Stihl Moisture Meter EM4806 Manual

The Stihl Moisture Meter EM4806 is a professional-grade, portable device designed for measuring the moisture content in wood and other building materials. It features a large, easy-to-read LCD display, adjustable wood species settings, audible and visual alarms for high moisture levels, data hold function, auto power-off, and comes with protective electrodes and a carrying case. Below are key sections for safety, features, operation, calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

1. Features at a Glance 2. Safety Instructions 3. First-Time Setup 4. Specifications 5. Controls and Display 6. Measurement Procedure 7. Calibration & Settings 8. Maintenance & Storage 9. Regulatory Information 10. Troubleshooting

Features at a Glance

Key components: Main unit with LCD display, Electrode pins, Battery compartment, Function buttons, Protective cap.

Feature	Description
LCD Display	Shows moisture percentage, wood species icon, battery status, and hold indicator
Measurement Range	6% to 50% for wood (species dependent)
Wood Species Selection	Adjustable for different wood types (e.g., Oak, Pine, Spruce)
Audible/Visual Alarm	Alerts when moisture exceeds user-set threshold
Data Hold Function	Freezes display reading for recording
Auto Power-Off	Conserves battery after period of inactivity
Electrode Pins	Stainless steel pins for penetration into material
Battery	Powered by 9V battery (included)
Protective Cap	Covers electrodes for safe storage and transport
Carrying Case	Included for protection and portability

Safety Instructions

Read all instructions before use. Keep out of reach of children.

Electrical Safety: Do not use on live electrical circuits or wet surfaces. Ensure material and meter are dry externally before measuring.
Electrode Handling: The pins are sharp. Handle with care to avoid puncture injuries. Always use the protective cap when not in use.
Battery: Use only specified 9V battery. Remove battery if device will not be used for an extended period. Dispose of batteries according to local regulations.
Environment: Do not expose to extreme temperatures, direct sunlight, or moisture. Use only in dry conditions.
Limitations: This meter is for measuring moisture in wood and compatible building materials. It is not a substitute for professional assessment in critical structural applications.

WARNING! Never insert electrodes into energized electrical outlets or wiring. Risk of electric shock.

First-Time Setup

Prepare the meter for its first use.

Install Battery: Open battery compartment on the back. Insert the supplied 9V battery, observing correct polarity. Close compartment securely.
Power On: Press and hold the POWER button for 2 seconds. The display will illuminate and show all segments briefly before settling.
Set Wood Species: Press the SPECIES button to cycle through the available wood type icons (e.g., Oak, Pine). Select the species that most closely matches your material. Refer to the species correction chart in the manual if needed.
Set Alarm Threshold: Press the ALARM button, then use the UP/DOWN arrows to set the desired moisture percentage threshold (e.g., 15%). Press ALARM again to confirm.
Test Measurement: Perform a test measurement on a known, dry piece of wood to verify basic operation.

NOTE: For the most accurate readings, allow the meter to acclimate to the ambient temperature of the measurement environment for 30 minutes.

Specifications

Model: STIHL EM4806 Moisture Meter
Measurement Principle: Electrical resistance
Moisture Range (Wood): 6% to 50% (accuracy varies by species)
Resolution: 0.1%
Accuracy: Typically ±1% within 7%-30% range for calibrated species
Wood Species Settings: 5 pre-programmed types (Oak, Pine, Spruce, Beech, Maple) + user correction
Display: Backlit LCD with digital readout and icons
Power Supply: 1 x 9V battery (Alkaline, type 6LR61)
Battery Life: Approx. 200 hours of continuous use
Auto Power-Off: After 10 minutes of inactivity
Operating Temperature: 32°F to 104°F (0°C to 40°C)
Storage Temperature: 14°F to 122°F (-10°C to 50°C)
Dimensions (HxWxD): 6.3 x 2.4 x 1.2 in (160 x 61 x 30 mm)
Weight: Approx. 4.2 oz (120 g) including battery

Controls and Display

Front Panel Buttons:

POWER (I/O): Press and hold to turn meter On/Off.
HOLD (H): Press to freeze the current reading on the display. Press again to resume live measurement.
SPECIES (Tree Icon): Cycles through pre-set wood species. Selected icon appears on display.
ALARM (Bell Icon): Press to view/set the high moisture alarm threshold. Use UP/DOWN arrows to adjust value.
UP/DOWN Arrows: Adjust values for alarm threshold or user calibration offset.

LCD Display Symbols:

Numerical Readout: Shows moisture percentage (e.g., 12.4).
Wood Species Icon: Indicates selected wood type.
Battery Icon: Indicates battery level. Blinks when low.
Hold Icon (H): Appears when HOLD function is active.
Alarm Icon (Bell): Flashes along with beep if measured moisture exceeds set threshold.
Over-range Indicator ("---"): Appears if moisture is below 6% or above 50%.

