Load Cells - Values drifting

[FERNANDO88685]

Hi,

My project consists of building a scale for measuring beer keg volumes.

My hardware:

1x nodeMCU - ESP8266 - Arduino
1 x Load combinator bought in Core Electronics
(https://core-electronics.com.au/sparkfun-load-sensor-combinator-ver-1-1.html)
4 x Load cells and 1x HX711 bought in Ali Express
(https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32981802410.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.9.5f75b66d8nb0bB&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0%2Csearchweb201602_8_10065_10130_10068_10547_319_317_10548_10696_453_10084_454_10083_10618_10307_537_536_10131_10132_10133_10059_10884_10887_321_322_10103%2Csearchweb201603_52%2CppcSwitch_0&algo_expid=43ab9160-5848-4563-9e2f-bc0e395c85a2-1&algo_pvid=43ab9160-5848-4563-9e2f-bc0e395c85a2&transAbTest=ae803_5)

I have connected everything and the nodemcu is connected to my notebook.
I am still building a prototype and the first issue that I a having is that the reading is drifting too much. I am able to calibrate the scale by setting the factor, but values get increasingly going up, sometimes down.
Can you guys give me any clue on what is happening? Can I achieve a much more steady reading? Thank you so much!

[Wyvern]

Do you have a picture of how you mounted the cells?

The scales I’ve seen with a load cell are pretty sturdy metal frames, and bathroom scales are nearly always glass as it’s the most elastic. Not bendy or springy- elastic.

I’m guessing things are moving a touch from where they were setup hence the changing readings?

[FERNANDO88685]

Yes.
Load cells are just placed on the table and I am using a plywood over on top of them. Please see the pictures.

Thanks for replying.

[Wyvern]

Just guessing, but I reckon your table could be flexing.

Try putting a support under the table?

[FERNANDO88685]

I will try. I let you know. Thanks.

[brian86770]

try double the amount of sensors/cells…scales are hard to preset to “0” at any time…maybe try find a forum who actually deal with these type of setup you have…or places who make scales and see what they have to say…