I have been asked to provide photos of the 'cradle' I built for my Reich Caravan Scales. The photos are below this overview of what I have done
I first took a trip to the local weigh bridge to get a weight of my van loaded and carrying one tank of water (85kg).
The Weigh Bridge Weight: 2500kg
I carried out two weighings. ... Weigh one: 2464kgWeigh two: 2454kg
The distributor recommended placing a board on either side the scales for the wheel to run over (a bit like a ramp). His recommendation was that this board be no thicker than the scales. The purpose was to stop the scales from being pushed along the ground and therefore impacting on the measurement.These boards should be at least 4 inches away from the scale to ensure that the timber does not take any of the weight when measured.
I carried out several tests before deciding on a different configuration and built a cradle to keep the wheel on the scale and not the wooden ramp. Because my van wheels are so large I decided on more than 4 inches. The surface of the tyre has a wider spread than 4 inches. I found this held the scales well and allowed for the wheels to be on the scale only.
NOTE: It is vital that the cradle does not in anyway take any of the weight when measurement is being taken. I have placed inserts to hold the scale from sliding. It is vital that these inserts do not allow the scale to slide up onto the cradle.
This method my not work for everyone, but it does for me.
-- Edited by revemike on Tuesday 7th of March 2017 11:14:56 AM
When I got ours I spoke with the distributor and he said the 3% was to cover their bums in case a few came out wrong. He also suggested "Varta" brand alkaline batteries as these keep their on load voltage higher than the others (in other words they hold the 1.5V per cell longer under load. Evidently the unit uses a bit of juice during operation.. May be, again covering their bums..
Cheers
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Ex RAAF, now retired. EX Electrician/Teacher.
Homebase is Murray Bridge Tourist Park (in a cabin). New Horse.. 2020 Ford Everest Titanium, Jayco swan for touring.
You must remember that that error is per weighing and errors are cumulative. A 2 tonne tandem axle van requires five weighings with a cumulative error of 15%, that amounts to +/-300Kgs of possible error in the measured weight. My advice would be to use such scales as an indication of total weight and not to assume the measured weight is spot on.
