Ways to make a digital scale more reliable?

[SWThomas]

I'm currently using a Dillon digital scale to weigh my powder charges. I like the size and the ease of use..., and the fact that it matches all my other Dillon stuff.... But it seems to be pretty inconsistent when used with the power adapter plugged in. I haven't used it enough with just batteries to get an idea of the consistency.

Are these scales more consistent when used with just batteries to power them? Are there ways to overcome the power fluctuations that make these scales inconsistent when they're plugged into an outlet?

 

[Immike]

This has been discussed in depth in the past. The bottom line was that florescent lights and other electronics need to be away from the scale.

 

[Dave T]

This has been discussed in depth in the past. The bottom line was that florescent lights and other electronics need to be away from the scale.

Mike,
I'm wondering, if there is a florescent light near by, does it make any difference whether it's turned on or not? If it's off, does that stop the interference? Maybe a dumb question.
Dave T

 

[Immike]

This has been discussed in depth in the past. The bottom line was that florescent lights and other electronics need to be away from the scale.

Mike,
I'm wondering, if there is a florescent light near by, does it make any difference whether it's turned on or not? If it's off, does that stop the interference? Maybe a dumb question.
Dave T

I have one up high above the table (6+ ft) on a separate circuit and don't have a problem. On the thread several said it was causing them grief. I am not sure how close is too close. They must emit some electrical static somehow and if it is coming from the bulbs or the unit I do not know. My cordless phone was a major problem that I had to remove from the area. The scale would go crazy just before it rang.

 

[ARshuter]

I let a friend use my setup once. His cell phone actually caused problems.

 

[jrm850]

My Kid's WiiU or the plasma it is hooked up to causes major problems for my Gem pro.

 

[Immike]

I let a friend use my setup once. His cell phone actually caused problems.

There is a pipeline company down the road and when they are sending out the trucks in the morning the radio traffic seems to bother the scale.

 

[Shynloco]

This has been discussed in depth in the past. The bottom line was that florescent lights and other electronics need to be away from the scale.

Mike,
I'm wondering, if there is a florescent light near by, does it make any difference whether it's turned on or not? If it's off, does that stop the interference? Maybe a dumb question.
Dave T

I have one up high above the table (6+ ft) on a separate circuit and don't have a problem. On the thread several said it was causing them grief. I am not sure how close is too close. They must emit some electrical static somehow and if it is coming from the bulbs or the unit I do not know. My cordless phone was a major problem that I had to remove from the area. The scale would go crazy just before it rang.

SWThomas,
IMHO, InMike has a good handle on the issues of electronic scale and the range of "outside" interference that makes them go nuts. Consider the sensitivity of these scales and then think about the realm of stationary and moving elements that COULD interfere. I too have my overhead fluorescent lamps AT LEAST 48" above the scale so they won't interfere because of electronic waves that the ballasts give off. Next comes a nearby refrigerator from which more interference comes when it cycles. So that baby is 7 ft from my reloading bench. Consider ordinary radio waves so no TV's or radios (of any sort) should be nearby. Then comes the overhead fans that produce air movement, something most scales don't like and will go wild. So stay away from fans and even open windows that create even a mild cross wind or air movement. And don't forget A/C systems with vents near the ceiling that cause air movement as well. In short, be original and think of ANYTHING that COULD create "Interference" to a sensitive and delicate instrument. Now none of that will make your scale more accurate. But it sure as heck will prevent your scale from drifting and the readouts going wild while to measure your loads. Hope that helps some.

Alex

 

[jlow]

I have used my GemPro250 for more than 3 years and I use it weekly. I have a bank of fluorescence lights right above the scale (~6 feet away) plugged into the same circuit. I also have a cordless phone about 4’ away. I have not found them causing any problem with my scale. What does affect the scale is not warming it up for 30 mins before use, and not properly grounding and wiping down my pan/clothing/chair I am seating on with anti-static dryer cloth. As long as I do this and calibrate the scale just before I use it, I have found no problem.

