Brecknell MBS Series Electronic Balance User Guide

MBS SERIES
ELECTRONIC BALANCE

AWT35-500064
Issue AH

MBS Series Precision Balance
Thank you for purchasing the Model MBS precision balance. Please read all operating instructions carefully before using and note the following items to ensure accurate readings.

Description

• The MBS balances use a high precision load cell and a microcomputer for simple operation with accurate, stable weight readings displayed on the large liquid crystal display.
• This balance is an excellent choice for laboratory use and educational applications, however, it is not recommended for use in production lines, food preparation areas or any other environment where high heat, cold, humidity, or vibration is present.
• Do not overload the balance. This will damage the load cell and void the warranty.
• Inspect the platter, draft shield, and housing regularly for damage.
• Refer to the troubleshooting chart at the end of this manual for more details.
• Do not attempt to repair the balance if you have a problem. Contact your local Salter Brecknell representative.

2.0 Unpacking

Please check the contents of this box carefully. Your MBS balance should come with one of each of the following:

• Electronic Balance
• Stainless Steel Weighing Platform
• User Manual
• 6 “AA” batteries (300-600 gram unit); 8 “AA” batteries (1200-6000 gram unit)

Installation

• Place the balance on a stable, level surface.
• Level the balance using the adjustable feet and level bubble.
• Remove the protective film from the stainless steel platform.
• Gently place the weighing platform on the mounting posts on the top of the base of the balance. The base’s posts should fit easily into the holes on the bottom of the platform and the platform should be flat and level.

Do not force the platform as this can damage the balance.

Key Functions

The following figure shows the front panel with six push buttons Each key function is explained on the next page.

On/Off
Turns the balance on or off or returns balance to normal weighing mode.

Count
Places the balance in piece count mode.

Cal
(stands for Calibrate) Enters calibration mode.

Tare
Used to tare off, up to 100% of balance capacity, an empty container and reset the balance to zero. Use of tare with a weight or container reduces the scale’s capacity by the tare value stored. Also works like.
Enter in some modes.

Mode
Toggles the backlight on or off. To extend battery life, turn the backlight off.
Also toggles between options in calibration mode.

Units
Allows you to scroll through and select from the available units (g, oz, ozt, dwt, lb) as well as count (ct) and percentage (%)

Scale Operation
This section covers the scale operations of weighing and counting.
Always make sure that the balance is on a clean, dry, level, and solid surface.

Simple Weighing

1. Turn the balance on. The balance will go through a series of tests and then display all zeros (0’s).
2. Press the Unit key until the desired unit of measure is displayed on the far right of the display.
3. Press the Tare key if the display no longer reads zero.
4. Place item(s) to be weighed on the weighing platform. The weight will be displayed with the appropriate unit of measure next to it.
5. Remove the item(s) from the balance and repeat steps 2 – 5 to continue weighing.

Tare Weighing
If you want to do net weighing, such as weighing objects in a container, follow these steps.

1. Turn the balance on. The balance will go through a series of tests and then display all zeros (0’s).

2. Press the Unit key until the desired unit of measure is displayed on the far right of the display.

3. Place the container to be tared on the weighing platform and press the Tare key.
   The display should return to zero.

4. Place item(s) to be weighed in the container. The weight will be displayed with the appropriate unit of measure next to it. The weight displayed is the net weight and does not include the weight of the container.

5. Remove the item(s) from the container and repeat steps 3 – 5 to continue weighing with the same container.
   If you remove the container, the balance will show a negative weight. Press the Tare key to return the balance to zero.

General Counting Function
The MBS series will count parts based on the weight of a reference sample of 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50 pieces. For best results, the pieces used should be of equal weight.
Also, the larger the sample, the more accurate your counts will be. Once you have created this reference sample, it will remain in memory until a new sample is recorded, even when the balance if turned off. This section explains the counting function in further detail.

1. Turn the balance on and allow it to come to zero.

2. Press the Count button. The balance will display “CON pcs”.
   If you are using a container to hold the pieces, place the empty container on the weighing platform at this point.

3. Press Tare. The balance will display the message “Add 5”.

4. Press Mode until the number of pieces in your sample is displayed. You can
   choose from 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50.

5. Place your sample on the platform and press Tare.

6. There will be a short pause and then the balance will show the number of the sample on the screen.
   If the balance displays the message “PC Err”, the sample size was too small for the balance and a larger sample will be required.

7. Remove the sample from the balance. The balance is now ready to count.

8. Add pieces to the balance/container. The balance will show the number of pieces on the display.

9. Press the Unit key to exit piece counting and return to normal weighing. You can return to piece counting by pressing the Unit key until “pcs” is displayed.

