DICKEY-john GAC2500 High-Precision Grain Moisture Analyzer
| Brand | DICKEY-john |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Model | GAC2500 |
| Measurement Principle | 149 MHz Radio Frequency (RF) Dielectric Technology with Real-Time Infrared Temperature Compensation |
| Compliance | NTEP Certified (NIST Handbook 44), ASTM D6437, ISO 712 |
| Display | 7-inch Full-Color TFT Touchscreen Interface |
| Data Storage | Internal Non-Volatile Memory (≥10,000 Test Records) |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0, RS-232, Optional Ethernet Module |
| Sample Throughput | Up to 30 samples/hour (standard drawer) |
| Calibration Compatibility | Backward-Compatible with GAC2100 Calibration Sets |
| Input Peripherals | Optional External Keyboard & Optical Mouse Support |
Overview
The DICKEY-john GAC2500 High-Precision Grain Moisture Analyzer is an NTEP-certified, laboratory-grade RF dielectric moisture measurement system engineered for quantitative moisture determination in bulk agricultural commodities. Operating at a stabilized 149 MHz radio frequency, the instrument measures the dielectric constant and conductance of grain samples—parameters directly correlated to water content—while applying real-time infrared surface temperature compensation to eliminate thermal drift artifacts. This dual-sensor architecture ensures traceable accuracy across ambient temperature fluctuations (10–40 °C), meeting the metrological requirements of NIST Handbook 44 and supporting compliance with USDA-FSA, FDA, and international grain trade specifications. Unlike loss-on-drying (LOD) methods, the GAC2500 delivers non-destructive, operator-independent results in under 15 seconds per test—critical for high-volume receiving, drying, storage, and export certification workflows.
Key Features
- 149 MHz RF dielectric sensing platform with integrated IR temperature sensor for dynamic thermal compensation
- NTEP Class III certification (Certificate #18-075) for legal-for-trade moisture quantification in commercial grain handling
- 7-inch capacitive touchscreen interface with intuitive icon-driven navigation and multilingual OS support (English, Spanish, French, Portuguese)
- Modular hardware design enabling field-upgradable components: pass-through sample drawer, Ethernet communication module, and external I/O expansion port
- Backward-compatible calibration library—GAC2100 calibration coefficients load natively without revalidation or conversion
- Dual data capture modes: single-point verification and batch-mode sequential analysis with auto-incrementing sample IDs
- Ruggedized cast-aluminum chassis rated IP54 for dust resistance and incidental moisture exposure in elevator, mill, and field-lab environments
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The GAC2500 supports over 120 preloaded commodity-specific calibrations—including corn, wheat, soybeans, barley, oats, rice, sorghum, flaxseed, and specialty crops such as almonds, walnuts, and green coffee beans—each validated against AOAC 983.18 reference methodology. Custom calibration development follows ASTM D6437 guidelines and is supported by DICKEY-john’s certified calibration lab (ISO/IEC 17025 accredited). All firmware and calibration files comply with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records and signatures when used with optional audit-trail-enabled software. The system meets GLP/GMP documentation standards for QC laboratories engaged in HACCP, BRCGS, and FSSC 22000-certified operations.
Software & Data Management
Embedded firmware v5.2 includes secure local data management with timestamped test logs, user access levels (Operator, Supervisor, Administrator), and configurable report templates (PDF/CSV export). Optional GACLink™ PC software enables centralized fleet management, remote calibration validation, statistical process control (SPC) charting, and integration with LIMS via ODBC or HL7 interfaces. All data transfers are encrypted using TLS 1.2; internal memory retains full audit trails—including parameter changes, calibration events, and user logins—for regulatory review. Data integrity is preserved through cyclic redundancy check (CRC32) validation on every stored record.
Applications
- Grain receiving inspection at elevators, cooperatives, and processing plants
- Moisture profiling during in-bin drying and aeration management
- Pre-shipment verification for export compliance (e.g., GAFTA, FOSFA, USDA-AMS)
- Research applications in agronomy, post-harvest physiology, and breeding programs
- Quality assurance in snack food, flour milling, and oilseed crushing facilities
- Regulatory testing labs performing official grade determinations under USDA FGIS protocols
FAQ
Does the GAC2500 require daily calibration verification?
No—NTEP certification permits verification at intervals defined by internal quality procedures (typically weekly), provided environmental conditions remain stable and reference standards (traceable to NIST SRM 1567a) are used.
Can the GAC2500 measure moisture in ground or cracked grain?
Yes, but only with commodity-specific calibrations developed and validated for that physical form; whole-kernel calibrations must not be applied to processed material without re-validation per ASTM D6437 Annex A2.
Is firmware update supported remotely?
Firmware updates require local USB installation using DICKEY-john-signed binary packages; remote update capability is intentionally omitted to maintain regulatory compliance and cyber-security integrity.
What temperature range is supported for accurate operation?
Ambient operating range: 10 °C to 40 °C; sample temperature range: –5 °C to 50 °C, with automatic IR-based compensation applied across the full span.
How does the pass-through drawer improve throughput?
The optional pass-through drawer eliminates manual sample loading/unloading cycles, enabling continuous feed at up to 45 samples per hour while maintaining NTEP-mandated sample compaction consistency.
