Protimeter TimberMaster BLD5605 User manual

PROTIMETER
TimberMaster
Protimeter Moisture Meter
(BLD5605, BLD5609, BLD5605-SW, BLD5609-SW)
Amphenol
Advanced Sensors
INS5605-EN Rev. D
February 2018
Instruction Manual

Page 2 Protimeter TimberMaster
1Safety Considerations
Caution note for the WME pins - The Pin Moisture
measurement pins are extremely sharp and the
instrument should be handled with due care. The pins
should be covered with the cap provided with the unit when
the function is not in use.
Calibration of unit - The accuracy speciÛcations of
the product are valid for one year from the date of
calibration. Periodic calibration checking, as outlined in
section 4, is advised.
Only operate the measuring instrument properly, for its
intended purpose and within the parameters speciÛed
in the technical data. Readings from moisture meters are not
deÛnitive but are used to help a professional make informed
judgement to the material’s moisture condition. Conductive
material such as salts, carbon and metal can give false
positive readings.
2Pin (WME) Mode Operation
The Protimeter TimberMaster is a conductivity moisture
meter designed for use in wood. Moisture measurements
can be taken using the integral pin electrodes. When
used with the temperature probe, the moisture
measurements are automatically corrected with respect
to temperature. This feature is particularly relevant for
users testing wood that is signiÛcantly above or below
20°C (68°F).
TimberMaster is switched on by pressing and holding it
for a few seconds.
To switch OFF, press and hold for 3 seconds.
Unit turns off automatically after few minutes (can be set)
when no key press is detected.

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Protimeter TimberMaster
3Using the Protimeter TimberMaster without the
Temperature Probe
The TimberMaster is calibrated for wood at 20°C (68°F).
In general, the effect of temperature on the moisture
measurement calibration can be approximately
compensated as follows:
For every 5°C above 20°C, subtract 0.5%mc from the
value displayed.
For every 5°C below 20°C, add 0.5%mc from the value
displayed.
Examples:
Wood temp: 20°C, Moisture value: 15.5%. Temp correction: 0 moisture content: 15.5%
Wood temp: 25°C, Moisture value: 15.5%. Temp correction: -0.5 moisture content: 15%
Wood temp: 15°C, Moisture value: 15.5%. Temp correction: +0.5 moisture content: 16%
Wood temp: 30°C, Moisture value: 15.5%. Temp correction: -1 moisture content: 14.5%
Wood temp: 10°C, Moisture value: 15.5%. Temp correction: +1 moisture content: 16.5%
3.1 Reading with Integral Electrode Pins
Remove the cap to expose the needle electrodes and
switch the instrument ON by pressing . Select the
appropriate wood calibration scale (A, B, C, D, E, F, G,
H or J) by referring to the enclosed Protimeter wood
calibration tables and pressing . Push the pins in to
the surface of the wood and observe the reading.
3.2 Reading with Moisture Probe or Hammer
Electrode
Connect the moisture probe or (optional) hammer
electrode to the 3.5mm socket at the right hand side
of the TimberMaster, and switch ON by pressing .
Select the appropriate wood calibration scale (A, B, C,
D, E, F, G, H or J) by referring to the enclosed Protimeter
wood calibration tables and pressing . Drive the
moisture probe pins or hammer electrode needles in to
the wood and observe the reading.
4Using the Protimeter TimberMaster with the
Temperature Probe
If the timber being measured is signiÛcantly above or
below 20°C (68°F), the TimberMaster should be used
in conjunction with the Temperature Probe. When this
probe is connected the TimberMaster, it automatically

Page 4 Protimeter TimberMaster
corrects the measured moisture value with respect to
temperature.
4.1 Automatically Temperature Corrected (ATC)
Readings
Switch the TimberMaster ON and select the appropriate
wood calibration scale as detailed in section 3.1 or 3.2.
Using either a hammer electrode, or a hammer and nail
of nominal 2mm diameter, make a hole in the wood
to be tested. Remove the hammer electrode or nail,
and push the temperature probe into the hole until the
tip is at the required depth. Connect the temperature
probe to the TimberMaster via the 2.5mm socket. To
obtain the ATC moisture value, take moisture readings
as detailed in sections 3.1 or 3.2 while the temperature
probe is positioned in the wood and connected to
the TimberMaster. If the temperature of the wood is
assumed to be equal to the ambient air temperature,
ATC moisture values can be obtained by holding the
connected temperature probe in air. Switch between
temperature and moisture displays by pressing .
5Calibration Check
The calibration of the TimberMaster is checked by
holding the electrode needles across the exposed
wires of the “calcheck” device (supplied) or across
the terminals of the protimeter check box (optional
accessory). When checking the calibration, the A scale
should be selected and the temperature probe must be
disconnected. Correctly calibrated TimberMaster will
register a (%MC) value in the range of 18.0 ± 1%.
6Care and Maintenance
When the TimberMaster is not in use, keep it in its pouch
together with its accessories. Store the kit in a stable,
dust-free environment out of direct sunlight. Remove the
battery from the instrument if it is to be stored for periods
of more than four weeks, or when the low battery power
symbol appears on the display. Check the condition of
accessories used with the TimberMaster instrument on
a regular basis and replace them if they become worn or

Page 5
Protimeter TimberMaster
damaged.
7Reference Mode
Measure the material until the meter’s reading is stable
then press for 2 seconds. This will store the reading
until the mode changes or the meter turns off. Now all
readings taken after will be displayed as normal, but
below you will see a second reading that shows you if the
material is measured above or below the original reading.
Reference mode can be useful when trying to establish
what materials are above or below a point of reference or
dry standard. See page 6 for furtherinformation.
8OperatingTimberMaster
8.1 Switch On:
Press the ON/OFF button.
The unit turns on, with the LCD displaying all the
segments and sweeping the LED bar graph.

