Professionals in different industries use hygrometers for many different reasons. While many hygrometers are designed to be robust, any tool will break when subjected to stress. If you have a broken Moisture Meter, the first thing you will probably want to ask is "How do I fix it?"
If you're wondering how to fix a broken moisture Tester, here are some tips to help you:
Check the hygrometer for easy repair
The first step in repairing a broken Moisture Meter is to assess the actual damage it has suffered. There are a number of reasons a hygrometer could be "broken," including some that are easy to repair. If the hygrometer is not working properly, be sure to check the following:
The state of the instrument case. Is the exterior of the hygrometer cracked, dented, or otherwise damaged? The extent of the damage is a good indicator of whether the meter is actually damaged. Also, severe cracks or holes in this case could allow water or debris that can permanently damage the gauge's internal components.
The meter's needle or scanning plate. Damage to the pins of pin-type instruments or the scan plate of non-pin-type instruments will cause the hygrometer to not work properly. However, this can often be fixed simply by replacing the pins/sweep plate.
Meter battery. Sometimes the "broken" Moisture Meter is simply low power consumption. So, when servicing a hygrometer, check the battery and replace it with a new one to see if it's not getting enough power.
What mode is the meter in. Many high-end hygrometers have many additional features, including alternate reading modes and humidity scales. For example, the 2in-1 Moisture Meter has needle and needleless moisture testing modes. If the meter is set to pin mode and you are trying to use a pinless scan board then you will not be able to get valid moisture readings. So, if you think you have a broken Moisture Meter, be sure to check what mode the meter is on.
By checking your broken Moisture Meter a bit, you may find that there is an easy fix to the problem. However, this is not always the case.
Hygrometer Calibration Test
If a damaged Moisture Meter is giving unusual or inconsistent readings (and you've checked to make sure it's in the correct moisture testing mode), then it's probably out of calibration. Depending on the type of hygrometer you are using, there are a few different ways to check this calibration:
Built-in calibration checks. Some hygrometers have built-in calibration checks that make testing the calibration of a hygrometer as easy as pressing a button. This is generally considered the easiest and most reliable method. Start checking and see the results.
Moisture content standard check. A Moisture Content Standard (MCS) is a device used to test the calibration of pin hygrometers. Each MCS is specially manufactured for a specific hygrometer to simulate a specific humidity (%MC) measurement. Simply press the meter's needle against the MCS and read. If the reading matches the analog value established by the MCS, the gauge is accurate; if it does not match, the gauge is inaccurate and needs repair/replacement.
wet block test. Some needleless hygrometer manufacturers make humidity blocks to check the calibration of the needleless device. Just push the needleless meter against the block, and read. If the provided moisture measurement matches what the block calibrates, then it is in calibration. If not, then it is out of calibration. As with MCS devices, these moisture blocks need to be manufactured for the specific meter being tested.
Check Hygrometer Warranty
If the problem is something you can't easily fix yourself, check the hygrometer manufacturer's warranty. Odds are, the warranty will have specific information about what type of damage the manufacturer will cover, how long from the date of purchase you can make a warranty service claim, and how to send the water meter for repair or replacement to the manufacturer.
Sometimes a broken meter is the result of some defect in the material or workmanship of the meter itself rather than an accident or damage that occurred during use. In this case, it is very important to avoid doing anything to the broken Moisture Meter itself. Attempting amateur water meter repair could worsen the damage and void the warranty.
Return the Moisture Meter to the factory for repair
Repair of hygrometers is a delicate task better left to the manufacturer of the hygrometer. If your hygrometer is broken and needs to be repaired, you are better off taking the hygrometer to the manufacturer for repair. Different manufacturers may have different policies and procedures for handling warranty and non-warranty water meter repairs.
For example, Delmhorst's return process begins with the user filling out a return form, which the user packs into the shipping container used to send the Moisture Meter for repair or replacement.
The return form requests specific information, including:
Contact information (name, phone number, address, etc.).
Information about the device (model number, serial number, date of purchase).
A description of the problem (this helps Delhorst diagnose the problem and resolve it faster).
Repair instructions (whether you want a warranty repair, non-warranty repair, or a certificate).
During the warranty period, an original sales invoice or purchase date invoice is required.
When shipping a broken water meter for repair, it should be shipped by UPS, express, priority mail, or any overnight courier that provides prompt service, it should not be sent in standard package mail. Such shipments should be insured to their full value as the manufacturer cannot be held liable for damage incurred during transit.
If Delmhorst ships within the US via UPS Ground service, it will refund the warranty fee for free (expedited service will be charged separately).
In some cases, a hygrometer can be more expensive than simple replacement. If Delmhorst's service team determines that your hygrometer will cost more to repair than replace, they will provide you with an estimate (you can also specifically request an estimate when filling out the return form).
