Category Archives: Truck Scale Digital Weight Indicators

Most Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Scales

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Over the past few years, we have received numerous questions and inquiries about truck scales and vehicle weighing related items. So, we thought it would make a perfect article called Most Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Scales. Below is a summary of the top questions that we have received along with some basic answers to assist you.

What is a Truck Scale and How Exactly Does a Truck Scale Work?

Truck scales are industrial scales built to weigh vehicles. The most common use of a truck scale is to determine the weight of bulk goods being bought and/or sold. You may have seen this mentioned before but in many cases, a truck scale functions figuratively like a cash register for a company. In addition to commercial use, many states use truck scales to check for a truck’s compliance with truck weight limits. The vehicle scales are very popular at feedmills, solid waste processing and metal recycling centers, etc….

As for how a truck scale works, basically you start with a foundation. This is normally a concrete foundation that the truck scale will be anchored to. The actual scale platforms are anchored onto the foundation. There are usually multiple platform modules connected to make up a 70 foot long truck scale. Inside of these modules are load cells. These are the sensors that measure the weight when you drive up on the scale. These can be analog, digital or hydraulic. The weight is then displayed on the digital weight indicator.

how do truck scales work?

How Much does a Truck Scale Cost? Should I Buy a Used Truck Scale?

This is a question that we have tackled before! This number has changed obviously over the years. At the time of this article, the typical truck scale costs are probably near $75,000 or more when you factor in all the various expenses. Remember, this estimate can fluctuate. For example, there have been multiple price increases during the past twelve months.

Regarding used truck scales…. In most cases, we are against buying used truck scales. The reason is these are weighing devices that have 80,000 lb vehicles driven over them constantly and endure all that Mother Nature can throw at them…. year after year. A lot can happen to a truck scale that’s been in use out in the elements for an entire decade.

That being said, sure there might be some good deals on a “low mileage” or “hardly used” used truck scale, but in our opinion, the best long term decision is to buy a brand new truck scale that you hopefully will get to use for two or three decades.

What is the Average Life Span of a Truck Scale?

In our opinion, most truck scales should last around 25 years. However, a lot depends on choosing a quality scale and one that is matched to the amount of truck traffic you expect. Weather elements can also factor into longevity as well. This is where consulting with your truck scale sales person can be a huge benefit when shopping for a truck scale..

All things being equal, a truck scale that weighs a couple of hundred trucks a day is going to wear out quicker than a truck that only weighs a handful of trucks a day. This is an important question and one that you need to discuss with the scale company(s) that you are working with when shopping for a truck scale.

How Accurate is a Truck Scale?

If you buy or sell goods based on the weight of the truck scale, accuracy is critical. Profit, Inventory Levels, and much more are at stake! On a typical 120,000 x 20 lb capacity truck scale, we typically tell folks the accuracy of your truck scale should be somewhere in the neighborhood of 0.1 of one percent.

How Long is an Average Truck Scale?

Most folks weigh typical trucks with trailer. The majority of the time, that means a 70 x 11 truck scale is typical. However, we have seen 80 foot long truck scales or longer utilized. You want to make sure that you choose a vehicle scale that will allow you to get all the tires on the weighing platforms. This is an important subject to consider when choosing a truck scale.

What is a Load Cell & How Many do I Need?

A load cell is the item(s) in a truck scale that measure the weight being applied. Most truck scales require ~ 8 load cells. In most scales, the load cells are wired through the scale platform & summed together in a junction box.

What is a Junction Box?

A j-box is a box with a summing card inside. Usually anywhere from (4) to (8) load cells are connected to the summing card inside the junction box. The card can then be adjusted by the scale technician when calibrating the scale. The signals of multiple load cells are adjustable and then once they are fine tuned, are capable of being wired to the digital weight indicator via the homerun cable.

Should I Purchase a Steel Deck Truck Scale or a Concrete Deck Truck Scale?

Steel deck truck scales have a quick installation time (usually one day) and they are lighter weight. This also is a benefit if you ever need to move or sell the truck scale, years later.

