Hello, I'm Bill. This is my first post/project here.
I'm wondering if a project I have in my head can come to fruition, (before I buy stuff unnecessarily).
I'm looking to use an uno, a 5kg load cell (with amplifier) and an lcd wall display to monitor the weight of objects in a container. Not how much they weigh, but rather how many objects are in the container at any given time. That's it, but here's some more details:
The objects all weigh the same (right about 6oz).
The number of objects will not exceed 12.
The display will be wall mounted and must have large (2 inch ?) numerals. Preferably, the readout will only ever display either a zero, or a number from one to twelve. (no extra decimals or zeros).
I have some electrical knowledge, being a retired professional/commercial sound system designer/installer, so the hands on part of wiring , tinkering with parts/mounts and getting things installed and hooked up is not a problem.
My limitation is in the computer area. I still hunt and peck when I type, and I would probably need another computer just to calculate how many pay grades up I would need to attain, to even think about "coding".
Also, I have made an effort, by watching you tube videos, and searching online for info on what scale/weight projects others have created, but I've yet to find one that did the exact task described above. I've seen "batch counts" and other categorizations, with folks needing to sort nuts and bolts and candy and stuff. But even if I did find someone who did what I'm looking for, I don't get how I would get the info needed to my uno. Would I ask them if I can buy a copy of what they programmed into their uno, or is it a matter of hiring someone to write the code, and then send it to me to install into my uno?
Thanks for any help and advice on this!
Bill
Yes, it would be nice if only.
But certainly ever. Single. Part. Of what you are attempting has been done.
The code would not be too hard. If you want someone to write it in exchange for money, there's a forum section for that.
But this wouldn't be all that many pay grades above where you at now.
I suggest you find a project where someone does something less ambitious but still involving a load cell, the amplifier typically used by DUI folks, and LCD display and a few push buttons.
Duplicate that project with slavish attention to doing it exactly as presented. No changes, nothing creative, just an identical device. Maybe even down to the colour of the wires used. 
Just don't pick any from Instructables… they have a bad wrap for good reasons.
With a bit of work, you could actually recreate most of those kinds of projects without purchasing… anything.
Visit
scroll down and try the examples.
If you can do that and find it to be fun, maybe then buy the same parts for realz and see if it is still fun.
HTH
a7
I should add something that many ppl do not seem to realize - you can read code line by line and see how it works.
Just seeing it as an impenetrable mass of text is a mistake, and expecting to borrow or steal and paste without understanding won't work out over any run, long or short.
Keep us informed, Baby steps. Your project sounds like fun, especially when you get to the part about making a giant display for the count.
a7
Not a bad project at all. I would start with the load cell and decide if you want a compression or tension version. Compression the weight is pressing down like a common bathroom scale and tension the weight is suspended below the load cell as in a hanging scale. You mention the objects weigh about 6 ounces and not to exceed 12 objects so 6 * 12 = 72 Ounces or 4.5 Lbs so the max weight of objects is 4.5 Lbs plus the weight of any fixturing and packaging. Once accurate calibration is done we just tare out fixturing weight so only objects are weighed. Years ago you would be looking at a "counting scale".
Anyway once you choose a load cell you can move along to a load cell amplifier and any needed signal conditioning depending on your choice of load cell and ask before you buy. Personally I would look for a load cell having a I2C interface. Only because it makes for easy communication between load cell and your micro controller (Arduino).
Large display should not be a problem. There are plenty of large display panels suitable for use with an Arduino uC.
The code would not be all that difficult based on the hundreds of weighing scale code samples on the internet. Just a matter of modifying some of what is out there or as mentioned buy the code.
Ron
Thanks to both of you for those responses.
Looks like I've got some decisions to make with regards to exactly how much I want to get involved with trying to figure it out myself (learning about coding just enough to make it work for me), or getting a hired hand so to speak. In the meantime, good to know this board exists for possible future shameless brain picking. Thanks again!
Most welcome. 
Ron
Haha, just enough won't be enough. Do this yourself and you'll probably have to learn quite a bit more than just enough…
But the bits and pieces have all been done, so with some attention repurposing code you find can be successful. But you will have to understand it.
Just now I am more curious about this alleged
have you seen any commercially available displays that would work? Or is that kind of thing something you'd like to DUI yourself?
I ask because there are many custom built displays that are quite impressive, I'm not too good with that kinda thing, so.
a7
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