OpenScale Applications and Hookup Guide
Nate, 
LightningHawk 
Attaching the Load Cell and Temperature Sensor
The OpenScale uses 3.5mm screw terminals to connect to the load cell wires and external temperature sensor. The Pocket Screwdriver Set as well as any precision screw drivers fit the screws well.
 |
 |
| 200kg load cell | DS18B20 external temperature sensor |
Most load cells will have a Red/Black/White/Green wire color configuration. Insert these wires into the screw terminal and tighten the terminal to finger tight. A few load cells use a blue wire in place of the green wire - don't worry, it will still work! Load cells with a large capacity or a long connecting cable may have an additional yellow wire that is used to shield the four signal wires. If you have this wire available attach it as well.
Single Strain Gauges
If you are using discrete strain gauges (for example our 50kg load sensor) you will need to use the built-in Load Cell Combinator to combine four strain gauges into a wheatstone bridge configuration. See the Load Cell Combinator Hookup Guide for more information.
OpenScale also has the Load Cell Combinator built-in. The markings UL, UR, LL and LR stand for upper left, upper right, lower left and lower right respectively. Just like you would see in a bathroom scale. The C mark is for the "center tap" which is explained in the strain gauge tutorial.
