Why are most digital scales battery powered?
fpsmoto
Posts: 31
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.
Edit: I've found some really expensive ones that have an AC adapter but anything under $50 is all battery powered.
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Replies
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Don't know, maybe because cords can look unsightly in a bathroom. I get batteries at the dollar store.0
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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 up0
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I use my scale every day and can't even recall the last time I changed a battery.0
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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.0 -
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.0 -
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 hours0
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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
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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.0 -
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.0
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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!!0 -
Electrical floor scale + wet bathroom floor = Darwin Award.0
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Electrical floor scale + wet bathroom floor = Darwin Award.
BUT THINK OF ALL THE MONEY I'LL SAVE ON BATTERIES IF I'M DEAD0 -
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:0 -
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.
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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.0
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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?0 -
Because solar powered ones would be impractical for indoor use0
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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 Dave0 -
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.0 -
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.0
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Electrical floor scale + wet bathroom floor = Darwin Award.
Good thing I read this far in the thread... I was gonna say this.0 -
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.0 -
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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.
http://www.amazon.com/Images-SI-Uranium-Ore/dp/B000796XXM/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top0 -
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 there0
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Try rechargeable batteries?0
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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.0 -
My Fitbit Aria Scale goes 450lbs+ I believe and I've never had to change the batteries...0
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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
Mike0 -
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.0
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