Concrete deck truck scales have a much longer installation time overall since the concrete must cure. The scales are also much heavier which can make moving them or selling them more difficult. On the plus side, a concrete deck typically has better traction than a steel deck.

So, ultimately either choice of industrial scale can be a good one. It depends on what your particular needs are and what your future plans might be with the scale.

I Keep Reading About Lightening. How can I protect my truck scale from lightning?

Most truck scale manufacturers offer weighing scales with grounding and industry standard protection which in most cases involves a single point grounding system with surge protector. This is an ongoing area where manufacturers are working improve their products for better protection. We’ve seen better protection being introduced for load cells and summing boards for example.

How Much Truck Scale Service Maintenance is there? How Often Should I Calibrate a Truck Scale?

With an investment like a truck scale, it makes good sense to have the scale checked & calibrated on a regular basis. Generally, we suggest that truck scale owners have their scales checked anywhere from twice a year to four times a year. Also, the scale owner can do a few things as well throughout the year like keeping the scale underside clean and debris free since buildup under a truck scale is a very common problem.

Another to consider when determining calibration frequency is how many trucks per day are weighed on the scale and the dollar value of what you’re weighing. If your 120,000 pound capacity truck scale is off just a hundred pounds, it can mean thousands of dollars of profit loss and/or a safety hazard. So basically if your truck scale weighs a lot of trucks every day, then you should consider a regular quarterly calibration program with your scale company.

We hope this article helps you to make an intelligent scale purchase. The truth is, there are numerous scale companies located throughout the United States that employee very smart and talented scale professionals who can work with you to recommend a great scale for your weighing needs. As for the scale manufacturers, there are multiple high quality scale manufacturers in the United States who build very good truck scales.



What are the Advantages of a Digital Truck Scale versus a Digital Conversion Box?

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Digital truck scales and digital conversion boxes both provide distinct advantages that increase efficiency, calibration, and diagnostic information communication. The following is just a portion of the information contained in this article which highlights the advantages for both and how they provide more value for those willing to make the switch to these invaluable truck scale technologies.

Cardinal Scale Digital Truck Scales

What are the advantages of a digital truck scale vs. a digital conversion box?

Digital truck scales offer many more diagnostic options regarding weight offset, maximum weight, cell capacity, calibration within the cell, hot and cold temperature compensation values, and temperature offsets for external temperatures. Digital truck scales feature internal calibration and all truck scale diagnostics originate from within the digital load cell itself. Digital truck scales feature load cells and load cell cables that are plug-and-play to simplify the connection process and reduce time spent terminating wiring connections. Load cells can be very easily and quickly replaced to save time and effort. Since the cell circuitry is internal to the cell, the need for a junction box and all of the accompanying wiring is eliminated. Digital truck scales also have the added benefit of remote digital monitoring, which can monitor the digital truck scale system in real time.

Digital conversion boxes have the capability of updating an analog load cell system to a digital version. If the scale owner already has an existing analog scale, then upgrading to a digital conversion system might make sense. Digital conversion boxes tend to be used more often with multiple scale systems to maximize utility of the digital conversion box system. They can be configured to a remote digital monitoring system, so they can view multiple locations at a time.

How do digital truck scales and digital conversion boxes increase efficiency over an analog system?

Digital truck scales greatly decrease the time and effort needed in diagnosing potential failures and, in turn, decreasing downtime due to cell failure. Since digital load cells are calibrated to the system before shipment, set-up time is minimal. The quick and exact digital diagnosis from remote diagnostic software reduces guesswork and time needed to find the root cause of the load cell failure. Since the system is completely digital, there is little chance of loss of signal resolution due to an analog signal. Digital truck scales feature a much simpler daisy-chain design regarding load cell wiring and load cells, and load cell cables can be replaced much quicker.

Digital conversion boxes expedite the conversion of analog information into a more manageable signal and can make diagnosing cell problems easier to detect when compared to an analog system.

