Broken sensor in Boots bathroom scales.

Don't think it's a microphone.

More likely to be a vibration switch?

Can you do an autopsy to be sure?

Google Images 'vibration sensor switch' shows many similar.

Cheers

Syd Rumpo wrote in news:nsis9h$2sf$ snipped-for-privacy@dont-email.me:

Mine has a microphone - it calls it that on the printed circuit. The output causes a transistor to conduct. It once came unsoldered and I found out how it worked.

What happens if you short the contacts on the pcb? Does the scale turn on?

If it does I'd just replace it with a simple momentary push switch.

Tim

Mmm yes it does.

That actually may be a plan.

Oddly enough I'd had the same idea. But then SWMBO called me to lunch so you beat me to it.

Well, I have one that talks bought from Amazon for a silly low price, so is it really worth fixing?

I don't know what it does but most tend to just be momentary switches that switch the device on for a couple of minutes then switch it off that timer is part of the scales module chip. Brian

That wold seem to be a bit of an overkill when really you just need to depress one corner and create an event. Brian

Its only one of these..

A bit pricey if you ask me.

And you'd lose weight bending down to tap the switch. A noticeable amount if you did it a few hundred times a day.

What do you do with the other 49?!

Oh, I know! Sell them on ebay for £1.19 delivered. Each.

The Natural Philosopher brought next idea :

Might it be a piezo earphone/ microphone / sounder element? They generate a small voltage when lightly tapped.

I know. I've ordered *one* from, amazon and its tipped me into buying a new soldering iron and solder too..

I got fed up over the years with missus buying all these multi functional, needs batteries type of scales and went back to a mechanical. I never did notice whenever she came in saying she had lost a pound. Mechanical scales have not changed her weight as far as I can see, and more reliable. :-)