Page 6 Protimeter TimberMaster
8.2 Reference Mode of Measurement:
Note: For application information, see Pin (WME)
Mode Operation> on page 2.
In Measure Mode, take the Ûrst measurement which
needs to be taken as reference. While the Ûrst reading is
displayed on the screen, press and hold the button for
2 seconds to enter the Reference Mode. The display will
be similar to the one shown on the next page.
To return to the normal measurement mode, press
again.
8.3 Settings:
Press and hold the button and switch on the unit by
pressing . Hold both buttons until the TimberMaster
displays the version.
Release both buttons while it shows the version number.
The unit enters Settings Mode.

Page 7
Protimeter TimberMaster
8.3.1 Buzzer ON/OFF Settings:
Once in Settings, go to Buzzer ON/OFF to turn the
Buzzer ON or OFF.
To change the settings, press the button.
If the unit detects no key press for 2 seconds in the
Setting screen, it moves to the next setting.
Pressing the button, after you have entered the
desired setting, will save the setting and move the screen
to the next setting.

Page 8 Protimeter TimberMaster
8.3.2 Backlight Settings:
Once the Buzzer Settings are entered, the next setting
turns the backlight ON or OFF.
To change the settings, press the button.
If the unit detects no key press for 2 seconds in the
Setting screen, it moves to the next setting.
Pressing the button, after you have entered the
desired setting, will save the setting and move the
screen to the next setting.

Page 9
Protimeter TimberMaster
8.3.3 Auto Off Time Settings:
When Auto Off is set, the unit will shut down
automatically at a speciÛed time between 1 and 6
minutes, if there is no key press detected within the set
time.
For example, if the Auto Off time is set as 1, then the unit
will automatically shut down after a minute when no key
is pressed.
The duration will change based on the set time of 1- 6
minutes.
If the auto off time is set to be “0”, then the unit will not
automatically turn off. A user must manually turn it off by
pressing and holding the button for 5 sec.
Turn off time can be set by pressing the button, and
can be saved by pressing .
After you save this setting, the unit will exit to the
measurement screen.

Page 10 Protimeter TimberMaster
8.4 Battery Low Indication:
Whenever the battery is low, there will appear a battery
low indication symbol on the screen (bottom right). This
indicates that the battery is low and should be replaced
soon. The unit will continue to perform in battery
condition within the speciÛed accuracy, and turns off
when the battery reaches the limit.
8.5 Holding / Freezing theReading:
While measuring, if the reading needs to be frozen for
any observation, press during measurement. A text
“HOLD” will be displayed on the screen.
9Battery Replacement
A 550mAh battery will last continuously for more than
20 hours for a TimberMaster in operation. A Battery Low
indication on the screen indicates that the battery needs
to be changed in a short time.
Remove the screw assembled to Ûx the battery lid on the
back side of the unit
Slide the battery lid downwards applying a little pressure
with the thumb to open the battery compartment.

Page 11
Protimeter TimberMaster
9 Battery Replacement (cont.)
Remove the battery, and replace. Care must be taken
to ensure that the polarity is correct as below. Place the
battery inside the compartment.
10 Technical Specifications
Operating Conditions:
Operating temperature range: 0°C to 50°C Humidity: 0 to
90% RH, non-condensing.
Moisture Measurement Specifications:
For integrated and remote pin probes:
Strong and reliable integrated pins, with a cap to protect
Pin measurement range (% MC in wood/%WME) - 7.9 to
99% (readings over 30% are relative).
11 Physical Specifications
Power:
9V- Alkaline 550mAh
Battery low indication on LCD
Size:
19cm x 6.5cm x 3.5cm (7.5” x 2.5” x 1.4”)
Gross Weight (without Battery)
~228g
Maximum Needle Depth
For WME pins: 0.4” (10mm)
Buzzer
Audible buzzer for key tone and measurement
indication, user conÛgurable
Regulatory Compliance
CE, RoHS, ETL

U.S.A.
Amphenol Thermometrics, Inc.
967 Windfall Road
St Marys, Pennsylvania
15857 USA
T: [phone]
U.K.
Amphenol Thermometrics
(U.K.) Limited
Crown Industrial Estate
Priorswood Road
Taunton, TA2 8QY, UK
T: [phone]
Amphenol
Advanced Sensors
MODEL : BLD5605 / BLD5605- SW
MODEL : BLD5609 / BLD5609-SW
www.protimeter.com
www.amphenol-sensors.com
Copyright ® 2018 Amphenol Thermometrics, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Protimeter TimberMaster® is a registered
trademark of Amphenol Thermometrics, Inc.