Soon be Moisture Meter fettling time..

[Lodekka]

If you have a Marconi Moisture Meter that needs spares or repair - please get in touch and we can help.
Ideal time before things get busy.
Advice is always free.
We can offer meters for sale as well - still the best investment on the farm for ruggedness/repeatability and reliability - you won’t do better than Marconi.
With 45+ years experience we can offer servicing/calibration to original makers spec plus supply of refurbed and spares for all versions.

 

[copse]

If you have a Marconi Moisture Meter that needs spares or repair - please get in touch and we can help.
Ideal time before things get busy.
Advice is always free.
We can offer meters for sale as well - still the best investment on the farm for ruggedness/repeatability and reliability - you won’t do better than Marconi.
With 45+ years experience we can offer servicing/calibration to original makers spec plus supply of refurbed and spares for all versions.

Can they be converted to mains powered?

 

[Lodekka]

Hi, thanks for getting in touch.

Yes they can, it is mainly the TF933A & B Models which are commonly converted.

The C or D model takes the common PP3 batteries and generally don’t need conversion - although it can be done.

If you would like to pm I can give you more details - to avoid cluttering this page.
Regards
Nigel

 

[copse]

Hi, thanks for getting in touch.

Yes they can, it is mainly the TF933A & B Models which are commonly converted.

The C or D model takes the common PP3 batteries and generally don’t need conversion - although it can be done.

If you would like to pm I can give you more details - to avoid cluttering this page.
Regards
Nigel

I don’t know what model I have but it’s grey and has one round long battery and a rectangular one.

 

[Lodekka]

I don’t know what model I have but it’s grey and has one round long battery and a rectangular one.

That is an A model, they were produced in black or silver grey with very slightly differing rear casing styles but are largely the same.

A mains unit for one of those is no problem..
Regards
Nigel

 

[Barleymow]

That is an A model, they were produced in black or silver grey with very slightly differing rear casing styles but are largely the same.

A mains unit for one of those is no problem..
Regards
Nigel

How much is the conversion?

 

[JD6920s]

What crops can they test, and how much would a fully serviced refurb model cost please?

 

[An Gof]

What crops can they test, and how much would a fully serviced refurb model cost please?

I bought a fully refurbed machine from @Lodekka last harvest. A true gentleman to deal with and I doubt you will get better value for money for a moisture meter any where.
I have been delighted with mine.

 

[JD6920s]

I bought a fully refurbed machine from @Lodekka last harvest. A true gentleman to deal with and I doubt you will get better value for money for a moisture meter any where.
I have been delighted with mine.

What crops will they test, and do you have to grind the sample?
I’ve no experience with them, but seen a couple collecting dust in the back of grain stores having not been used for many years, but believe them to be the most accurate there is.

 

[An Gof]

What crops will they test, and do you have to grind the sample?
I’ve no experience with them, but seen a couple collecting dust in the back of grain stores having not been used for many years, but believe them to be the most accurate there is.

im testing wheat, barley, oats and oilseed Rape with mine.
Yes the machine needs a ground sample, easy to achieve with a simple hand driven coffee grinder.
@Lodekka will be able to advise on calibrations for other crops.

 

[Boysground]

After years of hassle with modern moisture meters I had @Lodekka refurb my of Marconi. It’s brilliant no moisture issues since then.

A very happy customer

Bg

 

[Barleymow]

Just dropping the disc of grain will tell you if it's fit enough to cut

 

[Lodekka]

What crops will they test, and do you have to grind the sample?
I’ve no experience with them, but seen a couple collecting dust in the back of grain stores having not been used for many years, but believe them to be the most accurate there is.

Hi, thanks to the others for their kind words.

I try to do my very best at a fair price.

There are four versions of the Marconi Moisture Meter in popular use (there were earlier versions, but not seen very much now), these are the A,B,C&D models.

Briefly, the A model is seen in two styles (square backed in black and sloped back in both silver grey or black colours), it is a rectangular upright unit about the size of an A4 page and about similar depth. It has a rear compartment for stowage of accessories and scales. The meter can be used with modern batteries (replacing the old hard to get types) or run on mains conversion - I can do either. These were made from about 1952 - 1967 and many thousands were made and a large number still in use and highly trusted on the farm, as well as with agents and mills.

The B model came out in 1967 - 1972 and was a smaller two tone grey/off white casing with a sloping top front and a front drop down stowage compartment - the internal circuitry is very similar to the previous A models and operation is identical. They are just as good as the earlier meters but just less of them around due to the shorter production run, again can be battery or mains versions as desired.

The C model was introduced in 1972 in the same casing as the B but coloured hammer finish green and produced in much greater numbers than the B version, it lasted in production until the mid 1980’s. It was a transistorised model (the other ones used a thermionic valve as the main active component) and was slightly more sensitive than the earlier versions and the performance was equally good.

Finally, a D model was produced in the 1990’s but was really a cost reduced version of the C (again with the same performance) and the production quantity was somewhat lower.

The C&D models use modern smoke alarm type batteries and therefore are not usually converted to mains but it can be done if required, also these models feature a self check function for confidence the meter is basically working.