Measurement Procedure

For accurate moisture content measurement in wood.

Prepare Material: Ensure the measurement surface is clean, dry (externally), and free of paint, varnish, or other coatings that may insulate. For best results, measure a freshly split or planed surface.
Power On & Select Species: Turn on the meter. Press the SPECIES button until the icon matching your wood type is displayed.
Insert Electrodes: Firmly press the stainless steel pins into the wood, ensuring they penetrate to a depth appropriate for the material thickness (typically at least 1/4 inch or 6 mm for lumber). The pins must be parallel to the wood grain, not across it.
Take Reading: Hold the meter steady. The display will stabilize within a few seconds, showing the moisture percentage. For deep measurements, insert pins at different depths/locations and average the readings.
Use HOLD Function (Optional): Press HOLD to freeze the reading for recording. Press HOLD again to resume live measurement.
Alarm: If the reading exceeds your set threshold, the meter will beep and the alarm icon will flash.
Complete Measurement: Remove the pins from the wood. The meter will remain on, ready for the next measurement, or will auto-power-off after 10 minutes.

TIP: Take multiple readings in different areas of the wood piece to account for moisture gradients. Avoid knots, cracks, or resinous areas.

Calibration & Settings

User Calibration Check: While no field calibration is required, accuracy can be verified using the supplied calibration block (if included) or a known dry reference.

Ensure meter is at room temperature.
Insert electrodes fully into the calibration block's designated holes.
The reading should match the value printed on the block (e.g., 7.5% ±0.5%).
If outside tolerance, a user offset can be applied (see manual for advanced procedure).

Adjusting Species Correction: If your wood species is not listed or readings seem consistently off, a correction factor can be added. 1. With meter OFF, press and hold SPECIES and POWER simultaneously until "AdJ" appears. 2. Use UP/DOWN arrows to set an offset value (e.g., +1.5 for readings that are 1.5% low). 3. Press POWER to save and exit.

Resetting to Factory Defaults: To clear all user settings (alarm, offset): 1. With meter OFF, press and hold HOLD and ALARM. 2. While holding, press POWER. Release all buttons when "CLr" appears. 3. All custom settings are erased.

Maintenance & Storage

Cleaning: Unpower the meter. Wipe the casing with a soft, slightly damp cloth. Do not use solvents or abrasives. Clean electrode pins with a dry cloth or fine sandpaper if they become corroded or dirty. Ensure pins are completely dry before use.

Battery Replacement: When the battery icon blinks or readings become erratic: 1. Turn meter OFF. 2. Open battery compartment. 3. Remove old battery and dispose properly. 4. Insert new 9V battery, ensuring correct polarity. 5. Close compartment securely.

Storage: Always place the protective cap over the electrodes. Store in the provided carrying case in a cool, dry place. Remove the battery if storing for more than 3 months.

CAUTION! Never immerse the meter in water or other liquids. Do not store in humid environments like basements or sheds with high moisture fluctuation.

Regulatory Information

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the condition that this device does not cause harmful interference. CE marked, conforming to applicable EU directives. Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE): Do not dispose of with household waste. Dispose of at an appropriate collection point for recycling. Batteries must be removed and disposed of separately. © STIHL. STIHL is a registered trademark. For technical support or to locate a service center, visit www.stihl.com or contact your local STIHL dealer.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Possible Cause	Corrective Action
No display when POWER is pressed	Dead or incorrectly installed battery	Replace battery. Ensure correct polarity (+/-).
Display reads "---" or erratic numbers	Electrodes not making good contact; Pins dirty/corroded; Material outside range	Ensure pins are fully inserted into clean wood. Clean pins with fine sandpaper. Verify material moisture is within 6%-50%.
Readings seem consistently high/low	Wrong wood species selected; Meter needs calibration check	Select correct wood species icon. Verify calibration with test block. Apply user offset if necessary.
Alarm does not sound	Alarm threshold set too high; Alarm disabled	Press ALARM button to check and adjust threshold value. Ensure alarm function is ON.
Meter turns off unexpectedly	Auto power-off activated; Low battery	This is normal after 10 minutes of inactivity. Press POWER to restart. Replace battery if icon blinks.
Moisture reading fluctuates	Pins moving in wood; Moisture gradient in material	Hold meter steady during measurement. Take multiple readings and average. Ensure pins are parallel to grain.

Service: If problems persist after troubleshooting, do not attempt to repair. Contact your local authorized STIHL service dealer.