anubis
Well-Known Member
Hi
Any advice on where to buy a reliable, easily read and good value moisture meter? Many thanks.
Any advice on where to buy a reliable, easily read and good value moisture meter? Many thanks.
Moisture meter?
- Thread starter anubis
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luddites
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Hi, dont!
A very well known company in this field is developing a new instrument and I have been involved testing the prototype which is excellent, should be in production in a few weeks
A very well known company in this field is developing a new instrument and I have been involved testing the prototype which is excellent, should be in production in a few weeks
homa
Well-Known Member
Re: What\'s available now ?
Can you give us more info on what's available now.
I am also thinking of buying/borrowing one as I would like to take regular moisture readings of my hull over the winter to find out if it will dry out sufficiently by natural ventilation.
The hull had blisters when it came out last year but at the end of the winter lay-up they had all disappeared.
Surveyor confirmed the pox when I bought the boat. I would like to know how long it will take to dry out so that I can plan some remedial work (possibly DIY) at some time in the future (years away).
Cheers
Homa
Can you give us more info on what's available now.
I am also thinking of buying/borrowing one as I would like to take regular moisture readings of my hull over the winter to find out if it will dry out sufficiently by natural ventilation.
The hull had blisters when it came out last year but at the end of the winter lay-up they had all disappeared.
Surveyor confirmed the pox when I bought the boat. I would like to know how long it will take to dry out so that I can plan some remedial work (possibly DIY) at some time in the future (years away).
Cheers
Homa
celandine
Well-Known Member
Re: What\'s available now ?
Osmotic blisters don't normally disappear in the way you describe. They might just be water trapped under your antifoul layer, or blisters caused by entrapped air during the original application of gel-coat to mould. A simple test is to prick a blister open with a sharp implement. If it is osmotic a strong smelling fluid will ouze out; smelling of vinegar/styrene/polyester resin. If there are high moisture levels it will take at least a year to dry out in the open air.
Osmotic blisters don't normally disappear in the way you describe. They might just be water trapped under your antifoul layer, or blisters caused by entrapped air during the original application of gel-coat to mould. A simple test is to prick a blister open with a sharp implement. If it is osmotic a strong smelling fluid will ouze out; smelling of vinegar/styrene/polyester resin. If there are high moisture levels it will take at least a year to dry out in the open air.
oldsaltoz
Well-Known Member
a bit more detail would be great, or have you signed the "official secrets act"
does it use a new technology, is it a revamp of existing probes, Ultrasonic perhaps. How close to the market is it?
Avagoodweekend......
does it use a new technology, is it a revamp of existing probes, Ultrasonic perhaps. How close to the market is it?
Avagoodweekend......
luddites
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Hi mate,
Ican't really provide more detail as I have only been appraising and testing for the company who will want to launch when it suits them. However IMHO it makes the whole process more precise and is particularly good for tracing just where moisture is located in cored hulls (and decks).
It is about 4-6 weeks away from the market I reckon.
Ican't really provide more detail as I have only been appraising and testing for the company who will want to launch when it suits them. However IMHO it makes the whole process more precise and is particularly good for tracing just where moisture is located in cored hulls (and decks).
It is about 4-6 weeks away from the market I reckon.
oldsaltoz
Well-Known Member
Please Put me down for PM when it is released along with details of who to purchase from.
Avagoodweekend......
Avagoodweekend......
G
Guest
Guest
The Tramex Skipper is the most sensitive on market and is reasonably priced ... lower than some of the old-hat industry standard rubbish that is commonly seen.
Despite some claims - the Tramex does measure moisture in hull and has ability to indicate deep into the strata which such as Soveriegn cannot do as well. Put water in your bilges and test - the Tramex will in many cases show a change. It will even show up wet / damp joints of bulkheads / frames into hulls ....
basically the Technology is there - but for some reason old-hat instruments are still hauled out for the work ... maybe cause they cost so much to buy !!
