TRAMEX SKIPPER 5 User manual

USER GUIDE
SKIPPER 5
MOISTURE METER
FOR MARINE SURVEYING
- SMM5 -

1
SKIPPER 5 MOISTURE METER USER GUIDE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction ...........................................................................................3
The Tramex Meters App...........................................................4
SKIPPER 5 - How it works..........................................................5-6
Shallow Depth Functionality........................................7-8
Diagnosis..................................................................................................9
Osmosis in GRP.....................................................................................9
Wooden Boats ...................................................................................10
Instrument Features ..............................................................12-13
Operating Instructions..........................................................14 -17
ScalesandSensitivity.....................................................................15
Working With Your SKIPPER 5 .........................................18-27
SCALE 1 - Hardwood...............................................18-20
Wood Decking.....................................................................................19
DepthOfField Penetration..........................................................20
Relationship Between Relative Humidity and
Moisture Content ............................................................................21
Notes on Specific Gravity (S.G.)................................................21
How to use the Wood SGTables................................................22
SCALE 2 - Shallow Depth.......................................23-24
SCALE 3 - G.R.P. (Glass Reinforced Plastic)........25
Surveying Guidelines......................................................................26
Notes.......................................................................................................27
Limitations...........................................................................................28
Warranty.................................................................................................28
%MC
0-100

2
SKIPPER 5 MOISTURE METER USER GUIDE
WarrantyClaims..................................................................................29
Product Development .....................................................................29
Safety........................................................................................................30

3
SKIPPER 5 MOISTURE METER USER GUIDE
INTRODUCTION
Hi there! Thank you for trusting our brand and choosing
the Skipper 5, SMM5, fromTramex. It is our goal to
ensure that you are always happy with what you bought
from us, so please let us know if you have any questions
and rest assured, we are always here to help.
The Skipper 5 is a moisture detection instrument
that uses the latest in electronic technology to take
non-destructive moisture readings in GRP (Glass
Reinforced Plastic) and wooden boats. It enables you to
quickly check hulls and decks both inside and outside
for trapped moisture. Your Skipper 5 meter features
three Scales enabling you to select the correct scale for
the material and environment in which you are working.
1. HARDWOOD:
Gives you the percentage moisture content inWood.
%MC

4
SKIPPER 5 MOISTURE METER USER GUIDE
2. SHALLOW DEPTH:
Designed to have a field penetration of up to 10mm
(0.4 inches) on the comparative scale. This non-
destructive accuracy and precision is comparable to
actual pin readings.
3. G.R.P. (Glass Reinforced Plastic) :
A comparative scale for moisture detection to indicate
moisture levels in G.R.P. decks and hulls.
THE TRAMEX METERS APP
Visualize, photograph and Geo-tag your meter readings:
On pairing any of your Skipper 5 to theTramex Meters
App, the meter name will appear on the screen of your
phone or tablet.
You can take a photograph of the meter in the testing
location. The photo shows the readings displayed on the
bottom left hand corner of the screen and will be time-
stamped by your device. It is possible to Geo-tag the
image, providing vital supportive documentary evidence
for your moisture measurements and readings.
0-100

5
SKIPPER 5 MOISTURE METER USER GUIDE
SKIPPER 5 - HOW IT WORKS
The instrument operates on the principle that the electri-
cal impedance of a material varies with its moisture con-
tent. To measure / detect moisture, the three co-planar
conductive rubber electrodes mounted on the base of the
instrument case are pressed onto the wood or GRP sam-
ple. The instrument measures the electrical impedance
of the material being tested by creating a low frequency
alternating electric field between the electrodes.
This field penetrates the material under test up to a depth
of approximately 30 mm (1.25 inches), depending on ma-
terial being tested and range used, or 10 mm (0.4 inches)
in Shallow Depth mode.The very small current flowing
through the field is inversely proportional to the imped-
ance of the material. The instrument detects this current,
determines its amplitude and, after processing, drives
the pointer of the moving coil meter to the computed
moisture value.

6
SKIPPER 5 MOISTURE METER USER GUIDE
Shallow Depth:
10 mm or
0.4 inches
Regular Depth:
30mm or
1 1/4 inches
Skipper 5
As there is a wide variation in the nominal electrical
impedance of different material types, the instrument
is provided with three selectable scales which are
optimized for testing:
1. Hardwood
2. Shallow Depth
3. G.R.P.

7
SKIPPER 5 MOISTURE METER USER GUIDE
SHALLOW-DEPTH FUNCTIONALITY
The Skipper 5 incorporates non-destructive dual-depth
functionality. The regular non-destructive penetration
depth is 30mm (1 ¼ inches) when using :
Scale 1 - Hardwood;
Scale 3 - G.R.P;
(The depth of field penetration will depend on the density
of the material being tested.)
Scale 2 - The Shallow Depth scale is designed to have a
field penetration of up to 10mm (0.4 inches).
Shallow depth penetration allows for:
• Comparative readings at different depths to help
establish the depth of any moisture within GRP
composites or other structure materials.
• Moisture testing with a smaller footprint for
greater accuracy and precision of the readings
within GRP composites or other structure materi-
als. This non-destructive accuracy and precision is
comparable to actual pin readings.

