[EE] Measuring increasing mass over a 1/2 day period

Chuck Olson <[email protected]> Thu, 12 Mar 2026 11:55:05 -0500
Newsgroups gmane.comp.hardware.microcontrollers.pic
Message-ID <CAOf6MayPg2J4zHbq1YX8iPMUpeb=iQ3iB7epfmkPjb_-=x-nOA@mail.gmail.com>
The mass in question would start at 263 grams (container mass) and
increase over 11+ hours to 4000+ grams (container mass plus about 1
gallon of water).

I am trying to measure the distilled water output from a boil of maple
sap.  I use a Still Spirits Air Still.  With the still it's like
making candy blindfolded.  I can't measure the temperature or the
specific gravity of the maple syrup or even see what is happening.

But I can measure the input maple sap for mass and sugar
concentration.  From that I can calculate the amount of maple syrup I
should be able to get at a concentration of 67 percent sugar by mass.

I do have a kitchen scale which can handle 6000 grams but the problem
is that it times out and every subsequent powerup the measurement is
zeroed (tare function).  I suppose there are AC powered digital scales
which might stay on for 11+ hours but would the measurements still be
accurate after that time ?

The only thing I can think of is to wait until near the end of the
boil and then start measuring the mass but that's a hassle trying to
put the scale under the container while the still is continuously
dripping.

Any ideas ?

Chuck