You have purchased one of the most accurate moisture measurement instruments for wood in the world.
Using patented electromagnetic wave technology, hand-held moisture meters from Wagner Meters have
been proven by universities and institutes worldwide to provide superior measurement results.
With its electro-magnetic field, your Wagner moisture meter covers a relatively large cross-sectional area
each time you take a reading, giving you a far better representation than other technologies of the true
moisture content of your wood. Pin-type meters only measure a very small area, and only at a particular
depth, giving you very limited insight into the true moisture content of the wood. Very short, noninsulated pins are especially prone to just reading the surface of your wood. Wagner moisture meters read
IN the wood, not just on the wood.
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The 2
/2 inch wide by 21/2 inch long by 1 inch thick sensing area of your Wagner moisture meter closely
approximates the full-thickness cross-section method used when performing the ASTM D 4442-92 ovendry lab method. This ASTM standard (and its international counterparts) is the standard to which all
moisture meters for wood are compared for accuracy.
Other importan t features of Wagner hand-held moistu re meters inc lud e :
• The L601-3 DF Meter uses advanced electromagnetic wave technology to accurately measure wood
moisture content.
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• Virtually unaffected by wood temperature or surface moisture.
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• The "Wood-Friendly"™ L601-3 DF moisture meter does not damage your wood or its surface while
taking accurate moisture readings.
Since 1966, Wagner Meters has been providing quality moisture measurement equipment. Wagner Meters
is the leading supplier of moisture measurement equipment for the primary forest products industry.
Wagner Meters’ technology has been proven to provide some of the most accurate results in the industry
when compared to this worldwide standard. Closely scrutinized and approved by numerous university
studies and used for years by professional wood-grading associations, moisture meters from Wagner
Meters continue to provide reliable and consistent moisture measurements, with unsurpassed convenience
and ease-of-use.
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Figure 1
Instructions
TO OPERATE, press and release the ON button. Take readings by pressing the bottom of the meter to
the wood surface. The meter will automatically shut off after 60 seconds of inactivity.
Read the % MC on the panel meter (Figure1). If the wood is Douglas fir, the scale reading
indicates the % MC in the wood.
If the wood is not Douglas fir, you must make a species correction.
SPECIES ADJUSTMENT TABLES are provided in this manual. When measuring a species other than
Douglas fir, use the tables to locate your 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 row.
Find the meter reading in the appropriate column. Where row and column
intersect is the actual reading for Basswood, American—16.5%.
THE LOW-BATTERY l ight will come on when the battery needs replacing. Replace with either four
AA alkaline or NiCad rechargeable batteries, ensuring the battery polarity is correct.
CALIBRATION is factory set. Factory calibration can be verified using a calibration verification block
(CVB). The CVB is for calibration verification only. NEVER calibrate your moisture meter to this
device.
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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.
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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.
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Questions & Answers
#1 Theory of O peration
Q: How do Wagner Meters’ hand-held moisture meters operate?
A: Hand-held moisture meters from Wagner Meters send technologically advanced electromagnetic radio
waves deep into the wood without leaving destructive holes. Known around the world for speed and
accuracy, meters from Wagner Meters supply instant readings, scanning large amounts of board feet in
seconds. Virtually unaffected by temperature and humidity*, they scan right through finished products.
* For frozen wood with up to 15% moisture content, accurate measurements can be obtained. When the
frozen lumber moisture content is suspected to be over 15%, a relative reading can be obtained. Contact
Wagner Meters Technical Support if additional guidance is needed.
#2 Gradients and Wet Pockets
Q: What about gradients and wet pockets?
A: Although the various drying processes for green lumber can leave wet cores and pockets, moisture
continues to pass from fiber to fiber within the wood until it has equalized throughout the whole board,
and then continues to equalize to surrounding humidity levels. Determining if a board or load of lumber
will equalize within tolerance levels can be difficult and tricky, but moisture meters from Wagner Meters
provide this information automatically. Penetrating deep into the wood, they mathematically determine
equalized moisture content and are capable of checking truckloads of board feet for specified moisture
content in minutes. For even more convenience, many 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 Re adings are T aken
Q: Where is the reading taken with a pin-type meter? With a hand-held from Wagner Meters?