General Percentage Function
The % refers to the percentage function of the MBS series scales. You can achieve this by following these steps:

1. Put the object on the platform. After the reading is stable, press and holds the Tare key until it displays 100%. This means that the scale defines the current weight as 100%.
   2. Put a new object on the platform and the display gives you a percentage based on the defined weight from step 1.

Disable the AUTO OFF Feature

1. Power on the scale, when the scale is in the self-checking process, press the Mode key three times.
2. The scale will display “F3AUTO”, press the Tare key.
3. The scale will display “AUTO OFF” or “AUTO ON”, if “AUTO OFF” is displayed, press the Mode key to switch it to AUTO ON.
4. Power off the scale. Power on the scale again to check whether the auto-off function works.
   Note: auto-off time is 5 minutes.

Calibration

Occasionally, you may need to calibrate your balance with an appropriate weight.
There are two types of calibration possible: sensitivity calibration and linear calibration. Linear calibration should only be attempted by a qualified service technician with correct weights. This section explains how to perform each type of calibration.

Sensitivity Calibration

1. With the scale in regular weighing mode, press the Tare button to zero the balance.

2. Press the Call button.The balance will show “Scale”.

3. Press the Tare button. The balance will display one of the accepted calibration weights.
   The balance can only be calibrated in grams.

4. Press the Mode key to toggle between acceptable calibration weights.

5. Press Tare. The balance will flash “0” briefly and then flash the calibration weight.

6. Place the correct amount of weight (in grams) on the platform and press the Tare button.

7. The calibration weight will continue to flash briefly and then become stable.

8. Once the weight is stable, remove the weight from the balance. The scale has now been calibrated and is in regular weigh mode.

9. Press the Tare key if the scale does not return to zero.

Linear Calibration

1. With the scale in regular weighing mode, press the Tare button to zero the balance.
2. Press the Call button.The balance will show “Scale”.
3. Press the Mode button. The balance will show “Line”
4. Press Tare. The balance will flash “0” briefly and then flash the first calibration weight.
5. Place the correct amount of weight (in grams) on the platform and press the Tare button.
6. The balance will flash the next calibration weight.
7.  Place the appropriate amount of weight on the weighing platter and press Tare.
8. The calibration weight will continue to flash briefly and then become stable.
9. Once the weight is stable, remove the weight from the balance. The scale has now been calibrated and is in regular weigh mode.
10. Press the Tare key if the scale does not return to zero.

Communications & Printing

The MBS balances can be connected to a PC or appropriate printer using a null modem cable (not supplied). The balance will transmit the gross or net weight and unit
or the number of pieces if you are using the piece counting function.

Connecting to PC

1. Connect the appropriate cable to the 9 pin D connector on the balance.
2. Connect the other end to an available COM port on your PC. When connecting to a PC or other device, you must cross the transmit and receive lines.
3. Start HyperTerminal or a similar utility.
   The table below shows a list of available commands and their responses.
   All commands are capital letters. There is no carriage return after the command.

Table 1.1 Available Serial Commands

weight

Change Print Settings

You can select either Continuous Print or Print When Stable.

1. Remove all weight (except platter) and power the balance off.
2. Power the balance on.
3. During countdown (9999.99, 8888.88, 7777.77), press the Mode key. The balance displays F1 A2t.
4. Press the Mode key. The balance displays F2 prt.
5. Press the Tare key. The balance displays either Pt-0 (continuous print) or Pt-1 (bi-directional communication) Pt-1 is the default.
6. Press the Mode key until balance displays Pt-0.
7. Press the Tare key. The balance displays either PC on (print continuous) or PStb (print when stable).
8. Press the Mode key to toggle between P2t6 and PCon.
9. Press the Tare key to accept the setting on the display.
10.  Press the On/Off key when finished. The balance powers off and the changes are saved.
11. Connect the balance to the printer or other device.
12. Power the balance on.

Care and Maintenance

Your precision balance does not require a lot of maintenance, however, there are a few things you can do to keep your balance operating properly.

1. Keep the balance housing and weighing platform clean and free of debris. Clean with a soft cloth dampened with detergent as necessary.
2. Remove batteries for long-term storage. (See the section on battery replacement.)

Battery Replacement
You can expect approximately 20 hours of use when powering the balance with batteries. Use only alkaline batteries of the correct size and pay close attention to the markings (+ or -) inside the battery compartment.
Your balance should look similar to one of the two pictured below. Detailed instructions are for models using screws to hold the lid in place only.

