Outweighed By Wit | Tracking Down Problematic Culprits Of Truck Scale Weighing Issues

The truck weigh scale is one of the most crucial components of any well-functioning trucking business and helps you to ensure that every load you send out is right where it needs to be where weight is concerned. However valuable truck scales are to your business, they definitely do not come without their fair share of problems. In some cases, the problems that come up can seem like they are nearly impossible to diagnose and repair. Yet, the problematic occurrences of truck scale weighing issues will usually come down to five likely suspects.

Moisture May be the Enemy

The load cell connectors that are buried in the truck scale are quite vulnerable to moisture. This means that rain and snow that makes it into the scale could leave you with problems, such as failed readings. If you suspect excess moisture is causing a problem, talk to a professional about installing barriers that will help reroute moisture away from the scale itself.

Lightning Can Be Damaging

If your truck scale is not the most modern, one strike of lightning can wreak havoc on the internal operating components of the scale. It can throw off the calibration settings, destroy cables, and even damage the load cells. Having a power load cell system that has electrical current conductors can help to eliminate this issue.

Cable Damages May Be Your Problem

The cables that relay information from the load cells and junction box to the scale reader can become damaged. These cable are made of steel and coated with durable rubber, but rodent problems underground can mean damaged cables. If the cables are damaged, you may not be able to get a reading at all and you may even assume that you have lost power.

Load Cells are Not Infinite

The load cells of any truck scale are not designed to last forever. These take the brunt of the weight when trucks are in position to be measured and do break down over time. The natural breakdown can mean uneven weight distribution, which will cause you to get inaccurate readings. The load cells can be replaced, but it will have to be done by a professional and it is a lengthy process.

Small Junction Boxes Can Create Big Headaches

The junction box is usually buried deep at the base of your truck scale, which is a natural landing spot for dirt, moisture, and debris. Even worse, the junction box has to be exposed when you calibrate the scale, which will allow in even more dirt, moisture, and debris. All of this foreign material will eventually cause you problems as it will damage the circuit panel and corrode cable connectors. If you are having issues with getting the correct weight, the junction box could be in need of replacement or repair.

Once you are familiar with the five things that can actually be causing inaccurate readings and poor function, it is a lot easier to maintain an industrial truck scale. If you cannot narrow down the issue even after checking these five components, you may have to call in a professional for help assessing the situation.

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