Hello,
As the question states, I intend to automatically log the data from my digital balance at a set time interval (if a set time interval creates too much complexity then I am fine with the default rate).
Most guides I have seen online are sort of semi-automatic where I would need to press the 'print' button on the scale in order for the balance to transmit the mass data to the computer. Is there any way for this to be automated so I do not have to sit and press the 'print' button for every reading.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you
It depends on your balance. If you didn't find a solution to your problem in the manual of the balance, and if you are free to modifiy the balance, I guess the simplest and most inexpensive way would be the following:
1. Open the balance, and find the two conductors you are closing when you press the print button. In the simplest case, this is a trace leading to an input of a microcontroller, and GND. But if there are several buttons, they might be (electrically) arranged in a matrix.
2. Test your findings by soldering two insulated wires to the two conductors at suitable points, bring the balance back to the original state (with the new wires leaving the housing, of course), and connect the wires by, say, a 470 Ohm resistor. If this results in the same action as triggered by the print button: Congratulations! Otherwise, loop back to point 1.
3. If one of the conductors found in step 1. is GND, measure the voltage between the unconnected wires. If it is 5 V or less, you can probably switch the "hot wire" directly by an output pin of a microcontroller. If you found a key matrix, you can use an analog switch IC, e.g. 74HC4066 or MAX322CPA. These solid-state switches can be opened and closed by a logic signal, so again, you can use a microcontroller to drive them.
4. Choose a microcontroller. In case of switching 5V to GND, choose one which can be supplied by 5V. Otherwise, 3.3V should be o.k., too. Virtually all microcontrollers include timers. With the help of a timer (and about 20 lines of software), you can trigger the data transmission in arbitrary time intervals.
5. If you opt for the de luxe solution, you could attach a small display and a rotary knob to the microcontroller. Thus, you could adjust the time intervals without changing your program.
Dear Joshua Nigel Fernandes,
In addition to the advice given by the colleague who precedes us, i suggest you to see links on subject.
https://www.digitalscalesblog.com/record-weight-scale-balance-csv-file/
http://ocun.lazio4.it/check-my-balance.html
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/disable-digital-balance.3888852/?__cf_chl_captcha_tk__=f1ffa6aa3d65a334384fc7bb9b7b6ebadbec8113-1620223641-0-AXOB2Y-XXlS0jrC87pqFcUK_FjeSvNjhWDril5AcmyxfCGGYmUghc1hRdL_0P-HuGvU6qJ1l4tMjf9sBZCHVJY8E4hTatTDTdTbsdT6oynAWnckkvgQsWSrN2FLvxiZJCVvkKO02R5x33tshrqbplGKe8wmYNinxOUfm-h7kVWDIPI66sL8n6iYS2yMPmQS5APTRC17AVtbm8ZzRfrdOr54tDZEH9Xb6QjjztsZxvUBV7k31ZWOq9iI0Xb9Hxeqf3JwZZd5rqrEqAwL9NfHNyQr0wuYqeeCDUg122CnBcLzg1Z7QTTNmJSosS_794Ifn_f9ywMvJbIQXYdKnKRKrnXusLXYU1XEsXDjSPaD58vpUXWdv34_PMyIZCJ7b2BiLWRKffjhc4YZ5rscVc0zAj0rxyFeuqB_YsmEE8DcugRgc-l5_vvRv_PGvbJz6T8RpzGnFCl_qCZN19cWM74ZkZekvaPcwrSqH0SJrZowG12pOMKECm07D0PQWDwCtB6b_P72BeMGvsil7dJqJ6W4i4yVx0VNrC-z4gpdrGXxKG7CoPEvjVapIObeIcRLfAbSEHJCji8uExjsbsDGFRmobUz9i8E0lZUsTSo5KyMIbWSsY9muTIvvZPWFb7d75Po3lCYxKz2KQrzJgkA-Ot4Ptaf3kd9EkswTezNNPHP8bM1EDktT4rgWOh1cOL2-_tBp4LFRxeTOoG1S2qNMC3_NPZvQ
Best regards