 

[jfseaman]

Lightly fog the area with "Static Guard", works for me very very well. Even helps with static prone powders like TrailBoss. Don't spray the powder, spray the closed container and the scale hopper.

 

[spclark]

Fluorescent ballasts don't have to be as much of a problem anymore now that electronic ballasts have become so prevalent. It's the older magnetic (i.e. transformer) type that'll disturb scales. Same thing with the CFL-style screw-in lightbulbs; fluorescent, yes but the ballasts in the base are electronic.

I don't use the latter at all anymore in preference to the newer & brighter LED products. CFL's never last as long as advertised and there's the disposal issue from the mercury they employ.

As for mobile phones? Yep, I leave mine on my bedroom dresser when I go into my 'cave' or turn it OFF if I feel the need to keep it close for some reason. Had an early Determinator that went nuts from them, my MMX123's better but still gets nobbled from them being anywhere close.

 

[Immike]

I have used my GemPro250 for more than 3 years and I use it weekly. I have a bank of fluorescence lights right above the scale (~6 feet away) plugged into the same circuit. I also have a cordless phone about 4’ away. I have not found them causing any problem with my scale. What does affect the scale is not warming it up for 30 mins before use, and not properly grounding and wiping down my pan/clothing/chair I am seating on with anti-static dryer cloth. As long as I do this and calibrate the scale just before I use it, I have found no problem.

Excellent post. I have a new cordless phone and it doesn't seem to bother the scale. I was going to expand on the scale so I will agree that it needs to be warmed up and calibrated carefully. I give mine a full hour and have the pan weight written in the bottom of the pan. The calibration weight is written on the scale also. Everything must agree with each other before I begin loading and continue to agree during. I run a 2nd and more sensitive scale to confirm the weight on each charge. It also has the calibration weight written on the scale. It doesn't take much for me to detect a problem before a case gets loaded.

 

[normmatzen]

You may want to consider that your problems may not be fluorescent lights or RF transmission. I have used all kinds of balances under fluorescent lights with no difference with them being off or on.

What may be the problem is the inherent instability of strain gauge scales. In comparison with force restoration balances, the strain gauge scales are much more unstable. I have a GemPro 250 and while it is very accurate, it must be re-tared very often as well as being very difficult to trickle into. I check it with a set of very small 1-20 grain weights and find it must be tared almost every 15 minutes!

Now I use a force restoration balance and it needs to be re-tared daily or even weekly! And, it responds within a second or so to trickling.

You get what you pay for.

 

[243Mendoza]

You may want to consider that your problems may not be fluorescent lights or RF transmission. I have used all kinds of balances under fluorescent lights with no difference with them being off or on.

What may be the problem is the inherent instability of strain gauge scales. In comparison with force restoration balances, the strain gauge scales are much more unstable. I have a GemPro 250 and while it is very accurate, it must be re-tared very often as well as being very difficult to trickle into. I check it with a set of very small 1-20 grain weights and find it must be tared almost every 15 minutes!

Now I use a force restoration balance and it needs to be re-tared daily or even weekly! And, it responds within a second or so to trickling. .."

Uncompensated strain gauges bridges are also temperature sensitive so room temp must stay constant.

What force restoration balance do you use?

 

[ridgeway]

Ways to make a digital scale more reliable?

Get a lab grade scale with a magnetic force restoration sensor.

 

[jlow]

Spclark’s point about the newer electronic ballasts is a good point – that’s what I have. If you have the older style, it may or may not cause you problems.

Lmmike – thanks.

Normmatzen – the debate between the GemPro 250 and the more expensive Force restoration balance is a long one. In the end, having to push the tar button 5-10 times because the balance is 0.02 grains off does not bother me and is more a function of my OCD than a real problem with the balance ;D. The key is it has to be accurate and precise and the GemPro 250 IMHO has both.