TotalCheck MOISTURE METER/THERMO-HYGROMETER Owner’s Manual Version 3.02 For Total Check Meters starting with Serial #12468 Delmhorst Instrument Co.
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE GENERAL DESCRIPTION & FEATURES 4 OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS 5 NAVIGATION 5 INSTALLING THE BATTERY 5-6 TO POWER THE METER ON 7 METER USE 7 BASIC & ENHANCED MODES 7 USING THE METER IN BASIC MODE 7 To Take Pins Readings in Basic Mode 7-8 To Set the Alarm in Basic Pin Mode 8 To Change the Temperature Correction 9 To Take Scan Readings in Basic Mode 9 To Set the Alarm in Basic Scan Mode 10 To Take TEMP/RH Readings in Basic Mode 10 To Reset the Meter to Default Setti
TAKING A READING – PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS 24 Testing Wood 24 Paint Failure & Moisture 24-25 EIFS 25 Using the 0-100 Numerical Reference Scale 26 Testing Concrete Slabs for Flooring Applications 26-27 Measuring RH in Concrete Slabs 27 Testing Insulation 27-28 Testing Drywall 28 Care of Your Meter 29 Service for Your Meter 29-30 Warranty 31 Species List 32 Copyright 2006, Delmhorst Instrument Co.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION/FEATURES: Thank you for your purchase of Delmhorst Instrument Co.’s newly designed TotalCheck handheld combination moisture meter/thermo-hygrometer. TotalCheck provides the user with a host of data acquisition capabilities, and offers the latest in features and functionality. Even with its wide range of functions, TotalCheck is intuitive and easy to operate. We recommend that you read the following pages in detail to take full advantage of all that TotalCheck has to offer.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS -USER GUIDEThis guide provides step-by-step instructions on powering up, using and powering down the meter. NAVIGATION: The meter uses an on-screen, menu-driven approach to navigate through the meter features, allowing for an intuitive understanding of keypad functions. Each screen presents the user with a number of selectable options. One of the options is always selected and the user can move (navigate) the selection to any other available option.
2. Ensure correct polarity, and push the battery in flush with the bottom board until the connectors snap together on both sides. 3. Replace the battery compartment lid. IMPORTANT NOTE: DO NOT REMOVE THE BATTERY WITHOUT TURNING THE METER OFF FIRST. BATTERY REMOVAL WHILE THE METER IS ON MAY CAUSE LOSS OF STORED READINGS AND MAY CORRUPT THE STORAGE MEMORY. IF THIS OCCURS, CERTAIN FUNCTIONS (SUCH AS STATISTICS, READING RECALL, ETC) WILL FAIL AND LOCK UP THE METER.
TO POWER THE METER ON: To turn the meter on, press and hold the SELECT button for approx. 2 seconds. The first screen will temporarily display the meter name and the software revision level. Refer to this revision level whenever you call Customer Service. The next screen is the MAIN MENU. Use the keys to select the desired function/mode and then press SELECT to activate the function.
3. Use the key to highlight the default material (Douglas Fir) if you wish to change it to a different material. Press the SELECT key to get into the SELECT MATERIAL sub menu. 4. Use the keys to highlight the material you are testing. Press the SELECT key to choose that material. This will bring you back to the main %MC READ screen. 5. Use the keys to highlight the pin type selection. Press the SELECT key to toggle between 4-pin (non-insulated) pins and 2-pin (insulated) pins.
Drywall: Concrete: 1.0% 68 (on the 0-100 relative scale) Note: The default alarm setting in scan mode is 300. TO CHANGE THE TEMPERATURE CORRECTION: TotalCheck defaults to a temperature of 70ºF. As wood temperature increases, its electrical resistance decreases and indicated moisture content rises. Lower wood temperatures result in lower indicated moisture content. A correction is necessary if the wood temperature is outside the range of 50ºF (10ºC) to 90ºF (32ºC).
