Handling
11001-1361-200512
MAINTENANCE 17
MAINTENANCE
CHECKING BATTERY VOLTAGE
The unit provides a warning when the battery is low and should be
replaced. A battery symbol will appear on the display, which must be
cleared by the user by pressing the Enter key. When the battery becomes
too low for reliable operation, a battery symbol will be displayed but is not
clearable by the user.
To check battery voltage (See Figure 8):
1. From the Main menu, select SETUP and press the Enter key.
2. On the Setup screen, select INFO and press the Enter key.
3. On the Info screen, the unit will display the part number, serial number,
software version, model name, DICKEY-john phone number, and
battery voltage.
Figure 8
Battery Voltage Information
BATTERY REPLACEMENT
A high quality 9V alkaline battery is recommended. To replace the battery,
unsnap the battery cover panel retention lever and remove the panel. The
cover panel has a fingernail grip to aid in its removal. Replace the battery
and reinstall the cover panel. Press the panel retention level until it is
sealed.
BATTERY STORAGE
It is recommended that the battery be removed when storing the M-3G or
M-20P (i.e., over winter). It is also recommended that a new battery be
installed at the start of each season.
Enter key

OPERATOR’S MANUAL
M-3G/M-20P Operation and File Handling
11001-1361-200512
18 MAINTENANCE