Why are most digital scales battery powered?

fpsmoto
fpsmoto Posts: 31
in Fitness and Exercise
Seems like a simple enough question. Rather than having to spend money on batteries every 6 months, I'd rather just have a scale plugged directly into the wall. Maybe I'm not looking hard enough but I can't seem to find a scale that goes up to 450 or 500lbs that can be plugged into an electrical outlet.

Edit: I've found some really expensive ones that have an AC adapter but anything under $50 is all battery powered.
«1

Replies

  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    Don't know, maybe because cords can look unsightly in a bathroom. I get batteries at the dollar store.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    If you're complaining about a task you have to perform once every six months you're going to have a hard time getting your activity level up
  • smpreston
    smpreston Posts: 262 Member
    I use my scale every day and can't even recall the last time I changed a battery.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    If you're complaining about a task you have to perform once every six months you're going to have a hard time getting your activity level up

    ^Yep yep. And the batteries aren't expensive either.
  • fpsmoto
    fpsmoto Posts: 31
    If you're complaining about a task you have to perform once every six months you're going to have a hard time getting your activity level up

    Nah just a minor complaint about spending extra $ on batteries when the manufacturer could make an AC adapter for it. Batteries can be expensive when you're on a budget.
  • ValerieMartini2Olives
    ValerieMartini2Olives Posts: 3,024 Member
    I use my scale nearly everyday. I have only changed the battery once and it was only because someone bumped into the scale and made it stay on for hours
  • Bj0223
    Bj0223 Posts: 133 Member
    I'm so glad you guys are on the ball today. I'm sitting here thinking 'what kind of food is this dude weighing at 400# ?!?!'
    oh, I get it, a people scale not a food scale :)
  • WalkingAlong
    WalkingAlong Posts: 4,926 Member
    Well, electricity from a plug isn't free, either. Assuming you pay an electric bill, I guess.

    I've had the same digital scale for 15 or 16 years. I don't recall ever changing the batteries. I wonder if mine has the watch type battery.

    I was looking at wifi scales and noticed some advertised as 'wireless scales' meant that they had a display that you could hang on the wall at eye level instead of having to look down. I guess it's for if you can't see over your belly. Kinda sad.
  • brianpperkins
    brianpperkins Posts: 6,124 Member
    Let's see, cost of a battery every year or so compared to the cost of manufacturing a power adapter. Batteries are cheaper. That's without considering the very small voltage and amperage needs of a scale ... the moisture issues for those who step on a scale still wet from a shower ... ease of movement for a battery powered device versus cord length created restrictions.
  • tabicatinthehat
    tabicatinthehat Posts: 329 Member
    I'm so glad you guys are on the ball today. I'm sitting here thinking 'what kind of food is this dude weighing at 400# ?!?!'
    oh, I get it, a people scale not a food scale :)

    LMAO ME TOO!!
  • Galatea_Stone
    Galatea_Stone Posts: 2,037 Member
    Electrical floor scale + wet bathroom floor = Darwin Award.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    Electrical floor scale + wet bathroom floor = Darwin Award.

    BUT THINK OF ALL THE MONEY I'LL SAVE ON BATTERIES IF I'M DEAD
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    Electrical floor scale + wet bathroom floor = Darwin Award.

    BUT THINK OF ALL THE MONEY I'LL SAVE ON BATTERIES IF I'M DEAD

    Can't argue with that logic there. :laugh:
  • fpsmoto
    fpsmoto Posts: 31
    Electrical floor scale + wet bathroom floor = Darwin Award.

    BUT THINK OF ALL THE MONEY I'LL SAVE ON BATTERIES IF I'M DEAD

    hahaha well I figure it'd be just like any other bathroom appliance that plugs into the wall and I don't think I've ever weighed myself while my bathroom floor was wet. In fact, why would the floor ever get wet? A shower curtain is supposed to keep the water in... and when you get out of the shower, well thats what floor mats are for...

    Maybe I've just not had very good luck with scales in the past. My last one I was having to replace the batteries every few months and they looked kinda like watch batteries, so that added up over time. So maybe it was the scale that was malfunctioning.

