Force sensor readings

Hello,

I am finding some strange values when reading the voltage of my fc22 load cell (http://www.mouser.com/ds/2/418/FC22-710706.pdf) using my Arduino Nano. I'm using the milivolt version of the sensor.

I have done the following:

  • Connect the input of the sensor to the 5V power of the Arduino, which is actually 4.8V according to my cheap multimeter.
  • Measure the output of the sensor using my multimeter, I get readings in the order of a couple of mV, which is correct according to the datasheet.
  • Measuring the output of the sensor using the Arduino I get values of around 417, which is around 2V.

Why is this? I hope someone can help me.

Which FC22? Full part number? Nano has a reverse blocking diode (Schottky) so voltage 0.3 less than VUSB is normal. Post the program you are using to read the load cell.

The full part number is: FC2211-0000-0100-L, which means it is the 100lbf version, with an output of 20mV/V output.

The program that I'm using is the standard voltage program that can be found on the website:

/*
ReadAnalogVoltage
Reads an analog input on pin 0, converts it to voltage, and prints the result to the serial monitor.
Graphical representation is available using serial plotter (Tools > Serial Plotter menu)
Attach the center pin of a potentiometer to pin A0, and the outside pins to +5V and ground.

This example code is in the public domain.
*/

// the setup routine runs once when you press reset:
void setup() {
// initialize serial communication at 9600 bits per second:
Serial.begin(9600);
}

// the loop routine runs over and over again forever:
void loop() {
// read the input on analog pin 0:
int sensorValue = analogRead(A0);
// Convert the analog reading (which goes from 0 - 1023) to a voltage (0 - 5V):
float voltage = sensorValue * (5.0 / 1023.0);
// print out the value you read:
Serial.println(voltage);
}

I found the value of 417 for 'sensorValue.

If you have the unamplified bridge version, you measure the voltage differential between +output and -output, for example with your multimeter.

You can't do that with an Arduino. Instead the Arduino, with one input, will be measuring the half-bridge output, which is about Vcc/2.