2. You may begin taking readings by firmly pressing the back of the meter onto the material. This will display a relative reading that ranges between 0 and 300. TO SET THE ALARM IN BASIC SCAN MODE: 1. If you wish to set the alarm to beep after a pre-selected relative value is reached, use the keys from the SCAN screen to highlight the ALARM. Press the SELECT key to enter the alarm sub menu. 2. The default status of the alarm is “OFF.” Press the SELECT key to turn it on. 3.
TO RESET THE METER TO DEFAULT SETTINGS IN BASIC MODE: 1. Use the keys from the BASIC main menu to highlight #4: DEFAULTS. Press the SELECT key. The meter will display the following question: 2. Use the keys to answer “YES” or “NO.” If you answer “yes,” the meter will return to factory default settings in basic mode; i.e. Species = Douglas Fir, Temperature correction = 70 F, Alarm = OFF in pin mode. In Scan mode, Alarm = “off.
3. Use the key to change the job number. Press the key and highlight DONE. Press SELECT to save that job number. If it is a new job, the “Create Job” screen will appear as follows: At the “Create Job” screen, you may select the material being tested, specify the temperature at which measurements will be taken, and select an alarm value, if desired. All parameters are alterable while taking readings in the new job, except for the species.
1. To change the temperature, use the keys from the CREATE JOB sub menu to highlight the temperature, T: 70ºF. 2. Press the SELECT key to enter the COMP TEMP sub menu. 3. Using the keys, scroll up or down to a higher or lower temperature value. Temperature values will change in 5º F increments. 4. To change between C and F, press the SELECT key when the COMP TEMP is highlighted. TO SET THE ALARM IN ENHANCED PIN MODE: 1.
This screen contains the following information: material, pin setting, temperature correction, Job #, alarm setting, mode, and memory used. 3. Insert the pins into the material. The meter will start taking measurements in one of the two following ways, depending on whether it is set for CONTINUOUS or TRIGGERED mode. To choose between TRIGGERED or CONTINUOUS, use the and keys to highlight MODE, and then press the SELECT key to toggle between TRIG and CONT.
2. You may begin taking readings by firmly pressing the back of the meter onto the material. 3. This will display a relative reading that ranges between 0 and 300. TO SET THE ALARM IN ENHANCED SCAN MODE: 1. If you wish to set the alarm to beep after a pre-selected relative value is reached, highlight option #1: SCAN MODE from the ENHANCED main menu. This will bring you to the SCAN screen. 2. Use the and keys and highlight ALARM: OFF. Press the SELECT key to enter the alarm sub menu. 3.
2. The meter will begin taking readings. As a default setting the RH reading will be the most prominent on the screen. If you would like to make another variable (temperature, GPP/GPK or dew point), the prominent reading, use the and keys to highlight your selection. Press the SELECT key to choose that variable. MAIN MENU OPTIONS: STORAGE: The Storage Menu groups all meter features related to measurement storage, retrieval and manipulation.
The fifth line shows the Coefficient of Variation for the specific job. Selecting “MORE” gives the user access to the second set of statistical data. Selecting “DONE” returns the user to the storage menu screen. NOTE: The second set of calculations may require significant processing time, depending on the number of readings stored in the specific job. The meter will display a screen with the word “PROCESSING…” while calculations take place. User input is ignored during this time.
2. Use the keys to highlight MC readings or RH-T readings. Press the SELECT key to choose your selection. 3. By using the keys you may select which job and location you wish to view. If there are no readings in a job, the following screen will display: If there area readings saved to a job, the following screen will display: After you have made your job selection, scroll to DONE and press the SELECT key. A complete record of information per reading will be displayed.
in the selected job. If left unchanged, the first reading to be reviewed will be number 1. Readings may only be reviewed in ascending sequential order. Using the keys, the left-side value can be changed in increments of 10. For example, assume the selected job contains 23 readings. The View Set entry will begin by displaying “1 TO 23”. Successive Right button presses will yield the following: “11 TO 23” and “21 TO 23”.
IR LINK: This meter option initiates a wireless communication session during which the currently stored readings will be downloaded to a PC. Before using this feature, the target PC must be loaded with Delmhorst Instrument Co.’s Universal Application Program and a Delmhorst base unit must be connected to an available USB port.
may also be pressed before communication is started between the Base Unit and the meter. The meter, base unit and Application Program all have ample delays built in to allow the other link components to come online in any sequence. TROUBLESHOOTING THE IR LINK: Most problems tend to occur due to the positioning of the meter relative to the base unit. There are a few error messages that may appear on the meter’s screen: a.