8
SKIPPER 5 MOISTURE METER USER GUIDE
NOTE:
While the Shallow Depth scale reduces the influence
of any deep moisture beyond 10mm (0.4 inches), the
regular depth does not eliminate the moisture near or
on the surface. The regular depth gives readings from
the surface to a depth of up to 30mm (1 ¼ inches).
Using the Dual-Depth functionality by switching between
the appropriate ‘regular depth’ scale and shallow depth
scale, allows for a comparative of ‘surface’ versus
‘surface + core’’ moisture.
• Shallow Depth reads the surface or top 10mm only.
• ‘Regular depth’ scales read the surface and the core
up to 30mm.
• A comparative of moisture conditions both ‘surface’’
and ‘surface + core’ can be made on this basis.

9
SKIPPER 5 MOISTURE METER USER GUIDE
DIAGNOSIS
Your Skipper 5 can be used to diagnose trapped mois-
ture which can contribute to osmosis in GRP boats and
rot and decay in wooden boats and wooden components.
The Skipper 5 is also essential in monitoring drying out
of hulls and other boat components prior to remedial
treatment.
Osmosis in GRP
Use Scale 3 G.R.P. when checking GRP boats.
Osmosis is a general term used to categorise a condition
where GRP degrades under water. This degradation is
caused by water penetrating the gel coat and react-
ing chemically with uncured resins, binders and other
elements in the GRP lay-up. Once reaction takes place,
pressure builds up and eventually blisters form.
Osmosis is most often found on the underwater area of
the hull or immediately above the waterline. If the Skip-
per 5 gives a high reading, it may indicate osmosis. It is
recommended that the immediate area is thoroughly
examined for blistering or other evidence of osmosis.
(Note that some anti-foulings may give elevated read-
ings due to the presence of conductive material in its
composition. In these circumstances, it is suggested
that the anti-fouling be removed and further testing
carried out on the area.)
0-100

10
SKIPPER 5 MOISTURE METER USER GUIDE
The Skipper 5 can be used to monitor the drying out
prior to the remedial treatment. Tramex Ltd. cannot
accept any responsibility for incidental or consequen-
tial damage or cost caused as a result of using this
instrument.
Wooden Boats
Use Scale 1 Hardwood forWooden boats.
Moisture readings for wood should be read from the
top scale of the meter markedWood %MC, which gives
percentage of moisture by weight from 5% to 30%. In
wooden boats, excess moisture trapped in the wood
itself or beneath layers of paint or within joints in keel,
bow etc. can lead in time to rot, decay and structural
damage. As with a GRP boat, your Skipper 5 is a useful
preventative maintainance tool which can be used for
the annual examination of the hull above and below the
waterline, decks, cabin and inside and outside the boat.
The Skipper 5 can also be used to ensure the wood is
sufficiently dry to accept paint or other coatings.
%MC

11
SKIPPER 5 MOISTURE METER USER GUIDE
Important
Always drain water from the bilges before inspecting a
boat as water from within the boat could be detected
through the hull by your Skipper 5. You may get a
slightly different reading from some species of wood
which may be of higher or lower density than 0.6 S.G.
(Hardwood), at which your Skipper 5 is calibrated. See
notes on Specific Gravity and reading adjustment on
page 21.

12
SKIPPER 5 MOISTURE METER USER GUIDE
INSTRUMENT FEATURES
Your Skipper 5 employs advanced analog and digital
technology to enable the incorporation of the many
features listed below:
• There are 2 scales on the meter face. AWood
Scale and Comparative Scale. Refer to the top
Wood scale when measuring moisture in wood
using Scale 1 - Wood, Timber; or when measuring
wood using Scale 2 - Shallow Depth. Refer to the
bottom Comparative Scale when testing all other
materials or when measuring other materials us-
ing Scale 2 - Shallow Depth.
• Four simple pushbutton controls, ON/OFF, SCALE,
HOLD/AUDIO and Bluetooth.
• Non-destructive moisture readings taken in wood
from 5% to 30% are displayed on a moving coil
meter with linear scale.
• Audio signal sounds when meter indicates high
reading.
• Comparative readings between 0 and 100 can be
taken in GRP.