A digital conversion box begins the diagnostic process within the conversion box. The digital conversion box gathers analog signals that are converted to digital signals and diagnoses cell failures when summing signals within the conversion box. Digital conversion boxes provide a panel of diagnostic attributes when checking for cell viability. The cell failure will be isolated to the faulty load cell section that includes the load cell, load cell cable, or analog section. This means less specific information is provided to the digital conversion box due to limitations within this type of system. When a cell fails, the replacement cell will be calibrated to the existing system.

Digital truck scale systems are monitored through remote software. Digital conversion boxes have the capability of being remotely monitored to diagnose problems as well. Any digital system will have an immediate advantage when giving the end user the capability of receiving alerts through the indicator and/or remote monitoring software when an issue arises.

What is required to replace a digital load cell vs. an analog load cell working in conjunction with a digital conversion box? How long does it typically take?

Since digital conversion occurs within the load cell in a digital truck scale system, digital load cells can be replaced quickly and easily. The scale corner must be lifted, bolts holding the load cell in place must be loosened, and the load cell cable connector must be uncoupled. Once the faulty cell has been taken out, the replacement cell will be connected to the load cell cable, bolted back into place, and then the digital load cell is back in full operation. This whole process takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes.

Digital conversion boxes monitor a system of load cells from within the conversion box. Once a load cell has been shown to possess an error, errors will be checked for the cell. The scale corner is lifted and the junction box will be opened to disconnect the five-wire cable from the load cell that must be pulled through the conduit. Then the load cell cable must be pulled back through the conduit to connect the new load cell. The wiring is then connected to the digital conversion box. After this, the junction box must be re-sealed. Special attention must be paid to prevent moisture or sediment from gathering or entering the junction box enclosure, due to the increased likelihood of leaks from within the junction box, leaks from gland connectors, and exposure from wiring load cells onto the board inside the junction box. On average, replacing an analog cell through a digital conversion box will take roughly an hour or more.

What are the connection differences between digital truck scales and analog truck scales with digital conversion boxes?

Digital load cells are daisy-chained through load cell cables linked by cable connectors. The need for wiring back to a junction box is not necessary, since the digital load cells communicate directly with the indicator. If the cables are damaged connecting to the load cell, they can be replaced without having to replace the load cell.

Digital conversion boxes are wired from the analog load cell to the junction box. Once there, each of the load cells are wired directly to a digital conversion board, secured through gland connectors on the junction box, and adjusted to calibrate the analog load cell. Analog load cell cables do not have the advantage of being monitored as they are permanently linked to the load cell. If a section of the wiring to a load cell is damaged, the load cell will have to be replaced.

Ultimately, whether you’re purchasing a brand new digital truck scale or you’re updating your traditional analog truck scale to digital, one of the most important benefits to end users is the ability to keep their scale operating for longer, with less interruptions and smaller intervals of downtime. If you need additional information on this information, please contact the sales team at Central Carolina Scale.

Cardinal Pit-Mounted Truck Scales Provide Port of Miami Ability to Weigh Greater Volume of Freight

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Two Additional Cardinal Scale Pit-Mounted EPR Truck Scales Provide Terminal the Ability to Weigh Greater Volumes of Freight. Major ocean transport company adds more Cardinal EPR truck scales and 210 indicators to expedite traffic flow for 600 truck weighments per day at busy Port of Miami.

Traffic congestion was becoming a major issue at the Port of Miami with a steady increase in export freight volumes over the last several years and the completion of a new underground truck tunnel leading into the port. A lengthy line of trucks were typically waiting to be weighed before entering the freight terminals at the port.

It became apparent that a solution was needed to be able to move this increased traffic through the port more quickly and efficiently.

 

Cardinal Scale Pit Type Truck Scale

One of the largest ocean transport companies at the Port of Miami rearranged their container yard and came to Cardinal Scale seeking a solution for its truck scale needs.

Cardinal Scale had several meetings with Port of Miami officials and the ocean transport company’s personnel during which various yard and scale layouts were considered, including above or below ground scales, steel or concrete decks, network connectivity, and weight documentation.

It was ultimately decided that there would be two new inbound steel deck truck scales installed below grade in deep pits. The deep pit request presented an important challenge: How to ensure that a 4 1/2 foot deep pit would remain dry at just above sea level on an island?

