General Tools MM1E User Manual v.1 [en, es, fr]

Please read this manual carefully and thoroughly before using this product.

PIN-TYPE LED BAR GRAPH

MOISTURE METER

USER’S MANUAL

MM1E

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 – 4

Key Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

What’s in the Blister Pack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Product Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Setup Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Install Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Operating Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 – 8

Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Replacement Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Return for Repair Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

User’s Manual (Spanish) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 – 21

User’s Manual (French) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 – 31

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INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing General Tools & Instruments’ MM1E
Pin-Type LED Bar Graph Moisture Meter. Please read this
user’s manual carefully and thoroughly before using the
meter.

The MM1E is designed for applications in woodworking,
building construction and home inspection. Examples include:

• Checking for moisture on or below the surface of
carpets and sub-flooring

• Measuring the surface moisture content of wood,
drywall and concrete before painting/wallpapering,
sealing or treating

• Locating water leaks in roofs, floors and walls

• Selecting dry lumber

The meter bases its measurements on the relationship
between the moisture content of a material and its electrical
conductivity. The wetter a material, the higher its conductivity.
The two replaceable steel pins at the top of the MM1E serve
as the electrodes of a conductance meter optimized for
measuring moisture content. The meter displays
measurements in the unit %WME (Wood Moisture Equivalent).

For hard materials like wood or concrete, the meter’s
readings largely reflect surface moisture content because:

1) Moisture close to a surface has a greater effect on a
reading than moisture deep below it; and 2) The pins of the
MM1E are only 3/8 in. (10mm) long and cannot be driven
deep into a hard material. For softer materials like soil, paper
or powders, readings are more likely to reflect the average
moisture level of the material between its surface and the
penetration depth of the pins (normally far less than 3/8 in.).

The MMD5NP’s front-panel bar graph of 10 LEDs measures
%WME (Wood Moisture Equivalent) over two different ranges:
7 to 15%, and 16 to 35%. A slide switch on the back of the
meter requires the user to choose the right range for the
material under test. The same switch functions as the power
switch. Whenever the meter is powered on, the bar graph
momentarily indicates remaining battery life. After powering
on, the meter’s calibration can be checked by inserting the
test pins into holes in the pin protection cover.

The MM1E is powered by a “9V” battery included in the
blister pack.

KEY FEATURES

• 10-LED display

• 7 to 35% measurement range, with separate High
and Low scales

• Protective cap doubles as calibration checker

• Full Battery and Low Battery indications

WHAT’S IN THE BLISTER PACK

The MM1E comes in a plastic blister pack along with a “9V”
battery, a protective cover for the test pins and this user’s
manual.

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PRODUCT OVERVIEW

The figure below shows all of the controls and indicators on
the front and the back of the MM1E, as well as the location of
the battery compartment on the back.

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Protective

Cover

HIGH and

LOW scale

lights

Battery

compartment

Power/Scale

switch

10-LED

bar graph

Test pins

(replaceable)

Calibration

check holes

FRONT

BACK

SETUP INSTRUCTIONS

INSTALL BATTERY

To open the battery compartment, turn the meter over and
push the flange on the bottom of the battery compartment
cover up with your thumb. Lift and remove the cover and set
it aside. Plug the included “9V” battery into the wired socket
inside the compartment. The terminals of the battery and the
socket mate in only one way, with the smaller male terminal
plugging into the larger female terminal. Close the battery
compartment by replacing its cover and snapping it shut.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

To power on the MM1E, slide the Power/Scale switch on the
back of the meter to the HIGH position.

Moving the switch should cause some or all of the LEDs on
the front panel to illuminate in sequence from bottom to top.
If no LEDs light, you can assume that the battery is dead and
must be replaced.

The number of LEDs that light corresponds to remaining
battery life. If all eight LEDs light, that means the battery is
fully charged. If only a few light, the battery is weak and
should be replaced soon.

A few seconds after the LEDs light, they will go dark. If most
of the LEDs lit up at power on, the HIGH LED at upper right
will light and remain lit. If only a few LEDs lit up, the HIGH
light will blink, indicating a weak battery that should be
replaced.

