Suspect moisture meter?

[thunderhead]

So im onto a stack of wood that is behaving like it is a bit wet. 1 year doug fir and 1.5 year bigleaf maple. Top covered, but we live in an actual rainforest. I take three splits, warm em up to room temp, split em, measure a fresh face. 14-19%. Hmmm. I expected a little higher. I measure some red alder that i split last week and has been sitting outside. 21% on a face. Hmmmm. Doubt. Although i did measure a soaked piece of bark at 40%.

What should it read when i short out the probes with my finger? I get 22-29% depending on which fingers i use.

Thanks!

 

[thunderhead]

This is a "general" that i bought off amazon. Had good reviews, but i think thats reading a bit low?

 

[gzecc]

Test unpainted trim in your house if possible. Should be below 10%. Hand should be about 30%
The monitor is only a gauge. The hard number isn't as important as the range and comparative number to see how your seasoning is progressing.

 

[stoveliker]

How long did you let it sit inside to get up to room temp ? That can take a full 24 hr at minimum (wood insulated pretty well).

Also my moisture meter has a tester in its lid.

Finally, are you sticking the pins in deep enough? Touching is not good enough...

 

[thunderhead]

I pushed the pins in as far as they would go. I did find the lid tester... reads spot on, so i guess my wood is dry. Maybe the one that was acting up was a fluke.