i have a set of digital scales and when they are on 0.00 and you weigh something they return to a -0.02 or -0.04....why?????
why do my scales read negative????
- Thread starter yamahaman36
- Start date
If you have a little air current when you initially zero it (air is rarely dead still unless you have a draft shield and close it and let it sit for 10-15 seconds before zero) and that current is absent later the scale may read 'lighter than zero'. In addition temperature changes will cause a little drift unless you have a really high dollar analytical balance that has precise temp compensation....I'm talking about a scale a bit pricier than even a Sartorious Entris 64. Line voltage variation will also cause a little drift. As mentioned, I 're-tare' (zero with the weighing receptacle on the pan) every 50-100rds even on my Sartorious.
dcali
Bullet Maker
'cause the whole world's upside down these days.
Seriously, though, scales are just ways of measuring force. You have to calibrate it to what "zero" is. Especially with sensitive scales, that zero point will move around a bit based on who knows what. That's why there's a "zero" button.
Seriously, though, scales are just ways of measuring force. You have to calibrate it to what "zero" is. Especially with sensitive scales, that zero point will move around a bit based on who knows what. That's why there's a "zero" button.
Shooter13
Gold $$ Contributor
There is a large discussion talking about the Chargemaster and most if not all have drift, a way I and others have prevented it is with a battery power supply (as long as you have done what most have already said here). I purchased one and it has eliminated the drift.
A good quality sensitive scale shows us a lot. Sometimes more then we need to know. I have a a Sartorius Entris. It reads to .001 grains. This scale drifts a little, but only around .010 grains. A scale that reads only to .01--which is plenty precise--wouldn't show anywhere near as much drift.
A kernel of Varget weighs .018 - .022 grains for perspective. Not sure a one or even two kernel variance would show up on he chrono or target at any distance.
A kernel of Varget weighs .018 - .022 grains for perspective. Not sure a one or even two kernel variance would show up on he chrono or target at any distance.
bozo699
Gold $$ Contributor
INTJ,
Which Sartorius model do you have? My GD503 Sartorius is spot on with yours. I leave mine on 24/7 and as long as weather permits no a/c mine almost doesn’t drift at all. Sometimes a whole week will go by and my 1500 will be off by as much as 2 grains but the 503 is usually all zeros
Wayne
Mine is the Entris 128. I leave it on in standby 24/7 as well. I even added magnets to the power line but it didn't seem to make much difference. What I am calling drift may just be micro air currents. A wave of my hand can read as much as .040 grains. When I leave the covers closed the scale stays at 0.000
dcali
Bullet Maker
It never got answered, so I guess there's redemption in that for those of us who, um, can't read dates?
I have the AND Fx-120, and I leave it on all the time. The scale is zeroed with the pan on the scale. With the pan removed it reads -675.80. (which is where I leave it 24/7).
It will read that weight for days... EXCEPT if a strong weather front is coming through. Yes it is a barometer!! Took me a while to figure this out. Reading would change +/- .04 grains.
Anyone else notice this ?
It will read that weight for days... EXCEPT if a strong weather front is coming through. Yes it is a barometer!! Took me a while to figure this out. Reading would change +/- .04 grains.
Anyone else notice this ?
okie
Gold $$ Contributor
kinda off subject but i have some gold marked jelenko....?
I don't know if anyone else has seen this, but if I let my scale on, which I do 24/7, when I return to weight powder. the tare is always spot where it should be. Once I start weighing powder, the scale seems to drift and the tare gets lighter. Usually drifts slowly several tenths. If I walk away and come back half an hour later, the tare is back to where it should be. I am constantly resetting it to zero while using it. as soon as the tare starts to drift, I check the weight on a balance beam scale and must add a few kernels of powder.
The scale is a RCBS 1500. When I called RCBS, they tried to convince me that when the tare drifted it didn't matter. I insisted it be sent back for repairs. When I got it back it was the same.
I use a battery to operate and that stabilizes the voltage and current and am still using incontinence light bulbs.
The scale is a RCBS 1500. When I called RCBS, they tried to convince me that when the tare drifted it didn't matter. I insisted it be sent back for repairs. When I got it back it was the same.
I use a battery to operate and that stabilizes the voltage and current and am still using incontinence light bulbs.
If your digital scale does not seem consistent, new batteries usually fix it.
jelenko
Gold $$ Contributor
Yeah - a distant relative. They've sold the business to some corporation.Just to level set: I'm 77 and still working full time.
jelenko
Gold $$ Contributor
Same with my GemPro 500. Pan on the scale, always! = 0.000. More than 5 weighings - starts to drift.
okie
Gold $$ Contributor
yeah --I hear you. If my kids go to college my life insurance will end up paying for it...
Just to level set: I'm 77 and still working full time.
I had some too years back.... stamped on the pennyweights along with some centrifugal investment casting related gear.
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