Hardware: Overview

Finished rails (load cell mounts). Two go under the hive, one on each side.

Pi and USB Hub installed in a Polycase NEMA enclosure.

HX711 with screw terminals and metal shield installed connected to H5 on the Pi. H5 is no longer used as it was dropped from the B+.

An early goal of Hivetool was to develop a $50 scale. A developers kit is being planned to

• get beta units in the field for testing,
• gather user feedback and
• provide a platform to foster open source community development.

It will be available at cost plus a voluntary contribution to the Center for Honeybee Research, a 501(c)(3) organization to help cover R&D expenses. The kit will contain the hard to find or special order items from China:

1. four 50 kg C3 load cells
2. one HX711 ADC board with shield and screw terminals attached
3. one TTL to USB serial converter cable

The rest of the materials can be obtained from local suppliers. The only tools needed for construction are a hack saw and drill. All of the electronic connections either plug in or use screw terminals. There is no soldering needed. There are no lethal voltages - it can be powered from a cell phone charger or optional solar panel and battery.

Based on the Raspberry Pi Model A+.

Assembly Manual