LB-501 scale reading fluctuation

submitted about 7 years ago by AddictedToSpuds

I know this isn't about ejuice per se, but I figured it may be relevant enough.

Basically the reading on my scale fluctuates now, spontaneously, continuously and rapidly. My best guess is damage from being dropped.

Here's a video.

Has anyone experienced this before? I contacted American Weigh Scales through their website but haven't gotten a response yet. I've tried recalibrating several times to no avail.

Comments

9 points

by isuamadogabout 7 years ago

Any kind of draft causes mine to fluctuate by as much as 0.10g. Outside of that I have no idea.

1 points

by penatbaterabout 7 years ago

Same. I either have to turn on the AC or mix with no electric fan just so the readings will be stable. But then a small gust of wind via the window will also make it fluctuate a bit.

4 points

by Botboy141about 7 years agoWTF is a "Terpene?"

Is there a ceiling fan, box fan or vent blowing on it? If I had the ceiling fan on medium when mixing in my spare bedroom I'd have to position myself just right over the scale so the air movement wouldn't make the scale adjust.

Also, if you have a tower on that desk, the hard drive spinning up could cause this as well.

1 points

by AddictedToSpudsabout 7 years ago

Nope, no fans in the room, the only air vent is in the floor, and my computer tower is on the floor next to the desk.

4 points

by PepperMyJabrillabout 7 years ago

Mine did this as well, but it stopped when I started using the power cord instead of batteries. Haven’t had any issues since.

3 points

by Pravus_Beluaabout 7 years ago

I have the same model and mine was doing this too.

After many recalibratintions, checking for vibration, et al., I finally narrowed it down. It was my computer tower. The scale is sensitive enough to be slightly perturbed by the tower's vibrations.

I moved it to the kitchen counter, opposite side of the kitchen from the refrigerator, and it stopped doing this. It was during all of this trial and error that I learned this thing is sensitive enough to fluctuate just from me breathing on it.

Good luck getting it sorted.

2 points

by AddictedToSpudsabout 7 years ago

I'm 99% sure I can rule out environmental things like air movement or vibrations, it does the same thing no matter where I put it.

2 points

by JohannesVanDerWhalesabout 7 years ago

> It was my computer tower. The scale is sensitive enough to be slightly perturbed by the tower's vibrations.

Well shit, that actually explains a lot.

3 points

by TonyTheTerribleabout 7 years ago

The LB-501 is NOT a good scale. People just latched onto it because it was sold on Amazon and could read .01g. Search the sub, tons of issues and low lifespan even after multiple exchanges.

3 points

by EdibleMalfunctionabout 7 years agoMixologist

Have had mine for 3+ years. I have had no problems with mine and it's still as accurate as the day I bought it.

2 points

by skiddlzninjaabout 7 years agoThat one moderator. You know, the honey guy.

I've had mine for 3 years my guy. We latched onto it because it's a functional scale that costs $30, reads to .01g, and can handle 500g.

3 points

by TonyTheTerribleabout 7 years ago

The one I linked below costs $12, reads to .01g and can handle 500g.

1 points

by kuri_sanTouabout 7 years agoDiketones, Schmiketones

thx for the link. I didn't get the LB-501 cuz of how it looked

2 points

by Samsoundrocksabout 7 years agoDiketones, Schmiketones

Mine only wigs out when batteries get low. Been solid for 2 years.

1 points

by LecherousLumberjackabout 7 years ago

Yet you don't offer a better suggestion...

6 points

by TonyTheTerribleabout 7 years ago

Sorry.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HCKQG7G/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's pretty amazing. Does everything the LB-501 does but at a third of the price. The auto-off feature can be disabled as well.

2 points

by BanditoMassacreabout 7 years agoProud Sidebar Reader!

Does it plug into a wall? The lb-501 plugs into a wall. No batteries required.

1 points

by LecherousLumberjackabout 7 years ago

Thanks, that looks good! Unfortunately, I already bought the 501 but if it does indeed crap out on me this will be the replacement.

1 points

by Fury_7about 7 years ago

I have this same one and can attest to it being pretty solid. I really like the compact form as I don't have much room, stays on until I turn it off and haven't had any issues. The only issues I have had was there's been a handful of times it doesn't register until 3-7 drops of flavoring and that just so happens to the flavors that are like 0.5% and in a 30ml mix so it should only be about 6 drops but the scale will show a very low gram. Doesn't happen often and I know it's not catching up because after the 6th drop it'll register at like 0.02 but each drop after that increases at a flat rate.

1 points

by St1llFrankabout 7 years ago

That looks like a great scale. I like flat scales with lighted displays screens.

1 points

by leapinglabratsabout 7 years ago

As mentioned, try moving it to another part of the house. Drafts, vibrations, soft or uneven surfaces, anything could cause this. These scales are sensitive enough to register a grain of sand.

That said, it's weird that it jumps up to 0.10 grams and stays there. It should keep fluctuating. How long have you had the scale for?

2 points

by AddictedToSpudsabout 7 years ago

I'm pretty certain I can rule out drafts and vibrations. You must not have watched the whole video (can't blame you) but it does keep fluctuating for the whole 5 minutes I'm messing around with it. I've had it for about 2 years

1 points

by leapinglabratsabout 7 years ago

Sorry, yea, I only watched about a minute, looking at the rest now, it's indeed acting really erratic.

1 points

by JSolUAabout 7 years ago

Probably a damaged load cell. Easier to buy a new scale than try to fix it.

1 points

by newt111about 7 years ago

I've got one that did this for a little while, then stopped. Power cable was used, so it wasn't weak batteries. I've also got the LB-3000 for cooking, it started doing the same thing. I just checked it, it's still freaking out. Calibration does nothing to fix it. I won't be using this brand anymore. (Tested it on many surfaces, nothing fixes it)