background image

Taking Measurements 

 

Be sure to press down firmly on the center of the meter with approximately 3 pounds of force to ensure 
good sensor plate contact with the wood surface. This is especially important on rough-sawn lumber.  Do 
not take readings where there is a noticeable defect or knot in the lumber. 
 
If there is visible surface moisture or water, wipe off any excess, and let the surface of the wood dry-out 
for a couple of minutes, then take the reading. If possible, turn the board over and measure the other side. 
If the thickness of the piece is greater than 3 inches, it is a good idea to take measurements on both sides. 
 
Ensure that there is nothing (especially your hand or metal) under the material you are measuring. The 
actual moisture sensing area is a 2½ inch by 2½ inch rectangle on the meter’s backside (opposite side of 
the display panel). In order to take a valid measurement, this sensing area must be completely covered by 
the wood you are measuring. If the sensing area is not completely covered, your moisture reading will be 
inaccurate. 
 
Additional meter corrections may be necessary if you are measuring Raft Wood (salt water permeated), or 
lumber treated with CCA, ACQ or any other treatment with metallic or other components that might bias 
the moisture readings.

 4

 

 
 
 

Meter Calibration 

 

The meter has been calibrated at the factory and should not require re-calibration. If you need to have the 
calibration verified, please contact the Wagner Meters Sales Department to purchase a calibration 
verification block if you don’t already have one.  Should the meter need to have a calibration adjustment, 
it will need to be returned to Wagner Meters Technical Services Department. 

 
 
 

Meter Storage 

 

For a long service life, it is important to store your meter properly.  Avoid excessively hot or  cold 
locations.  Do not store the meter in an area with excessive electro-magnetic interference, such as near an 
electric motor, or where it could be crushed, such as in front of a forklift.  Do not leave the meter in an 
operating kiln during the drying cycle. 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Summary of Contents for L601-3

Page 1: ...Reference Calibrated for Douglas fir INSTRUCTIONS And Species Adjustment Tables Model L601 3 Hand Held Moisture Meter 1 800 634 9961...

Page 2: ...CTIONS 4 TAKING MEASUREMENTS 5 METER CALIBRATION 5 METER STORAGE 5 QUESTIONS ANSWERS 6 SPECIES ADJUSTMENT TABLE 11 SPECIFIC GRAVITY VS MOISTURE CONTENT 14 OTHER MATERIALS 15 ZERO ADJUSTING 16 WARRANTY...

Page 3: ...ness cross section method used when performing the ASTM D 4442 92 oven dry lab method This ASTM standard and its international counterparts is the standard to which all moisture meters for wood are co...

Page 4: ...ur species and the corresponding meter reading Example Your meter reading is 13 Figure1 Your species is Basswood American Locate your species in the tables provided Find the species in the appropriate...

Page 5: ...covered by the wood you are measuring If the sensing area is not completely covered your moisture reading will be inaccurate Additional meter corrections may be necessary if you are measuring Raft Wo...

Page 6: ...y companies use their hand held meters from Wagner Meters to read right through the plastic wrapping around the wood on new deliveries before they allow unloading 3 Where Readings are Taken Q Where is...

Page 7: ...n measure accurately with this hand held meter from Wagner Meters A Model L601 3 measures boards as narrow as 2 in width 6 Board Thickness Q What board thickness can I measure A Model L601 3 meters ar...

Page 8: ...ngth and breadth However using a hand held moisture meter from Wagner Meters you can quickly and easily scan 4x lumber on both sides 4 x 4 s on all four sides Then only the center 1 5 8 would be unmea...

Page 9: ...it does Note It s important on rough material to use some pressure and hold the meter down firmly against the wood Occasionally the measurement of exceptionally rough material may necessitate adding 1...

Page 10: ...e wood is to be used in construction as a stud for building the moisture content requirement could be 15 to 19 If the wood is to be glued and it is too dry it will not bond if it is too wet it will no...

Page 11: ...5 16 5 17 5 18 5 19 5 20 5 21 5 22 5 24 0 25 0 26 0 27 0 28 0 29 0 30 0 31 0 32 0 33 0 34 5 35 5 0 47 Cedar Eastern red cedar 6 0 7 0 8 0 9 0 10 0 11 0 12 0 13 0 14 0 15 0 16 0 16 5 17 5 18 5 19 5 20...

Page 12: ...2 5 23 5 24 5 0 50 Magnolia Southern 5 5 6 5 7 5 8 5 9 5 10 5 11 5 12 0 13 0 14 0 15 0 16 0 17 0 18 0 19 0 19 5 20 5 21 5 22 5 23 5 24 5 25 5 26 5 27 0 28 0 29 0 0 44 Mahogany African 7 0 8 0 8 5 9 5...

Page 13: ...0 0 35 Pine Western white 8 5 9 5 10 5 11 5 12 5 13 5 14 5 15 5 16 5 18 0 19 0 20 0 21 0 22 0 23 0 24 0 25 0 26 0 27 0 28 0 29 0 30 0 31 0 32 0 33 5 34 5 0 42 Primavera 7 0 8 0 9 0 10 0 11 0 12 0 13...

Page 14: ...5 11 5 12 0 13 0 14 0 15 0 16 0 17 0 18 0 19 0 19 5 20 5 21 5 22 5 23 5 24 5 25 5 26 5 27 0 28 0 29 0 0 51 5 5 6 5 7 5 8 0 9 0 10 0 11 0 12 0 13 0 14 0 15 0 15 5 16 5 17 5 18 5 19 5 20 5 21 5 22 0 23...

Page 15: ...nt area contains more moisture than another i e measurements that do not require a high absolute accuracy SG formulas can t be applied to non solid wood species due to the presence of glues and resins...

Page 16: ...igure 1 until the needle rests precisely on the lowest mark on the scale Figure 2 2 Remove the DRY BOX ZERO cap Figure 1 Hold the meter in midair so that the bottom is level and several feet from any...

Page 17: ...ime Wagner Meters recommends purchasing a calibration verification block or returning the unit to the factory for diagnostic checkup and recalibration on the anniversary date of purchase each year the...

Page 18: ...18 NOTES...

Page 19: ...grantee or manufacturer could void the user s authority to operate such equipment This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules Operation is subject to the following two conditions 1 This device...

Reviews: