Awl --

I'm looking for a load cell/meter/transducer that I can splice into a chain,
and get some maximum readouts.

Inyone have experience with this, links, sources, etc?

Google yields a bit of fruit, searching on load cell, load cell meters,
strain gauges, load/force transducers, etc., but a little heads up would
proly do me wonders. Of course ahm not lookin to break my piggy bank....

The capacity should be about 1,000 lbs or so, which is proly more the load
cell than the meter. The meter should have a reasonable sampling rate, for
a decent idea of any maximums.

Be still my heart, but if data were downloadable over, say, a 15 sec period,
I'd be in heaven....

--
EA

On Aug 11, 2:14*pm, "Existential Angst" wrote:
Awl --

I'm looking for a load cell/meter/transducer that I can splice into a chain,
and get some maximum readouts.

Inyone have experience with this, links, sources, etc?

Google yields a bit of fruit, searching on load cell, load cell meters,
strain gauges, load/force transducers, etc., but a little heads up would
proly do me wonders. *Of course ahm not lookin to break my piggy bank.....

The capacity should be about 1,000 lbs or so, which is proly more the load
cell than the meter. *The meter should have a reasonable sampling rate, for
a decent idea of any maximums.

Be still my heart, but if data were downloadable over, say, a 15 sec period,
I'd be in heaven....

--
EA

These guys:

http://www.omega.com/

Used to send a Big set of catalogs, complete with a library of
information about load cells and thermocouples. Lots of reading to be
done there..

Once you understand what is out there, it is out there on ebay used/
surplus.

On 8/11/2010 3:14 PM, Existential Angst wrote:
Awl --

I'm looking for a load cell/meter/transducer that I can splice into a chain,
and get some maximum readouts.

Inyone have experience with this, links, sources, etc?

Google yields a bit of fruit, searching on load cell, load cell meters,
strain gauges, load/force transducers, etc., but a little heads up would
proly do me wonders. Of course ahm not lookin to break my piggy bank....

The capacity should be about 1,000 lbs or so, which is proly more the load
cell than the meter. The meter should have a reasonable sampling rate, for
a decent idea of any maximums.

Be still my heart, but if data were downloadable over, say, a 15 sec period,
I'd be in heaven....

Try googling "crane scale".

On Aug 11, 3:14*pm, "Existential Angst" wrote:
Awl --

I'm looking for a load cell/meter/transducer that I can splice into a chain,
and get some maximum readouts.

Inyone have experience with this, links, sources, etc?

Google yields a bit of fruit, searching on load cell, load cell meters,
strain gauges, load/force transducers, etc., but a little heads up would
proly do me wonders. *Of course ahm not lookin to break my piggy bank.....

The capacity should be about 1,000 lbs or so, which is proly more the load
cell than the meter. *The meter should have a reasonable sampling rate, for
a decent idea of any maximums.

Be still my heart, but if data were downloadable over, say, a 15 sec period,
I'd be in heaven....

--
EA

You want accurate?
http://www.dillon-force.com/

jsw

"Existential Angst" fired this volley in
:

Awl --

I'm looking for a load cell/meter/transducer that I can splice into a
chain, and get some maximum readouts.

Inyone have experience with this, links, sources, etc?

Google yields a bit of fruit, searching on load cell, load cell
meters, strain gauges, load/force transducers, etc., but a little
heads up would proly do me wonders. Of course ahm not lookin to break
my piggy bank....

The capacity should be about 1,000 lbs or so, which is proly more the
load cell than the meter. The meter should have a reasonable sampling
rate, for a decent idea of any maximums.

Be still my heart, but if data were downloadable over, say, a 15 sec
period, I'd be in heaven....


If you don't mind putting together a "package" yourself, there's a pretty
inexpensive way to do it.

1) You'll need a load cell amplifier. Unless you're particularly adept
at reading the output of a Wheatstone bridge and translating that into
force, you need a load cell amp. It will "read" the bridge imbalance in
the load cell, and output a sizable DC voltage proportional to load.

I designed one, the design for which I will give you for free. I'll even
sell you a blank PC board and parts list/instructions for it for $22.
But you can buy load cell amps already assembled, as well.