Cardinal Scale had stressed the importance of keeping the pit dry during the design process.

Therefore, the ocean transport company contracted with an engineering company that designed and built an elaborate self-contained underground pump station, which was built adjacent to both scale pits to prevent the pits from flooding.

The ocean transport company decided to purchase two new 13570-EPR truck scales from Cardinal Scale, which were slightly modified to be installed in the pits. The pit design was chosen to save yard space, as well as, producing an easier and safer method for drivers and other personnel to move in and around the trucks. A steel deck was chosen over a concrete deck to avoid delays associated with the curing time of a concrete deck.

The scales were connected to Cardinal Scale model 210 weight indicators fitted with 10/100 Ethernet cards and attached to P500 receipt printers, which were installed in two separate scale houses. The Ethernet cards allow them to communicate the weight data to their remote server and the ticket printers allow them to produce a hard copy for the truck drivers, which not only includes their truck ID, but the time and date of weighment as well.

The ocean transport company’s freight terminal at the Port of Miami operates 24/7, 365 days a year.

It can now weigh more than 600 trucks per day with the addition of the two pit-mounted Cardinal truck scales. The ocean transport company has substantially reduced the weigh-in time for each truck, which in turn allows them to load the freight containers on the cargo ships more efficiently.

The additional truck weighing scales have led to shorter lines of trucks, thus improving the overall traffic congestion at the Port of Miami as well.

You can read more about the case study by clicking the link.

How To Save $500 On Your New Truck Scale System

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When you’re purchasing a truck scale, there are many different items and costs to consider. So, any costs that you can possibly reduce can make a substantial difference. One area to consider is the cost of the digital weight indicator. The odds are if you’re putting in a new truck scale, you will probably be quoted an indicator that is the same brand as the truck scale you’re buying. For example, if you’re looking to buy a Cardinal Armor “EPR” truck scale, you will probably be quoted a Cardinal 225 weight indicator. If you’re looking at a Rice Lake ATV truck scale, you will probably be quoted a Rice Lake 720i weight readout. These indicators are nice and will do an outstanding job for you. But, they can be a little pricey. An alternative choice that you might want to consider is the Pennsylvania 7600E which in some cases could save you $500 or more.

The Pennsylvania 7600E Indicator is IDEAL for TRUCK SCALE, Heavy Capacity, and BATCHING applications with convenient I/O connections and Menu Driven batching sequences or 300 Truck Tare memories with menu-selected Print Sequences. It was designed for expanded capabilities (using the PLUS+ Series Main Board) and is a DIRECT EXCHANGE REPLACEMENT indicator for thousands of similar units presently in use. Simplified 5-Button front panel model has all of the features and capabilities of the 7600E but is designed for direct replacement for many existing UMC600 or IQ700 series applications; dual independent RS-232 outputs, for example drive both scoreboard / remote display and ticket printer.

POWER & FLEXIBILITY– The 7600E adapts to the most demanding applications with a wide range of outputs, options, and features.  No need for expensive programming or expensive set-up. The 7600E is one of the easiest to use, easiest to install, easiest to live with indicators available today!

TRUCK SCALE APPLICATIONS: 300 Tare Weight memories and IN/OUT program plus menu-selectable ticket formats make the 7600E the obvious choice. 10 point linearization and tweak mode for calibrating convenience. Two separate digital outputs for printers and scoreboards plus optional relay alarms for truck-on-scale, overload warnings and more.

BENCH & FLOOR PLATFORMS: Keyboard Tare entry plus storage by ID# for up to 300 Tare Weights. Two independent digital outputs for printers, remote displays, scoreboards, control I/O. Free factory calibration to any Pennsylvania platform and fully
expandable for future requirements. SS enclosure with convenient U-Bracket mount.

