Do all Auto Trails leak? (2 Viewers)

[Jonno1103]

Hola, which damp metre do you use?

it's a Dr Meter MD812. £17 from amazon. Comes in a pouch and has two spare pins. The hold function is handy when extracting your arm from hard to reach places and if you want to jot them down for future reference.

 

[Teuchter]

Your right... Spending too much time typing financial figures. It's 02%.

Which is 2% - I don't know if that is good or bad - I would think very good though

 

[MikeD]

Which is 2% - I don't know if that is good or bad - I would think very good though

When ours failed its damp checks 20% seemed to trigger remedial action required.

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[Lenny HB]

it's a Dr Meter MD812. £17 from amazon. Comes in a pouch and has two spare pins. The hold function is handy when extracting your arm from hard to reach places and if you want to jot them down for future reference.
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You really don't want to use that type not only can you damage the van they are also not much use in a Motorhome as the only give results to a few mm in depth. A decent non invasive type with paddles can measure up to 10-15mm depth and won't do any damage.
Up to 15% is generally the max to be considered OK , anything above should be investigated.

 

[Jonno1103]

Which is 2% - I don't know if that is good or bad - I would think very good though

The threshold seems to be upto 15% but at that level I'd certainly want my van looked at. Any figure above and there's a definite damp problem.

 

[scotjimland]

Damp Meter Readings

Readings between 0-15% no cause for concern

Readings between 15-20% engineer to make note of readings and recheck at next service.

Readings between 20-24% possible early sign of water ingress, look for tangible evidence or ask for recheck.

Readings between 25-30% moisture evident, remedial work necessary, may not require strip-down unless surface damage (staining, pimpling and softness) is apparent. There is a risk of wallboard deterioration due to retained moisture in the structure if re sealed only.

Reading of 31% and above structural damage is occurring, deterioration inevitable, full strip-down of affected area is required.

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[scotjimland]

I had a non-invasive type meter but it was useless in the corner joints of the Hymer (where you are most likely can get damp ) due to the aluminium frame which distorts the readings .. generally much higher than expected.. so I sold it.. if it's not accurate it's about as much use as a chocolate teapot.

Pin type meters can be used in places where you won't see the pin holes, ie in lockers, under bed, behind window and locket door sealing rubber etc.. in fact most of the places where damp can occur ..

Don't buy a cheap and cheerful meter which is really only meant for checking logs for log burners, .. buy something like the Protimeter Mini they are far better at detecting how much damp is there.. and giving accurate results ..

As you would expect not participially cheap but can be found occasionally on ebay around £50 .. and for the cost of one hab check you have your own professional meter

http://www.damp-meter-direct.co.uk/protimeter-mini.htm

 

[ABZSteve]

thanks folks

 

[MikeD]

I had a non-invasive type meter but it was useless in the corner joints of the Hymer (where you are most likely can get damp ) due to the aluminium frame which distorts the readings .. generally much higher than expected.. so I sold it.. if it's not accurate it's about as much use as a chocolate teapot.

Pin type meters can be used in places where you won't see the pin holes, ie in lockers, under bed, behind window and locket door sealing rubber etc.. in fact most of the places where damp can occur ..

Don't buy a cheap and cheerful meter which is really only meant for checking logs for log burners, .. buy something like the Protimeter Mini they are far better at detecting how much damp is there.. and giving accurate results ..

As you would expect not participially cheap but can be found occasionally on ebay around £50 .. and for the cost of one hab check you have your own professional meter

http://www.damp-meter-direct.co.uk/protimeter-mini.htm

I would agree with this. The non invasive meters do get fooled by internal brackets/frames etc

I use one but when new took all the reading around the van, recorded them.

Now i just look for a change from the previous reading.

Not sure if this is correct but works for me.

Using a pin type every month does sound like a lot of holes after a few years of ownership.

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[Jonno1103]

Don't buy a cheap and cheerful meter which is really only meant for checking logs for log burners, .. buy something like the Protimeter Mini they are far better at detecting how much damp is there.. and giving accurate results ..

I wouldn't dismiss them out of hand. I asked the tech at a well known Yorkshire MH dealer to compare his readings with the Dr meter, he said the were the same. His advice was to keep the battery fresh changing it every year as loss of power was one of the main reasons for reading inaccuracy, a bit like your smoke and CO detectors. He also said to always give the pins a wipe as minute particles can also alter findings... I'd have never thought of that.

It's the only reason I still use it.

Does it depend on the manufacturer? I suppose it's better to source one from a company who only make calibrated meters.

I'm tempted by the protimeter mini... It just all depends on what the missus is going to hit me with when another piece of kit is delivered, she'd look a bit like this!

 

[scotjimland]

I wouldn't dismiss them out of hand.

. fair enough ..

they are not that bad, but better to know the limitations.. and not take readings as Gospel

a couple on ebay .. Protimeter Mini

 

[Geo]

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[Jonno1103]

they are not that bad, but better to know the limitations.. and not take readings as Gospel

Yep, as long as it lets me know that there could be an issue so I can have her looked at sooner rather than later then ,for me, it's done it's job.