A: Pin-type Meters take their measurements at the depth that you’ve been able to drive the pins and only
in a line between the non-insulated portion of the pins (often only the tips). In contrast, hand-held
moisture meters from Wagner Meters generate a three-dimensional field that measures a 2 ½" wide, 2 ½"
long, 1" (minimum) thick volume of wood under the entire sensor.
Q: When compared to a pin-type moisture meter, why does my Wagner hand-held moisture meter give
me a truer picture of the moisture content?
A: If you’re using a pin-type meter, the moisture content you are reading is determined by the micro-thin
path the electricity takes to travel from one pin to the other. In effect, it measures only the moisture
content of that very tiny path. If there is a single wet fiber between the pins, the electric charge will flow
easily along that fiber and cause pin-type meters to exaggerate the moisture content in the wood when in
fact it is just a very small fiber that is wet. If the place you choose to drive the pins into the wood is
simply extraordinarily dry and untypical of the rest of the piece you will get an exaggerated dry reading.
Unlike pin-type meters, hand-held moisture meters from Wagner Meters take an average of the moisture
content discovered in the full scan of the three-dimensional field, meaning small wet fibers are not read as
large wet spots. Plus, it only takes seconds to scan the entire board.
6
Questions & Answers (continued)
#4 Surface Moisture
Q: Is my moisture meter from Wagner Meters affected by surface moisture?
A: Most moisture meters can be affected by standing water or visible water on the board. You should
always wipe off as much excess water as possible. Once the standing water is removed, your moisture
meter from Wagner Meters will read slightly higher than normal, whereas other types of meters can show
greatly exaggerated readings. An exception to this is the Wagner Meters Model L607. This unit was
designed to measure surface m oisture to test the cure of waterborne finishes.
Note: If water is allowed to soak into the wood, it will naturally show higher moisture content. If a piece
of wood is quite rough, it will soak up the water quite readily, affecting readings for all meters.
#5 Narrow Lu mber
Q: What is the narrowest piece of lumber I can measure accurately with this hand-held meter from
Wagner Meters?
A: Model L601-3 measures boards as narrow as 2 ½" in width.
#6 Board Thickness
Q: What board thickness can I measure?
A: Model L601-3 meters are designed to measure wood from 1 inch to 3 inches thick.
#7 Meter Orientation
Q: What about the orientation of the meter on the wood’s grain?
A: Your Wagner Meters L601-3 moisture meter uses advanced electromagnetic wave technology and is
completely unaffected by orientation (cross-grain or with the grain) on the wood.
#8 Meter Ruggedness
Q: How rugged is my L601-3 moisture meter? Is it too delicate to be used on an abusive production line?
A: The Wagner Meters L601-3 Moisture Meter is a tough production-line model. It can be damaged by
being dropped or slammed down hard on wood surfaces, as can any meter. If a large volume of wood is to
be measured, an in-line system should be used.
#9 Meter Safety
Q: Is the Wagner Meters technology safe to use?
A: Wagner Meter’s electromagnetic wave technology produces less electromagnetic radiation than
standard house wiring.
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Questions & Answers (continued)
#10 Wagner M eters Vs. P in-Type Meters
Q: How can I take accurate moisture readings without sticking pins into my wood? Why doesn’t my new
hand-held meter from Wagner Meters read the same moisture content as my old pin meter?
A: Pin-type meters work on a primitive resistance principle that basically measures the flow of electricity
through a substance. This method is subject to many environmental variables that can dramatically affect
moisture readings such as chemicals in the water trapped within the wood and the temperature of the
wood. Pin-type meter readings must always be corrected for any difference in temperature above or below
70 degrees F. Hand-held moisture meters from Wagner Meters use advanced electro-magnetic wave
technology and are sensitive to changes in density and the actual moisture content of the wood.
#11 4x or Larger Lumber
Q: Can I get accurate results on 4x or larger lumber?
A: No hand-held moisture meter can accurately read to the center of 4x material unless you are willing
and able to drive pins 1" into the lumber all the way up and down its length 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 unmeasured.
Note: Most wood grading agencies are generally not concerned about the moisture content in the center of
thicker beams and posts. They consider 1" deep scanning more than adequate.
#12 Relativ e Humidity
Q: What are the effects of relative humidity on readings with hand-held moisture meters from Wagner
Meters?
A: As long as there is not condensation on the bottom surface of the instrument there is no effect from
changes in relative humidity.
#13 Calibration
Q: Does my hand-held moisture meter from Wagner Meters need to be calibrated? If so, how often must
it be done?
