®
Set Up the Hardware
PS
-
3216
7
013-15734A
If the Wireless
Load Cell is rotated
so that the Y-axis
arrow on the front
of the sensor is
vertical and
pointing upward,
the Acceleration
Y-axis reading is
9.8 m/s². If the
sensor is turned so
that the Y-axis
arrow is pointing
downward, the
Acceleration
Y-Axis reading is
-9.8 m/s².
If the Wireless
Load Cell is placed
so its back on a horizontal surface with the label facing
upward, the Acceleration Z-axis reading is 9.8 m/s². If
the sensor is placed label side down so that the back is
facing upward, the Acceleration Z-axis reading is -9.8
m/s².
Mounting the Wireless Load Cell
When using Wireless Load Cells, assemble your struc
-
ture with the screws slightly loose. This will simplify the
analysis by ensuring that the members experience only
tension and compression without moments.
About the Battery
The Wireless Load Cell’s battery is partially charged at
the factory. If the battery status LED blinks red, use the
micro USB cable to connect the sensor to a USB port or
a USB charger.
Battery Usage
Battery life is very important to making the sensor simple
and always ready to use, so all of the PASCO wireless
products are designed for long battery life. For example,
the sensor turns itself off after a few minutes of inactivity
to conserve battery life.
The battery life between charges for the sensor varies
depending on the sampling rate. The battery life ranges
between eleven hours for high sample rates to more
than 70 hours for low sample rates.
In typical classroom/lab use, this would translate to a
battery life between charges ranging from one to four
weeks or more, because full-day continuous sampling
would be unusual. Even in the most extreme case with a
high sample rate, the Wireless Load Cell battery would
support a full day of use before needing to recharge.
Maximizing Battery Life
One of the factors that affects battery life is the storage
temperature. Therefore, avoid storing the sensor in very
cold or very hot environments.
Suggested Experiments
Practically any experiment that involves measurement of
force or acceleration in a PASCO Structures System can
be done with the PS-3216 Wireless Load Cell. See the
PASCO Web site at
www.pasco.com/products/lab-manuals
for more information about experiments.
9.8 m/s²
-9.8 m/s²
+1.0 g in Z
LOAD side
LOAD side
9.8 m/s²
-9.8 m/s²
