moisture meter

catman115 · #1 11-12-2002, 02:03 PM

I was looking through a tool catalog and came across a moisture test meter. $34.99 I know that most units retail for $150 and up. I called the company (sonin) and asked about the test probes for a transom application. was told that small holes have to be drilled thru the fiberglass to allow the 2 half inch probes to touch the wood.
I don't know if other more expensive meters can scan through the fiberglass. The probes on this unit are attached to a 3' coiled cable. This is more of an FYI because I know this topic has surfaced before. I wonder if the saying "you get what you pay for" applies here.
PS> it will read moisture levels from 10-28% ??

BUNKER · #2 11-21-2002, 03:07 PM

I AM A MARINE SURVEYOR AND CAN ATTEST TO THE FACT THAT MOISTURE METER RESULTS CAN BE MISS LEADING, THERE ARE MOISTURE METERS THAT CAN READ THROUGH THE FIBERGLASS BUT THEY DO COST ABOUT $350, ON A TRANSOM I WOULD TEND TO BELIVE THE ACCURACY

AlexT · #3 11-21-2002, 06:03 PM

For $35, I think you're going to get better accuracy if you drill a bigger hole and stick your finger in there and feel around...

JohnB · #4 11-21-2002, 07:34 PM

catman115,
I have used a couple of different moisture meters on my boat, and basically, you get what you pay for. Also, they don't read accuratly thru most bottom paint. I have a 350 dollar one, and I have used it on the boat, and to find the source of a leak in the roof of my house. The good ones work really well, especially on cored transoms.

BUNKER · #5 11-21-2002, 07:50 PM

MOISTURE METERS WILL BE AFFECTED BY ANTI-FOULING PAINT. A PERFECTLY DRY BOTTOM WITH NEW PAINT CAN PROVIDE INACCURATE READINGS. ON A TRANSOM TRY TO METER THE INSIDE OF TRANSOM AS WELL.

Matt1121 · #6 11-22-2002, 10:54 AM

Save your money. Moisture meters can and do give false readings....If you were operating it in a sealed environment they would be more accurate but since that is normally not possible things such as a puddle on the ground nearby, dew on the grass or high humidity can throw off the readings.

Matt1121 · #7 11-22-2002, 10:55 AM

Save your money. Moisture meters can and do give false readings....If you were operating it in a sealed environment they would be more accurate but since that is normally not possible things such as a puddle on the ground nearby, dew on the grass or high humidity can throw off the readings.