I have a 5kg load cell connected to an HX711 and Arduino Uno using Bogde's HX711 library with the Basic Example. I've stripped down my project to where I'm now just trying to get the change in signal when the weight changes without calibration, nothing else connected. I've reviewed the other related threads, but still can't get this very basic thing to work. The Load cell is showing a -1 reading no matter what weight I put on the load cell. I would be grateful for any guidance.
06:10:09.524 -> HX711 reading: -1
Load Cell
I took the load cell from a previously functional 5kg kitchen scale. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07R3B36GW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The accuracy should be .1g to 5kg. I have no data sheet for the load cell.
To test the load cell itself, I measured 1001 ohms (1001 on the 2000 ohm multimeter setting) across E+ and E- (red and black) and across the signal wires (green and white). It appears to be a balanced wheatstone bridge.
Supplying 5V DC on E+ and E-, I measured the mV signal across green and white signal wires and showed 0mV. A lightweight object showed 10mV (.1 on the "200mV" setting) and heavier objects showed different mV values. I think that indicates the load cell is probably okay.
Wiring -
I soldered the wires from the load cell to the wires that are plugged into the breadboard and used wire shrink wrap. After reading the tips, I re-soldered them to be as short as possible to try to eliminate issues. I think this part is okay, given the readings above.
HX711 chip
I pulled the HX711 chip out of this set that came with a load cell (that I didn't use).
I'm not sure how to troubleshoot the chip itself, but the specs are:
Features Two selectable differential input channels On-chip active low noise PGA with selectable gain of 3264 and 128 On-chip power supply regulator for load-cell and ADC analog power supply On-chip oscillator requiring no external component with optional external crystal On-chip power-on-reset Simple digital control and serial interface: pin-driven controlsno programming needed Selectable 10SPS or 80SPS output data rate Simultaneous 50 and 60Hz supply rejection Current consumption including on-chip analog power supply regulator: normal operation < 1.5mApower down < 1uA Operation supply voltage range: 2.6 ~ 5.5V Operating Temperature Range:-20 degree ~ +85 degree Connection: Red to E+ Black to E- Green to A+ White to A-
Code
I'm using Bogde's HX711 library in github: GitHub - bogde/HX711: An Arduino library to interface the Avia Semiconductor HX711 24-Bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) for Weight Scales. and his basic example.
#include "HX711.h"
// HX711 circuit wiring
const int LOADCELL_DOUT_PIN = 3;
const int LOADCELL_SCK_PIN = 2;
HX711 scale;
void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600);
scale.begin(LOADCELL_DOUT_PIN, LOADCELL_SCK_PIN);
}
void loop() {
if (scale.is_ready()) {
long reading = scale.read();
Serial.print("HX711 reading: ");
Serial.println(reading);
} else {
Serial.println("HX711 not found.");
}
delay(1000);
}
