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Digital Scale Systems from
Introducing a new low cost alternative to
the ACII Aircraft Weighing System
The
ACII scale system is ideal for customers who want a solution designed
specifically for weighing aircraft. However, there is a new system
that will deliver the same results, at a much lower cost. It is a
scale system designed for weighing race cars. It uses the same scale
pads as the ACII and features a digital display that constantly displays the
weight on all 4 pads and the total weight.
Intercomp Weighing Systems
Intercomp offers a high quality weighing systems. Most of the systems
sold so far have been purchased by individuals and groups who have made them
available (for a small fee) to their local aviation communities.
Details, photos and pricing are available below.
The Problem
It always seems difficult to round up scales for weighing gliders and
airplanes. It is my opinion that many gliders and airplanes have not
been weighed in a very long time, mainly because it is difficult to arrange
for the availability of scales. Since gliders and aircraft tend to pickup
weight over time and it tends to make them more tail heavy, it can be a real
safety concern.
The Solution
I've done some research into digital scale systems. Sailplanes in
particular have some unique requirements for weighing systems. The
total weight can be quite high with water ballast, yet the tailwheel can be
quite light and must be weighed accurately to assure that the weight and
balance is correct. It was
difficult to find a system that offers the capacity and accuracy required,
but I have found a fantastic solution. It consists of a digital
weighing system from Intercomp. The system comes with scale pads that
are only 2.25 inches tall. Each platform is 15" x 15" x 2.25". They are
connected electronically to a display terminal which can display the total
weight as well as the weight on any particular pad. The display comes with a
case. Optional cases are also available for the scale pads.
Ramps can also be purchased as a set - making it easy to roll gliders and
towplanes up onto the pads. Each pad can measure up to 1500 lb.
The resolution of the display is 1 lb and the systems are certified to an
accuracy of 0.1%.
Why 3 scale pads?
Most sailplanes can be weighed using only 2 pads - so why does the ACII
system include 3 pads? There are two reasons. First, many
customers would like to use the system to weigh their towplane as well as
their sailplane - which would require three pads. Second, some two-seat
open-class gliders and motorgliders weigh more than 1,500 lbs and would
require that two pads be used to weigh the main gear. The SW500 system
comes with a total of 4 pads. Why? - It is designed for weighing race
cars - that's why.
Why is the SW500 less expensive than
the ACII?
That is a good question. The SW500 comes with 4 scale pads while
the ACII comes with 3 pads. Also, the SW500's digital display is able
to present more information than the ACII display. The ACII displays
only one number at a time, while the SW500 displays the weight on all 4 pads
and the total weight at all times. The answer to the cost question is
simple, the SW500 is sold to a much larger market. The only advantage
the ACII offers is that it is designed and labeled for weighing aircraft.
The pads are labeled LM (left main), RM (right main) and NG (nose gear), and
the display has matching labels. The SW500 is marked for the 4 corners
of a race car. The ACII system is also nice for heavier aircraft as
there are versions that support up to 5000 lbs per weighing pad.
Calibration
Annual calibration is required and can be performed at the factory in
Minneapolis, Minnesota or at a scale distributor in your area. Annual
calibration for my ACII system cost $85 in 2003 at a local scale distributor.
