[Rockhounds] Hi Temp Moisture Sensor

[Al Balmer]

On Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:19:10 -0500, "Gary Brown"
<gbrown at catspaw-minerals.com> wrote:

>Yeh... Any sensor that would do what she wants would be REALLY expensive.
>The cool 'n check wouldn't work... It's a continuous process and once you
>start, you can't stop.

What BK is suggesting is calibrating the process. If you can determine
the conditions needed, then repeat them, it will work.
>
>~~ however ~~ 
>
>Your weighing idea gives me an idea.  When the mold is made a "standard"
>block of mold gunk would sit on some sort of weighing sensor.  When ALL the
>water was driven out that block would weigh less and it could trip the
>sensor.  Of course I'm waving my arms here...but it's an idea.

Sounds like a promising idea. It could be as simple as a "seesaw"
balance and a metal contact.
>
>I've BCC'd my friend on this...  
<snip>
>> 
>> More practically is to use weights, weigh the mold cold. Heat 
>> it for say 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 minutes. Cool it down and 
>> reweigh, when you get a constant weight the water is gone. 
>> You'd have to use a fresh mold for each test. Then just heat 
>> the molds for that time you determined ever after. There is 
>> no cheap instrumental method that I know of.
>> 
>> BK
>> 

-- 
Al Balmer
Sun City, AZ