Merlin EVO SM User Manual

USER MANUAL

EVO SM

WOOD MOISTURE METER

Excellent Business Conditions.

for non-destructive measurement of wood products

with a roughly sawn surface

2 User Manual EVOww/EVOSM— Version 2016/1 ©

USER MANUAL

Non-destructive

Wood Moisture Meter

EVO WW (wood work)

EVO SM (saw mill)

Hints of the manufacturer (read in any
case before using the meter)

Thank you for buying a MERLIN Moisture
Meter! Please read the instructions
carefully. Helpful hints are marked
“IMPORTANT”. See page 23 for a
summary.

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1. Technical Specifications

EVO WW (wood work)
EVO SM (saw mill)

Scanning depth

EVO WW : 20 mm
EVO SM: 40 mm

Min. wood thickness

EVO WW :13 mm
EVO SM: 25 mm

Density range

175 - 1075 kg/m³

Timber group

1 - 21

Resolution

0,1 % humidity; 0,5 °C/°F

Measuring range

2 - 30% wood humidity* (test area to max. 99%)

Temperature range

-10 °C to +60 °C (0,5 °C), 14 to 140 °F (0,5 °F)

Operating temperature

0 °C to 40 °C, 32 to 104 °F

Storage temperature

-20 °C to +60 °C, -4 to 140 °F without batteries

Temp. Compensation

automatically

Menu language

German, English, French, Spanish, Italian,
Portuguese, Czech, Russian

Power supply

4 x 1,5 V AAA Alkaline batteries

Aut. Shut off function

after approx. 3 minutes

Power input

35 mA (incl. display lightning)

Display

128 x 64 matrix display

Dimensions

124 mm x 71 mm x 30 mm

Weight incl. batteries

175 g

Protection class

IP40

Scope of supply

EVO WW/SM, Soft case, batteries, user manual

* see page 19 Exceedance of measuring range

Version October 2016, Version 1.0

MERLIN Technology GmbH, Austria

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2. Description of EVO-meters

Application area:

The MERLIN® meters are designed for
measurement of timber products with
planed (EVO

WW) and roughly sawn

surface (EVO

SM).

Front:

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HOW DOES IT WORK

As soon as the sensor plate is in contact
with the surface of the wood, measuring
starts. The processor of the instrument
analyses the sensor readings and displays
the result as a percentage of moisture
content in the wood

( E VO 5, 1 3 , 2 5 )

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3. Set up

The battery cover is located on the front
side of the meter below the display and
the buttons. To insert the batteries push
the battery cover opener underside and
connect 4 pcs. 1,5 V AAA batteries.
Carefully put battery cover back on. Your
meter is now ready to work.

IMPORTANT: When you first receive the
instrument, check for loose parts. If you
notice any rattling noises, don’t put the
battery in, return instrument to your
dealer. During transport the meter may
have been damaged.

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4. Turn meter on

Turn the meter on by pressing the ON-

button and release it after approx. 3
seconds. The display flashes up. Now the
serial number, software version and
battery status appear. Afterwards the
meter is ready for measurement. To turn

off the meter push the ON-button
again and release it after approx. 3
seconds. The meter will turn off
automatically after approx. 3 minutes if
you do not push any button.

IMPORTANT: If there are no numbers
displayed after depressing the ON-button

, press and release the ON button

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again, but with longer period between.
Take care to push only one button! If the
display remains off, check the batteries.
The batteries could be discharged or
disconnected

5. Display lighting

To turn on the display lighting push the

button. Attention! High power

consumption, use only if necessary.

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6. Timber table

* l = light (coarse), h = heavy (fin)

For many species the density of
heartwood and sapwood differs.
For the denser heart wood correct the
wood group settings by (+1), for the
lighter sapwood correct the wood group
settings by (-1) to obtain more accurate
readings.

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7. Measurement

The operative meter shows following
values on the display:

Choose the wood species or dry density
by pushing the  or  button. The wood
species are in ascending order of dry
density. Select a timber group by pushing

the ON/OFF Button . If you cannot find
the desired wood species in the menu of
the meter please use the timber table
mentioned above (page 9).

