Scale repair: fixing faults with original parts

A scale that is out of action holds up a line, a counter or a loading bay. We find out what is wrong, tell you in advance what the repair will cost and whether it is worth it, and repair with original parts from the manufacturer - on site or in our workshop.

Common faults

Most of the faults we see fall into a few groups:

• It will not return to zero or it drifts while nothing is on it - often a load cell that has been overloaded or has got damp, or something touching the platform.
• An unstable or jumping reading - vibration, draughts, a loose cable or a damaged load cell.
• An error message or dashes on the display, such as an overload or underload message.
• Display, keypad or power supply not working, or the battery no longer lasts.
• Mechanical damage: a bent platform, a sunken foot, a cable that has been driven over.
• The connection to a printer, PC or control system no longer works.

No visible defect, but it simply weighs differently from what you expect? Then something is not necessarily broken; first go through why is my scale inaccurate.

Check these yourself first

There are a few things you can check yourself before you call:

• is the scale level and stable, and is nothing touching the platform?
• is the power supply connected properly, and is the battery charged?
• does it show the same error after restarting and zeroing?
• is it standing in a draught, next to a vibrating machine or in the sun?

If none of this makes a difference, write down the error message and what happened beforehand. That helps us reach a diagnosis faster.

How a repair works

1. Report. Make, model, serial number and what you are seeing. A photo of the type plate and of the error message often says a lot already.
2. Diagnosis. We find out what is going on: load cell, power supply, circuit board, display, cabling or the structure.
3. Price in advance. You hear what needs to be done and what it costs - and whether it is worth it. You decide.
4. Repair. With original parts from the manufacturer.
5. Check. Using test weights, we measure whether the instrument weighs within its tolerance again.
6. Valid again. If work has been done on the weighing technology of a verified instrument, re-verification is arranged through the manufacturer.

Repair on site or in the workshop

We repair a floor scale, pallet scale or weighbridge where it stands; a load cell, power supply, indicator or cable can be replaced on site. Delicate work on an analytical or precision balance we prefer to do in the workshop, where the conditions are controlled. A bench scale can be sent in or collected; that is often quicker than waiting for an appointment. What is possible in your case depends on the instrument and the fault; we will tell you when you report it.

With original parts, and for a reason

The authorisations from Adam, Giropes (Baxtran), Gram and Ohaus permit repair with the manufacturer's own parts. If anything else is fitted, the type approval no longer applies and the instrument cannot be re-verified. For a verified scale, that is the difference between being allowed to weigh for trade and not.

Even without verification, original parts are the sensible choice: a load cell or circuit board made for the instrument weighs the way the manufacturer intended.

Replacing a load cell

The load cell is the measuring element under the platform. It can be damaged by overloading, an impact - a pallet put down too hard - or moisture. The signs: the scale no longer returns to zero, drifts, or weighs differently in one corner than in another.

On a scale with several load cells, we replace the damaged one and then readjust the corners so that a load weighs the same everywhere. We usually have separate load cells in stock for the brands we carry.

And valid again afterwards

If work has been done on the weighing technology, a verified instrument has to be re-verified before it may be used for trade again. Re-verification is arranged through the manufacturer; we plan the repair so the instrument is out of use as briefly as possible. See re-verification.

Is a repair still worth it?

We tell you honestly, in advance. Replacing a load cell, power supply, display or cable is usually worth it. With an outdated instrument for which the manufacturer no longer supplies parts, it stops; we will tell you so, and what a replacement scale would be. The range is under all scales.

Which brands we repair

We repair the brands we carry and for which the manufacturer has authorised us: KERN & SOHN, Adam Equipment, OHAUS, Baxtran (Giropes) and Gram Precision, plus the indicators from WPL Industries. It does not matter where you bought the instrument. We can often repair a scale from another brand as well, depending on the parts; give us the make and model and we will tell you in advance what is possible.

Faults by type of scale

• Floor and pallet scales: load cells damaged by a pallet being put down hard, cables that have been driven over, dirt under the platform and moisture in the junction box.
• Analytical and precision balances: dirt in the weighing mechanism, a damaged draught shield, static charge and an internal adjustment that no longer succeeds.
• Bench and counting scales: overloading, a worn keypad and a battery that no longer lasts.
• Weighing indicators and weighing systems: a faulty circuit board or power supply, and faults in the connection with a printer, PC or control system.
• Weighbridges: see weighbridge verification, calibration and maintenance.

Battery and power supply

If a portable scale switches off quickly, or no longer starts up, it is often the battery or the mains adapter. We replace these with the original type; a battery that does not belong to the instrument can damage the charging circuit. First check that the socket works and that the plug is properly in.

Connection faults

If the weight no longer reaches your printer, PC, ERP or control system, the cause is often not in the scale itself: a changed setting, a different cable or an update on the system side. We look at both sides. How the connection works is explained in connecting a scale to a PC, PLC or ERP.

Preventing faults

Most of the repairs we carry out could have been prevented: do not overload, do not drop, put a pallet down gently, keep cables out of the driving route and keep a scale in a wet area properly sealed. Regular maintenance spots wear before it becomes a problem, and scale maintenance and cleaning explains what you can do yourself.

Request a repair

Call +31 345 786 553, email sales@weegexperts.nl or use the form on this page. Useful to have to hand:

• make and model - a photo of the type plate is enough;
• the serial number and the weighing range;
• whether it carries the green M mark;
• what you notice, or what you need;
• where the instrument is, and whether it can be moved.

Prevention is better: with regular maintenance you see wear coming before anything comes to a standstill.

Frequently asked questions about repair

Do you also repair scales I bought elsewhere?

Yes. For KERN, Adam, OHAUS, Baxtran and Gram it does not matter where the instrument came from. Often other brands too, depending on the parts.

Is a repair still worth it?

We tell you honestly in advance. For a load cell or a power supply it usually is; for an outdated instrument for which parts no longer exist, it is not.

What does a repair cost?

That depends on what is broken and on the instrument. After the diagnosis you get the price in advance, so there is no extra bill afterwards.

Can the repair be done on site?

Often, yes: we replace a load cell, power supply, indicator or cable on site. Delicate work on an analytical balance we prefer to do in the workshop.

My scale is verified. May it still be used after the repair?

Yes, once it has been re-verified. Re-verification is arranged through the manufacturer, so you get the instrument back ready for trade use.

My scale no longer returns to zero. Is it broken?

Not always. Check that it is level and that nothing is touching the platform. If it keeps drifting, a load cell that has been overloaded or has got damp is a well-known cause.

Do you use original parts?

Yes, always the manufacturer's. For a verified scale this is necessary for it to be re-verified.