RDM 3 WOOD MOISTURE METER Owner’s Manual US version - 1.5 For RDM-3 Meters starting with Serial #11925 Delmhorst Instrument Co.
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE GENERAL DESCRIPTION & SPECIFICATIONS 3 OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS 4 NAVIGATION 4 BATTERY 4 POWER UP 7 METER USE 7 MAIN MENU 7 MOISTURE CONTENT READING 8 MODE – CONTINUOUS /TRIGGERED 10 TEMPERATURE COMPENSATION 10 CREATE/EDIT A JOB 11 SPECIES 12 ALARM 13 APENDING DATA TO A JOB 14 STORAGE MENU 15 VIEW STATISTICS 16 STORED READINGS 17 CLEAR MEMORY 19 RESTORE DEFAULTS 19 IR LINK TO PC 19 SETUP MENU 21 TAKING A READING 24 CARE OF YOUR METER 25 SER
1. General Description Thank you for your purchase of Delmhorst Instrument Co.’s RDM-33 handheld wood moisture meter. The RDM-3 follows a long line of “RDM” meters with data acquisition capabilities, even with its wide range of functions, the RDM-3 is intuitive and easy to operate. We recommend that you read the following pages in detail to take full advantage of all that the RDM-3 has to offer.
Operating Instructions Following are 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.
perform a PC download. Beware that any readings stored during the power cycle that included the battery removal WILL NOT be available and CANNOT be recovered. Once the download is complete, perform a meter reset by choosing “RESTORE DEFAULTS” in the Storage Menu. If a download is not necessary, go directly to “RESTORE DEFAULTS”. LOW BATTERY: The meter features a battery status monitor, designed to warn the user as well as protect measurement accuracy from impending battery failure conditions.
Fig. 1 Keypad Layout Copyright 2005, Delmhorst Instrument Co.
POWERING UP THE METER: 1. Press and hold the center (SELECT) button. 2. The meter switches on and displays the meter name and software version for a couple of seconds. If the button is released during this time the meter will turn off immediately. 3. Following the meter name/software version screen, the meter switches the display to the Main Menu and pre-selects the “MC Read” mode option. Release the SELECT button at any time now and the meter will remain ON.
o Setup: This menu option selects access to the rest of the meter features: Set Date and Time, Set Power-off Time, Set Backlight and Conversions o Off: This menu options turns the meter off. It should be noted here that the meter will remember certain configurable parameters through to the next power-up. Meter functions: MC READ: The RDM-3 operates on the principle of electrical resistance - it uses wood as the element in a circuit by driving two electrode pins into it.
The meter automatically configures MC READ Mode with the following default set of parameters when this feature is first accessed: o Default species: Douglas Fir o Default Temperature : 70F o Default Job Number: 1 o Default Electrode: 4P Nonins(ulated) o Alarm Off o Mode Trig An example of the main MC READ screen is shown below: This screen provides a complete snapshot of the current meter settings, as well as the current reading.
o The MEMORY status (bottom right corner) Selectable items: o MC reading (large text) o T (Temperature Compensation) o JOB (current job) o ALARM (current alarm setting) o MODE (current measurement mode) o EXIT (leave MC READ Mode) NOTE: The default selection on this screen is MC reading, which places the meter in measurement mode. Pressing the SELECT key causes a single reading to be taken (Triggered mode) or initiates a reading stream (Continuous mode).
UP and DOWN keys can be used to select one of three available options. If COMP TEMP is selected, use the LEFT and RIGHT keys to respectively decrease or increase the compensation temperature value. NOTE: The compensation temperature increments and decrements in steps of 5 deg F and 3 (or 2) deg C. Choose “DONE” to update the meter with the newly chosen temperature value, or “CANCEL” to ignore changes and return to the original compensation temperature setting.
Select “JOB” and use the LEFT or RIGHT keys to change the job number to the one desired. When finished, select “DONE”. To abandon, select “CANCEL”. If the selected job does not already exist, a “Create Job” screen appears, such as this: This screen offers the opportunity to configure the complete measurement environment, as applied to the new job. All parameters are alterable while taking readings in the new job, except for the species.
Once a new material/specie is selected, control returns to the Create Job screen. Click SELECT on the ALARM entry to configure meter’s set-point values: The “ALARM” feature in the meter provides the user with a set-point: readings above a specified value (considered “WET” or unacceptable) generate an audible alarm. The first reading breaking the alarm set-point will be signaled by four short beeps in quick sequence.
