OpenScale Sparkfun random readings

Using Arduino Sensors
1

Hello everyone. I have a couple of load cells connected to an Openscale sparkfun board. I made it working but I have an interesting issue that I can't solve. When I calibrate the scale through the PC that I am working on I have no issues with calibration, tare and readings. The problem comes when I power the Openscale from my laptop and try to calibrate and tare. Then I get random readings every time and I can't calibrate. What might be the issue? The laptop is Lenovo Legion 5. Thanks for any advices and tips.

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The issue you're facing could be related to several factors. Here are a few possible causes:

  1. Power Supply Issues: The USB port of your Lenovo Legion 5 laptop might not be providing a stable or sufficient power supply to the Openscale board. If the power supply is unstable, it can affect the performance and accuracy of load cells. This might explain why the issue does not occur when you use your PC, as different USB ports can supply different levels of power.
  2. Interference: The laptop could be introducing electrical noise into the system which is affecting the load cell readings. This noise can be more prominent in laptops due to various components like the battery, WiFi module, etc.
  3. Driver Issues: There could be a driver compatibility issue with the USB port and the Openscale board when connected to your Lenovo Legion 5 laptop.

To troubleshoot this issue:

  • Try using a different USB port on your laptop or use an external powered USB hub to ensure a stable power supply to the Openscale board.
  • Test the setup with another laptop or PC to see if the problem persists.
  • Make sure you have the correct and latest drivers installed for your USB ports.
  • Try using a shielded USB cable to reduce electrical noise.
  • Make sure that the Openscale board and the load cells are properly grounded.

Remember that load cells are very sensitive to voltage changes and electrical noise, so ensure your setup minimizes these factors. If the issue persists, you might want to contact SparkFun support for further assistance.

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Thank you for your input. Power supply issues was the number one suspect when I started debugging but I don't have the necessary equipment to test this. I have updated the drivers still the same issue persisted. I am not sure how to test for Interference and how to find the problem. I tested the scale with a PC with a good power supply I got no issues. I tested the scale when connected to a raspberry pi 4 and using screen to tare and calibrate the scale still no problems there. The only problems I got as described is when I plug the scale to any of the Legion 5 USB ports.

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Try using an external power supply.

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