FAQ

Find quick answers to common questions. 

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Please remember that Broadweigh and/or Paradigm Rigging do not give advice as to how the data from Broadweigh shackles is used. All lifting operations are different and must be supervised by suitably qualified and experienced riggers. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure conformity with local regulations.

Broadweigh is not designed to be used as part of a safety critical control system. If it is required for one then the integrator would need to fully assess its suitability.

 Why use a BroadWeigh™ wireless system?
The BroadWeigh system is one of the few wireless products on the market which incorporates a high accuracy load pin with zero trim loss design for simple, effective and accurate dynamic wireless load monitoring. The system is fast and simple to use; set up in less than 1 minute, and offers an expandable system to suit individual requirements simply by purchasing additional shackles with no need to return to the factory.
 
 Why choose wireless?
At the heart of BroadWeigh is a powerful wireless telemetry technology which provides high quality remote readings, often in harsh environments, to record and transmit data. Built around its own custom proprietary communications protocol, the technology provides secure and high integrity digital data transmission. With direct line of sight of up to 800 m (1/2 mile) which can be extended with the use of an active repeater.

 

 What is the accuracy of the Broadweigh Load Cell Shackles?
Accuracy specifications of Broadweigh Load Cell

 

 What kind of batteries do the Broadweigh Load Cells use?

Mantracourt Electronics recommends using Energizer® L91 Ultimate Lithium TM AA batteries.

Advantages over other batteries:

High capacity (As much as 50% more capacity than other big brand batteries). Wide temperature range.
Very long shelf life.
Leak resistant construction.

We recommend removing batteries from units when not in use for extended periods of time. Damage due to battery leakage or corrosion is not covered under warranty.

On our rental product, we often use Duracell ProCell AA. There is a Procell Alkaline Intense Power (Engineered for long lasting performance in high-drain professional devices) and Procell Alkaline Constant Power (Designed to deliver consistent performance in low-drain professional devices). We have moved to experimenting with the Intense Power batteries and so far have has great performance/ longevity.

 

 What temperatures can the BroadWeigh load cells operate in?
The allowable operating temperature range is -20°C to +50°C.

 

What is the estimated battery life?

Estimated Battery life 2 X AA Duracell batteries (1 update per second)

Asleep: 5+ years

Continuous Operation: 3 Months

8h Usage Per Day: 8 Months

2h Usage Per Day: 2.5 Years.

*It is to be noted that varying settings affect battery life, such as sample rates and duration.

 

When purchasing a system, is packaging included? Is this a Pelican? How many cells fit? Do the displays fit into this?

Packaging (Flight Cases) are all additional. Our cases are similar to Pelican cases.

We have 2 size cases:

Our larger one (Case-A) fits up to 16 load cells and smaller (Case-B) fits up to 8.

We sell the CNC foam inserts individually, so you can mix and match between inserts for 5/8" cells and 3/4" cells.

There's also a foam insert double tall for our wind speed units.

The cases lids are also cut to fit the active repeater, and receivers.

 

There are several different base station options, but what are the differences?

The 2 main USB options are the BW-BSue and BW-BSd.

First off is the form factor:

The BW-SBSue is larger - same size as the load cell body, and it has about a 3" USB cord. 

The BW-BSd (dongle) is about the size of a USB memory stick, and no cord. This makes it perfect if you're using a tablet and walking around with it for portability, but notably easier to lose the unit.  

Performance Wise:

The BW-BSue is stated to have up to 800m(2600ft) range

The BW-BSd is stated up to 500m(1600ft) range.

It's not necessarily about the range they provide but the strength of signal they provide in business environments. User preference is using the BSd for a much as possible for portability, but also often the BW-BSue for more strength.

Either way 2 receivers at minimum would be recommended to have a main unit and a spare

The software could also be run on 2 laptops at the same time and receive the same info on both if that were needed for the usage case. 

On Hand Held receives, we have the Hand Held and Hand Held Advanced. They allow a list of up to 24 units where you can cycle through individual readings of the load cells. It's great for quick reads of a point, or something like tensioning guy wires where the full laptop wouldn’t be needed.

Between the two, user preference is the Hand Held Advanced unit, mainly because it lets users. define the load cells in it first and put names to them which makes it much easier for use.

 

Do you sell the displays (PC/tablet) or is that on us, then download software?