IDEAL REPLACEMENT INDICATOR—grams to tons, designed specifically for fast, seamless installation in a wide variety of replacement applications as well as new installations.
• (2) Programmable Serial Data Ports standard
• 300 Truck IN/OUT Tare Memories
• Smart Serial™ Setup programmable serial data strings
• Calibration designed specifically for Batching/Truck Scales
• Optional Analog Output (4-20 mA/0-10 VDC)
• Optional Digital Relay I/O with menu driven Batching features
• Drives up to (8) 350 ohm or (10) 1000 ohm load cells
• Proven PLUS+ Series Main Board fits all Pennsylvania brand products
• ESD and RFI shielding are standard
• Stainless Steel enclosure with U-bracket mount standard

So when you’re looking to put in a new truck scale, one of the easy ways to save a few bucks is to go with a less expensive digital weight indicator like the Pennsylvania 7600E, which is made in America by the way.

New Satellite Unattended Truck Weighing Kiosks

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Cardinal Scale’s New Unattended Weighing Terminals are Loaded with Valuable Features. Cardinal Scale’s new USA-made Satellite series unattended weighing kiosks provide the ultimate experience in unmanned truck scale efficiency and streamlined data integration. The lockable, weather-proof enclosure features a modern design aesthetic with optional rainhood/sun deflector. Select a Satellite model with the features you need including a high-speed thermal cutbar tape printer, proximity badge reader (AWID and HID), 240 x 64 pixel blue backlit LCD or 640 x 480 pixel backlit color touch screen LCD, and with or without a rainhood. True to its name, the Satellite offers independent remote control over your weighing operations and connects the truck scale to SB500 remote displays with integrated traffic signals, existing computer networks, other digital weight indicators, and WinVRS vehicle recording software.

The weatherproof QWERTY keyboard with navigation arrow keys and main soft keys provides driver input prompting controls. Fast, accurate, and easy to operate, the Satellite series offers models with a brilliant full-color graphics LCD touch-screen display and 10/100 Base-T Ethernet standard (TCP/IP or EIP). The Satellite may be mounted on a wall or pole (complete mounting bracket included), and the unique articulating arm allows the kiosk to be pulled toward the truck driver while weighing and then retracted away from the truck when not in use.

These unattended weighing terminals allow the driver to remain in their vehicle while weighing which reduces the risk associated with walking across truck scale platforms and traffic lanes. Not only is this a safer method of receiving truck weights, but it also speeds the weighing process for optimal efficiency and reduces overall operating costs.The Satellite kiosk may be interfaced via Wi-Fi or wired Ethernet to Cardinal’s WinVRS Vehicle Recording System for seamless acquisition and integration of weight data to generate versatile reports of transactions. Truck ID storage comes standard in the Satellite series, and versatile connectivity ports allow weight data to be sent directly into record-keeping software.

Printing unattended truck weight tickets has never been easier than with the Satellite’s high-speed thermal cutbar tape printer. The printer with silkscreened sign on the front of the enclosure easily identifies for drivers where they are to retrieve their ticket. To easily refill paper rolls, simply swing out the articulating arm and unlock the cabinet from the back for internal printer access. An interior heater with thermostat comes standard in all Satellite printer cabinets for year-round, weather-proof usage.

Features:
•Articulating Arm Allows Kiosk to be Retracted When Not in Use
•Kiosk May be Pole or Wall-Mounted
•640 x 480 pixel Full-Color LCD Touch-Screen Display Available
•Full QWERTY Keyboard and Navigation Arrow Keys
•Main Soft Keys Provide Driver Input Prompting Controls
•High-Speed Thermal Printer Easy to Refill Paper Rolls
•Fast, Accurate, and Easy to Operate
•Lockable, Weather-Proof, Outdoor-Grade Enclosure
•Rainhood/Sun Deflector Available on Some Models
•AWID and HID Proximity Badge Readers Available
•Allows the Driver to Remain in the Vehicle While Weighing
•Reduces Risk Associated with Drivers Walking Across Platforms
•Modern Product Design Aesthetics
•Wi-Fi or Wired Ethernet Connectivity Available
•USB-B Connectivity Standard
•May be Interfaced with WinVRS Record-Keeping Software
•Internal Heater with Thermostat
•USA-Made Quality Construction

What Is The General Guidelines For Ordering A Truck Scale?

