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 P5 on the Pi. P5 is no longer used as it was dropped from the + models.

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 Class C3 load cells
2. one HX711 ADC board with shield and screw terminals attached
3. one GPIO to HX711 cable
4. one TTL to USB serial converter cable

The rest of the materials can be obtained from local suppliers. Only common tools are needed for construction, hack saw, drill, center punch, wrenches, screw drivers. All of the electronic connections either plug in or use screw terminals. There is no soldering, no lethal voltages.

• Sensors:
  • Weight
  • Temperature
  • Humidity
  • Lumens
  • Rain Gage
• Raspberry Pi Model A+ - Lots of software, hardware and support.
  • Video Camera
• Wi-Fi - Easy to install, eliminates risk of lightning damage to router.
• Low power. Can be operated from:
  • AC Adapter
  • USB port
  • Solar Panel/Battery
• Runs Hivetool Software Suite

Parts List

Assembly Manual

Software