BroodMinder-W3

$329.99

The BroodMinder-W3 is our most accurate scale. It uses 4 force sensors to weigh the entire hive and sits on top of the bottom board for fast, convenient installation.

400-pound total hive weight measurement
0.01 pound (5 gram) resolution
4 Temperature compensated weight sensors. (4 @ 30" lead length)
Stores weight once per hour for 12 months (user configurable)
Replaceable AA batteries last 2 years
16.5” x 20” x 2.25” Pine construction (assembled version)
Available assembled, partially-assembled, or as a parts kit
Weatherproof

The "Fully assembled scale" is ready to place under the hive.

The "Partially assembled, calibrated, fixed feet" version contains all of the parts needed to assemble a hive scale except for the 2x4 support pieces. All of the soldering and electronics are assembled here and the unit is calibrated.

Also a swivel foot version of that kit "Partially assembled, calibrated, wooden support, swivel feet" 

We now have a "Partially assembled, calibrated, Apimaye swivel feet" version which works well for Apimaye hives. Watch the video here to understand the differences.

The "Parts kit, unassembled, uncalibrated" version contains all of the parts needed to assemble a hive scale except for the 2x4 support pieces. Soldering and calibration are required as described in the user guide. You will need a SiLabs BLED112 for calibration. More about that in the user guide.

See the videos on assembly list in the images to the left.

The written assembly guide is here. (Note: 3/29/23 : We are still in the process of updating it).

We know this can be complicated, feel free to reach out with questions.

Included
    There are 3 versions available:
    • The Fully assembled scale is ready to place under the hive.
    • The Partially assembled, calibrated version contains all of the parts needed to assemble a hive scale except for the 5x10cm support pieces. All of the soldering and electronics are assembled here and the unit is calibrated.
    • The Parts kit, unassembled, uncalibrated version contains all of the parts needed to assemble a hive scale except for the 5x10cm support pieces. Soldering and calibration are required as described in the user guide.

    All of them include:

    • 4x 50kg load cells
    • 1 circuit board with battery holder
    • 2 AAA lithium batteries
    • 1 watertight box
    • screws and wiring accessories
    • fee web and mobile app access
    • quick start paper guide and extensive online documentation

        Features
        • BroodMinder-W3 hive scale helps to monitor all aspects related to colony resource management: food stores quantification with the total weight measurement. Nectar flow start-up and intensity with weight variations and productivity. Overwintering resource consumption rate and colony startup are also easy to assess with weight measurements.
        • The scale is also helpful to detect colony events like bees leaving for foraging in the morning. Swarming events are also well identified. When the bees leave the hive there is a sudden drop in weight. You can then quantify what time and how big was the swarm. Dearth or robing can also be detected in critical periods.
        • Weight and external temperature are measured every hour and stored into the device internal memory, able to hold more than 1year data.
        • Works with the extensive BroodMinder wireless ecosystem.
        • If you own a Cell hub or a Wi-fi hub, you can inspect the data in real time: this option requires a premium subscription (learn about subscription plans here).
        • The data can be accessed both on mobile BroodMinder Bees app (Android, iOs) and on the web Mybroodminder.com where you will find advanced metrics like daily weight gain and hive productivity.
        • If you have a free membership, you will be sharing hive scale data with scientists and researchers through our citizen-science initiative BeeCounted.org. Premium Membership users can choose whether to share their data or keep it proprietary.
        • As for any other device, apiary share with other Broodminder users is possible and only you decide and manage who access it (read only).
        Specifications

        Measures: hive weight and ambient temperature

        Size: 50 x 43 x 6 cm (length x width x height) fully assembled version
        Weight: 2 kg fully assembled version
        Structure: pine
        Envelope: circuit board box
        Battery: 2x Energizer AA Lithium (included)
        Battery life: 5 years
        Measurement frequency: every hour or every 15 min
        Load cells: 4 temp compensated sensors (2 @ 25cm / 2 @ 76cm lead length)
        Max hive weight: 200kg
        Accuracy: +/- 5,0 gr, +/- 0,25°C
        Internal memory storage: ~ 7000 readings
        Transmission: Bluetooth Low Energy
        Transmission range: +30 meters
        Firmware update: Broodminder Bees app
        Certifications: CE

        Plans

        Available with Free and Premium memberships

        Installation

        BroodMinder-W3 installs on any kind of support (bricks, palets, flat ground..). Although it is not very sensitive to leveling, it is a good practice to check that all four feet are firmly pushing on the ground. You can use the scale graph in Mybroodminder.com to assess the L/R unbalance and verify that the loads are evenly distributed.

        Depending on your specific support you can think on what scale dimensions are the most suitable. Some beekeepers design their own scales taking into account specific constraints and use the Partially-assembled-calibrated or the Parts-kit unassembled-uncalibrated versions to make it fit to their own needs

        If you’re willing to have an accurate monitoring of nectar flows and winter food store consumption we recommend installing at least 2 scales to have multiple hive measurements and overcome any single-hive specificity that could mislead your decisions.

        Another best practice is combining Broodminder-W3 scale with a BroodMinder-T2 internal hive monitor. Monitoring both weight+brood you’ll have the most accurate description of what’s going on.

        If you wish real-time data transmission, you should consider one of our Data transmission hubs.

        If it is the first time you install a BroodMinder device, follow the next generic steps.

        1. install BroodMinder Bees app (Android, iOS), create your account
        2. open the box and pull the tab to activate the scale
        3. make your first manual sync
        4. install the device under your beehive
        5. view and explore the data on mobile BroodMinder Bees app and on the web Mybroodminder.com.

        To learn more read our User guide and watch the installation Video guide.

        Shipping & Delivery

        Shipping terms and conditions for online orders on broodminder.com

        Delivery Time

        • We ship as soon as possible. Generally twice per week.
        Order tracking
        • Orders are sent in tracked packages
        • After your purchase you will be able to follow delivery in real time.

        Return conditions

        • Shall you encounter any issue with your delivery, please contact our customer service: support@broodminder.com
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