Build a Smart IoT Scale In Minutes
In this week's video, we build a simple, wirelessly connected scale using the SparkFun OpenScale IoT.
In our latest video today, we’re taking a look at the SparkFun OpenScale - IoT, a remarkably straight-forward sensing solution designed to turn any standard load cell into a wirelessly connected weighing system. Whether you're monitoring the weight of a beehive over several months or perfecting your coffee bean measurements, this board removes the complexity of building a high-accuracy scale from scratch.
Getting your OpenScale up and running is incredibly simple! Just attach any four or five-wire load cell, and connect it to your phone or PC by following the steps we show in the video above. If you're using a serial terminal on your PC, you'll also be able to configure your calibration, sample rates, and precision through a straightforward menu. This enables you to turn a load cell or four load sensors, arranged in a Wheatstone bridge configuration, into a DIY weigh scale for whatever the application.
Flexible Connectivity & Setup
Built around the ESP32-PICO-MINI, this version of the OpenScale brings modern connectivity to your weight-sensing projects.
- Bluetooth & Wired Config: Connect via Bluetooth/BLE or a wired USB-C/serial connection to access the terminal menu at 115,200bps.
- WiFi Integration: Connect the board to your local 2.4GHz WiFi network to view your live data and perform Over-The-Air (OTA) firmware updates.
- 24-bit ADC: The onboard HX711 chip provides the high-precision analog-to-digital conversion needed to read tiny changes in strain gauges. You can even attach four individual strain gauges to read your Wheatstone bridge using a combinator with the available pins we provided on the board.
- Temperature Compensation: Because environmental changes can cause load cells to drift, the board includes an integrated TMP102 sensor and a 3-pin screw terminal to attach an external temperature probe to log ambient temperature.
Like many of our recent boards, the OpenScale - IoT features an integrated Qwiic connector. This allows you to daisy-chain additional I2C sensors or displays to your weighing system without any soldering.
Need a little more information before making a decision on if this is the right board for you? That's fine! We wrote a full hook-up guide about using this board, getting it set up, and configuring/calibrating it. So, if this blog, or the product page don't provide enough of what you need, maybe the guide will!
As always, we can't wait to see what you make! Shoot us a tweet @sparkfun, or let us know on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn.
