Disable your scale's auto turn off function!

submitted over 9 years ago by barrarMixologist

Please don't be mad if you are unlucky. This will work for many people and I'm only trying to be helpful.

Here is the scale I figured this out with: https://www.fasttech.com/p/1075701
Keep in mind that this process depends on the internal chip in the scale and not what it looks like.
Variations of this process may work on other scales. You may try holding buttons down, rapid presses, etc.

Hold down the MODE button and press and release the ON button. Do not release the MODE button. The display should show an animation. Release the MODE button.
The display should show a continuously updating number (raw weight reading)
Press and release the ON button
The display should show "F1 2". F1 is the auto turn off function, the number 2 represents the amount of 30sec intervals.
Press MODE to decrease or TARE to increase this number. 8*30 sec = 4 minutes, 0 will disable auto turn off
Press and release the ON button until the display shows Err2 to exit the menu.

WARNING: If these instructions don't work, try things at your own risk.
If you modify random settings not knowing what they are, make sure you can change it back. Computer/logic/electronics skills will be helpful to understand how the menu systems work. Adjustable settings will be things like auto turn off timer, maximum weight, digits of precision, calibration curve, correlation coefficient, etc.

Good luck! Don't forget to turn off your scale or your batteries will die.

Confirmed working:

Link|Specs :---|---: Horizon DS-19|500g x 0.01g Digital Scale|1000g x 0.1g Digital Scale|300g x 0.01g Digital Scale|200g x 0.01g

Comments

13 points

by tranceinateover 9 years agoMixologist

There's at least two people downvoting everybody in this thread. The fuck is the point? This is useful information. GFYS.

OP thanks, I'll be trying on my scale later.

3 points

by Nubbl3sover 9 years ago

Automatic downvotes are part of Reddit's algorithm. At least for posts, but since every sub I've been a part of seems to have a "downvote problem" I just assume it's like that for comments too.

7 points

by mayor-of-whoreislandover 9 years ago

I have the 500g Horizon branded model and this worked on it. Despite what the seller said, the auto-off was configured to "6" or 3mins. I changed it to "9" as I leave my plug in scales on by accident all the time. The "F2" setting is the load limit, since mine came as a 500g I tested it by setting it to 100g and sure enough it read "limit" with a 150g weight on it. Unless they are using different load sensors, which I doubt (but cannot confirm) you could try turning your 100g, 200g, or 300g into a 500g unit.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Horizon-DS-19-500g-x-0-01g-Digital-Scale-0-01-gram-Precision-Jewelry-Reload-Gold-/230897812839?hash=item35c2950567

0 points

by barrarover 9 years agoMixologist

AWESOME
Can you get double digit precision by changing the max weight to 200g?
I imagine they might use more sensitive sensors on the lower max weight scales.

1 points

by mayor-of-whoreislandover 9 years ago

It already has a 0.01g resolution at 500g

0 points

by barrarover 9 years agoMixologist

How much does a clean penny and/or nickel weigh on your scale?

3 points

by RoadSurferover 9 years ago

Great idea to collect this info.

I would imagine that this could be different across different brands.

2 points

by barrarover 9 years agoMixologist

Give me links to scales that this works on! Let's make a list. If a variation of this process works let me know.

2 points

by psykiover 9 years ago

Looks exactly like this scale from fasttech someone posted about recently, they said it came with as auto-off disabled out of the box which probably drove at least a few people to buy it (myself included).

This is great information, thank you for sharing!

2 points

by Ubelover 9 years ago

It seems to have worked on my 1000Gx0.1G scale I got from DXSoul (DX's US reshipper with faster shipping)

I purchased it around Jan 1st this year.

The instructions you provided worked exactly and it hasn't turned off after a few minutes :)

I know this scale isn't accurate enough for DIY use, but I use it for other things and I much appreciate it not turning off whilst I'm weighing something important :)

So thank you a bunch :)

If anyone else wants a scale shipped from the US and wants to try, I wouldn't be surprised if the more accurate models of this shape from DXSoul allow the auto shut off to be disabled as well :)

I believe they have a $15 min order for free shipping, but their prices are basically the same as Fasttech and they ship from the US, my last order came in about a week? Slow for US but way better than China.

1 points

by ODesauridoover 9 years agoProud Sidebar Reader!

I have the 500g version, going to try when I get home

2 points

by PalefaceVaperover 9 years ago

My scale should be arriving in the mail today. I got a American Weight Scale that was recommended in this sub. It supposedly stays on when plugged in, but has a time limit when running on batteries. It would be nice to be able to use it as long as I want in battery mode if this little trick works.

2 points

by phil_1ppover 9 years ago

Sadly it didn't work in my model. (same looks, but 500gX0.01g)

I managed to get in raw-reading-mode by holding TARE + MODE while starting it up. I tried about every combination but I couldn't magage to enter any other menu (except cal @ 300g).

0 points

by barrarover 9 years agoMixologist

Damn I think we are dealing with clones of clones that look the same. Maybe they have different computer chips inside them and they are using whatever is available for cheap?

2 points

by prototrdover 9 years agoProud Sidebar Reader!

u/Barrar: Do you mind if I post this on the FastTech forums? I'll link back to this post if possible, or at the very least credit you.

1 points

by barrarover 9 years agoMixologist

That would be great

1 points

by CoccoBill_fiover 9 years ago

I was almost ready to have your babies but unfortunately no, doesn't work. Mine looks identical though. :(

Realeasing mode after turning it on shows no animation, but the number "5000", which can be toggled to "10000", "20000", "30000" or "50000" with the mode key. Absolutely no idea what those are, the 1 page manual that came with it doesn't mention anything about this.

3 points

by Lex0r85over 9 years ago

Those are likely settings for different calibration weights to bring the scale back into spec. You pick one and it reflects which particular calibration weight would be used during the calibration.

Source: calibration tech for aircraft mechanics.

3 points

by mayor-of-whoreislandover 9 years ago

This is the load limit setting, 100g, 200g, 300g, and 500g. You likely have the same menu, once in the menu F1 should be first but if you hit "on" again it will skip to the menu you seen.

2 points

by psykiover 9 years ago

Where did you get yours? Looks identical to this one on fasttech posted in this subreddit recently.

2 points

by CoccoBill_fiover 9 years ago

From dx.com.

1 points

by Drkfnlover 9 years ago

Same here. 100g x 0.01g from DX,

MODE + ON brings me to the CAL menu, showing 5000 after releasing MODE button.

Pressing MODE again cycles between 5000 - 10000 - 20000 - 30000 - 50000 and back to 5000.

Pressing TARE brings me to a 0.1 reading and I don't know what it means. TARE again, and it shows me the raw readings (9763 at the moment).

However, pressing the ON button from there shows me Err, and turns itself off.

I honestly hope I haven't fucked it up. I don't have any weights to check the readings. :(

-1 points

by barrarover 9 years agoMixologist

Try playing with it some more maybe? Try to get to other menu items.

1 points

by McHairpieover 9 years ago

I just plug mine in.

1 points

by gardvarover 9 years ago

This is so weird. This is the exact same scale I use and it wont work for me :(

1 points

by mirrorballinover 9 years ago

So has anyone got this to work on the aws scale that's in the side bar ?