Load Cells

What is a Load Cell

A load cell is a device that measures the force (load). Generally speaking you won't have a load cell on a deck winch.

Where do we use Load Cells?

• Spotline V2 Hoist

• Smart Chain Hoist

• Floorpocket

How Does It Work?

A load cell measures the load based on an electrical signal - most often it's reading an analog signal. Our machines use load cells that output a 4-20mA signal to the Stagehand, which is turned into more useful output in pounds. Any machine leaving the factory will include a scaling factor and offset value. Check out the tag on the machine for those details.

Creative Conners Smart Chain Hoist Asset Tag

Load Cell Amplifier

A compatible load cell amp, and the one that's used in the Spotline V2, Spotline Mini V2 and Floorpocket is the Tacuna Systems EMBSGB200 load cell amplifier. It outputs 24VDC to power the load cell and outputs a 4-20mA signal back to the Stagehand Pro 5.

Load Cell Scaling

If your machine doesn't have a scaling tag or you're incorporating another manufacturers machine, you'll need to set the load cell scaling and the offset factor.

Much like position scaling with encoders, the load cell signal needs to be scaled before we can see an accurate value. Scaling is done through Spikemark software and the scaling value is stored on the Stagehand controller as well as in the Spikemark show file.

Creating a new scale is straightforward - use the Load Cell Wizard. You'll need to have 2 known weights, one as low as possible and the other as high as possible. Don't worry if you don't have 1/2T to hang from your Chain Hoist - just get it as high as reasonably possible. Follow the on screen instructions and you'll find the load scale and offset value.