American Weigh Scales LB-501 Troubleshooting or Replacement

submitted almost 8 years ago by Impecunious_Sloth

Greetings. I've been using the AWS LB-501 since I started DIY. I've had the unit since May 2016, and it's worked flawlessly, but I went to mix last night and my scale is dead.

The first thing I tried was the AWS web site, which at the time of this posting is still dead, (SQL data base connection error), so I don't know if or how I can use the supposed 10 year warranty.

When it turns on, instead of going through the power on test and then setting itself to zero, the display is just stuck with all the graphics on at once, it never goes to zero, and the off button doesn't work, have to cut power to turn it off.

I normally run the unit on AC with the adapter, but I tried with fresh batteries and it does the same thing.

I may just get another scale, especially since I'm low on juice! But considering I have not had this one very long, I'm hesitant to buy the same brand twice, so any suggestions? What are people using or recommending nowadays?

Any help would be appreciated, either with troubleshooting or a fix on my current scale or suggestions for an upgrade or replacement.

Thanks for reading!

Comments

7 points

by Leilani_Halmost 8 years ago

Greetings,

I ordered the LB 501 on Amazon. The 2nd day I used it the scale kept jumping even after I calibrated it multiple times. 3rd Day the power supply chord wouldn't charge the device. I Figured it might be a manufacturing issue. Called the company that day and spoke with a man named "Devon" from the warranty department. He asked for the receipt (sent via email), and to ship back the "Credit Quote" form he sent in an email along with the scale (you have to pay for shipping).

After a few days I was sent a brand new scale.

His email: Devon@awscales.com

Website with Customer Service Phone #: https://www.americanweigh.com/

I hope this is useful to you.

2 points

by Impecunious_Slothalmost 8 years ago

Thank you!

2 points

by Leilani_Halmost 8 years ago

You're very welcome. Let me know how everything works out. Hopefully they can fix it, and if not, you will more than likely get a new one if it's a manufacturing issue.

1 points

by IceEichelalmost 8 years ago

That cable only powers it on doesn't "charge" it

1 points

by Leilani_Halmost 8 years ago

Pardon. That is correct. The power cable indicator green light failed to light no matter what outlet I placed it in, and subsequently would not power the scale.

5 points

by chewymidgetalmost 8 years agoThe Colonel

I found this website you could try for getting a replacement.

2 points

by Impecunious_Slothalmost 8 years ago

Thank you! I'll look into it. I think in the meantime, I'm going to pick up the same model, and deal with the warranty and replacement on the old one later. Wouldn't hurt to have a backup scale.

2 points

by chewymidgetalmost 8 years agoThe Colonel

Good luck. Let us know what they say as we all pretty much use this scale.

2 points

by juthincalmost 8 years ago

I got this but try this.

And this intrigues me. Not much use other than making test batches, though.

1 points

by Impecunious_Slothalmost 8 years ago

Thanks, 3rd link is dead, but I'll look into the other two.

1 points

by juthincalmost 8 years ago

Full disclosure: I got the one I did because they ship to Canada, and amazon.com doesn't, and the AWS one costs as much up here as the 3kg .01g scale I have now.

2 points

by chuckie333almost 8 years ago

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Portable-Digital-Pocket-Scale-0-01g-100g-200g-Mini-Jewellery-Gram-Weighing-KY/112569246866?hash=item1a35a66492:m:m1aiiomcy4zbGf-qT_xlNKQ I have two. If one takes a crap I'll order another and use the spare while I wait for delivery. They work great. I couldn't get more for 10 times the money.

2 points

by djrider69almost 8 years ago

Can confirm .. was skeptical for the prior point but have had absolutely 0 issues

1 points

by chuckie333almost 8 years ago

Oh, they also have USB powered ones for about $7. https://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-Electronic-Pocket-Mini-Digital-Jewellery-Weighing-Scales-0-01G-to-1000Grams/282276135695?hash=item41b8f8030f:m:mgKTHzQXL4lgZoJBWRunE5w

1 points

by nuuvem_tokenalmost 8 years ago

>Oh, they also have USB powered ones for about $7.

FYI eBay sellers always seem to list multiple things and one cheap thing to trick the lowest price sort so the "actually $7" 1000g one is for sure the wrong kind for mixing. It will not work.

Do not get! I made that mistake before. The picture isn't even the same scale!!!

The ones you want are closer to $9-10.

1 points

by chuckie333almost 8 years ago

You're right. The ones that are .01g precision are a bit more expensive. Still they're a lot cheaper than the AWS scales.

1 points

by Impecunious_Slothalmost 8 years ago

Thank you, I'll look into these.

1 points

by nuuvem_tokenalmost 8 years ago

Those things are the best. Except the timer part. You have to be fast when adding small amounts because sometimes they just don't seem to find those amounts important enough to stay on.

1 points

by chuckie333almost 8 years ago

I think the USB ones have a longer timeout. I always tare when I go to add stuff too. I would get the 300*.01 scale. I doubt I would mix any more than 250ml at once. Probably just 120ml. They're $9.35.

1 points

by EdibleMalfunctionalmost 8 years ago

Still the same scale. It’s the best one

1 points

by Impecunious_Slothalmost 8 years ago

Well, yeah, it was great, but it only lasted about 18 months. I didn't mistreat it. For something with a 10 year limited warranty, that seems to be pretty bad. Unless I just got a dud, which does happen.

After an Amazon search, it is still getting really good reviews, so maybe I will just pick up a replacement, same model. I like the AC option as opposed to batteries only, which most of the similar price range models seem to have.

1 points

by DGsirb1978almost 8 years ago

Ive had mine since I started vaping 2.5 years ago and it’s still perfect. I keep it in its box and get it out every time I mix.

1 points

by ARflipgurlalmost 8 years agoProud Sidebar Reader!

If you're not big on Amazon, I've been using this scale and calibration weight from FastTech for several months. If it is plugged into a USB it wont turn off. It's also tiny (approx. size of a Galaxy S4 cell phone) and I have extremely limited space.

Scale: https://www.fasttech.com/products/5290902 - $11.92
Calibration weight: https://www.fasttech.com/products/1153601 - $5.77

I check the calibration every other week or so and when it's off, it's only by .01 or .02.

1 points

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