tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359208343555922820.post5898479033951179483..comments2024-01-12T06:26:30.504+00:00Comments on Random Tech Stuff: Computer interface to a low cost electronic kitchen scale (part 1)JoeDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02413638198679968289noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359208343555922820.post-2502162252361346662015-09-10T12:34:04.047+01:002015-09-10T12:34:04.047+01:00Sorry, I didn't get to part 2 (yet! :-)
Soun...Sorry, I didn't get to part 2 (yet! :-) <br /><br />Sounds like an interesting project. Yes, I believe the sum of the for bathroom scales is the total weight, and perfect balancing is not needed. Just as long as the force being exerted on the scales is vertical. Btw: many electronic scales them selves comprise 4 corner strain guage sensors that are summed. <br /><br />Have you considered purchasing a new hanging scales? I brought one recently (0 - 200kg, 0.1kg accuracy) for about $50, but I've seen them even cheaper on Amazon. Joe Desbonnethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01861293299381288570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359208343555922820.post-62664476803062137622015-09-10T02:04:26.690+01:002015-09-10T02:04:26.690+01:00Nice article! I'll use this as the starting po...Nice article! I'll use this as the starting point for a project I have in mind (building a platform animal scale for use on our alpaca farm, based on resting a platform on four cheap 100kg bathroom digital scales and combining the readings and recording them on my laptop. It would be a worthwhile project as commercial vet scales cost $400+. We used to have a second-hand airport luggage scale that did the job, but it no longer works).<br /><br />A couple of questions:<br />1. Is there a 'part 2'?<br />2. If a platform was resting on four such scales will the total weight reading be correct even if the platform isn't perfectly balanced/level on the scales ie. if one scale is getting more of the load, the others should get less load but the total load should be constant?enoughwealth@yahoo.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09371028394685288035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359208343555922820.post-62125966127145395942014-01-15T22:36:46.910+00:002014-01-15T22:36:46.910+00:00This comment has been removed by the author.stretchedbaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05023950026849883152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359208343555922820.post-4394085873432553592012-02-27T17:42:37.198+00:002012-02-27T17:42:37.198+00:00David,
The simplest way to implement a timer is t...David,<br /><br />The simplest way to implement a timer is to do it in software in the microcontroller (MCU). If it's digital and made in the last 20 years then it almost certainly has a small MCU. So I doubt you can isolate any discrete components to disable that power-off behavior.<br /><br />So how to defeat the power off? that's a good question. It's possible (although unlikely) that it can be done through some menus. If it has menus, you might want to check that or read the user manual if you still have it (try googling for it if you don't). <br /><br />Next thought: you could implement a simple piece of electronics that emulated the power button being pressed every 30 seconds or so. Something like a 555 timer could do the job. But you'd have to understand how the switch is configured. Personally I'd use a small cheap PIC microcontroller (eg 12F675... but that involves getting skilled and tooled up in programming those devices.<br /><br />If you post the make/model of the scales maybe and/or links to photos I can think about the problem some more.Joe Desbonnethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01861293299381288570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359208343555922820.post-78389969937368902002012-02-27T17:24:09.934+00:002012-02-27T17:24:09.934+00:00hi, i am attempting to wire an inexpensive digital...hi, i am attempting to wire an inexpensive digital kitchen scale. it is powered with a 9v battery and i am trying to "hardwire" the unit by using the positive and negative wires from a discarded 9v wall wart. so far so good, my clumsy hands have managed to solder the wires from the wall wart to the battery receptacle in the correct configuration...it works. however, the unit has some sort of timer on its circuit board that automatically shut the scale off after approx 90 seconds, i guess to save the 9v battery from running down. i would like to locate the timer and bypass it so that i can plug the unit in and have it stay on until i unplug it. the on/off switch has a very tiny cap/resistor barrel shaped thing located within approx 3-5 mm of the switch. i thought that perhaps this thing is the functional timer. it's too small for me to see any detail on it other than it seems to have coloured stripes. any suggestions?<br />would be most thankful!<br />regards,<br />dave aplin<br />cliffsidehearth@gmail.comHavly Heevra Hovrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09183726958755313632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359208343555922820.post-18699696305266096752012-02-03T10:04:57.291+00:002012-02-03T10:04:57.291+00:00I have a use for such an interface! =) I help to r...I have a use for such an interface! =) I help to run a small urban farm in Berlin, and I'm interested in having a scale which can transfer information to a computer. I was lucky and found your post. We would love to use a such a scale for weighing harvests. I know it's been a couple of years since this was posted, but has there been any new information about this?jbuckshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14524891064688798958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359208343555922820.post-21695308851729765702010-12-24T12:10:17.415+00:002010-12-24T12:10:17.415+00:00I've got a small Java mini application in the ...I've got a small Java mini application in the works. It does simple calibration, weight in kg or lbs, tare etc. As for application - perhaps small trader point-of-sale (POS scales start at about $400!). It wouldn't be too difficult to expand the software to multiply weight by a cost-per-kg of a selected product and send to a label printer. <br /><br />It will also be useful for situations where you want a graph of weight vs time. I'd be curious to see how the weight a bee hive changes as honey reserves build up. Unfortunately you'd need something more substantial than a kitchen scales for that (perhaps a bathroom scales?).Joe Desbonnethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01861293299381288570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4359208343555922820.post-68625315263643981062010-12-23T16:32:51.765+00:002010-12-23T16:32:51.765+00:00So what would you use the interface for? What dat...So what would you use the interface for? What data logging applications are available to make use of an interface like this?<br /><br />ThanksSteven Romerohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00280714574220564899noreply@blogger.com