Disable auto-shutoff of Dymo M10

[galaxiecruzin]

Just a quick question if anyone has figured out a method to disable the auto-power off feature of the M10 while it is plugged in via USB? @andyseubert

[andyseubert]

Mine never powered themselves off but maybe because I was essentially asking for the reading constantly

[galaxiecruzin]

Thanks for the reply. That was the first thing I tried. I wrapped it in a loop and read the scale every second and it still shuts down after 3 minutes like clockwork. I found a post somewhere and they hotwired the kg/lbs button and have it activate every few seconds to keep the unit powered on.

I'll dissect the machine and see if I can figure out a more elegant solution and will post back with my findings.

[andyseubert]

Honestly I have rather abandoned this project due to the deficiencies in the scales.
When they lose power, or if the pi reboots thereby resetting the USB connection, then the scales reset to zero no matter what's on them. This means in use, a person would have to go to the scale, remove the coffee pot, re-zero the scale and then continue on. Very frustrating in practice.
When I reup this project it will be reading load sensors directly.

[andyseubert]

Also I was using the M25 scales so perhaps they behave differently.
Actually I am going to report that I just tested the idea that if you have no weight on the scale it'll auto power off but if weight is left on the scale it'll stay on. This seems to be why my scales remained on.

[galaxiecruzin]

I've worked with professional scales and they all have that same behavior where they start at zero when power cycled. For one installation we powered the scale and a Pi both off LiPo battery for 3+ hours to avoid that exact problem. This is the battery we used http://www.all-battery.com/li-ion18650148v2600mahrechargeablebatterypackpcbprotectionwith22awgbareleads.aspx

[galaxiecruzin]

I've not yet been able to "nicely" crack the cover on the M10 because it is assembled with tamper-proof screws. I haven't yet had a chance to locate the correct driver.

[antonmil]

Hey @galaxiecruzin, have you been able to find a 'more elegant solution' to disable the auto-shutdown feature?

[galaxiecruzin]

I have not even cracked the case open on the scale. I was going to, but it has some strange safety screws that I haven't been able to locate tools to open it nicely.... and I've moved on from that project for the moment. More expensive scales/balances are much easier to work with if you have the budget. $700 ~ for the A&D scale fx-120, for example.... serial interface, well documented, works like a champ.

[ecb-it]

I know this is a year old but I was able to keep my scale from shutting off and thought I would share. I peeled back the plastic coating on the left and right of the front of the Dymo M10 scale using an X-Acto Blade until the screws were exposed. I removed the screws and the front plate came off with ease. Once the plate was off it exposed the three buttons and you can see the wires that go to each. The two wires that go to the power switch were just cut and soldered together. At this point the scale will always stay on and the tare and pause buttons still function.

[andyseubert]

Nicely done and thanks for the info!!

…

On Wed, Dec 5, 2018 at 12:02 PM ecb-it ***@***.***> wrote: I know this is a year old but I was able to keep my scale from shutting off and thought I would share. I peeled back the plastic coating on the left and right of the front of the Dymo M10 scale using an X-Acto Blade until the screws were exposed. I removed the screws and the front plate came off with ease. Once the plate was off it exposed the three buttons and you can see the wires that go to each. The two wires that go to the power switch were just cut and soldered together. At this point the scale will always stay on and the tare and pause buttons still function. — You are receiving this because you were mentioned. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#1 (comment)>, or mute the thread <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/ADA2bu36JjSpTC5ezAH6mAdfcLWeTS5jks5u2CZQgaJpZM4J0X0c> .

[kettenbach-it]

I cannot confirm the behaviour described by @ecb-it.
If I solder the wires of the On/Off-Switch of my Dymo M10 together:

• the scale does not turn on when connection it to USB
• it does turn off if it's connected to USB while soldering the wires together
  I have the EMEA version of this scale.
  See here for photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/3Jq7WAx6iEcffgWLA

I'd really like to find a solution to this problem.....

[ecb-it]

@kettenbach-it a picture really is worth a 1000 words. Under the hood your picture looked much different from my unit. If the date code is sorted by m-d-yy, the unit I changed was 6 years older. I pulled the replacement we purchases and opened it up. It looks much closer to your unit and has a 6218 date code. I also experienced the same results when connecting the two power wires on the new model. I searched around and the only difference I could find between the M10 and M10-EMEA is a regional code. I am going to tinker around with the newer model and will post some results when I find them.

[Wickedy123]

Anyone had any luck with this.. tempted to try and crack into my scales, but hoping to see some new info on this thread first!

[kettenbach-it]

I had no luck with the Dymo and claim that the desired behavior with this scale is simply impossible.
I have now purchased a professional OHaus scale with Ethernet interface for my application.