Scales

NO_H2O · Post by **NO_H2O** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 10:12 am

I would like to get my car on some scales. I have been toying with the idea of getting rid of my back seat and moving the Battery to the front of my 1302. I would love to get a set of scales but they are $$$. I have seen some set ups useing bathroom scales and arms that are much cheaper. Does anyone have a link to some plans to build a set? Can a set be rented. I think it would make a great club tech day if I had to rent some. We could chip in and use them for a day or two and get a few cars across them.
You just don't know untill to measure.

Post by **Marc** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 11:16 am

I haven't seen any plans but if you'll do a Google search for scales multiplier arms you'll get some pictures in the first few hits.
I've used these and they're better than nothing but when you can get a full set of four electronic load-cell scales that can handle 1000 lbs each and offer far better accuracy for ~$1000 (from Longacre or Tanner) I'm not sure they're worth the frustration.
Real wheel scales do come along once in a while second-hand: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... otohosting

NO_H2O · Post by **NO_H2O** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 1:00 pm

I saw that set. They would be nice to have. If I had a track car I would be all over them. I would like to get the initial set up on my street car but don't think I could justify buying a set now.

Post by **Marc** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 1:13 pm

The bathroom-scale deal won't give the same answer twice in a row on the same car, even if it's set up in a dedicated level spot. Worse, it seems like every time you move them they get thrown off - the claims that they are as accurate as electronic scales are "optimistic" IMO. On the plus side, there'll never be an expensive repair bill since you can buy a new scale for about $10 and anything else that breaks you can fix yourself - as long as your expectations are realistic you'll find them useful.
There's another type of crude scale too - I haven't seen them offered for sale lately but I had one years ago - it looks kinda like a bumper jack with a gauge on it that you place next to each tire and hook under the rim at the top; press down on the handle until the tire just comes off the pavement (I would slip a piece of cardboard under the tire and note the reading just as I could tug it free for maximum repeatability). If you come across one of those it might be in your budget, used carefully it's nearly as accurate as the bathroom-scale setup and a whole lot more portable.

NO_H2O · Post by **NO_H2O** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 2:34 pm

I havn't seen the jack type. I have used the electronic cel type on aircraft and they are the way to go. I would love to rent a set. I'm just looking to get a starting point for my street car. Never used the bath scale type set up. It looked like it would be good enough for what I need right now.

EASY RIDER · Post by **EASY RIDER** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 9:31 pm

At the first dyno day I herd the guy with the MINI talking about a place that was located in Marietta and did engine conversions. I looked at there web site when I got home and remember a picture of the guys weighing a mini before and after they installed the new engine. I am pretty sure that the scales were used as a service also. If the site can be located you can find out more. Maybe you could just drive up to Marietta and weigh your car on there scales.

I have looked for the site but have not found it yet.

Bert

NO_H2O · Post by **NO_H2O** » Tue Jul 27, 2004 4:14 am

Cool, I would like to find a place around here that I could get it done. For me that data is as important as a pull on the Dyno.

homer · Post by **homer** » Tue Jul 27, 2004 7:59 am

An Atlanta SCCA autocross sponsor has scales and does weighing:

Knowledge Performance
Kennesaw
http://www.knowledgeperformance.net/

Also has scales and laser alignment:

Scott Siegel
Siegel Racing
404-388-8751
www.siegelracing.com
[email protected]

SCCA Solo 2 is renting the motorcycle race track at Talledega this weekend for the 6th autocross of the season.

Hope to see you at one of our events soon... for details:

http://www.apexbenefits.biz/ABS-Mtrsports.htm

Jeff
'71 Ghia

NO_H2O · Post by **NO_H2O** » Thu Jul 29, 2004 5:30 pm

Thanks homer, I would love to check out some of your events. I'm still slowly getting my car set up and would love to get some good autocross instuction. We have a German Look club here in the southeast and we have talked about trying a club autocross class, I think it would be great.

gerico · Post by **gerico** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 3:32 pm

Well it's not scales but when I was racing Formula V, we used to measure the tire contact patch and then adjust the suspension and/or tire pressure to make sure both fronts were equal and both rears were equal. Put sand bags or some weights in the drivers seat to simulate a driver in the car and gas tank was 1/2 full. If you have trouble measuring the width of the tire contact patch, just sprinkle flour on the concrete in front of the tires and roll through it. Be sure to do this on a CLEAN, LEVEL surface. You can also put ink or something on the tires but it's lots harder to clean up.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 5:15 pm

Go to your local sand and gravel pit. Most have scales for wieghing big trucks sand and gravel is sold by wieght aroun d her and the county wieghts and measure dept certifies them.I believe they have to be within 20#accurate. It only cost me 5$ to get my buggy wieghed 1480#. Bill

sideshow · Post by **sideshow** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 6:12 pm

In Oregon there are tons of road side scales, ODOT uses them to check the weight of large trucks. When the stations are not maned, the scales still work. Just pull in.

My favorite is a single axle pad on the outskirts of Whitecity, it appears to be accurate based on comparing drivers weight & curb. Very rare that it is use.

The other one I rarely use is on I-5 southbound in Ashland. It is a full sized pad and in use more often, but when it isn't it provides a good place for a G-Tech ¼ mile run.

And of course the sand & gravel & bark yard, they weigh my single cab (but not by axle)...then they fill the trailer.

NO_H2O · Post by **NO_H2O** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 7:12 pm

I was thinking of scales for each wheel.

Gomer_pyle · Post by **Gomer_pyle** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 7:28 pm

couldent you go to a weigh station? on the side of the road

not sure how accurate they are though

sideshow · Post by **sideshow** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 8:37 pm

The single axle scale I spoke works fine for one wheel at a time. The pad has plenty of room for the vehicle to remain flat.
I didn't try taking that many measurements so I don't know how repeatable it is. And the scale reads in 20lbs increments, this may not be as close as you want...