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This week’s question asks what sort of site preparation could be required prior to scale installment?

Site preparation will vary due to whether the set up is a new or replacement truck scale. A concrete deck truck scale will add construction time on account of pouring the concrete inside the scale deck and curing time.

For brand new installs, the common truck scale installation method is as follows. Blueprints arrive from the scale vendor. After that, scale house is built or installed on location. Next, concrete foundation and approach ramps poured by either scale service business or the consumer. And then, truck scale is delivered from the scale supplier. After that, scale service organization wires the truck scale to the scale house and links all the peripherals. At last, calibration and certification with test weights and weight cart.

Much less site prep work is needed and faster installation times can sometimes be achieved with systems like Cardinal SnapStream Wireless Truck Scales, which provide wireless radio frequency connection in between the truck scale and the weight indicator in the scale house. Moreover, all peripheral gear like remote displays, computers and printers could be attached wirelessly with SnapStream, which perhaps conserves a large number of bucks in installation costs. SnapStream is really a fully-integrated NTEP legal-for-trade wireless scale system for commercial recycling applications enabling connectivity up to 1 mile line of sight between the truck scale and scale house.

Cardinal SnapStream is a fully-integrated NTEP legal-for-trade wireless scale system for commercial applications. It’s completely proprietary to Cardinal Scale and offers a number of competitive advantages for new (or pre-existing scale installations).  SnapStream allows a scale to send weight data wirelessly to an indicator and the indicator in turn to send that data wirelessly to a host of peripheral equipment such as remote displays, printers, PCs and networks. SnapStream is a digitally-controlled weighing and diagnostic system designed utilizing 802.15.4 Zigbee protocol for reliable and accurate weight and data transmission. SnapStream may be used with Cardinal Scale 205, 210, and 225 weight indicators, where scale diagnostics can be viewed directly on the digital weight indicator. For additional information on the products mentioned in this article contact the heavy capacity sales department at Central Carolina Scale today.

Digital Weight Indicator Can Store Truck Weight Data Each Day With USB Flash Drive

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Happy New Year to all our readers out there. It’s our goal to provide great information to you again this year and to bring you some really nice product info that will make your job easier. Cardinal Scale Manufacturing in Webb City Missouri has a USA-made digital weight indicator product line that is very popular with customers. Cardinal’s weight indicators provide easy, convenient scale operation and accurate, reliable measurements. From basic truck scale weighing to complex process automation, Cardinal Scale probably makes a weight indicator for your application. Whether operators need an easy-to-maintain wash-down indicator or an indicator that provides highly visible scale readouts, the odds are that Cardinal will have an option available to suit a wide range of weighing needs.

digital weight indicator with usb collects weight data daily

The latest announcement from Cardinal Scale is very exciting for those of us in the weighing industry. Over the years quite a few scale owners have asked what is the easiest way to connect their computer to the scale? And the answer provided to them is usually well, yes you can connect your scale to the PC but it will only be to Hyper Terminal or yes, you can connect your scale to the computer but you need to by some type of wedge software. But, now with the new Cardinal 2XX-USBA option board which is listed as USB-A Card, 2 USB-A Ports, One Micro SD Port – you have the ability to add a USB flash drive to a select group of Cardinal indicators like the 205, 210 and 225 and easily collect weighing data. For example, with one 4GB flash drive and Micro SD card you could literally collect millions of weight transactions with ID numbers. Then once you’re ready to view the transactions, you remove the flash drive and take a look at the CSV file on your computer. It’s easy to add titles to the columns and sum the weight column to determine the total amount of weight that you’ve weighed over a period of time. To learn more about this, click here.

Over the past couple of years it is obvious Cardinal Scale is stepping up their digital weight indicator lineup. For example, the 190 with multiple color display is a unique item and has been very popular with various industries. Now we find out that certain Cardinal indicators can easily collect weight data by just adding an optional board and USB thumb drive. This is definitely an item worth looking into if you have even the least bit of interest in collecting weight data without all the hassles of complicated software. These digital indicators can be connected and calibrated to just about any scale system out there.

