BroodMinder-W4 hive scale

BroodMinder-W4 Professional Hive Scale The BroodMinder-W4 is a professional full-hive scale designed for accurate hive weight monitoring, including use in migratory, palletised, commercial, research and advanced apiary setups. Built with four high-precision load cells, the W4 measures the full weight of the hive and is less sensitive to hive levelling or centring than single-bar scale designs. This makes it especially useful where hives are moved, palletised or managed in more demanding conditions. By tracking hive weight over time, the W4 can help beekeepers monitor nectar flow, feeding, stores, overwintering progress, spring build-up and daily hive activity patterns. Important note on subscriptions and support Donegal Bees supplies BroodMinder hardware in Ireland. BroodMinder app access, MyBroodMinder accounts, subscriptions, cloud services, data storage and technical support are managed directly by BroodMinder. The BroodMinder-W4 can be read using the BroodMinder Bees app when you are within Bluetooth range of the scale. Remote or automatic monitoring requires a compatible BroodMinder hub. Hub-based monitoring, alerts, dashboards and advanced features may require a paid BroodMinder subscription. Donegal Bees cannot set up, manage or troubleshoot BroodMinder subscriptions, app accounts, cloud data or connectivity issues. Is this the right scale for you? The W4 is BroodMinder’s professional scale option. It is best suited to commercial beekeepers, migratory beekeeping, palletised hives, research projects, conservation projects or beekeepers who want a full-hive weight setup. For simpler hobby use, a smaller BroodMinder scale may be more suitable, depending on your setup. Useful for Monitoring full hive weight Tracking nectar flow start-up and intensity Watching winter stores and spring build-up Supporting migratory beekeeping decisions Commercial and palletised hive setups Research, conservation and advanced monitoring projects Comparing hive productivity across multiple colonies Reducing the need for unnecessary hive disturbance For a more complete view of colony conditions, BroodMinder recommends combining hive weight data with an internal monitor such as the BroodMinder-T or BroodMinder-TH. Included 1 x BroodMinder-W4 hive scale 2 x AA lithium batteries Quick start guide Access to BroodMinder’s online documentation BroodMinder app access for basic use Not included BroodMinder hub for remote monitoring BroodMinder Premium subscription, required for hub-based remote monitoring Optional hive bottom centring pins Optional clevis pins with R clip for pallets Key features Professional full-hive scale Designed for migratory and palletised beekeeping setups Four high-precision 100 kg load cells Maximum hive weight capacity of 400 kg Less sensitive to hive levelling or centring than single-bar scales Can be installed front/rear or left/right Suitable for wooden or metal pallets Grooved scale surface to help reduce slipping Aluminium structure designed to resist corrosion Bluetooth Low Energy transmission Works as part of the wider BroodMinder monitoring system Specifications Measures: Hive weight and ambient temperature Size: 2 bars, each 50 x 4.2 x 4 cm Weight: 2.6 kg Structure: Aluminium Housing: Watertight IP65 circuit board box Battery: 2 x Energizer AA lithium batteries, included Battery life: Approximately 5 years Measurement frequency: Every hour by default, or every 15 minutes with custom settings Load cells: 4 x 100 kg C3 category temperature-compensated sensors Maximum hive weight: 400 kg Weight accuracy: +/- 100 g / 10°C Temperature accuracy: +/- 0.25°C Internal memory storage: Approximately 7,000 readings Transmission: Bluetooth Low Energy Transmission range: 30+ metres to smartphone or hub, depending on conditions Firmware updates: Through the BroodMinder Bees app Certification: CE Basic installation Install the BroodMinder Bees app and create your BroodMinder account. Activate the W4 scale and complete your first manual sync. Install the scale under the hive, either front/rear or left/right depending on your setup. The scale can be laid down, screwed or pinned to suit the hive or pallet arrangement. For palletised or migratory setups, consider whether centring pins or pallet fixings are required. View and explore your data through the BroodMinder Bees app and MyBroodMinder platform. For migratory or commercial monitoring, BroodMinder recommends using multiple W4 scales across an apiary or pallet row to give a more reliable picture of nectar flow and hive performance, rather than relying on one hive alone. Remote or real-time data transmission requires a compatible BroodMinder hub and the appropriate BroodMinder subscription. Please refer to BroodMinder’s official user guide and support resources for app setup, account access, subscription options, installation guidance and technical troubleshooting. For specific support with installation, app accounts, apiary configuration, cloud data or hub connectivity, please contact BroodMinder directly at support@broodminder.com.