Despite the fact that mechanical floor scales have not been so popular recently due to electronic counterparts, many still prefer these devices because of their low cost, as well as simplicity and practicality. In addition, they are easily repairable even at home. Electronic scales are more difficult to repair. So what are better electronic or mechanical? We will tell you how to disassemble the floor mechanical scales and repair them.
How to disassemble and repair floor mechanical scales
To find out why mechanical floor scales can fail and how to disassemble them for repair, you need to understand the principle of their work, as well as what they consist of.
We also recommend that you familiarize yourself with the display reasons. wrong weight on electronic floor scales.
Principle of operation:
- when standing on the scales, a person presses on levers that intersect with each other. They evenly distribute the load;
- two long levers are connected to a platform, which is combined with a simple but accurate spring. The latter is stretched in a ratio of 12: 1. Two additional levers are fastened with the main ones for proper load distribution;
- the pressure spring of the device begins to stretch;
- a platform that is connected to the main spring acts on an additional spring connected to the gear that rotates the arrow;
- the arrow rotates along the measuring scale.
Important! Mechanical scales, unlike electronic ones, can be adjusted: with the help of a special wheel, the arrow is set to zero.
There may be many reasons why you might need to repair mechanical outdoor appliances. Among the most common, you need to highlight:
- The device shows inaccurate values. To eliminate this problem, it is not necessary to disassemble the device, it is enough to adjust it using a gear.
- If the setting does not help, then there is a problem with the mechanism.
To understand how to disassemble a mechanical bathroom scale, the device should be turned over and two small springs should be found that are parallel to each other on each side. They are removed quite easily. This will require a screwdriver or knife. With a sharp edge you need to pry one of the sides of the spring and raise it, it is easily detached from the body. Then, using pliers, it must be taken to the side so that the edge of the spring does not affect the body. The same manipulation must be done with another spring. Then you need to carefully remove the bottom cover.
Find out how independently change the battery in the scales.
Important! It is necessary to remove the cover carefully, since the mechanism of the device is attached to it.
First you need to check the correct location of the four guides, check how much their grooves fit correctly into the corresponding recesses located at the corners of the case. Only after that you need to tilt them and inspect the connection with the main spring. A common reason for the breakdown of mechanical floor scales is the slipping of two additional rails connected to the main ones. Such a breakdown occurs due to shock or fall. It is enough to put the guides in place, and the device will work.
If the main guides and additional are located in their places and in the connecting departments there are no visible causes of failure, you need to check the additional spring.A sign of its malfunction is the immobility of the arrow during pressure on the main and additional guides. The causes of the malfunction:
- main guides disconnected from the platform;
- the additional spring is not attached to the gear.
To fix this malfunction on your own, you need to disconnect the dial disc. Depending on the model, it can be attached with a bolt or a screw. After removing the disk, all connections are checked. If there is a breakdown, it is eliminated.
Another common cause is debris entering the appliance or rust damage to machinery. In this case, mechanical products usually show incorrect values and stop at any of the indicators on the scale. Such a problem is often encountered by those who store the scales in the bathroom. The device is adversely affected by temperature changes and humidity.
To repair this malfunction, it is enough to open the case and with a brush to clean all springs and joints from dust and rust.
Then you will need to grease all the connections with oil. It is better to use regular oil for sewing machines. Thus, not only rust and dust are removed, but also the work of all mechanisms and springs is extended.
It should be noted right away that in places where there is rust, cleaning should be carried out very carefully, since rust negatively affects all metal parts, and if it is not removed, it will continue its destructive effect.
After thorough cleaning and lubrication, it is necessary to press the guides several times so that the oil penetrates into all parts of the springs and mechanisms. After that, the scale is set and the correct operation of the scales is checked. To do this, use the adjustable roller to set the arrow to zero and assemble the device. To do this, you need a fishing line, so that the springs that hold the body, pull out of the holes and press the lower part with them. When the case is assembled, for example, a weight or other object, the weight of which is known, is put on the scales. If the device shows the exact value, then the repair was successful.
Repair of mechanical scales is not as complicated as it might seem at first glance. But this applies to those breakdowns that can be caused by a blow or a fall, rust or dust. There are malfunctions that are not easy to fix on their own:
- failure of the main spring;
- gear breakage.
In this case, spare parts will be needed. If there are none at hand, do not immediately think about buying a new device. Repair of mechanical scales in the workshop will cost inexpensively; replacing the main spring or gear is a simple operation and will not take much time.
We also recommend that you familiarize yourself with rated best medical floor scales.
The main advantages and disadvantages
Several main advantages of mechanical floor scales make these devices very convenient to use:
- absolute autonomy of work;
- the device of mechanical scales is quite simple, which makes them maintainable;
- durability;
- the ability to measure a sufficiently large weight;
- ease of setup;
- low cost.
The main disadvantages include:
- error in performance;
- lack of additional features;
- ease of damage. Due to the leaky housing, small objects and dust can penetrate inside. They are common causes of breakdown of mechanical floor scales.
Many people mistakenly believe that floor mechanical scales are intended only for weighing a person. This is not quite the right judgment, since with such a device you can weigh any objects whose weight does not exceed 160 kilograms. However, this feature should be mentioned in the instruction manual.
Unlike mechanical, electronic scales are able to determine not only weight, but also other indicators, for example, the ratio of fat mass, the level of water in the body. However, additional functionality is not always justified.In addition, the cost of such devices is significantly different from mechanical counterparts, it is also unlikely that it will be possible to disassemble and repair electronic scales with your own hands.
See also: instructions for setting electronic floor scales.