Imagine A Scale That Can Send Email Alerts…

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Over they years Cardinal Scale has led the weighing industry with their made in the USA digital weight indicators. Cardinal’s weight indicators are known for providing easy, convenient scale operation and accurate, reliable measurements. From basic truck scale weighing to complex process automation, Cardinal Scale probably has a weight indicator for your particular need.

The Cardinal Scale 825 Spectrum weight indicator for scales can send automatic e-mail alerts through an Ethernet connection to the client’s internal SMTP e-mail server for submission to up to three recipients per scale. The 825 features up to 10 scale inputs per indicator by installing additional option cards to the multiple slots available, and each of the scales connected has completely-individual configuration for the e-mail alerts.

Easy set-up for this application is enabled through the 825′s touchscreen LCD and QWERTY keyboard where users may assign the e-mail address the alerts are sent from, which also acts as a return address (any address may be configured). There are four preset weights available per scale for user-definable targets such as Over, Accept, Under (Reorder), and Extremely Low, which may be labeled whatever the user chooses.

E-mail alerts may be assigned for up to three of the presets per scale. For instance, e-mail alerts might be sent for Over, Under, (Reorder), and Extremely Low, but not for the unnecessary Accept weight status. Additionally, up to three recipients per scale may receive each e-mail alert via separate e-mail addresses.

The 825 Spectrum’s vivid color display is effectively utilized in this application by assigning any of eight different color options (black, blue, green, red, yellow, white, gray, or cyan) to each of the four preset weight ranges (both the color block and text color are user-definable). All of the scales connected to the 825 may be monitored onscreen simultaneously with easy weight status visually identifiable by their current color mode and preset weight identifier. View up to ten scales onscreen simultaneously with the 640 x 480 pixel color LCD. By touching a scale’s weight onscreen, the indicator will bring up that individual scale’s information and current weight status.

E-mail alerts are sent in the form of text file attachments containing the Date, Time, Scale Number, Commodity, Weight, and its current status when sent. This provides remote weight monitoring anywhere in the world that the user can access their e-mail.

New Cardinal 190A Scale Indicator

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If there was an award for the coolest display on a digital weight indicator in the scale industry, the winner would probably be the Cardinal 190 indicator. The display can show weights in red, yellow, green and a couple of other colors too. Recently, Cardinal introduced a new version of the 190 designed for axle weighing. The 190A is the perfect choice for the 760 series axle scales from Cardinal.

The USA-made Cardinal Scale 190A easily factors axle weights by pressing the PRINT key for each successive axle weight, or it can function in traffic control auto mode sensing each truck axle’s weight when connected to a remote display such as the SB500 with traffic signals and a printer such as the P150. Traffic control mode allows the truck driver to never have to leave the truck during the axle weighing process which speeds up weighing operations.

Designed for non-legal-for-trade portable axle weighing applications such as with Cardinal’s CWL-40 and 760 series mobile wheel weighers, the USA-made 190A weight indicator features axle weighing software, traffic control mode to automatically capture accumulative axle weights without the driver having to leave the truck (when connected to a remote display with traffic lights and printer), two RS232 serial ports (for printer and remote display), optional rechargeable lithium ion battery, capacitive touch keys, and IP69K-rated wash-down enclosure (the highest protection rating possible).

The 1-inch/25-mm high backlit LCD is visible in direct sunlight and may be set to any one of 6 different customizable settings. The 190A weight indicator features 3 watertight gland connectors, quick-connect power connector, and one ID. Continue reading →

What Are The Different Displays On Digital Weight Indicators for Scales?

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We hear this question quite often. What are the differences between LED, LCD, and VFD displays on digital weight indicators?

480 indicator

Light Emitting Diode (LED) and Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) display types are recommended for indoor applications, identifiable by digits that light up over a dark background.

Exceptions like the Laserlight series remote displays (an LED type display) are designed for viewing outdoors.

482 indicator

For most applications that are in sunlight generally the ideal choice is a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), which is identifiable by black digits over a gray (or backlit) background.