In reality it doesn’t matter which model you might prefer - they are all still excellent and rugged,reliable,repeatable Instruments which are highly regarded by almost everyone and considered the Rolls-Royce of meters despite their age. I am not too familiar with any other makes, but from what people tell me they are certainly less reliable or repeatable than a Marconi, and don’t appear to last very long in comparison.

There are still spares for all Marconi models available through me, and I am probably the only person to own the original factory tools and equipment for recalibrating these meters.

There are scales and charts available for the common crops to the relevant spec, ISO712 for Wheat & Barley, ISO665 for Peas & Beans. There are also charts for Rape - although there are numerous varieties now which were not originally listed so you may need agronomist advice to ensure the right scales is used.

I can su-ply scans of operating guides and user manuals for all models if required..

Other crop scales such as Pepper or Linseed, some grasses etc. can be provided.

I can provide refurbed versions of any of the models with or without mains conversion.

If you PM me I can provide more details on pricing / delivery etc.
If anyone has any questions please feel free to ask and I am happy to help the wider audience here if I can.

Apologies for the slightly extended message - just a brief history lesson..
Some images of the various meter models are attached - note these are just for indication and I may not have supplied these in the past.
Regards
Nigel

 

[carbonfibre farmer]

Nigel refurbished and recalibrated this one for me. Excellent service, even with my raft of, in hindsight, rather silly questions .

 

[ploughman]

Can anyone recommend a small grinder that will fit in the case of one like the picture above please

 

[trebornella]

Hi, thanks to the others for their kind words.

I try to do my very best at a fair price.

There are four versions of the Marconi Moisture Meter in popular use (there were earlier versions, but not seen very much now), these are the A,B,C&D models.

Briefly, the A model is seen in two styles (square backed in black and sloped back in both silver grey or black colours), it is a rectangular upright unit about the size of an A4 page and about similar depth. It has a rear compartment for stowage of accessories and scales. The meter can be used with modern batteries (replacing the old hard to get types) or run on mains conversion - I can do either. These were made from about 1952 - 1967 and many thousands were made and a large number still in use and highly trusted on the farm, as well as with agents and mills.

The B model came out in 1967 - 1972 and was a smaller two tone grey/off white casing with a sloping top front and a front drop down stowage compartment - the internal circuitry is very similar to the previous A models and operation is identical. They are just as good as the earlier meters but just less of them around due to the shorter production run, again can be battery or mains versions as desired.

The C model was introduced in 1972 in the same casing as the B but coloured hammer finish green and produced in much greater numbers than the B version, it lasted in production until the mid 1980’s. It was a transistorised model (the other ones used a thermionic valve as the main active component) and was slightly more sensitive than the earlier versions and the performance was equally good.

Finally, a D model was produced in the 1990’s but was really a cost reduced version of the C (again with the same performance) and the production quantity was somewhat lower.

The C&D models use modern smoke alarm type batteries and therefore are not usually converted to mains but it can be done if required, also these models feature a self check function for confidence the meter is basically working.

In reality it doesn’t matter which model you might prefer - they are all still excellent and rugged,reliable,repeatable Instruments which are highly regarded by almost everyone and considered the Rolls-Royce of meters despite their age. I am not too familiar with any other makes, but from what people tell me they are certainly less reliable or repeatable than a Marconi, and don’t appear to last very long in comparison.

There are still spares for all Marconi models available through me, and I am probably the only person to own the original factory tools and equipment for recalibrating these meters.

There are scales and charts available for the common crops to the relevant spec, ISO712 for Wheat & Barley, ISO665 for Peas & Beans. There are also charts for Rape - although there are numerous varieties now which were not originally listed so you may need agronomist advice to ensure the right scales is used.

I can su-ply scans of operating guides and user manuals for all models if required..

Other crop scales such as Pepper or Linseed, some grasses etc. can be provided.

I can provide refurbed versions of any of the models with or without mains conversion.

If you PM me I can provide more details on pricing / delivery etc.
If anyone has any questions please feel free to ask and I am happy to help the wider audience here if I can.

Apologies for the slightly extended message - just a brief history lesson..
Some images of the various meter models are attached - note these are just for indication and I may not have supplied these in the past.
Regards
Nigel

Remember as a kid in mid '60's, Dad taught me how to use an A model. Spent the school summer holidays with him in the grain store grinding samples and testing the moisture with a Turner dresser and an Alvan Blanch drier for company. Great times.

 

[Still Farming]

Hammering will sort it

 

[Barleymow]

Dropping the disc of compressd grain on the floor is a good guide to moisture, if it shatters good to go

 

[Lodekka]

Can anyone recommend a small grinder that will fit in the case of one like the picture above please

The original grinders (Spong) are no longer available but a small hand powered coffee grinder available in many cookshops will do the job nicely.

Best not use an electric grinder as these tend to heat the sample - which is not what you want.
Regards
Nigel

 

[DESTITUTEFARMER]

The original grinders (Spong) are no longer available but a small hand powered coffee grinder available in many cookshops will do the job nicely.

Best not use an electric grinder as these tend to heat the sample - which is not what you want.
Regards
Nigel

We have a Marconi moisture meter in need of repair, how do we make contact?
Regards
Tim