Budget Corner Weight Scales

[Robyn Slater]

Hi,
I recently acquired a set of Budget Race Parts corner weight scales.

The readings appear to be reading slightly low and vary slightly between the 4 pads.

Does anyone know how to recalibrate them.

There's a CAL button on the readout box and also a socket on the rear marked "calibrate"

Any help would be appreciated.

Robyn

[SidewaysFeltham]

The supplier imploded a few years ago.

In the absence of any technical specifications and depending how cheaply they were made (good electronic scales use a proper Load Cell) the components have probably "drifted" (moved away from their original design parameters) over time.

Therefore the only way forward would be to load each pad with a known weight and note down the actual as against measured, increase the known weight in say 25 KG amounts and thereafter plot a divergence curve for each pad.

Then apply the divergence correction when you actually weigh a vehicle.

Same as Magnetic Deviation values when navigating with a Sextant, GMT and a Chart and Compass! Gps makes it a whole lot easier; particularly with three and now at least four fixes.

(N.B. It really all depends how the device was designed and made. Many cheaper types use a lever and a spring to take the main weight and only place a very small mass load on the Load Cell. Other still cheaper types use Strain Gauge and/or Piezo devices and even various types of force sensors which usually vary the component resistance under loading. If it a lever and spring, then could well be the spring which has drifted. Same as calibrating a Torque Wrench and even a Rolling Road! Ours used a Yard Stick and a very accurate Spring Balance to adjust the spring loading on the torque cradle.).

[Robyn Slater]

Thanks for the reply.
Your suggestion would work for taking basic weight measurements but it would not be any good when using the various functions on the unit for %,diagonal weight calculations etc.

I hoped someone may have owned/used the same kit and knew how to adjust it.

[GORDON STREETER]

Just use 4 bathroom scales, seen it done before and cheap from a charity shop.

[Robyn Slater]

Bathroom scales are no more accurate. Mine read way over what they should!!

[GORDON STREETER]

Originally Posted by Robyn Slater

Bathroom scales are no more accurate. Mine read way over what they should!!

We had some that actually spoke your weight, they got thrown out when the other half got on them and it said "one at a time please" !

[SidewaysFeltham]

Originally Posted by Robyn Slater

Thanks for the reply.
Your suggestion would work for taking basic weight measurements but it would not be any good when using the various functions on the unit for %,diagonal weight calculations etc.

I hoped someone may have owned/used the same kit and knew how to adjust it.

??????

Such coefficients you work out yourself, from the basic data........

[Robyn Slater]

Originally Posted by SidewaysFeltham

??????

Such coefficients you work out yourself, from the basic data........

Yes i realise that. But if i have to get the calculator out i may as well throw my scales in the bin and buy some of Gordons bathroom scales.

[itdontgo]

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

Just use 4 bathroom scales, seen it done before and cheap from a charity shop.

I use bathroom scales on my FF1600 but the problem with cheap digital ones is that the load is shared and measured over a number of the pads on the bottom. So, if you don't have them on a really flat surface, they can misread.
They're probably not absolutely accurate but I swap them around during measurements and they tend to agree with each other. Good enough for corner weights where the odd kg isn't going to make a massive difference. Good enough for FF1600.

Obviously you need 4 identical ones so they're the same height!

[dikko]

Try Phil.... He may pass your way...

BWE Scales & Cash Registers
33 The Crest
Sawbridgeworth
Herts
CM21 0ER

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