    In any case, it's not really that big of a deal, it was just more of a curiosity than anything.

    Thanks for the informative and hilarious responses. :D
  • George_Baileys_Ghost
    George_Baileys_Ghost Posts: 1,524 Member
    Had my scale for almost 4 years. It uses 4 AA batteries. I have yet to change them. A few bucks is pretty easy to save over the course of 3-5 years. You could almost do it with change you find on the ground in that time period.
  • fangedneko
    fangedneko Posts: 133 Member
    In fact, why would the floor ever get wet? A shower curtain is supposed to keep the water in... and when you get out of the shower, well thats what floor mats are for...

    Do you only take cold showers?
  • wheird
    wheird Posts: 7,963 Member
    Because solar powered ones would be impractical for indoor use
  • MiloBloom83
    MiloBloom83 Posts: 2,724 Member
    Electrical floor scale + wet bathroom floor = Darwin Award.

    BUT THINK OF ALL THE MONEY I'LL SAVE ON BATTERIES IF I'M DEAD

    Stellar MFP logic. Top notch Dave
  • fpsmoto
    fpsmoto Posts: 31
    Had my scale for almost 4 years. It uses 4 AA batteries. I have yet to change them. A few bucks is pretty easy to save over the course of 3-5 years. You could almost do it with change you find on the ground in that time period.

    May I ask what kind of scale it is? I'm looking to buy one soon.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    have had mine for over a 18 months...uses a 9volt..changed it 2x so far(on the 2nd battery)...wouldn't want one that plugs in as I move it often...that would be a pain.
  • DamePiglet
    DamePiglet Posts: 3,730 Member
    Electrical floor scale + wet bathroom floor = Darwin Award.

    Good thing I read this far in the thread... I was gonna say this.
  • George_Baileys_Ghost
    George_Baileys_Ghost Posts: 1,524 Member
    Had my scale for almost 4 years. It uses 4 AA batteries. I have yet to change them. A few bucks is pretty easy to save over the course of 3-5 years. You could almost do it with change you find on the ground in that time period.

    May I ask what kind of scale it is? I'm looking to buy one soon.

    HeathOMeter, glass top, from WalMart. Was about 50 bucks if memory serves.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • Alluminati
    Alluminati Posts: 6,208 Member
    They sell uranium ore on Amazon for $39.95 with shipping. You should definitely be able to power your scale indefinitely. You might also inadvertently grow wings and and glow in the dark but who cares?!? You don't have to buy batteries like a sucker.

    41-0Q32xJjL._SX342_.jpg
    http://www.amazon.com/Images-SI-Uranium-Ore/dp/B000796XXM/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
  • FindingAmy77
    FindingAmy77 Posts: 1,268 Member
    they sell batteries at the dollar tree so I think a buck is okay for me to spend on batteries. I only buy my batteries there
  • mandos_13
    mandos_13 Posts: 21
    Try rechargeable batteries?
  • djbrink21
    djbrink21 Posts: 97 Member
    1. Batteries are cheap.

    2. With everyone else I don't know when I've changed my scale's battery.

    3. Anything plugged in even if it isn't being used is sucking some amount of voltage. So unless you plan to unplug this electric scale after every use it will be constantly drawing power and running up your bills.

    Bottom line: they all use batteries for a reason.
  • ChildrenCryinNCoffee
    ChildrenCryinNCoffee Posts: 477 Member
    My Fitbit Aria Scale goes 450lbs+ I believe and I've never had to change the batteries...
  • halleymw
    halleymw Posts: 246 Member
    If you don't want to spring for batteries why not just get a mechanical scale? They worked for centuries before electricity was invented.
    OR you could get a solar powered/ambient light powered one.
    http://www.amazon.com/Escali-ECO180-Solar-Bamboo-Digital/dp/B009GUDGVA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1409025736&sr=8-2&keywords=solar+powered+scale

    Mike
  • firststepformefal
    firststepformefal Posts: 180 Member
    It is also for people like me, who is losing their close up vision. I have to step off the scale and bend down a bit to see what it recorded.

Categories