2) You'll need the cell, of course; in a correct load range to handle
your load.

3) Unless you're very lucky to find a tension cell you can afford, you'll
have to build a mechanical mount that allows the load to deflect the cell
in the appropriate direction. The most common inexpensive cells are
cantilever style, which means one end of the cell mounts on a fixed
surface, and the load deflects the opposite end. Simple. I have a
compression test frame design I'll give you for free, too, but you'll
have to translate the design into one that reads tension.

4) You'll need a recording method. The simplest is to use a commercial
A/D converter that can be read and recorded by a computer (via RS232 or
USB). A very inexpensive one available today will read about 200 samples
per second, and record the readings as a list or a chart.

For the Data Acquisition Units (the A/D) see DATAQ.com. Their 148U
devices are cheap and reliable.

For surplus load cells that will probably meet your needs for cheap, see
AEROCON.com

LLoyd

On Wed, 11 Aug 2010 16:31:54 -0400, "J. Clarke"
wrote:

On 8/11/2010 3:14 PM, Existential Angst wrote:
Awl --

I'm looking for a load cell/meter/transducer that I can splice into a chain,
and get some maximum readouts.

Inyone have experience with this, links, sources, etc?

Google yields a bit of fruit, searching on load cell, load cell meters,
strain gauges, load/force transducers, etc., but a little heads up would
proly do me wonders. Of course ahm not lookin to break my piggy bank....

The capacity should be about 1,000 lbs or so, which is proly more the load
cell than the meter. The meter should have a reasonable sampling rate, for
a decent idea of any maximums.

Be still my heart, but if data were downloadable over, say, a 15 sec period,
I'd be in heaven....

Try googling "crane scale".

Ive got one that I picked up...500 kilo scale. Id sell it to you for
$100 plus shipping.

Gunner


"A conservative who doesn't believe? in God simply doesn't pray;
a godless liberal wants no one to pray. A conservative who doesn't
like guns doesn't buy one; a liberal gun-hater wants to disarm us all.
A gay conservative has sex his own way; a gay liberal requires us all
to watch and accept his perversion and have it taught to children.
A conservative who is offended by a radio show changes the station;
an offended liberal wants it banned, prosecuted and persecuted."
Bobby XD9

On Aug 11, 5:42*pm, "Lloyd E. Sponenburgh"
lloydspinsidemindspring.com wrote:
...
For the Data Acquisition Units (the A/D) see DATAQ.com. *Their 148U
devices are cheap and reliable.
LLoyd-

I have the DI-194RS. You can decrease the input range and improve the
resolution by removing the input resistor divider.
http://www.dataq.com/gl/starterkit.htm

jsw

"Lloyd E. Sponenburgh" lloydspinsidemindspring.com wrote in message
. 3.70...
"Existential Angst" fired this volley in
:

Awl --

I'm looking for a load cell/meter/transducer that I can splice into a
chain, and get some maximum readouts.

Inyone have experience with this, links, sources, etc?

Google yields a bit of fruit, searching on load cell, load cell
meters, strain gauges, load/force transducers, etc., but a little
heads up would proly do me wonders. Of course ahm not lookin to break
my piggy bank....

The capacity should be about 1,000 lbs or so, which is proly more the
load cell than the meter. The meter should have a reasonable sampling
rate, for a decent idea of any maximums.

Be still my heart, but if data were downloadable over, say, a 15 sec
period, I'd be in heaven....


If you don't mind putting together a "package" yourself, there's a pretty
inexpensive way to do it.

1) You'll need a load cell amplifier. Unless you're particularly adept
at reading the output of a Wheatstone bridge and translating that into
force, you need a load cell amp. It will "read" the bridge imbalance in
the load cell, and output a sizable DC voltage proportional to load.

I designed one, the design for which I will give you for free. I'll even
sell you a blank PC board and parts list/instructions for it for $22.
But you can buy load cell amps already assembled, as well.

2) You'll need the cell, of course; in a correct load range to handle
your load.

