Hi,
I am using the TAL221 Load Cell connected to the HX711 load cell amplifier. I have it hooked up exactly the same as the hookup guide (https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/lo … -guide/all) and when I use the simple_load_output example code, I just get the same reading over and over again.
I have checked the Arduino pins, the load cell amplifier output, and the load cell output, with an LED. They are all working just fine. I have no clue how to proceed and what could be wrong?
Thank you,
Brenton
Hi Brenton.
Can you send a few photos of your setup? We will need those to see if we can spot the issue. Just put the photos in a zip file and attach that to your post so we can view them in full resolution.
Here is the first round of photos
And two more…
I apologize for how messy it all is, but I added a drawn schematic to show you how I have everything set up. From the 12V Arduino Mega pin I have a 5V regulator with a capacitor on either side. This powers the HX711 which is grounded to the Arduino and attached to pin 3 (Data) and pin 2 (Clock). The HX711 is then attached to the 4 colored wires of the 100g mini load cell.
Thanks,
Brenton
I can’t tell from your photos. Do you have all the load cells connected to one HX711, or one load cell per HX711?
Also, is there a reason why you’re not powering the HX711 from the Arduino?
Sorry Chris for the late reply, I didn’t get a notification about your reply from the website!
The ultimate plan is to power multiple load cells all attached to their own separate HX711, using a multiplexer to take readings from each load cell only using 2 pins on the Arduino. However, this is looking past the problem I am having now, which is a single load cell and HX711 set-up is not working.
The reason I am powering the HX711 from a 5V regulator is because the Arduino is being used for many other things and is getting cluttered. I have used a multimeter and confirmed that the HX711 is getting 5V delivered, so it is not a power issue.
I hope this all makes sense, sorry the photos are unclear, I can try to take some better ones tomorrow.
Thank you,
Brenton
The ultimate plan is to power multiple load cells all attached to their own separate HX711, using a multiplexer to take readings from each load cell only using 2 pins on the Arduino. However, this is looking past the problem I am having now, which is a single load cell and HX711 set-up is not working.
I’m not certain how well that will work considering the extremely tiny signals the load cells are producing. You might find that the noise a MUX adds to your signal swamps the output from the load cells.
The reason I am powering the HX711 from a 5V regulator is because the Arduino is being used for many other things and is getting cluttered. I have used a multimeter and confirmed that the HX711 is getting 5V delivered, so it is not a power issue.
What I’d do first is use a single load cell connected to a single HX711 and connect that [exactly the way we have in our guide to an Uno or RedBoard. Use the code in our guide and calibrate the loadcell to your HX711 and see if that works. Once that’s working, then you can start trying to do more things one at a time, testing anytime you make a change.
Make sure your load cell connections are secure. I actually recommend soldering the connections and then cleaning off any solder residue from the HX711 board with rubbing alcohol to avoid issues. Since flux and residue can be slightly conductive, that can cause all sorts of issues when you go to try and calibrate the load cell.](https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/load-cell-amplifier-hx711-breakout-hookup-guide)