A: Occasionally hand-held moisture meters from Wagner Meters require adjustment. However, the
process of checking zero points and calibration is very simple.
Note: Meters from Wagner Meters are originally calibrated at the factory. Type and amount of use will
determine how long this original calibration will last. A calibration verification block is available for the
customers who must check their calibration often. Anytime that the meter is not reading correctly on that
calibration block, it should be sent to the factory for calibration.
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Questions & Answers (continued)
#14 Veneers
Q: I have a very thin veneer over a doorstock and I’m trying to measure the moisture content of the core.
Can I measure accurately through laminated materials?
A: If you’re measuring an all-wood door with a very thin veneer wood laminate, you can probably use a
correction factor to determine the moisture content of the core material.
Note: If you’re measuring a door that has a plastic laminate or Formica-type laminate, the Formica
laminate is going to have its own density, which is going to affect the reading of the meter. You can
determine the variance caused by the laminate by first measuring only the core and then the core with the
laminate. For example, if the core measures 12% without the laminate and 13.5% with, you will then
know to correct your readings of the combined material by 1.5%.
#15 Rough Vs. Smooth Lumber
Q: Will hand-held meters from Wagner Meters work the same on rough lumber as they do on smooth
clean lumber?
A: There are little fibers in very rough material that actually allow a minute layer of air between the meter
and the main body of the wood. However, this should not materially affect the reading, or only slightly
lower the reading if 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 to 2% to
get an accurate reading.
#16 Plywood, Particle Board or Wafer Board
Q: Can you check moisture content of plywood, particle board or wafer board with hand-held meters?
A: Because of the glues and mixed species nature of these materials, it is very difficult to take reliable
moisture readings with pin-type or hand-held meters from Wagner Meters.
Note: If you would like to work up your own calibrations for materials you use repetitively, you can
contact Wagner Meters for guidelines an d sugg esti ons.
#17 Temperature
Q: Are the readings that I take with my hand-held meter from Wagner Meters affected by the temperature
of the wood like those taken with a pin-type meter? What about frozen wood?
A: Unlike pin-type meters which require corrections for temperatures above or below 70 degrees F, the
readings on the hand-held moisture meters from Wagner Meters are essentially unaffected by the
temperature of the wood. Moisture content can accurately be measured as soon as the hot wood is taken
out of the kiln. When the same wood is measured again hours later with the hand-held meter from
Wagner Meters, the readings stay consistently the same, unless the wood continues to dry during the
cooling process.
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Questions & Answers (continued)
For frozen wood, as long as the moisture content of the wood you are measuring is below 15%, you can
get reliable readings. When moisture content readings in frozen wood exceed 15%, you will need to make
corrections.
#18 Accuracy
Q: How accurate is the hand-held meter from Wagner Meters?
A: The moisture meter from Wagner Meters is as accurate, or more accurate than any moisture meter that
is on the market. This has been verified by several university studies.
#19 Correct Moisture Content
Q: What is proper moisture content for wood? What moisture content is considered too high or too low?
A: There is no one right answer for this question. As a rule, different woods and their uses determine the
moisture content. For instance, if the 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 not hold. Ideally, the moisture content of wood to be used for indoor furniture
is between 6% and 8%.
To determine the proper moisture content for your application, contact your local university’s forestry
department or one of the associations supporting your industry’s professionals. You may also call the
Forest Products Research Laboratory in Madison, WI: 608-231-9200.
Footnotes:
1 The L601-3 Meter scans an area 2 ½” x 2 ½” x 1” (minimum) deep.
2 Confirmed in university study – information available upon request.
3 Contact Wagner Meters technical support for guidelines when wood is frozen.
4 Contact Wagner Meters Technical Services for further information for these applications.
The hand-held moisture meters from Wagner Meters can be used to measure non-wood materials if the
density is similar to wood products. Non-wood species can be measured by using the meter reading as a
relative measurement device such as in “go/no-go” applications, or when determining if one measurement
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, which
cause a non -linear moisture content curve. If greater accuracy is required, the ASTM oven-dry procedure
can be used to determine a meter correction value for non-solid woods.
Please contact Wagner Meters at (541) 582-0541 for additional information on species corrections if
needed or visit http://www.wagnersg.com/
.