Return to Main Menu: This menu option returns the meter to Main Menu. The meter also returns to Main Menu if no user input is detected for 20 seconds. Set Date and Time: This menu option allows user access to the date and time set screen: The Date and Time set screen is populated with the time and date values present in the meter at access time. key action switches the row selection among available parameters.
setting for this feature is “NO”, where the backlight is completely disabled. Backlight shutdown delays are 10, 20, 30sec. It is recommended that the backlight delay be set to the minimum amount of time necessary in order to maximize battery life. Conversions: This menu option allows the user to change the temperature scale from Fahrenheit (default) to Celsius. You can also change the electrode type from 4-pin (or non-insulated) or 2-pin (insulated.
Set the meter’s parameters as described previously in the owners’ manual. If the species (construction-grade only) is unknown, set the meter to the reference calibration, Douglas Fir and take the readings at face value. To take a reading, align the contact pins parallel to the grain and push them to their full penetration into the wood, if possible. Insulated pins read only at the tip and can be driven to the desired depth. Press the SELECT button and read the moisture content on the meter scale.
Porch columns that do not have good drainage and ventilation where they rest on porch floors Siding or any other wood that is in contact with the ground may absorb moisture Siding and shingles without sufficient lap so that water is forced up through cracks by wind pressure Ice dams Condensation of vapor within hollow walls EIFS (Exterior Insulation & Finish Systems) * Moisture intrusion problems in EIFS (also known as synthetic stucco) stem from leaking window frames, improper use of or lack of
should be evaluated in the light of factors such as type of paint, type of construction, and climatic conditions. The user-selectable alarm will sound if the displayed reading is above the alarm value. TESTING CONCRETE SLABS FOR FLOORING APPLICATIONS Moisture meters are an effective tool to check moisture in concrete. They can tell you where there may be excess moisture and help determine if you need to conduct further testing.
MEASURING RH IN CONCRETE SLABS: When using the hygrometer feature, TotalCheck can be used to measure the RH in a concrete slab in accordance with the ASTM F-2170-02 Standard Test Method for Determining Relative Humidity in Concrete Floor Slabs. Basic Test Procedure: Drill 5/8-inch hole in concrete to the appropriate depth and remove debris from the holes. Insert a CS-2 concrete sleeve into the hole and plug the sleeve with the cap that is provided with each sleeve. Wait approximately 72 hours.
To take a reading, push the contact pins into the Sheetrock® to their full penetration, if possible. Press the SELECT button and read the moisture content on the meter scale. The meter displays the %MC for two seconds. To add a reading to the previously stored readings, release the SELECT button if you are in triggered mode. If you are in continuous mode, the meter will not store a new reading until the SELECT button is pressed and released again during the reading cycle. Note: Readings between 0.
CARE OF YOUR METER Store your meter in a clean, dry place. The protective carrying case provided is an ideal storage place when the meter is not in use. If the meter has been left in a hot or cold environment overnight or for an extended period, the calibration of the pinless mode may be adversely affected. Under these conditions, allow the meter to acclimate to the temperature conditions in which it will be used for minimum 1-2 hours, or as long as possible.
Warranty repairs will be returned at no charge if shipped within the U.S. via UPS Ground Service. Freight charges for expedited services (i.e., Federal Express, UPS/2 Day, UPS/1 Day, etc.) are the customer’s responsibility and will be charged as per the above terms. Copyright 2006, Delmhorst Instrument Co.
WARRANTY Delmhorst Instrument Co., referred to hereafter as Delmhorst, guarantees the TotalCheck meter for one year from date of purchase and any optional electrodes against defects in material or workmanship for 90 days. If, within the warranty period of the Model TotalCheck, you find any defect in material or workmanship, return the meter following the instructions in the “Service for Your Meter” section.
SPECIES LIST: The following 71 species are programmed in the meter. The default species is Douglas Fir.
