Q&A Forum

Notifications
Clear all

Load cell calibration

10 Posts
4 Users
1 Likes
5,360 Views
(@dyno-enthusiast)
Posts: 8
Member Customer
Topic starter
 

Hi Jostein,

I note that the load cell calibration procedure only requires a single test weight. Normally when we calibrate load cells we use multiple weights (minimum of 3) so that we cover the majority of the load cell range. This makes the load cell reading more accurate as the calibrated curve is linear through the range of the load cell. I plan to test this with several weights once my dyno frame is back from the fabricator. Just wanted to hear your thoughts on the topic. I'll let you know how I get on. 

Thanks,

D-E

 

 
Posted : 16/02/2018 10:29 am
(@amelia)
Posts: 57
Member
 

As a linear sensor 2 points should be perfect, for the best accuracy if this points are near the maximum and the minimum of the sensor should be great, but if you can make a calibration at 0 and the second one at the max weight you have is ok.

More than 2 points are needed if the sensor is not linear

 
Posted : 16/02/2018 6:47 pm
(@walter)
Posts: 244
Member
 

Never heard about that, my old dyno was calibrated with one calibrated weight, ive seen Mustand Dynos are calibrated using same way. 

 
Posted : 17/02/2018 12:44 pm
(@amelia)
Posts: 57
Member
 
Posted by: Walter

Never heard about that, my old dyno was calibrated with one calibrated weight, ive seen Mustand Dynos are calibrated using same way. 

Sure, but first you also have to set zero value, then the weight, that are 2 values.

I was always think about "zero value" on the dyno is not ok as the arm that holds the load cell have a weight.. so is not real zero.

Also the weight, if is not very high and the it have a little margin of error then at high brake torque this error gets multiplied.

But all this is to be as perfect as possible, sure all this is not needed for real life 

 
Posted : 17/02/2018 11:38 pm
(@dyno-enthusiast)
Posts: 8
Member Customer
Topic starter
 

Hi Walter, load cells are not 100% linear, and also the torque arm and chassis frame work can influence the load cell output. For systems I have worked on in the past there has been calculation in the PLC software to compensate the load cell raw value to a corrected value (calibrated). Similar to what we have in the yourdyno software, however there is a correction factor applied based on mulit-point test weights being applied (alfa/beta values to correct the curve). I am used to working with larger load cells in industrial equipment, so it maybe irrelevant with these smaller load cells on the engine dyno. Once I have my dyno up and running I'll let you know if I find anything interesting when calibrating. 

 

regards, D-E

 

 
Posted : 19/02/2018 10:00 am
(@dyno-enthusiast)
Posts: 8
Member Customer
Topic starter
 

Example attached of results for 2000 kgs load cell calibration using several test weights. The max working load is 1600 kgs for the load cell, so we calibrated up to that. You can see the slight variance in raw output verses the calibrated load. 

 
Posted : 19/02/2018 10:03 am
(@dyno-enthusiast)
Posts: 8
Member Customer
Topic starter
 

OK, so I am quite impressed with this little (and none expensive) load cell. I have 16 kgs of calibrated weights. The load cell is a 50 kgs size.

I tried various combinations of calibration, tarring the load cell then using 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 16 kgs and the "set" weight. I then tested each weight individually and the values were all consistent. In his case, I agree that a single point calibration is accurate enough.

\thanks D-E  

 
Posted : 19/02/2018 10:44 pm
Jostein reacted
(@amelia)
Posts: 57
Member
 

Very interesting, weights were calibrated? is not very far from linear, other thing that I read is that the load cell was also affected by the temperature

 
Posted : 19/02/2018 11:59 pm
(@walter)
Posts: 244
Member
 

Not, load cells arent linear but his error are very small, depend of quality of load cell of course.

That's how dynos normally works, a 500kg load cell is used for powerfull dynos, normally are 150/200/300Kg. never worked with +1000Kg load cells..

About temperature, yes but affects about 0.010%-0.030%. as i said, depend of quality of load cells..

 

 

 
Posted : 21/02/2018 2:03 am
(@william9877)
Posts: 5
Member
 

Hi, yes you are very right on calibrating over a wide range of the capacity of the load cell using different weight sets instead of a single weight. This helps to tackle the issues concerning the systematic error in the system and it ensures better accuracy and of course, linearity. You can learn more about this topic in the article I wrote here on this webpage: https://tacunasystems.com/knowledge-base/load-cell-tips/calibrating-the-measuring-chain/

 
Posted : 21/06/2019 8:25 am
Share:
Select your currency