Despite some claims - the Tramex does measure moisture in hull and has ability to indicate deep into the strata which such as Soveriegn cannot do as well. Put water in your bilges and test - the Tramex will in many cases show a change. It will even show up wet / damp joints of bulkheads / frames into hulls ....
basically the Technology is there - but for some reason old-hat instruments are still hauled out for the work ... maybe cause they cost so much to buy !!
luddites
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BUT...................................................................
be aware that the current Tramex Skipper Plus has entirely different characterisics to the original Tramex Skipper which the industry happily understood for years, and readings from the two meters cannot in any way be compared, (Tramex's own words).
be aware that the current Tramex Skipper Plus has entirely different characterisics to the original Tramex Skipper which the industry happily understood for years, and readings from the two meters cannot in any way be compared, (Tramex's own words).
G
Guest
Guest
Point is ??
The Tramex Skipper ..... which I use and have been happy with .... marketed by Nigel Clegg - who built up a considerable reputation as a TRUE specialist in GRP / Paint matters ... on many occasions showed results when Soveriegns, Novamex, Protimeters etc. failed or were suspect. This is not to say the others didn't perform - just that the Tramex was far more sensitive. It is still regarded as sensitive and used by various centres for treatment.
But just repeating a comment from Tramex ... what point please ?? Seriously ... not being cocky or sarcastic - genuine question ...
The Tramex Skipper ..... which I use and have been happy with .... marketed by Nigel Clegg - who built up a considerable reputation as a TRUE specialist in GRP / Paint matters ... on many occasions showed results when Soveriegns, Novamex, Protimeters etc. failed or were suspect. This is not to say the others didn't perform - just that the Tramex was far more sensitive. It is still regarded as sensitive and used by various centres for treatment.
But just repeating a comment from Tramex ... what point please ?? Seriously ... not being cocky or sarcastic - genuine question ...
luddites
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Re: Point is ??
Nigel I have used the Tramex for years and agree with your comments about it, as does the vast majority of the industry.
The point I was making in the spirit of being helpful to all is that I am coming across some surveyors relatively new to the business bandying about readings from their new Skipper Plus and comparing them with readings taken in the past on the same boat by a.n. other surveyor using the original Skipper and proclaimimg how the readings have changed! Or questioning boatyards about dryness not realising their Plus is different to the yard's Skipper. This is not helpful to anybody. I feel it is a great shame Tramex changed a perfectly good and widely understood tool which used in conjunction with a shallow reading meter was so useful. Now both the depth of penetration and sensivity have been changed and the readings cannot be compared in any way.
Nigel I have used the Tramex for years and agree with your comments about it, as does the vast majority of the industry.
The point I was making in the spirit of being helpful to all is that I am coming across some surveyors relatively new to the business bandying about readings from their new Skipper Plus and comparing them with readings taken in the past on the same boat by a.n. other surveyor using the original Skipper and proclaimimg how the readings have changed! Or questioning boatyards about dryness not realising their Plus is different to the yard's Skipper. This is not helpful to anybody. I feel it is a great shame Tramex changed a perfectly good and widely understood tool which used in conjunction with a shallow reading meter was so useful. Now both the depth of penetration and sensivity have been changed and the readings cannot be compared in any way.
G
Guest
Guest
Ta .... wanted it out - so that others knew what was talked about.
I haven't used the new version - have heard about it.
With my reduced work in UK - personal choice I add due to infrequent visits - so decided to concentrate more out here - I didn't see need to change a perfectly good tool. I also carry a Protimeter for other hull materials ... for various determinations - and for those who may be interested .... Moisture meters make incredible instruments for finding studding, nails, cables etc. etc. in house walls !! Of course not all !!
I also agree with you about shallow use and deep use instruments ... there are times that the Tramex proves too sensitive and picks up other items - sometimes interfering with hull display.
Anyway - I was not hitting at you .... it was an honest question to confirm what I was told by another using the later etc.
I haven't used the new version - have heard about it.
With my reduced work in UK - personal choice I add due to infrequent visits - so decided to concentrate more out here - I didn't see need to change a perfectly good tool. I also carry a Protimeter for other hull materials ... for various determinations - and for those who may be interested .... Moisture meters make incredible instruments for finding studding, nails, cables etc. etc. in house walls !! Of course not all !!
I also agree with you about shallow use and deep use instruments ... there are times that the Tramex proves too sensitive and picks up other items - sometimes interfering with hull display.
Anyway - I was not hitting at you .... it was an honest question to confirm what I was told by another using the later etc.