Temperature

Minimum

thickness
(wood)

Dry density

Wood species
Wood moisture

Evaluation

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After adjustment of desired wood species
press the meter with appropriate support
pressure (ca. 4 kg) against the measured
material. The actual moisture content is
displayed instantly.

In addition an evaluation of the moisture
appears on the display.
There are four distinctions:

Dry - Optimal - Moist - Wet

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Below the lower measuring limit (below
2%) no evaluation is displayed.
Division limits for the evaluation:

EVO

WW

EVO

SM

Dry 2 - 8 2 - 10

Optimal 8,1 - 11 10,1 - 15

Moist 11,1 - 17 15,1 - 20

Wet 17,1 – max. 20,1 – max.

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!Please note!

The values are recommendations without

guaranty and without liability for a

standard application and can be different

in each individual case, especially for non-

standard applications e.g. other values

are valid for damp room or laminated

wood. To be absolutely sure seek advice

from professional associations or the

norm as well as supplier specifications.

Take advantage of non-destructive wood
moisture measurement by not only
measuring at one point of the wood, but
move the meter along the wood. The
wood is absolutely dry or wet in only few
cases. Using this measuring method you
can quickly determine an average value
of the timber or find too moist resp. too
dry areas. In terms of measurement
accuracy we recommend to measure
along the fibre direction.

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IMPORTANT: For highest accuracy of the
measurement, the surface of the boards
should be planed and even. For very
rough lumber the measured value could
be too low and a special correction factor
should be determined to obtain accurate
readings. Should dry density of the
measured wood deviate from average
dry density (g/cm³) (control density
selection), it is necessary to correct the
density downwards (sapwood, rough
grained) or upwards (heartwood, fine
grained).

Wood which is smaller than the sensor
pad or uneven is not measured
accurately. The sensor pad differs in size
depending on the model

EVO WW 45 x 103 mm

EVO

SM 66 x 103 mm

The entire sensor pad has to cover the
measured material. The sensor pad has
to be laying on a flat wood surface. The

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meter needs to be slightly pressed
(approx. 4 kg) against the wood while
obtaining measurements. Ensure that
there is no metal or similar material
underneath the wood. This can influence
the measurement.

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8. Hold function (key icon)

In case you have no straight sight to the
display (e.g. at overhead measurements)
you can use the hold button (key icon) to
save the actual measured value on the
display. In this case all four button
symbols change to the key icon. To
continue with further measurements
press any key.

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9. Determine wood group setting for

unlisted wood species

For accurate readings the wood group
setting should be determined according
to ISO 3130 or DIN 52183. For
approximate readings, we suggest the
following procedure:

 Measure Length, width and

thickness of a block of wood in
cm.

 Multiply Length x Width x

Thickness to find Volume in cm³.
Weigh the block of wood in
gram and estimate the wood
moisture content in %. For
improved accuracy the wood
moisture content can be
determined by an oven dry test.



(100 x Weight/Volume) / (100 +

Wood Moisture Content x 0,5) =
Density

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Example:

Length = 100 cm, Width = 12 cm,
Thickness = 2,55 cm
Volume = 3060 cm³
Weight = 1415 gram at approx. 15 %
wood moisture content,
Density = (100 x 1415 / 3060)/(100 + 15 x
0,5) = 0,43 g/cm³
Dry Density: 0,43 g

Choose wood density 420 by pressing the
button  or .

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10. Exceedance of measuring range

The accuracy has been optimized for the
main application range between 2 % and
fibre saturation point of wood. Variation
from the oven dry test may occur in case
the measured value exceeds the fibre

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saturation point (Ex. max. = exceedance
of measuring range). This variation might
be high due to a very dry outer layer and
a wet core inside the wood.

Measuring values in grey show you that
the actual wood moisture is out of the
measuring range mentioned above!

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11. What is also important

The meters can be used in ambient
temperatures between 0 °C (32 °F) and
max. 40 °C (104 °F). The meter can be
stored without batteries at temperatures
from -20 °C (-4 °F) up to +60 °C (140 °F).
To avoid battery leakage it is advisable to
remove the batteries if you do not use
the meter for a long time. Avoid high
moisture areas for storage. The meter
can be affected by static electricity close
to electrical wiring. Static electricity may
be the reason for irratic readings - change
location. Please handle the meter
carefully. Remove dirt (resin or water)
before measuring. The display of the
meter may get damaged if dropped.
Please remove water drops on your
meter immediately.