3) Unless you're very lucky to find a tension cell you can afford, you'll
have to build a mechanical mount that allows the load to deflect the cell
in the appropriate direction. The most common inexpensive cells are
cantilever style, which means one end of the cell mounts on a fixed
surface, and the load deflects the opposite end. Simple. I have a
compression test frame design I'll give you for free, too, but you'll
have to translate the design into one that reads tension.

4) You'll need a recording method. The simplest is to use a commercial
A/D converter that can be read and recorded by a computer (via RS232 or
USB). A very inexpensive one available today will read about 200 samples
per second, and record the readings as a list or a chart.

For the Data Acquisition Units (the A/D) see DATAQ.com. Their 148U
devices are cheap and reliable.

For surplus load cells that will probably meet your needs for cheap, see
AEROCON.com

Super-info!
What of a digital display? Part of the above, or a separate item?

What about this:
http://www.transducertechniques.com/...Cell-Meter.cfm
What about all the options at the bottom, is alladat required? + the load
cell. Adds up to quite a bit.
--
EA



LLoyd

"Existential Angst" wrote in message
...
"Lloyd E. Sponenburgh" lloydspinsidemindspring.com wrote in message
. 3.70...
"Existential Angst" fired this volley in
:

Awl --

I'm looking for a load cell/meter/transducer that I can splice into a
chain, and get some maximum readouts.

Inyone have experience with this, links, sources, etc?

Google yields a bit of fruit, searching on load cell, load cell
meters, strain gauges, load/force transducers, etc., but a little
heads up would proly do me wonders. Of course ahm not lookin to break
my piggy bank....

The capacity should be about 1,000 lbs or so, which is proly more the
load cell than the meter. The meter should have a reasonable sampling
rate, for a decent idea of any maximums.

Be still my heart, but if data were downloadable over, say, a 15 sec
period, I'd be in heaven....


If you don't mind putting together a "package" yourself, there's a pretty
inexpensive way to do it.

1) You'll need a load cell amplifier. Unless you're particularly adept
at reading the output of a Wheatstone bridge and translating that into
force, you need a load cell amp. It will "read" the bridge imbalance in
the load cell, and output a sizable DC voltage proportional to load.

I designed one, the design for which I will give you for free. I'll even
sell you a blank PC board and parts list/instructions for it for $22.
But you can buy load cell amps already assembled, as well.

2) You'll need the cell, of course; in a correct load range to handle
your load.

3) Unless you're very lucky to find a tension cell you can afford, you'll
have to build a mechanical mount that allows the load to deflect the cell
in the appropriate direction. The most common inexpensive cells are
cantilever style, which means one end of the cell mounts on a fixed
surface, and the load deflects the opposite end. Simple. I have a
compression test frame design I'll give you for free, too, but you'll
have to translate the design into one that reads tension.

4) You'll need a recording method. The simplest is to use a commercial
A/D converter that can be read and recorded by a computer (via RS232 or
USB). A very inexpensive one available today will read about 200 samples
per second, and record the readings as a list or a chart.

For the Data Acquisition Units (the A/D) see DATAQ.com. Their 148U
devices are cheap and reliable.

For surplus load cells that will probably meet your needs for cheap, see
AEROCON.com

Super-info!
What of a digital display? Part of the above, or a separate item?

What about this:
http://www.transducertechniques.com/...Cell-Meter.cfm
What about all the options at the bottom, is alladat required? + the load
cell. Adds up to quite a bit.

Also, does it greatly complexify things to average two or more load cells?
--
EA


--
EA



LLoyd

"Existential Angst" fired this volley in
:

Also, does it greatly complexify things to average two or more load
cells?

On the matter of a digital display, the DATAQ small units rely upon your
computer to do the displaying. DATAQ also makes stand-alone hand-held
units-- some with built-in load cell amps.

"Averaging" two or more load cells can be done easily with the computer
version. The DI-148U, for instance, has eight inputs. (up to 8 load
cells). The software will put out a list in CSV format that Excel can
average (out of real time, of course), and generate a graph of the sums
or differences.

For multiple load cells, it's summing and differentiation you want, not
averaging. If two load cells are both taking the load, perhaps un-
evenly, you don't want the average of their reading, but the sum. If two
were arranged so that one was being forced to relax at the same time the
other was loaded, you'd take the difference as the total load.

LLoyd