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Zero Adjusting
Figure 1
Figure 2
Physical
Dry Box
Figure 3
DO NOT USE THIS SECTION
OF THE MANUAL UNLESS
WARNING!
ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY!
BECAUSE of the stab ility of the circuit in these products, a person virtually never has to adjust the zero
setting.
ZERO ADJUSTING a meter is a two-step process. (1) With the power OFF, adjust the PHYSICAL
ZERO (Figure 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 object. Press and release the ON button; this will cause the needle to rest near the lower edge of
the DRY BOX. Insert a small screwdriver into the hole and adjust the DRY BOX ZERO until the needle
rests precisely on the lower edge of the DRY BOX (Figure 3).
Zero
Zero
PHYSICAL ZERO—Adjust
needle sits
until
DRY BOX ZERO—Adjust until
needle sits on lower edge of DRY
BOX.
on lowest mark.
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Warranty
Wagner Meters warrants this product against defects in material and workmanship for one (1) year from
the date of purchase, subject to the following terms and conditions:
“Wagner Meters’ liability under this warranty shall be limited, at Wagner Meters’ option, to the repair or
replacement of this product or any part thereof which is d emonstrated to be def ective. To exerci se this
warranty, visit www.wagnerrepairs.com
product has been damaged by accident, negligent handling, misuse, alteration, damage during shipment,
or improper service. Wagner Meters shall, in no event, be liable for any breach of warranty or defect in
this product, which exceeds the amount of the purchase price of the product. Wagner Meters shall not be
liable for incidental or consequential damages for the breach of any express or implied warranty with
respect to this product or its calibration.”
With proper care and maintenance, as recommended in the manual, the meter should stay in calibration;
however, because Wagner Meters has no control over the manner in which the unit will be used, it makes
no warranty that the meter will stay in calibration for any specific period of time. 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 meter is in service.
This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties, whether oral or written, express or implied. Any
implied warranties, including implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular
purpose, are excluded. Agents and employees of Wagner Meters are not authorized to make
modifications to this warranty or additional warranties binding on Wagner Meters. Accordingly,
additional statements, whether oral or written, except written statements from an officer of Wagner
Meters, do not constitute warranties and should not be relied upon by the customer.
This warranty is personal to the customer purchasing the product from Wagner Meters and is not
transferable.
Repair Service—In the event of damage or failure to your meter, contact Wagner Meters at
www.wagnerrepairs.com
* If parts are unavailable to repair we reserve the right to replace the meter with an alternative model with
equal or better accuracy and range
Email: support@wagnermeters.com
or by phone for complete shipping and repair inform ation.
Voice: (541) 582-0541
Fax: (541) 582-4138
Mail: Technical Services Departmen t
Wagner Meters
326 Pine Grove Road
Rogue River, OR 97537
Your meter will be repaired, calibrated
and returned promptly.
for instructions. This limited warranty does not apply if the
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NOTES
18
FCC Compliance Statement
Wagner Meters
www.WagnerMeters.com
500-60131-002 Rev. E
This equipment has been tested and found to comply within the limits for a Class B digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference in resid entia l insta l lation s.
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However,
there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.
If this equipment does cause interference to radio or television equipment reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference
by one or more of the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Move the equipment away from the receiver.
Plug the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is powered.
If necessary, the user should consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for
additional suggestions.
CAUTION: Only equipment certified to comply with Class B (computer input/output devices, terminals,
printers, etc.) should be attached to this equipment.
Finally, any changes or modifications to the equipment by the user not expressly approved by the 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 may not cause harmful interference, and
2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
Canadian Department of Communications compliance statement
This equipment does not exceed class B limits per radio noise emissions for digital apparatus, set out in
the Radio Interference Regulation of the Canadian Department of communications. Operation in a
residential area may cause unacceptable interference to radio and TV reception, requiring the owner or
operator to take whatever steps are necessary to correct the interference.
Avis de conformité aux normes du ministère des Communications du Canada
Cet équipement ne dépasse pas les limites de Classe B d’émission de bruits radioélectriques pour les
appareils numériques, telles que prescrites par le Réglement sur le brouillage adioélectrique établi par le
ministère des Communications du Canada. L’exploitation faite en milieu résidentiel peut entrainer le
brouillage des réceptions radio et télé, ce qui obligerait le propriétaire ou l’opérateur à prendre les
dispositions nécessaires pour en éliminer les causes.