APPENDING DATA TO A JOB: If the chosen job does already exist, the user does not have the option to edit the existing job settings. An “Append Readings” screen appears: If YES is selected, the meter will retrieve the selected job’s settings (during this time a “PROCESSING…” message appears) and then switch back to the Pin Mode screen with the restored settings. If NO is selected, the meter returns to the Select Job screen. o ALARM: See the ALARM section described above.
There are no restrictions regarding measurement storage based on job number. For example, the user is free to take and store readings pertaining to job 3, then job 5, back to job 3 etc. The meter stores all readings in the order they were taken, placing markers in memory to keep track of each stored measurement’s job and associated information. The maximum storage capability of the meter is therefore determined by way in which it is used. Heavy use of the meter’s flexibility capabilities (i.e.
o View Statistics: This menu option selects the meter’s statistical analysis option. Selecting this option gives the user access to two sets of statistical data. A screen shot example of the first set is shown below: o The first line indicates the Moisture Content (MC) job being analyzed. o The second line shows the number of readings stored in the specific job o The third line shows the Average MC value for all stored readings in the specific job.
o The fifth line shows the value of the highest MC reading stored in the specific job. There are no control entries present in this screen, such as “MORE”, “CANCEL” or “DONE”. The only available option is to return to the storage menu screen, by pressing any key. o Stored Readings: This menu option selects the measurement review feature of the meter, allowing the user access to measurements stored in memory. Only readings belonging to the selected job will be retrieved.
A selected job containing readings offers two other selectable options: “VIEW SET” and “DONE”. o VIEW SET: This option allows the user to view a specific range of readings in a particular job, as opposed to the entire set, by providing a configurable start point. It becomes useful when large numbers of readings are present in the meter. View Set always begins by displaying “1 TO XXX”, where XXX is the maximum number of readings in the selected job.
o Clear Memory: This menu option will erase the storage memory while keeping the default meter settings intact. This feature offers accidental feature access protection through the use of a subsequent memory deletion confirmation screen: NOTE: Memory deletion is irreversible! o Restore Defaults: This menu option will erase the storage memory AND restore pre-programmed meter defaults.
receiving window of the Base Unit. Separation requirements between the meter and Base Unit are anywhere from 0 to 12 in. Operation: 1. Begin by starting the Delmhorst Universal Application Program (double click the application icon, or chose the program from the Start Menu). 2. Once the RDM3 and Base Unit are lined up and the Base Unit is connected to a USB port (a green LED should be lit), select the IR Link option in the Main Menu.
Troubleshooting The I/R 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. Timeout: This error message occurs when too much time has passed between data sent by the meter and the response that should have been received from the Base Unit. Possible causes: o Meter misalignment with the Base Unit (make sure the communication windows are facing each other, within the distance indicated).
Storage Menu entry descriptions: o 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. o 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. UP and DOWN key action switches the row selection among available parameters.
o Set Power_Off time: This menu option allows the user to change the amount of time allowed to lapse between the last key press and meter shut-down. Allowable range is 1min – 9min, with a default value of 2min. o Set Backlight: This menu option allows the user to change the amount of time allowed to lapse between the last key press and backlight shutdown. The default setting for this feature is “NO”, where the backlight is completely disabled. Backlight shutdown delays are 10, 20, 30sec.
TAKING A READING Refer to the “MC Read” section on page 8 to create a Job with the appropriate settings for species, temperature etc. . Remove the protective cover to expose the pins. Check that the contact pins are firmly hand tightened. Power the meter up as described on page 7, and make necessary conversions/setting changes. To take a reading, align the contact pins parallel to the grain and push them to their full penetration into the wood, if possible.
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. Re-charge the 9-Volt battery as needed. Continued use with a low battery may cause the meter to go out of calibration. Change contact pins as needed. Keep pin retainers hand tightened. Clean the meter and contact pins with any biodegradable cleaner. Use the cleaner sparingly and on external parts only. Keep cleaner out of the external connector.
WARRANTY Delmhorst Instrument Co., referred to hereafter as Delmhorst, guarantees its (Model RDM3) 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 RDM3), 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 69 species are programmed in the meter. The default species is Douglas Fir.
