My scale, and single drops

[jambi]

LB-501 is a great scale. Just don't use it near an open window, or breathe on it for that matter. It's very sensitive to gentle breezes. Only limitation for me is its 500 g capacity, which limits batch size. I would like to be able to make 500 ml batches of pre-mix with a single scale. This company needs to release a 1000 gram model that weighs hundredths (their current 1000 gram model only weighs tenths).

 

[Capt.shay]

LB-501 is a great scale. Just don't use it near an open window, or breathe on it for that matter. It's very sensitive to gentle breezes. Only limitation for me is its 500 g capacity, which limits batch size. I would like to be able to make 500 ml batches of pre-mix with a single scale. This company needs to release a 1000 gram model that weighs hundredths (their current 1000 gram model only weighs tenths).

Just weigh the vg separately.

 

[louiesquared]

I have the LB-501 and it works great. I originally bought the SF-400D and sent it back the same day that it arrived because of the problem that you describe. It was terrible. I know that the LB-501 is not the most precise scale available but it is 100 times better than the SF-400D.

 

[louiesquared]

Only limitation for me is its 500 g capacity, which limits batch size. I would like to be able to make 500 ml batches of pre-mix with a single scale. This company needs to release a 1000 gram model that weighs hundredths (their current 1000 gram model only weighs tenths).

Just a thought. At 500ml I doubt that a + / - 0.05 gram difference would be perceivable in your mixes.

 

[Capt.shay]

I personally never had a problem with this issue but I can see if you are making tiny batches how it could be a problem. I have the 501 currently but I will by the 400 (that I had before) next time. What ever works best for you!

 

[jambi]

Just a thought. At 500ml I doubt that a + / - 0.05 gram difference would be perceivable in your mixes.

You're right, it wouldn't matter at all. Unfortunately, 500 mls of 70/30 plus the glass bottle (or even a plastic one) exceeds 500 grams. It's ok, I just mix in 250 ml batches and pour it into the big bottle, but it would be nice if I didn't have to do that. It's just a dream really, a 1000 gram capacity scale that weighs down to .01...

I had the LB1000. I bought it without realizing it only weighs down to .1. Exchanged it for the LB500. At the time I didn't envision doing a lot of +250 ml mixing. Now I wish I'd kept it, just for making large batches of pre-mix.

 

[jpasint]

Scales will have a function built-in called 'auto-zero'. The scale will automatically zero off very small weight changes if they occur around the zero point. This keeps the scale from changing/drifting due to temperature, compensates for small zero changes in the load sensor, and for small amounts of material that may drop on the weighing platform. This auto-zeroing function only occurs within a division or two of the zero point, and disables itself when the weight on the scale goes outside this 'window'. That's why it doesn't occur after weight has already been applied.

To prevent this, you can zero the scale, lift up the liquid container momentarily and put a few drops in it, then set it back down on the scale. Continue as before.

I checked both of my good scales and they each have this setting you mentioned-

Set the automatic zero tracking functionality.
OFF = disabled
0.5d = the display will maintain zero until a change of 0.5 divisions per second has been exceeded.
1d = the display will maintain zero until a change of 1 divisions per second has been exceeded.
3d = the display will maintain zero until a change of 3 divisions per second has been exceeded.




"AUTOZERO" Automatic Zero Setting
This menu topic allows you to switch the automatic zero setting on or off.

ON "AUTOZERO" switched on (Factory setting). The automatic zero
setting continuously corrects possible variations in the zero point
that might be caused through small amounts of contamination
on the weighing pan.

OFF "AUTOZERO" switched off. The zero point is not automatically
corrected. This setting is advantageous for special applications
(e.g. evaporation measurements).

I also have one of the scales like mentioned in this thread but it does not have such a setting.

 

[Mactavish]

I checked both of my good scales and they each have this setting you mentioned-

Set the automatic zero tracking functionality.
OFF = disabled
0.5d = the display will maintain zero until a change of 0.5 divisions per second has been exceeded.
1d = the display will maintain zero until a change of 1 divisions per second has been exceeded.
3d = the display will maintain zero until a change of 3 divisions per second has been exceeded.




"AUTOZERO" Automatic Zero Setting
This menu topic allows you to switch the automatic zero setting on or off.

ON "AUTOZERO" switched on (Factory setting). The automatic zero
setting continuously corrects possible variations in the zero point
that might be caused through small amounts of contamination
on the weighing pan.

OFF "AUTOZERO" switched off. The zero point is not automatically
corrected. This setting is advantageous for special applications
(e.g. evaporation measurements).

I also have one of the scales like mentioned in this thread but it does not have such a setting.

That's great that you can disable the feature. The LB501 does not have that feature, but it does come with TWO 200 gram weights, which is nice, and an easy to use calibration feature.

