You would need to add the values together to get the mass. As for minimising electronics.... I would look at using some kind of multiplexor or switch to share the inputs between only one Amp and ADC channel into the PIC. But would this really be necessary? I know you can get quad amp packages, and you ccan get multichannel ADC's (serial?) for only a little more cost than single units... it may prove nearly as simple and inexpensive to have all four cells seperate, and then use the PIC to pick up each digital value from the ADC, and then sum. my two cents, Des >>> Brent Brown 8/16/99 10:14:33 am >>> Hi, I'm working on a new project that will be using 4 load cells to measure the weight of a piece of machinery during operation. I've seen weighing platforms that use a load cell on each mounting foot - presumably they just average the four readings to get the total weight eg. (A+B+C+D)/4 ? Can I minimise the electronics by putting the outputs of the four strain gauge bridges in parallel (maybe with some series resistors) and then just use one bridge amplifier and one ADC input on my micro? (Rather than 4 x bridge amps, 4 x ADC's) Would this affect linearity much? My dynamic range of weight is very small, I'm looking to measure 0-20kg change (product) on top of a constant 500kg or so (the machinery itself), and 0.1 or 0.2kg resolution would be fine enough. Also, what are your favourite bridge amplifier's for a job like this? Hope these are simple questions to answer for people with experience here, and interesting for the rest of us! Thanks in advance, Brent. Brent Brown Electronic Design Solutions 16 English Street Hamilton, New Zealand Ph/fax: +64 7 849 0069 Mobile: 025 334 069 eMail: brent.brown@clear.net.nz