Attention! Avoid compressive stress on

the soft case – it could turn on the device.

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The temperature of the measured

material should have approx. the same

temperature as the moisture meter.

Temperature differences of above 5°C

can affect the measurement results

negatively. The meter should adapt to

the climate for several minutes.

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SUMMARY:

 Slightly press instrument towards

wood surface, when taking a
reading

 Select the appropriate wood species

(dry density) using the  or 
button. Perform measurements
along the fibre direction

 To obtain averages or maximum

values slide meter with the grain
across the wood

 Measuring evaluation: the values

are recommendations with no
guarantee and without liability. To

be sure catch up the council of the

norm or trade association as well as
the supplier regulation

 No foreign objects under the wood

(except polystyrene)

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 If you do not use the meter for a

long time, remove the batteries

 If batteries are low, a battery

symbol lights up

 Always handle the meter with care

 If a species is not listed on the

Timber Table, see page 17 to
determine the wood species

 At an exceedance of the measuring

range (measurement result on the

display is transparent) the

measurement

is above the

measurement range

 Always remove dirt from the

measuring surface

 The temperature of the wood

should be close to the temperature
of the instrument.

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 The sensor pad must be completely

covered by the measured material

 Consider maximum measuring

depth and minimum wood thickness

 You run an average measurement

based on the measurement surface

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12. Warranty

MERLIN warrants the EVO WW and EVO

SM moisture meters to be free from

malfunctions and defects in both
materials and workmanship business to
business for 6 months and business to
consumer 2 years from date of
purchase.

If the EVO

WW or EVO SM moisture

meter doesn’t function properly during

the warranty period due to defects in
either materials or workmanship,
MERLIN will, at its option, either repair
or replace the instrument without
charge, subject to the conditions and
limitations stated herein. Such repair
service will include all labor, as well as
any necessary adjustments and/or
replacement parts.

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Limitations -

This warranty becomes null and void if
you fail to pack your EVO

WW or EVO

SM meter in a manner consistent with

the original product packaging and
damage occurs during product
shipment.

This warranty doesn’t cover:
circumstances beyond MERLIN’s

control, service required as the result of
unauthorized modifications or service,
misuse, abuse, failure to follow

MERLIN’s operating or maintenance

instructions.

Repair or replacement without charge

are MERLIN’s only obligation under this

warranty. MERLIN will not be

responsible for any special,

consequential or incidental damages
resulting from the purchase, use, or
improper functioning of this equipment
regardless of the cause.

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13. Nonliability

Such damages for which MERLIN will
not be responsible include, but are not
limited to, loss of revenue or profit,
downtime costs, loss of use of the
equipment, cost of any substitute
equipment, facilities of services, or
claims of your customers for such
damages.

IMPORTANT-

We recommend to prevent faulty
results in measurements please check
your meter reading results within a
adequate time period by the dry oven
test according to DIN 52 183 Standard.

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REPAIR SERVICE - In case of malfunction
please follow the instructions in this
manual. If the malfunction is still in
process send your instrument in
original packaging to your geographical
agent or directly to MERLIN.

Agents and employees of MERLIN are
not authorized to make any
modifications to this warranty or
additional warranties binding MERLIN.

This warranty is personal to the

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14. Accessory (optional)

Test board PP2

It is a pleasure for us to inform you
about our full range of MERLIN®
moisture meters.

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Excellent Business Conditions.

15. Technical support

Local dealer

or

MERLIN® Technology GmbH
Hannesgrub Süd 10
4911 Tumeltsham
AUSTRIA
Tel. [phone]
Fax [phone]
www.merlin-technology.com
[e-mail]

Date / Stamp

merlin-technology.com

MERLIN® Technology GmbH

Hannesgrub Süd 10

4911 Tumeltsham / Ried i.I.

AUSTRIA

Tel [phone]

Fax [phone]

[e-mail]

Seit 1995