Automatic Hive Weight Logger

[flyboy]

A local computer guy has built a scale that sits under the hive and sends a signal periodically (wired) to a computer so he can log the weight of his hive automatically and watch the daily progress. Not sure how often it takes a reading but what a great idea. Lots of info could be taken from that.

Is he the only one? or is there a commercial ver?

[Variable]

http://beealerttechnology.com/

for the commercial folks. Kinda spendy but very cool!

[flyboy]

Thanks Variable,

Seems like it would be simple to make a low tech one that you just slid under the hive and check daily for progress. It would tell you volumes about what is going on to have a log like that. Maybe some other business has reasons to log weights.

ebay has electronic ones that are 50 to 70 dollars based on 200 pound max weight.

Xmas is coming sooner than you think... ;)

[Redbug]

You will want to look this over...
http://hivetool.net/

I'm in South Carolina...and here's our bee net...
http://hivetool.org/w/index.php?title=South_Carolina_Hive_Instrumentation_Project

[Better.to.Bee.than.not]

Matt, the only dude in MI with that has the 3rd heaviest hive at 223 lbs. wonder if he's sitting on it?

folks may want to check this out:(Or you can buy one on ebay, here's a link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Portable-Hive-Scale-for-Beekeeping-/261510940609?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3ce34447c1)

http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-a-scale-to-weigh-bee-hives/


or this electronic version with tracking/etc.
http://makingthingswork.wordpress.com/2011/09/15/70/

[Spear]

A member of the beek club I'm in has a few scales that will send daily sms's to a central network that then will email him the data. He is one of the few beeks here that specialize in collecting 'forest' honey (produced by the aphids on the pine and fur trees) so it is important for him to know if his hives are gaining or losing weight since the 'forest' honey 'flow' is very unpredictable. Some years there will be no flow and other years he will have a hive gain 10kgs in 2 days!