 

[IDJoel]

I checked both of my good scales and they each have this setting you mentioned-

What are your good scales (model/mfg.)? Are either of them under $100; or are these $1,000+ analytical balances?

 

[jpasint]

What are your good scales (model/mfg.)? Are either of them under $100; or are these $1,000+ analytical balances?

One is a Mettler Toledo and other is an Ohaus. Neither of them is under a $100.
Not an analytical balance either as that class of scales (to the best of my knowledge) weighs down to at least 1/10th of a mg (.0001 gram).

I did great deals on both of them online though but still too ashamed of myself to tell the price.

 

[G-Fog]

As I have no intention of mixing large batches, I have bought a jewellers scale, which registers indididual drops.
It maxes out at 100g however, but suits my purposes.

 

[jpasint]

As I have no intention of mixing large batches

Well that's what I thought in the beginning of my mixing days.
Now I'm mixing 540 ml batches of my ADV.

I was mixing twelve 120ml batches at a time of my ADV in the beginning but it was so laborious it took away my desire to experiment with other recipes.
It now takes me about 15 minutes to mix up over 1.5 liters of my ADV. A huge time saver.

I would say that if one is mixing over 500ml (maybe even less) at a time, a scale that measures only down to 1/10 of a gram would be more than good enough.
Even good scales with higher capacities get way cheaper at the 1/10 gram level.

 

[tokarev]

There are plenty of precision balances available with 0.01 readability and 1000g (or greater) capacity. They're just not cheap. I did a quick search and it looks like the price range would be about US $300 and up. Not worth it for most people, I guess. They are kind of shiny, though...

 

[Mactavish]

There are plenty of precision balances available with 0.01 readability and 1000g (or greater) capacity. They're just not cheap. I did a quick search and it looks like the price range would be about US $300 and up. Not worth it for most people, I guess. They are kind of shiny, though...

I still wanna know what "jpasint" paid!

 

[tokarev]

I still wanna know what "jpasint" paid!

Me too! He sounds like he knows a lot more about scales than I do (but that ain't sayin' much).

Here's one...
Ohaus® - SPX2201 - On Sale - FREE SHIPPING - Affordablescales.com

It has 2200g capacity, but it's $308 and change...but hey, they have free shipping!

 

[G-Fog]

Well that's what I thought in the beginning of my mixing days.
Now I'm mixing 540 ml batches of my ADV.

I was mixing twelve 120ml batches at a time of my ADV in the beginning but it was so laborious it took away my desire to experiment with other recipes.
It now takes me about 15 minutes to mix up over 1.5 liters of my ADV. A huge time saver.

I would say that if one is mixing over 500ml (maybe even less) at a time, a scale that measures only down to 1/10 of a gram would be more than good enough.
Even good scales with higher capacities get way cheaper at the 1/10 gram level.

Point taken, it looks like I will have to upgrade in the future.
540ml Batches is some serious mixing, how long does that last?

 

[DaveP]

I have the American Weigh Scales LB-501 and it's been fine. There's a short settling time when you add drops, but it senses one drop. It is sensitive to drafts and vibration, but it settles quickly and seems to read accurately.

I mix into 60ml Boston Round dropper bottles for convenience. Maybe it's the included pan that brings the scale into the sweet spot. I've never tried it with just the bottle on the scale. I like having the pan on the scale with the bottle sitting on top. Sometimes I'll miss the top of the bottle and a drop or two will run down the side and the pan catches it.

 

[jpasint]

Point taken, it looks like I will have to upgrade in the future.
540ml Batches is some serious mixing, how long does that last?

I make three of those 540ml batches at a time and that lasts me well over 3 months.

 

[OlderNDirt]

In over 2 years vaping, I have never been a 1 flavor vaper. I rotate through at least 6 flavors each day. So once I can come up with at least 3 solid flavors, I will mix those in 120ml batches and a 240ml unflavored that should last me a good couple months between mixing sessions. If need be, those mixes can easily be doubled. I can handle that along with the occasional trial mixing sessions. The scale recommended and that I bought for $25 works just fine for my use.

 

[jpasint]

In over 2 years vaping, I have never been a 1 flavor vaper. I rotate through at least 6 flavors each day. So once I can come up with at least 3 solid flavors, I will mix those in 120ml batches and a 240ml unflavored that should last me a good couple months between mixing sessions. If need be, those mixes can easily be doubled. I can handle that along with the occasional trial mixing sessions. The scale recommended and that I bought for $25 works just fine for my use.

I do a similar routine as well.
I'll have at least 3 or 4 floater tanks in action all the time.
The floaters are all different recipes than my ADV. But I only vape a few ml per day between all the floaters.
I like/need to mix things up a bit like that.