GrainMate GM-101 User Manual

Congratulations on purchasing a GrainMate GM-101 Grain Moisture Meter. Before using this product please read the instruction manual thoroughly and carefully to learn how to operate and service your device correctly.

Table of Content

1 Parts and Functionality
2 Insert Battery
3 Connect the Probe
4 Powering the Moisture Meter
5 Operating Conditions
6 Commodity Types / Representations
7 Taking a Reading
8 Interpreting the Moisture Content (MCWB)
9 Troubleshooting
10 Servicing
11 Warranty
Contact us

1 Parts and Functionality

A Liquid Crystal Display – Displays relevant information as shown
B Temperature Indicator – Indicates the current temperature around the grain in degree Celsius
C Relative humidity Indicator – Indicates the current relative humidity around the grain in percentage
D Moisture Content Indicator – Indicates the current moisture reading (MCwb means Moisture Content Wet Basis) in percentage
E Selected Commodity/Grain – This indicates the crop or commodity which has currently been selected.
F Stability Indicator – When the * symbol is displayed, it indicates that the moisture reading is now stable.
G Power On Button (Red) – Turns the device on
H Select Grain Button (Yellow) – Cycles through available commodities which can be tested and selects one.
I Power Off Button (Black) – Turns the device off.
J Female Connector – receives the male end of the probe jack
K Handle – Lets you insert the probe into a bag or bulk of grain
L Metal Probe – Indicates the current relative humidity around the grain in percentage
M Sensor – Indicates the current moisture reading
N Male Connector – Connects the probe to the main unit

2 Insert Battery

The moisture meter is supplied with a standard 9V alkaline battery.

Slide the back cover to open the battery compartment of the handheld unit to reveal 9v battery holder.

Snap the 9V battery into the battery clip.

Insert back into the battery compartment and slide the battery compartment cover up.

3 Connect the probe

Before you power the moisture meter, ensure that the probe is connected to the handheld device by inserting the male connector of the probe’s cable into the female port on the top of the device.

4 Powering the Moisture Meter

Now press and hold the power button (red button on the left) for 2 seconds until the LCD turns on and “SESI TECHNOLOGIES” appears on the screen.

If the grain type displayed at the bottom right corner of the screen is not the appropriate grain type you want to measure, you’ll need to select the appropriate grain by cycling through the available grains.

5 Operating Conditions

Measurement of samples can be taken when the grains have been bagged or while they are still being dried.

Prior to measuring the moisture content of the grains in bags, ensure that the grain has been stored in the bag for at least two hours.

To use the meter while the grains are still being dried, ensure the grain is heaped to a height of at least 50 cm and insert the probe near the bottom of the heap, ensuring that the tip (sensor end) of the probe is fully covered by the grains.

The meter is most accurate when the grain and tester are between 60°F (16°C) and 90°F (32°C). The unit will, however, operate at tem- peratures between 32°F (0°C) and 113°F (45°C). For best results, grain temperatures should not be below 40°F (4°C) or above 110°F (43°C).

6 CommodityTypes/Representations

Screen displaying the moisture content of Soybeans Soybn

GrainMate currently supports seven commodities which are represented by the following:
Maize or Corn is shown as CornY
Soyabeans or Soybeans is shown as Soybn
Paddy Rice is shown as RiceR
Sorghum is shown as Srghm
Hard wheat is shown as Wht, H
Soft wheat is shown as Wht,S
Chickpea is shown as ChPea

7 Take a Reading

For a bagged grain, make a small opening on the seal of the bag and insert the probe. Ensure the probe tip and sensor are as close to the middle of the bag as possible.

Wait for about 5 minutes for readings to stabilize before reading the moisture content.
A * (star) symbol displayed at the bottom right corner of the screen signifies that moisture reading is stable and can now be recorded.

Grain that has been dried on tarps or mounded and covered overnight can also be measured before spreading the next day. The same procedure above is used to measure moisture content in grains.

After reading the moisture content, press the black button to turn off the meter. Remove the probe from the grain and detach it from the meter. Remove the battery from the meter and store the meter, probe and battery in its leather bag until the next reading.

