Arduino Project: HLT volume display using bathroom scales

[Andy]

Interesting but not sure if the maximum gain (128x) would be sufficient to convert the tiny load scale voltage changes into something useful.
The INA125P amplifier chip I'm using can go up to 10000 gain, I'm aiming for about 500x but have a variable resistor in place to let me tweak that.

I've got all the components onto a breadboard and written the Arduino sketch, just need to wire up the four wires from the bathroom scales to the breadboard + a few wires from breadboard to the Arduino That's this weekend's project!

[awalker]

Good luck Andy.

Spent the day doing an arduino to two temperature probes.
Both shown on a lcd.
The idea is to add other bits later on.
Its good fun isnt it.

[Fil]

Interesting but not sure if the maximum gain (128x) would be sufficient to convert the tiny load scale voltage changes into something useful.
The INA125P amplifier chip I'm using can go up to 10000 gain, I'm aiming for about 500x but have a variable resistor in place to let me tweak that.

I've got all the components onto a breadboard and written the Arduino sketch, just need to wire up the four wires from the bathroom scales to the breadboard + a few wires from breadboard to the Arduino That's this weekend's project!

shame the ready made interface board isnt upto the job, tho it sounds like tghe h/w aspect of the project is well in hand, good luck at the codeface

[Andy]

Good luck Andy.

Spent the day doing an arduino to two temperature probes.
Both shown on a lcd.
The idea is to add other bits later on.
Its good fun isnt it.

Sure is! Cheap and easy to get into also

[Andy]

shame the ready made interface board isnt upto the job, tho it sounds like tghe h/w aspect of the project is well in hand, good luck at the codeface

Thanks! The coding is the easy bit, it's the electrickery which isn't my strong point.

[Jim]

What are you using to write the software Andy?

I understand the Arduino is basically a hardware interface so presumably you're using a laptop or something and burning a memory device of some kind to plug into the Arduino?

[Andy]

What are you using to write the software Andy?

I understand the Arduino is basically a hardware interface so presumably you're using a laptop or something and burning a memory device of some kind to plug into the Arduino?

There's an Arduino "IDE" (integrated development environment) which runs on the PC. It's a program which allows you to edit Arduino programs (called sketches) and then compile them and send down to an attached Arduino board (via USB), once on the Arduino then the program starts running automatically. The IDE will let you see debug information that you might add into the sketch, via the USB interface also.

So basically, plug Arduino into PC/laptop via USB. The USB connection will supply power to the Arduino as well as allow data transfer.
Run the Arduino IDE program on the PC.
Load an existing/example sketch into the IDE or write your own.
Hit the IDE "upload" button which will compile the sketch and transfer to the attached Arduino.
Open up the IDE "Serial Monitor" which will show debug info from the sketch now running on the Arduino.
You can either power the Arduino via USB or via a PSU, the Arduino has both connections.

You can buy an Arduino board from ebay for about £6 posted. To have a play around that's all you need together with the free IDE.

[Jim]

Interesting!

I've been thinking of buying a Raspberry Pi and mucking about with that, but I gather the I/O side is a bit basic. Maybe the Arduino would be more appropriate.

[awalker]

Interesting!

I've been thinking of buying a Raspberry Pi and mucking about with that, but I gather the I/O side is a bit basic. Maybe the Arduino would be more appropriate.

Jim the pi is good for graphics and operating systems on.

Arduino is a basic micro - but great for switching relays and reading in values. Its good enough to drive lcd etc. Ideal for brewery automation.

A great way of learning to program as the ide has lots of examples built in. The website is excellent arduino.cc

I have programmed before pic and other processors. But the arduino is so well supported and cheap to get into its head and shoulders over any other device family.

[Jim]

......Ideal for brewery automation.........

That's the bit I'm interested in!

[JabbA]

Interesting!

I've been thinking of buying a Raspberry Pi and mucking about with that, but I gather the I/O side is a bit basic. Maybe the Arduino would be more appropriate.

I've got a couple of Raspberry Pis and one is destined to be a web server to display the brewery status so I can see what's what from my phone in the house!

I've been playing with a couple of my load cells this morning and got a steady reading of 5v with a HLT full of water but it doesn't change when I remove the load! More tinkering to be had this evening after my nephew's birthday party...

Cheers,
Jamie

[awalker]

Interesting!

I've been thinking of buying a Raspberry Pi and mucking about with that, but I gather the I/O side is a bit basic. Maybe the Arduino would be more appropriate.

I've got a couple of Raspberry Pis and one is destined to be a web server to display the brewery status so I can see what's what from my phone in the house!

I've been playing with a couple of my load cells this morning and got a steady reading of 5v with a HLT full of water but it doesn't change when I remove the load! More tinkering to be had this evening after my nephew's birthday party...

Cheers,
Jamie

Exactly what i want to do Jabba.

Get temperatures of the hlt of the mash while in the house
You can do it via blue tooth or wifi.
Bluetooth modules can be bought with a 105metre range
Wifi module i have is a wifly 131c

[dean_wales]

This looks such fun. Just getting an Arduino off eBay. Should I get the mega rather than the uno? Its only a few quid more.

Is there any difference between brands/vendors?

What accessories should I get at the same time? Cases, shield etc. Main use will be connecting up loads of temp sensors.

Dean.

[awalker]

This looks such fun. Just getting an Arduino off eBay. Should I get the mega rather than the uno? Its only a few quid more.

Is there any difference between brands/vendors?

What accessories should I get at the same time? Cases, shield etc. Main use will be connecting up loads of temp sensors.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321227805636? ... EBIDX%3AIT
Dean.

Up to you on Uno or Mega

I went with Uno as I am only doing basic stuff, think Mega has more memory (you can do a comparison on the arduino.cc website)

The extra I went for is

Prototype Prototyping Shield ProtoShield Mini Breadboard For Arduino UNO R3 v#h9
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321227805636? ... EBIDX%3AIT

BUT its for the Uno, make your own shields

[Andy]

Well an update: hooked everything up and....


....it doesn't work I get a steady reading from the amplifier regardless of any load on the scales and if I tweak the gain resistor then also, nothing happens.

Debugging analogue electronics isn't my strong point! Perhaps the amplifier chip is knackered, I'll recheck all wiring (again!).