Hello, I am senior college student and I am doing a group project. In the project we am measureing the weight depending on the amount of water in a small container. The largest capacity of weight that I need would be no more than 5-7 kg and the minimum would be the lowest as possible. The goal would to be able to place the container on top of the cell sort of like a kitchen scale. I was wondering if anybody had any type of recommendations on what type of load cell I should use.
If you’re expecting to measure between 5 and 7kg, you’re going to need a larger load cell than 5kg. Ideally you want a load cell with a capacity close to the mass you’re measuring but it needs to be larger than the largest expected mass. The closer the load cell is rated to your expected weight, the more resolution you’re going to have and that will translate into how accurate the final system is.
I’d go with our 10kg load cell for your project. It’s close to your expected weight and inexpensive. Part number [SEN-13329 is what you’re looking for. :-)](https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13329)
I just bought the 5kg straight bar, what do you recommend for using as a plate? should I just grab some thin birch plywood and screw the some M4-sized holes to make a prototype, or do you guys supply plates with these load cells as well?
Dan-IC:
I just bought the 5kg straight bar, what do you recommend for using as a plate? should I just grab some thin birch plywood and screw the some M4-sized holes to make a prototype, or do you guys supply plates with these load cells as well?
The plate(s) should be as rigid as reasonably possible. You also don’t want it so wide that off-center loading twists the load cell.