What can cause an unstable weight reading in my HI 1746WS?

We are getting a oscillating value on our SLC from the HI 1746WS. We believe that it is the Junction box circuit board or the load cells. However, we also lost power to the SLC. Could the weight multiplier need resetting? If so, how do we reset it? Would any other parameter cause this?

Unstable weight readings are usually caused by a mechanical problem. Check to see if you have cables or conduits binding the system.

Wet or contaminated junction boxes can cause unstable weight readings. Bad load cells are easy to troubleshoot if they are the problem by using the IT troubleshooting functions found in the HI WS100 software, or by using a multimeter to monitor the individual load cell signals. The millivolt DC output should be stable better than 0.01mv with no millivolt change more than +/-0.01mv. Additional WebTech answers provide instructions on how to measure and interpret the Mv readings.

If you have selected too many decimal points, the weight would seem unstable. The weight multiplier is only for the decimal point position. the scales are typically considered stable if they move less than 1 part in 10,000 of the total load cell capacity. (example: 1000 lb scale is stable to 0.1lb)

If you have completed calibration and configuration, the last command should be Write Nonvolatile. Now when you cycle power all the configuration and calibration information is restored.

Monitor the Input:(slot):word 18,19 for the gross weight readings. There are also charts in the manual (chapter 6) that may help you determine the cause of an unstable weight reading.

The multiplier is a parameter that is set up in the SLC.  If your program is writing this to the module, a power cycle should not change this.  However, this is strictly in the programming of the SLC and the module would have no control over this parameter setting.  If you suspect the multiplier has changed, you would need to enter the program to verify the setting.