We are using loadcell for feed silos. Each loadcell has 4 cable (Black, Red, White,Green).
Can we connect 4 loadcells that has 4 cable to combinator?
Yes, the cells need to be wired electrically parallel. This usually takes place in a junction box that houses a summing card. Better cards also have potentiometers which can balance the output of the load cells, though this is probably less important in a silo application.
Here’s one manufacturer’s product page:
brow:
Yes, the cells need to be wired electrically parallel. This usually takes place in a junction box that houses a summing card. Better cards also have potentiometers which can balance the output of the load cells, though this is probably less important in a silo application.Here’s one manufacturer’s product page:
I think there is a misunderstanding. I know that junction box is a solution abot that. But I am asking is there any way to connect the loadcells to Sparkfun Combinator product(look at this link: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13878 ). Sparkfun Combinator product has three connection for each loadcell, but our each loadcells has four cable. How can we connect the loadcells to Sparkfun combinator product or can we connect?
Our combinatior board will not work with 4 wire load cells, it only works on our 3 wire [load sensors.
You might be able to parallel 4 load cells together and get satisfactory results, but for best results you need a summing box.](https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10245)
TS-Chris:
Our combinatior board will not work with 4 wire load cells, it only works on our 3 wire [load sensors.You might be able to parallel 4 load cells together and get satisfactory results, but for best results you need a summing box.
[/quote]Thank you for the clear answer Chris. What is the best way to solve for our problem using sparkfun product? Should we use a loadcell amplifier for each loadcell(sometimes 4, sometimes 6 loadcells)? and then should we connect all amplifiers to arduino input pins(multiple I2C)? and then should we get to addition all value that we read from all amplifier for finding total silo weight?](https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10245)
Unless you want to use a summing box or parallel your load cells, the best thing you could do is use an amplifier on each load cell.
Also, the HX711 isn’t actually an I2C device and doesn’t have an address so you can’t parallel the data lines but you can parallel the clock lines and then use separate pins for all the data lines. The code in the link below might be helpful for using multiple HX711’s together.
Without a compelling need for an amplifier on each cell, just keep the load cells in parallel with a summing card or, if the cells are decent/accuracy requirements low, you can even just connect the five leads to each other.
There are times when you want individual instrumentation on each load cell like for balancing or center of gravity measurements. Another application might be when cells are routinely overloaded or otherwise damaged. Individual amplifiers help to more quickly determine which load cell is faulty. This is seldom a concern in a silo situation since they’re not easily overloaded beyond the silo capacity.