"Mending" my moisture meter

[Richard_C]

I have a cheap moisture meter, 5 years old, probably not accurate but good enough for firewood and to check progress on seasoning wood for turning. It lives on a shelf in the workshop/garage. Came to use it last week and it was all over the place, read 8% as soon as it was switched on. Took the batteries out, cleaned the pins and contacts, generally shook it and blew air down a hole, still behaving randomly.

So I hung it on the end of the kitcen radiator by its wrist strap, left it for 2 days, now its fine. Must have been condensation on the circuit board deep in the bowels of the device.

I do like it when you can fix things for free

 

[Bingy man]

I read the 1st paragraph and was about to comment ( just buy a new one ) but I decided to read it all .yeah it’s always good to repair it if you can .. it’s never a good idea to leave the batteries In though.,

 

[Stigmorgan]

I read the 1st paragraph and was about to comment ( just buy a new one ) but I decided to read it all .yeah it’s always good to repair it if you can .. it’s never a good idea to leave the batteries In though.,

I've lost count of how many times I've sorted through stored boxes to find things with blown batteries all corroded and nasty

 

[Bingy man]

It can be an expensive day out that’s for sure - definitely best avoided. I think modern day alkaline batteries are better than they were but with the cost of anything electronic these days unless it’s used everyday then as above to be safe ..

 

[Amplidyne]

Had a couple of things just lately with forgotten batteries in them. I use Energiser now, they're the only modern ones I've found that don't leak in storage.
Had some fake ones a while back though from a well known online source. So beware.
I try to keep electronics in the house as much as possible. They really don't seem to like being stored out in the garage / workshop.
As I've said before my OH has been unwell since just after the New Year, having had four toes amputated in early January.
I haven't had any time to spend out there, and anyway, it's been cold, and I haven't got any heating set up in there yet.
Had a look the other day, and I wiped my lathe down with rust preventative, and had a general check round, all OK as far as I can see.

 

[Cozzer]

It's the electronic digital calipers with button batteries I tend to forget.
I measure about three things, remember to turn it off, and carefully put in down...any slight nudge and the bloody thing turns on again.
Come to use it again a week later....and the battery's flat as a proverbial...

 

[Bingy man]

Had a couple of things just lately with forgotten batteries in them. I use Energiser now, they're the only modern ones I've found that don't leak in storage.
Had some fake ones a while back though from a well known online source. So beware.
I try to keep electronics in the house as much as possible. They really don't seem to like being stored out in the garage / workshop.
As I've said before my OH has been unwell since just after the New Year, having had four toes amputated in early January.
I haven't had any time to spend out there, and anyway, it's been cold, and I haven't got any heating set up in there yet.
Had a look the other day, and I wiped my lathe down with rust preventative, and had a general check round, all OK as far as I can see.

Sorry to hear of your OH,s issues wish him/ her a speedy recovery and hopefully the weather will break soon and get you back in the workshop ..

 

[Bingy man]

It's the electronic digital calipers with button batteries I tend to forget.
I measure about three things, remember to turn it off, and carefully put in down...any slight nudge and the bloody thing turns on again.
Come to use it again a week later....and the battery's flat as a proverbial...

The auto off function is well worth having on electronics if possible..

 

[Cabinetman]

My moisture meter eats batteries if they are left in it, not used all that often but it gets expensive so the only thing for it is to always remove it -don’t even bother with the battery case cover which helps to remind me.

 

[MorrisWoodman12]

It's the electronic digital calipers with button batteries I tend to forget.
I measure about three things, remember to turn it off, and carefully put in down...any slight nudge and the bloody thing turns on again.
Come to use it again a week later....and the battery's flat as a proverbial...

I suffer with the same problem but it's OK as long as I remember to lock the sliding part of the anvil down so it can't move. Otherwise it's a PITA.

 

[MorrisWoodman12]

You could always spray the electronics with a conformal coating. That's what was specified when I was designing electronic stuff which would be used in a damp environment. An aerosol can can be bought from the likes of RS Components or Farnell.

 

[Cozzer]

I suffer with the same problem but it's OK as long as I remember to lock the sliding part of the anvil down so it can't move. Otherwise it's a PITA.

Ah yes....pains in the....
There are lots around, the older I get.
My 1 year old Labrador is a PITA, for example...
The thigh cramp that woke me up at 4.15 this morning was a PITA. (Well, almost - see what I did there?! )
These new statins that I've been advised to take are a PITA to remember to take.
A fairly common side-effect is leg cramps, apparently.... Thanks, doc. That's all I need...even more leg cramps. In what way can that be good for you?!

 

[Amplidyne]

Sorry to hear of your OH,s issues wish him/ her a speedy recovery and hopefully the weather will break soon and get you back in the workshop ..

Thanks for the good wishes. I'll pass your message on to her.
I don't want to wish my life away, but I shan't be sorry when the first part of this year is over for multiple reasons.

 

[Amplidyne]

It's the electronic digital calipers with button batteries I tend to forget.
I measure about three things, remember to turn it off, and carefully put in down...any slight nudge and the bloody thing turns on again.
Come to use it again a week later....and the battery's flat as a proverbial...

If you can afford it, get a Mitutoyo caliper. They appear to be damp proof. The batteries last for ages, and there's no auto off. I've forgotten it a time or two, and when I've come back to it it's still reading the same. Battery drain must be miniscule when switched on.
Mine's 4 years old in April. Not heavily used, but still on the original silver oxide battery it came with.
(Watch the battery be flat now!)

 

[Bingy man]

If you can afford it, get a Mitutoyo caliper. They appear to be damp proof. The batteries last for ages, and there's no auto off. I've forgotten it a time or two, and when I've come back to it it's still reading the same. Battery drain must be miniscule when switched on.
Mine's 4 years old in April. Not heavily used, but still on the original silver oxide battery it came with.
(Watch the battery be flat now!)

I have the mitutoyo vernier, had it several years ago and I’m on the 2nd battery and I don’t always remove them but I do use it frequently..