Hive Scales....

[HoneySeeker]

Has anyone come up with a good usable hive scale that can be used to monitor hive weight on a ongoing basis (Locally and Remotely) I have seen some links in the board but when you try to follow the links it always shows "Page cannot be displayed" I did investigate a weight/pressure sensor that could be used to build a system that could measure weights up to 500 lbs, the problem being that the sensors cost $350 each so for 4 units we are at $1400 which is a bit on the excessive side. Maybe some type of electronics that can do multiple additional functions in addition to the weight monitoring. I think it would be great to have a system that could use maybe your home computer to track hive information.

Any ideas.

[George Fergusson]

I'm pretty sure the manometer approach is the way to go. No moving parts and theoretically dirt cheap if you come up with a good design and choose your materials carefully. I managed to pick up one of those old platform scales, it's fine to set a hive on and leave it there which is all I really want to do. I'm not planning on weighing all my hives but I would like to monitor the weight of one hive for educational purposes. I believe the basic "heft" approach is probably satisfactory under most circumstances to assure a hive has sufficient stores, especially with Carniolans because they don't appear to eat anything over winter anyways smile.gif

[tecumseh]

it is a bit of a goldfarb rig, but..... I on occasions use a two wheel dolley built with a sliding (up and down) fork and a small ratchet type load binder which allows me to move the mast position. a cheap dial type scale used to weigh deer (Academy) is attached at the top of the sliding mast. I slide the forks under the bottom board ratched the mast up, establish a weight and set the hive back down. good to about 400 lbs.

I primarily use this rig on small hives in the late fall to establish stores. in this context I simply set the forks at about knee height and set the hive on the forks by hands.

[t0k]

web page (http://www.pcelinjak.com/gsmvaga.htm)

maybe this will help you to make your own
you can call the scale with the phone and it would tell you current weight
it gets power from car battery (50 Ah) that can last up to 90 days
it doesnt say how it works

[George Fergusson]

Neat concept t0k, but it doesn't pass the "cheap" test (one of my criteria).