|
Part # |
Description |
Photo
(Click on photos to view larger versions) |
Price |
Lead-time |
 |
| SW500 |
E-Z Weigh Scales
Accurate digital scale system. Total capacity: 6000 lb, Resolution 1 lb
or 0.5 Kg
Includes:
- 4 scale pads, 1500 lb (675 kg)
capacity per pad
- Digital Display with case
- Interconnect cables
Shows all 4 pad weights and total weight
at one time. Giant 1/2" display characters, Pad Dimensions: 15" x 15" x
2.25" (381 x 381 x 57 mm), operates on a standard 9 V battery,
Warrantee: 2 years, shipping weight: 118 lbs,
SW500 Brochure |
 |
$1045 |
1
week |
 |
| ACII-4.5K |
Aircraft Weighing System
Accurate digital scale system for weighing aircraft. Total capacity:
4500 lb (2041 kg), Resolution 1 lb or 0.5 KgIncludes:
- 3 scale pads, 1500 lb (680 kg)
capacity per pad
- Digital Display with case
- Interconnect cables
- transformer (120 or 220 VAC)
Pad Dimensions: 15" x 15" x 2.25" (381 x
381 x 64 mm)
Shipping Weight: 85 lbs (39 kg)
Details -
Brochure -
Intercomp ACII - quick start guide.pdf |
|
$2,995 |
3
weeks |
|
| ACII-7.5K |
Aircraft Weighing System
Accurate digital scale system for weighing aircraft. Total capacity:
7500 lb (3401 kg)Includes:
- 3 scale pads, 2500 lb (1134 kg)
capacity per pad
- Digital Display with case
- Interconnect cables
- transformer (120 or 220 VAC)
Pad Dimensions: 15" x 15" x 4"
(381 x 381 x 100 mm)
Shipping Weight: 135 lbs (61 kg)
Details -
Brochure -
Intercomp ACII - quick start guide.pdf |
 |
$3,995 |
3
weeks |
|
| ACII-15K |
Aircraft Weighing System
Accurate digital scale system for weighing aircraft. Total capacity:
15000 lb (6803 kg)Includes:
- 3 scale pads, 5000 lb (2268 kg)
capacity per pad
- Digital Display with case
- Interconnect cables
- transformer (120 or 220 VAC)
Pad Dimensions: 15" x 15" x
4" (381 x 381 x 100 mm)
Shipping Weight: 160 lbs (73 kg)
Details -
Brochure -
Intercomp ACII - quick start guide.pdf |
|
$6,995 |
3
weeks |
|
|
100342 |
Ramp Set, 2.25 x 15 x 15, set of 4
4 single-stage aluminum ramps for use with the ACII-4.5K or SW500
weighing systems, Not for use with the ACII-7.5K or ACII-15K.
Dimensions: 15" x 15" x 2.25" (381 x 381 x 57 mm) |
 |
$495 |
3
weeks |
|
| 100408 |
Ramp Set, 4 x 15 x 15,
set of 3
3 single-stage aluminum ramps for use with the ACII-7.5K or ACII-15K
weighing systems, Not for use with the ACII-4.5K or SW500. Since
they are only 15 inches long and 4 inches tall, they are somewhat steep.
They do not attach to the scale.
Dimensions: 15" x 15" x 4" (381 x 381 x 100 mm) |
 |
$695 |
3
weeks |
|
|
100417 |
Ramp Set, 4 x 15 x
36,
set of 3 - Highly Recommended
3 single-stage aluminum ramps for use with the ACII-7.5K or ACII-15K
weighing systems, Not for use with the ACII-4.5K or SW500. Since the are
36 inches long they are much less steep than the 100408 ramps above
which makes it much easier to move the aircraft onto the scale.
Also, they attach to the scale to prevent the ramp and scale from
separating.
Dimensions: 36" x 15" x 4" (914 x 381 x 100 mm)
Shipping Weight: 65 lbs (30 kg) |
|
$1240 |
3
weeks |
|
|
100055 |
Heavy-Duty Case, Red,
for ACII-4.5K and SW500
Approved case for 3 or 4 pads and case for digital display.
For use with the ACII-4.5K or SW500 weighing systems, Not for use with
the ACII-7.5K or ACII-15K. This
is a very nice case, but it is very heavy (130 lbs) with 3 or 4 platforms inside.
Shipping Weight: 40 lbs (18 kg) |
 |
$950 |
3
weeks |
|
|
100056 |
Heavy-Duty Case, Black,
for ACII-7.5K and ACII-15K
Approved case for 3 or 4 pads and case for digital display.
For use with the ACII-7.5K or ACII-15K weighing systems, Not for use with
the ACII-4.5K or SW500. This
is a very nice case, but it is very heavy (130 lbs) with 3 or 4 platforms inside.
Shipping Weight: 40 lbs (18 kg) |
 |
$995 |
3
weeks |
|
|