PC/Tablet is on you. Software is free download from Broadweigh or www.paradigmrigging.com/resources.

Broadweigh software is Windows only. You will need a USB port for the receiver.

Performance wise, on a 20 cell system, you probably won't slow things down much, but if running closer to 80-100 channels in the software, opt for something with 16gb RAM or higher.

 

Does the visual representation of cells allow customization in the Log100 software? Can you import a .dwg file?

The software defaults an All Channel view with individual displays of each channel. Its adequate for a limited number of cells, but the visual overlays give a much easier view of the rig you're working with. It takes .pdf files for images which you drop in as background objects, scale to the screen size you want to fill, then you can drop display objects over top which you select the load cell you want that info to read. 

 

 At what point are extenders (Active Repeaters) necessary?

A majority of our users don’t run into use cases where repeaters are necessary.

They are a great tool if needing to send signals around a solid object such as around the corner in a cement room, or something else that the wireless signal can't cleanly get around or bouncing past a scoreboard in an arena perhaps. 

Example from a 2019 with a show where we had 175 cells in a full arena, we didn't have to use a repeater with it, and had strong readings of the cells while working around the room.

Another consideration is repeaters double radio traffic, so it has to be a strategic play on what cells to repeat, and not necessarily blanket all of them.

Summary: Great tool to have available but not often required. 

 

 If we use the Twist Link or standard Broadweigh Load Cell do we need spacers in a standard shackle to keep it centered?

No spacers are needed for centering.

The Broadweigh Load Cell shackle comes standard with a load centralizing bobbin on the pin. This piece is calibrated with the load cell and ensures loads are centered on the pin.

Using the Twist Link, the holes are offset 90 degrees to each other which minimize any torsional forces as well as centralizing its load centered on the pin. 

Note: While the load centralizing bobbins and twist links are meant to give the most accurate readings possible, we do recommend ensuring the load cells are as linear to the load as possible while being loaded.

 

 Is there any Radio Frequency (RF) interference with mics, etc?

Short answer, there shouldn’t be. 

The licence free 2.4 GHz radio telemetry technology offers high integrity, error free communications which can co-exist with other wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth® and Zigbee®. FCC, ETSI and IC approvals. 

 The system does run on the 2.4Ghz band but uses a separate wireless protocol than typical wifi or wireless mics. There are 15 radio channels to choose from within the system and if you run into bandwidth issues, you could switch radio channels to a clearer radio channel.

 

Is outdoor, humidity, rain issue? At what point is humidity an issue, can we wrap in plastic for weather protection? Is an accessory available?

The Broadweigh load cells are fully weatherized (IP67), built to withstand the demands of challenging environments and weather conditions.

Environmental

Operating temperature range

-20 to 55 degrees C

Storage temperature range (no batteries)

-40 to 85 degrees C

Humidity: 95% RH

IP rating : IP67

 

General Maintenance Note: Do keep the gaskets clean where the battery cover removes because any dirt here could allow water in. Users have in the past used electrical tape as a secondary water safety precaution around the battery cover when their cells were going outside for an extended period of time. Never hurts for that little extra effort to save potential water damage due to dirt or dust in the seals.

 

Is the bell/pin orientation play any issue in accuracy?
The load cell can be used in any orientation with the same accuracy.

 

When purchasing with the twist link, is it an option to buy the beveled pin sleeve and install later?

You can purchase the bobbin separately.

 

 What is rating on the Twist Link and is it stamped/raised/certified?

Rating on the Twist Link is 4750kg. It is a CE stamped product, and also has batch number and serial number affixed on it. 

 

 Do you have a preferential tablet or recommendation or feedback from clients? Saw some Asus ones and of course Microsoft surface (something with USB obviously)

Most of our rental laptops are Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga's similar to this:

https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/p/laptops/thinkpad/thinkpadx/thinkpad-x13-yoga-gen-3-(13-inch-intel)/21aw002tus

We're a big fan of the Surface Pro for fill Windows functionality with the small form factor.  

Overall we have a preference for the touchscreen convertible laptops regardless of brand specially. It makes navigating the visual pages in Log100 sometimes easier if built that way. 

 

Is liability insurance required to rent these products?

While we can't provide legal or insurance advice, liability insurance would typically be recommended or required. We would advise chatting with any insurers you deal with or production managers on their best recommendations and requirements.