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 available to

• get beta units in the field for testing,
• gather user feedback, and
• provide a platform to foster open source community development.

It is 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 currently contains the hard to find or special order items from China:

1. four matched 50 kg Class C3 load cells
2. one HX711 ADC board (soldering required)

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, soldering iron.

• 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

Dev Kit Order Form New Interface Board Assembly Manual

Software

GPIO Pinout