Operating Instructions

5
HANDLING OF TRANSMITTERS:
Transmitters have been designed for everyday use in a harsh kiln environment. However,
damage (mechanical and to the circuitry) can occur if these guidelines are not followed to avoid
conditions of abuse:
Lithium Batteries can only take mechanical shocks to a certain degree. A free-fall of a transmitter
on a hard surface can lead to internal short circuits of the battery.
In consequence the battery is drained and the transmitter will fail. When transmitters get stuck
between the boards during the drying process in the kiln, they must not be freed by means of a
hammer or the like for the same reason.
It should be generally avoided to get the transmitters stuck between boards because this can
also lead to excessive mechanical stress for the battery.
When in doubt it’s better to have MCT-Transmitters hang from their probe wires.
The probe wires and the wood temperature sensor cable are not intended to be used as pulling
devices when the transmitter gets stuck to the lumber. The same is true for the antenna. Don't
disconnect the wires from the probes and don’t remove the wood temperature sensor from the
hole in the wood by yanking on the transmitter.
PLACING OF TRANSMITTERS:
The stainless steel banana plugs of the probe wires (MCT-TX or MCT&WT-TX) can either be
permanently connected to an EMC-Station or to electrodes (probes) that are placed in wood to
measure the moisture content.
The electrodes must be placed in the wood in predrilled holes of 3mm (5/32") at a distance of
30mm (1 1/4").
The wood temperature sensor (WT-TX or MCT&WT-TX) is placed in a hole in the wood that is
no smaller than 8mm (5/16”).
Position transmitters so that the antennas are pointing outwards from the pack.
Don't "bury" them in the packs. They need some "air" between them and the Data Collectors.
If they are completely surrounded by wet lumber, then the radio frequency signal will be
weakened too much. Placing the packs in the kiln with a small gap between each other not only
improves airflow but also opens up an unobstructed path for the radio signal.
If MC-based drying schedules are used right from the beginning of a kiln charge, then it can be
necessary to place at least 2 MCT-Transmitters on the OUTSIDE of the lumber packs.
Readings from these 2 MCT-Transmitters can be used for the average MC at the beginning of
the kiln charge when the lumber is wet and when transmitter signals originating from within the
packs might be unreliable.
When more or all wood probes recover, the average MC can be based on the readings coming
from all valid MCT-Transmitters placed within the packs.