To enhance accuracy, you may take multiple readings for each sample.

8 Interpreting the Moisture Content (MCWB) Reading

Each grain type has a recommended moisture range de- pending on use. The following table shows the recommend- ed moisture levels for each of the commodities currently supported by GrainMate.

For long term storage periods of more than six months, you should ensure that the moisture content is in the range of “Bet- ter”. For short-term storage of less than six months, ensure that the moisture content is not above the maximum of the “Good” range.

9 Troubleshootings

Issue	Causes & Solution
Meter does not power up or loses power occasionally. The display is dim or flickers or the backlight does not operate.	Likely Causes The battery is weak and needs to be replaced. Solutions Ensure that the meter is fully on by pressing and holding the power button. If the step above does not work, remove the battery from behind the meter and replace with a new 9v battery. Good quality alkaline batteries are recommended. It is also advised to remove the battery from the meter after usage.
Meter displays “Check Sensor Connection!”	Likely Causes The probe has not connected to the main body of the meter at all or has not been connected properly. There is a break in the sensor cable or some loose contact between the sensor telephone jack and the receiving port on the body of the meter. Solutions Insert the sensor telephone jack into the receiving port on the body of the meter. If it is already inserted, remove and reinsert the jack and listen for a “click” sound. If reinserting does not fix the issue, it could mean the probe has to be serviced or replaced. Contact us for support.

Issue

Causes & Solution

Meter does not power up or loses power occasionally.
The display is dim or flickers or the backlight does not operate.

Likely Causes
The battery is weak and needs to be replaced.
Solutions
Ensure that the meter is fully on by pressing and holding the power button.
If the step above does not work, remove the battery from behind the meter and replace with a new 9v battery. Good quality alkaline batteries are recommended. It is also advised to remove the battery from the meter after usage.

Meter displays “Check Sensor Connection!”

Likely Causes
The probe has not connected to the main body of the meter at all or has not been connected properly.
There is a break in the sensor cable or some loose contact between the sensor telephone jack and the receiving port on the body of the meter.
Solutions
Insert the sensor telephone jack into the receiving port on the body of the meter. If it is already inserted, remove and reinsert the jack and listen for a “click” sound. If reinserting does not fix the issue, it could mean the probe has to be serviced or replaced. Contact us for support.

10 Servicing

General Care and Maintenance

To save battery power, always insert the probe into a bag of grain before switching on the meter.
Keep the meter in a cool and dry place after use, most preferably in its leather bag
Protect the probe from moisture and dust by wrapping the tip in a plastic bag or cloth after use.
Do not drop the meter and the probe.
Take care when removing the 9V battery from the battery clip as pulling too hard could damage the battery clip terminals or tear the battery cable.
To save battery power, remove the battery from the meter when it is not in use.

Replacing The Battery

It is recommended to replace your battery when the screen starts going dim. .

To replace the battery, slide the back cover to open the battery compartment of the handheld.

Using the screw driver included in the pack, lift the bottom end of the battery from the compartment.

Gently pull off the old battery from the battery clip, insert the new battery clip and slide the battery compartment cover up.

11 Warranty

This product is warranted in Ghana by Sesi Technologies Ltd. for free replacement or repair for a period of six months commencing on the delivery date. During the warranty period, Sesi Technologies will repair or replace the product provided they are sent to the address below, with proof of original purchase.

If a warranty service is required, service will be contingent upon inspection to ensure abuse or neglect in maintenance or exposure to harsh environmental conditions has not occurred. The inspection and analysis will be performed by the supplier/ manufacturer.

It is the responsibility of the purchaser to cover all shipping charges of defective units to the manufacturer/supplier as needed in order to perform warranty service

Contact Us

GrainMate is manufactured in Ghana by Sesi Technologies Ltd.

The Playground Plot 18, Block 7
Ayeduase New Site
Kumasi, Ghana

+233 (0)50135 9999
+233 (0)54 783 0577
support@sesitechnologies.com
sesitechnologies.com