Protimeter Mini C Pin Moisture Meter
The Mini C is a low-cost, durable pin moisture meter built for the wood flooring trade. It reads moisture content on a 6 to 30% LED bar rather than a digital display, with a three-colour scale that tells an installer at a glance whether timber is dry, at risk or wet.
Why an LED scale rather than a screen
It is faster to read and harder to break. On a flooring job the question is usually not "what exactly is the moisture content" but "is this batch ready to lay". A colour band answers that in the time it takes to press the pins in.
Reading equilibrium before you lay
Hardwood needs to be in moisture equilibrium with the environment it will live in, or it will move after installation. The Mini C carries the equilibrium reference printed on the instrument label — for example, a 20°C environment at 60% relative humidity corresponds to roughly 11% moisture content in the timber.
Laying timber that has not equilibrated is the cause of most cupping, gapping and warping call-backs. Checking it takes seconds.
Concrete subfloors
The Mini C can take quick reference readings on concrete, but they are surface readings only and indicate risk rather than measure it. A concrete slab must be tested by an approved method — in-situ relative humidity to ASTM F2170 — before a floor is laid over it. See the HygroMaster 2 Flooring Kit for that test.
What is in the box
- Mini C instrument
- Two replacement pin electrodes
- Pin protection cap
- Calibration check device
- Calibration chart covering 150 wood species
- Velcro pouch
- 9 V battery
Specifications
| Range | 6% to 30% moisture content |
|---|---|
| Display | LED bar graph — green dry, yellow at risk, red excessive |
| Resolution | 1% from 6–20%, 2% from 20–30% |
| Power | 1 × 9 V, with auto shut-off |
| Warranty | 24 months on mechanical or manufacturing defects. Excludes wear on accessories |
Reading timber correctly
Species matters. The same electrical resistance means a different moisture content in different timbers, which is why the instrument carries calibration scales rather than one universal scale. Select the scale for the species in front of you before recording a figure.
Temperature matters too. Resistance-based readings drift with the temperature of the timber, and a reading taken on cold stock in winter is not directly comparable with one taken in a heated workshop.
Readings above roughly 30% are relative rather than absolute. Above fibre saturation the scale still tells you the timber is wet and still tracks the direction of drying, which is what matters when monitoring stock.
Optional accessories
- Heavy duty hammer electrode (BLD5055) — reads up to about 38 mm below the surface
- Pin extension probe (BLD5079)
- Pin cap (BLD2000CAP) and battery cover (BLD2000BAT)
Frequently asked questions
How is this different from the Digital Mini?
The Digital Mini shows a numeric moisture content on a digital display and covers a wider range. The Mini C is the simpler, cheaper instrument built around a colour scale for flooring work.
Does it read below 6%?
No. The scale starts at 6% moisture content, which is below the equilibrium point of most interior timber in Australia, so it covers the practical range for flooring.
Can I check that it is reading correctly?
Yes. A calibration check device is supplied with the instrument. Use it before any job where the reading will be reported.
Care and maintenance
- Refit the pin cap after every use — bent pins are the most common reason an instrument comes in for service
- Check pin readings against a Calcheck device (BLD5086) before any job where the reading will be reported to a third party
- Remove the battery before extended storage
- Clean pins and housing with a dry cloth. No solvents on the display
Documents
Protimeter does not publish a separate instruction manual for the Mini C; the datasheet is the manufacturer's operating reference.
Fitting timber flooring and unsure which meter suits the job? Contact Carpet Cleaners Warehouse before ordering.
