Extol Craft 417440 Digital Moisture Meter

Introduction

The Extol Craft 417440 is a digital moisture meter designed for measuring the moisture content of wood, paper, cardboard, and building materials such as mortar, concrete, and plaster. It also features an ambient temperature measurement function. The device is pocket-sized, easy to use, and provides clear readings via an LCD display and LED indicators.

Features and Purpose of Use

This moisture meter is ideal for assessing the moisture level of firewood, as wet wood has significantly lower heating value and can lead to increased soot formation. The device displays the moisture percentage directly and uses LED indicators to provide a quick overview of the material's moisture level (low, medium, high). Measuring ambient temperature is also important as it influences material moisture readings.

Specifications

Display:

LCD

Measuring Range:

Wood: 6 – 60 %

Building materials: 0.2 – 2.9 %

Temperature: 0°C ~ 40°C or 32 – 99 °F

Resolution:

Wood: 1 %

Building materials: 0.1 %

Temperature: 1°C / 2°F

Accuracy:

Wood: ±2 %

Building materials: ±0.1 %

Temperature: not specified

Low Battery Indicator:

Symbol " " on display

Automatic Shut-off:

Yes

Hold Measured Value:

Yes

Power Supply:

4 x 1.5V LR44 button cell batteries or equivalent

Operating Conditions:

Temperature: 0°C ~ 40°C, Relative Humidity: <85 %

Storage Environment:

Temperature: -10°C ~ +40°C, Relative Humidity: <85 %

Dimensions:

85 × 46 × 16 mm

Weight:

40 g (including batteries)

Device Description

The device features:

• 1. Probe cover
• 2. Probes
• 3. LCD display
• 4. Moisture indicators (LEDs)
• 5. Control button

Understanding Display Symbols

• Low battery: The " " symbol indicates batteries need replacement.
• Wood moisture mode: The " " symbol indicates the device is set for measuring wood moisture.
• Building material moisture mode: The " " symbol indicates the device is set for measuring building material moisture.
• Percentage: Indicates moisture units (%).
• Celsius: Indicates temperature in degrees Celsius (°C).
• Fahrenheit: Indicates temperature in degrees Fahrenheit (°F).
• Hold function: The " " symbol indicates the measured value is being held on the display.

Operation

Inserting Batteries

Place the device on a flat surface with the display facing down. Open the rear cover and insert 4 new LR44 batteries, observing the correct polarity. Do not mix batteries of different charge levels.

Turning the Moisture Meter On/Off

Press the control button briefly to turn the device on. The device will automatically turn off after approximately 30 seconds of inactivity.

Selecting Measurement Mode

1. Press and hold the control button for approximately 3 seconds to enter the mode selection menu.
2. Briefly press the control button to cycle through the available modes: wood moisture (flashing " "), building material moisture (flashing " "), temperature in Celsius (flashing " "), and temperature in Fahrenheit (flashing " ").
3. Once the desired mode is selected, wait for approximately 3 seconds. The device will exit the settings mode and be ready for measurement.

Taking Measurements

• Temperature Measurement: When in temperature mode, the ambient temperature is displayed directly without pressing the control button.
• Moisture Measurement: Push the probes firmly into the material to be measured. The moisture value will be displayed automatically.

Note: It is recommended to also measure ambient temperature when measuring material moisture, as it affects the readings.

LED Indicator Guide

• Wood Moisture Mode:
  • < 6 %: All LEDs off
  • ≥ 6 % and < 16 %: Green LED flashes
  • ≥ 16 % and < 20 %: Yellow LED flashes
  • ≥ 20 %: Red LED flashes
• Building Material Moisture Mode:
  • < 0.2 %: All LEDs off
  • ≥ 0.2 % and < 0.7 %: Green LED flashes
  • ≥ 0.7 % and < 0.9 %: Yellow LED flashes
  • ≥ 0.9 %: Red LED flashes

The LED colors indicate the moisture level: no LEDs lit means very low moisture, while a red LED indicates high moisture.

Holding the Displayed Value

Press the control button to hold the current reading on the display (the " " symbol will appear). Press the control button again to deactivate the hold function (the " " symbol will disappear).

Display Backlight

The display backlight activates automatically when the device is turned on and turns off after approximately 3 seconds.

Important Notes

• Keep the device dry.
• Keep the test probes clean.
• Keep the device and batteries out of reach of children.
• Material type, ambient temperature, and pressure can influence measurement results; corrections may be necessary.
• This device is not intended for official inspection purposes, such as in construction or for reference.

Markings Explanation

• Read the user's manual before use.
• Corresponds to relevant EU harmonisation legal directives.
• Electrical waste symbol (see Waste Disposal).

Waste Disposal

Packaging Materials

Dispose of packaging materials in the appropriate recycling containers.

Electrical Equipment and Batteries

In accordance with EU Directive 2012/19 and national regulations, electrical equipment should not be disposed of with household waste. It must be handed over for ecological disposal at designated collection points. Batteries must be removed before disposal and handed over separately for ecological disposal (Directive 2006/66 EC). Information on collection points can be obtained from the vendor or local authorities.

Warranty and Service

For warranty claims, contact the retailer where the product was purchased. For after-sales service, authorized service centers are available. Contact information and service locations can be found on the www.extol.eu website. For inquiries, contact the customer service line at +420 577 599 777 (CZ) or relevant numbers for other regions.

Fuelwood Moisture Content

Freshly felled wood typically has a moisture content of 40-60%, with half the heating value of dry wood. For example, hardwood with 15% moisture has a heating value of 14.6 MJ/kg, while at 50% moisture, it drops to 7.6 MJ/kg. This is because a significant portion of the heat is used to evaporate water. For efficient burning, firewood moisture content should ideally be between 15-25%. Lower is better, but higher moisture leads to lower heat output, increased soot, combustion chamber fouling, and acidic flue gases.