13
SKIPPER 5 MOISTURE METER USER GUIDE
• Automatic supply timeout (5 minutes) conserves
battery life.
• Bluetooth connectivity, Tramex Meters App avail-
able to download for iOS and Android
• Supply timeout is automatically extended if a
change in meter reading is detected or if any but-
ton is pressed.
• 10 second bleep warning on instrument sounder
prior to end of supply timeout period.
• Last used scale is memorized at supply timeout
and automatically selected next time ON/OFF
button is pressed. If Bluetooth was selected prior
to the Skipper 5 automatically powering off it will
be restored next time ON/OFF is selected.
• LEDs illuminate for selected scale.
• HOLD/AUDIO button freezes moving coil meter
and LED will flash. HOLD facilitates readings
taken out-of-sight.
• If HOLD/AUDIO was selected prior to supply
timeout, the frozen meter reading is digitally
memorized and restored next time ON/OFF is
selected.
• If the battery voltage is getting low, the three
LEDs flash sequentially for a short period.The
Skipper 5 will continue to operate for some
time but it is recommended that the batteries be
changed as soon as convenient.

14
SKIPPER 5 MOISTURE METER USER GUIDE
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
The instrument face with brief notes on the push button
controls and LED indicators is shown below.
85mm
1 = Moving coil meter.
2 = LED Scale Indicators.
3 = Bluetooth ON/OFF button
4 = Bluetooth LED
5 = Hold/Audio button.
6 = Power ON/OFF button.
7 = Scale Select button.
1
160mm
5
4
6
3
2
7

15
SKIPPER 5 MOISTURE METER USER GUIDE
SCALES AND SENSITIVITY
Scale 1 , when used with wood, will give a %MC reading.
Scales 2 and 3 have a preset sensitivity appropriate to
the density of G.R.P.

16
SKIPPER 5 MOISTURE METER USER GUIDE
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
1. Press the ON/OFF button to power up. The LED
for the last used scale will light.
2. To change the scale, press the the Scale Select
button until the LED opposite the required scale
lights.
3. Hold your Skipper 5 directly on the material being
tested ensuring the electrodes on the base are
fully in contact with the surface.The meter should
be held by the rubber grips when taking readings.
It is advised to not slide the meter across the sur-
face under test. Place the meter on the surface,
record the reading, lift and repeat.
4. For wood or wood products read the moisture
content from the upper line (Wood) of the meter
dial which is marked from 5% to 30%. Audio sig-
nal will sound when meter indicates high reading.
5. To turn audio signal on or off, press HOLD/AUDIO
button twice in quick succession.
6. To turn Bluetooth On/Off, press the Bluetooth
button. The blue LED will iluminate when on.
7. For G.R.P. comparative readings are taken from
the lower line on the meter dial, which is marked
from 0 to 100.

17
SKIPPER 5 MOISTURE METER USER GUIDE
9. The instrument will automatically power-off
after five minutes if no button is pressed or if no
change in meter reading is detected. If a button
is pressed or the meter reading changes, the
power-off will be extended for a further five
minutes.
10. To freeze readings press the HOLD/AUDIO
button once. While on Hold, the LED for the
selected scale will flash slowly. This facility is
extremely useful if readings are being taken in
areas where it is difficult to see the instrument
dial. To remove freeze, press the HOLD/AUDIO
button again..
Best Practice
It is advised when using the Skipper 5 with the App
to avoid sliding or dragging the meter across the
surface under test. Place and press the meter on
the surface, record the reading, lift and repeat.

18
SKIPPER 5 MOISTURE METER USER GUIDE
WORKING WITH YOUR SKIPPER 5
SCALE 1 - HARDWOOD
a. When testing Wood, select Scale 1 and lightly
press the rubber electrodes directly to the surface.
Read the moisture % from the top line of the
analog dial where calibration is marked from 5% to
30%. If readings are in the high range (red) and if
the audio is turned on, it will sound when readings
go above 18%.
b. If switched on, the audio signal will sound when
readings are above mid-scale.
c. For better accuracy, always take readings with the
length of the instrument parallel to the direction of
the wood grain.
d. Acceptable levels of moisture content depend on
climatic conditions and we advise you to check the
levels acceptable in your area. The table on page
21 shows the approximate relationship between
the ambient relative humidity and equilibrium
moisture content in woods.
e. As a rule of thumb and depending on climatic con-
ditions, exterior wood is generally considered safe
for painting when the moisture content is 14% or
below. Wood below 10% is generally considered
suitable for interior painting. (Always check coat-
ing manufacturers recommendations).
%MC

19
SKIPPER 5 MOISTURE METER USER GUIDE
f. The following moisture content levels are given
as a guide:
• Indoors wood: 6% in low humidity areas. Up
to12% in higher humidity locations.
• Exterior wood: 10% to 15% depending on local
humidity levels.
• Generally, wood moisture content in excess of
23% - 27% is susceptible to rot.
• Wood moisture content in excess of 18% - 20%
may support mold and biological growth.
• Wood above 28% moisture content is consid-
ered to have reached fibre saturation point.
When taking readings in chemically treated wood,
it is advisable to allow for possible effects that
the treatment may have on readings.The pres-
ence of different treatments, adhesives, etc. on
or within products could affect measurements.
Wood Decking
Excess moisture in wood decking or wooden ribbing or
framework can cause major problems, as will moisture
trapped in balsa cored construction.