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To check the calibration of the MM1E, remove the
protective cap from the top of the meter, taking care not to
stab yourself with the two sharp pins beneath the cap. Then
turn the cap over and place its two holes over the two pins.
If the meter is calibrated, an LED at the 20%, 21% or 22%
position on the HIGH scale will illuminate.

To measure the moisture level of a material, place the test
pins on it. If the material has a moisture level between 16%
and 35%, one of the LEDs will light. The number at its right
indicates the moisture level in %WME.

If the moisture level is higher than 35%, the bottom LED will
light. This indicates that the material’s moisture level is
beyond the range of the MM1E. If the material’s moisture
level is less than 16%, no LED will light.

To determine whether the material’s moisture level is
between 16% and 35%, slide the Power/Scale switch on the
back of the meter to the LOW position. If one LED lights, the
number at its left indicates the moisture level in %WME. If no
LED lights, the material’s moisture level is less than 16% and
beyond the measurement range of the MM1E.

Some measurement tips:

1. To locate the source of a leak behind wood, plaster, drywall
or a ceiling, make measurements at different locations. The
leak is located when the meter displays the highest
reading.

2. Never use force to drive the pins into a hard surface.

3. When measuring the moisture level of soil, surface
readings will be lower than readings with the test pins
deep in the soil.

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4. Conductive or metallic objects will always light the lowest
LED on the bar graph, regardless of the selected scale.

5. Measurements of wood are skewed by two variables:
ambient humidity and the density of the wood species. The
best way to compensate for the effect of these variables is
to develop your own moisture level curves, based on your
experience working with different species of wood on a
day-to-day basis.

6. The MM1E has no auto power off function. To avoid
discharging the battery, manually power off the meter after
each measurement session by sliding the Power/Scale
switch on the back to the OFF position.

SPECIFICATIONS

Measurement Range 7 to 35% WME (Wood Moisture

Equivalent) over two scales: 7% to

15% (Low) and 16% to 35% (High)
Measurement Accuracy ±1 LED (~1%)
Pin Length 3/8 in. (10mm)
Calibration Check Point 21% ±1%
Low Battery Alarm Level <7.5V
Operating Temperature 32° to 140°F (0° to 60°C)

@<80% R.H.
Storage Temperature 23° to 140°F (-5° to 60°C)
Current Consumption <15mADC
Dimensions 6.5 x 2.7 x 1 in. (164 x 69 x 26mm)
Weight 3.2 oz. (91g)
Power Source “9V” battery (included)

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REPLACEMENT PARTS

The only replacement parts available for the MM1E are
replacement test pins (Part No. PIND4E). To order, visit
www.generaltools.com or call 800-697-8665.

WARRANTY POLICY

General Tools & Instruments’ (General’s) MM1E Pin-Type
LED Bar Graph Moisture Meter is warranted to the original
purchaser to be free from defects in material and
workmanship for a period of one year. Subject to certain
restrictions, General will repair or replace this instrument if
after examination it is determined by General to be defective
in material or workmanship.

This warranty does not apply to damages that General
determines to be from an attempted repair by non-authorized
personnel or misuse, alterations, normal wear and tear or
accidental damage. The defective unit must be returned to
General Tools & Instruments or to a General-authorized
service center, freight prepaid and insured.

Acceptance of the exclusive repair and replacement remedies
described herein is a condition of the contract for purchase of
this product. In no event shall General be liable for any
incidental, special, consequential or punitive damages,
attorneys’ fees, expenses, losses alleged to be a
consequence of damage due to failure of, or defect in any
product including, but not limited to, any claims for loss of
profits.

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RETURN FOR REPAIR POLICY

Every effort has been made to provide you with a reliable
product of superior quality. However, in the event your
instrument requires repair, please contact our Customer
Service Department. If the product is determined to require
repair under the General Tools & Instruments Warranty Policy,
you will be issued a Return Goods Authorization. The unit will
be sent via prepaid freight to the attention of our Service
Center at this address:

General Tools & Instruments
80 White Street
New York, NY 10013
212-431-6100

Remember to include a copy of your proof of purchase,
your return address, and your phone number and/or e-mail
address.

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