1. Remove the two screws holding the battery compartment lid on the bottom of the scale.
   

2. Gently pry up the battery cover and remove it.

3. Insert the correct number of batteries.

4. Replace cover and tighten screws.

5. Return balance to an upright position and press the On/Off button to turn the scale on and resume normal weighing or counting functions.

Error Codes and Troubleshooting

If the scale shows something unexpected, you may be able to resolve it yourself. Many times, the error can be resolved by powering the scale off and then back on again. This
the section explains the various error codes you may come across and some basic troubleshooting tips to try before calling for service.

Table 1.2 Error Codes and Troubleshooting

Problem| Cause(s)|

Solution(s)

---|---|---
Err 0| This typically indicates that the platform is too light.|

Ensure that the stainless steel cover is properly in place. Turn the scale off and remove the platform. Replace the platform and reapply power. If the error persists, the weight sensor or circuit board may be faulty and you should contact your distributor.

Err 1| Overweight error. The sample being weighed is too heavy for the balance.|

Remove some of the samples. If the sample is within the balance capacity, the balance may need to be calibrated.

Err 2| Underweight error. This error is similar to Err 0 as it indicates that the platform is not properly installed.| Power off the balance and re- seat the platform before reapplying power to the

balance. The balance may need to be calibrated.

Err 3| Non-zero error. This indicates that there was a weight on the balance during power-up.| Remove any weight(s) from the platform, turn the balance off and back on.
Fl AZT|

A button was pressed during power-up.

| Turn the balance off and back on again.
F2 Cnt| A button was pressed during power-up.|

Turn the balance off and back on again.

Incorrect Weight Reading| Balance was not set to zero or was not calibrated.|

Press Tare to zero the balance. Calibrate the balance as necessary.

No Display|

The power adapter is not properly connected or the batteries are dead.

|

Reconnect power adapter or replace batteries.

Specifications

Table 1.3 Specifications

MODEL| MBS-150
MBS-300| MBS-600| MBS-1500| MBS-3000| MBS-6000
---|---|---|---|---|---
Capacity &
Resolution| 150 x 0.005 y
300 x 0.005 g| 600 x 0.01g| 1500 x 0.02 g| 3000 x 0.05 g| 6000 x 0.1 g
STD Deviation (e)|

1

Linearity (e)|

1

Corner Deviation (e)|

1

Tare Range|

100%

Overload Capacity|

Maximum Capacity+9e

Stabilization Time (s)|

3 seconds

Applicable
Temperature Range| 10° – 35° C
50° – 95° F
Power Source| 6 AA Batteries| 4 C Batteries
Pan Size| 120 mm diameter
(approx. 4.7 in.)| 172 mm x 172 mm
(approx. 6.8 in x 6.8 in)
Housing
Dimensions| 251 (L x 172 (W) x 58 (H) mm
(app ox. 9.9 x 6.8 x 2.3 in)
Net Weight| 832 g
1.8 lbs| 1560 g
3.4 lbs

Declarations of compliance

United States
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.

Canada
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications.

EMC compliance
The following warning may be applicable to your machine.
WARNING: This is a class A product. In a domestic environment, this product may cause radio interference in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures.
For CE Declaration of Conformity, please visit: https://www.brecknellscales.com/docs.html

Brecknell is part of Avery Weigh-Tronix. Avery Weigh-Tronix is a trademark of the Illinois Tool Works group of companies whose ultimate parent company is Illinois Tool Works Inc (“Illinois Tool Works”). Copyright © 2020 Illinois Tool Works. All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced by making a facsimile copy, by the making of a copy in three dimensions of a two-dimensional work and the making of a copy in two dimensions of a three-dimensional work, stored in any medium by electronic means, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, broadcasting, recording or otherwise without the prior written consent of the copyright owner, under license, or as permitted by law.
This publication was correct at the time of going to print, however, Avery Weigh-Tronix reserves the right to alter without notice the specification, design, price, or conditions of supply of any product or service at any time.

Brecknell
1000 Armstrong Dr., Fairmont, MN 56031
Toll free: 800-637-0529, Tel: 507-238-8702
Fax: 507-238-8271
Email: [email protected]
www.brecknellscales.com

Brecknell
Foundry Lane
Smethwick, West Midlands B66 2LP
Tel: +44 (0) 845 246 6717
Fax: +44 (0) 845 246 6718
Email: [email protected]
www.brecknellscales.co.uk

References

• Brecknell Scales UK - Home
• Home - Brecknell
• Brecknell Scales USA - Brecknell Scales Documentation

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