FX-120i >> what constitutes 'ON'?

[Alexander-M]

I have sent two messages on this subject to A&D Weighing, but have received no replies.

As recommended, I always turn on my FX-120i two to three hours before I intend to use it. Sometimes, when done, I keep it on if I anticipate further use even if several hours later.

<1> When the adapter is first plugged in, the scale comes to life and goes through tests 1 - 9, as shown on the display, and then the display goes blank except for a small arrow on the left.

<2> Then for operation, I press the ON/OFF button, the display comes alive again and shows the weighing information - ready for calibration, use, etc.

My question is what is 'ON' as far as warming up is concerned <1>, or <2>, or either?
In other words, do two hours after just <1> count for warm up, or do they have to be after <2>?

Thanks!

Alex
PS. Why ask? Because a couple of times I have turned the scale on <1>, but have forgotten to press the ON/OFF button. A couple of hours later I go back to use it, and realize that maybe the scale was not warming up.

 

[MrBottleneck]

Well, when you have the scale plugged in it is technically on but, the display shuts off. So, yes I believe it always warmed up internally it just like goes into a sleep mode turning off display.
This is my understanding anyhow.

 

[Ned Ludd]

What does the instruction manual say? In general, pressing the "On" button is what you want to do, as it sounds like your balance is in sleep mode until you do that. Why are you plugging the balance in every time you use it? Generally, I would recommend finding a permanent home for your balance on the bench/powder measuring area. Plug it in to a good surge protector, and leave it there. Placing the balance on a good heavy granite surface plate is also not a bad idea as it can help dampen extraneous vibration. If you really want to, you can turn the surge protector off every time you're finished, but it's not essential. Just flip the On/Off switch on the balance itself. We had a number of very high end Mettler analytical balances that stayed on the lab for years at a time without ever being turned off. They were fine, and they worked fine.

 

[AAA]

Alex:

Per Garry at balances.com.

Your AnD balance is on and warming up when you have it plugged in and the little arrow on the left side of the display is showing.
If it has been in the above state for at least 2 hours, then when you are ready to use it just hit the on button and weigh.
If you need to unplug it always unplug from the wall first.

Fun facts to learn and know from the grumpy scale guy who knows.

Randy

 

[Twoboxer]

To the extent that it is necessary for an FX120i to reach some temperature equilibrium, my own belief is you must press the ON/OFF button. At that point the scale is actually ready for use, and that's the condition you'd want to "warm up" to, if at all.

I also prefer to turn off power to the scale's transformer when the device is not in use. So I use surge-protected outlet strips with individual on/off switches for each outlet.

Many of those transformers get warm when powered, whether or not they are actually providing power to the associated device. Seems to me there's no need to use any power when the scale itself is not in use, and no need to expose it to power spikes. Admittedly this is probably overkill, but I've had three storm-related power outages here that caused extensive electronic damage throughout my home . . . thrice-burned, more careful, YMMV.

 

[jlow]

I do unplug the scale at the back when I am not using it specifically because if lightening strikes and not get grounded, no amount of surge protection will help your equipment. The surge is ONLY good for small power surges that comes down the line.

As a rule, when I need to use the scale, I plug it in at the back and push ON after the testing, wait for 30-60 minutes and I am GTG.

 

[Alexander-M]

I do have the wall adapter plugged into a switched surge protector, and turn it 'ON & OFF' with that switch.

I suspected that when power is applied, portions of the electronics may remain in sleep mode while the display is dormant - other than for the small, green arrow-shaped LED. I was concerned that this dormant circuitry may be specific to the weighing function, and may need warming up. Most logic components and passive components do not need warming up, but sensors are a different story for temperature stabilization. As a rule, I do press the ON/OFF button after I watch the scale go through the startup tests, but as I said, I have forgotten to do so a couple of times.
Thanks for you replies -
Alex

 

[rardoin]

Plug it in to a good surge protector, and leave it there. Placing the balance on a good heavy granite surface plate is also not a bad idea as it can help dampen extraneous vibration. If you really want to, you can turn the surge protector off every time you're finished, but it's not essential. Just flip the On/Off switch on the balance itself. We had a number of very high end Mettler analytical balances that stayed on the lab for years at a time without ever being turned off. They were fine, and they worked fine.

My experience also....however.....the power supply at an industrial or university laboratory is not likely to be subjected to sudden extreme power surges from an event such as a lightning strike. Even in the lab we had very high end, high Joule absorbing surge protectors on very high dollar critical items such as electron microscopes. In a residential setting, there is not much innate protection for a direct hit on the service entrance or a more distant line hit so I leave my balance unplugged. I do have a decent surge protector/line conditioner (Tripplite LC1800) but the Joules of energy than can surge down the circuit during a strike can easily overwhelm a surge protector unless it one many times the cost of my balance (Sartorious Entris 64). It is an inconvenience to plug it in every time I load but usually I have some prep work to consume that warm-up time prior to weighing charges. Call me paranoid... perhaps anal.