BroodMinder-W4 Aluminum Hive Scale

Why Monitor Hive Weight?
Tracking hive weight provides valuable information that allows beekeepers to:

• Detect Nectar Flow and Foraging Intensity: Monitor the daily and seasonal fluctuations in hive weight to know when nectar flow starts, assess productivity, and manage honey harvest at the optimal time.
• Manage Resource Consumption: Observe changes in weight during winter to understand the rate of food consumption and identify the best time to add additional feed.
• Identify Swarming Events: Sudden weight drops can indicate a swarm, allowing for timely intervention and swarm management.
• Evaluate Colony Health and Strength: Steady, predictable weight patterns reflect a healthy hive. An unexpected weight loss might signal issues like robbing, brood loss, or colony death.
• Reduce Trips to the Apiary: Remote monitoring helps you reduce unnecessary visits, saving time, fuel, and resources, while ensuring that you respond only when intervention is necessary.

Real-Time Monitoring with BroodMinder-Cell Hub
The BroodMinder-W4 is part of the BroodMinder wireless ecosystem. For remote, real-time access, combine it with a BroodMinder-Cell Hub to automatically upload hive data every hour, accessible from anywhere via the BroodMinder Bees app or MyBroodMinder.com. This level of connectivity gives beekeepers critical, up-to-date information and helps them anticipate needs without being onsite.

Key Features
• High Accuracy: Uses four 100 kg temperature-compensated load cells to capture precise weight readings, resilient to uneven positioning.
• Durable and Weatherproof: Constructed from 4mm thick aluminum, the scale is lightweight, rust-resistant, and fully waterproof (IP65).
• Extended Battery Life: Powered by two AA lithium batteries with a lifespan of up to five years.
• Flexible Installation: Can be easily mounted on wood or metal pallets, secured with screws or pins to withstand transportation and heavy loads.
• Advanced Data Storage: Records hourly data, with internal memory capable of storing more than one year’s worth of data.

Specifications
• Measurements: Hive weight and ambient temperature
• Dimensions: 2 bars of 50 x 4.2 x 4 cm (length x width x height)
• Weight: 2.6 kg
• Structure: Aluminum
• Battery: 2x AA Lithium (included)
• Battery Life: Up to 5 years
• Measurement Frequency: Every hour (default), customizable every 15 minutes
• Load Cells: 4x 100kg C3 category, temperature-compensated sensors
• Max Hive Weight Capacity: 400kg
• Accuracy: +/- 100g/10°C, +/- 0.25°C
• Internal Memory: Stores approximately 7,000 readings
• Data Transmission: Bluetooth Low Energy
• Transmission Range: +30 meters to your smartphone or hub
• Firmware Updates: Via BroodMinder Bees app
• Certifications: CE

Installation and Use
Setting up the BroodMinder-W4 is straightforward. It can be mounted front-to-back or side-to-side under the hive and installed directly on pallets for migratory operations. The grooved surface ensures stability, while optional centering pins offer additional support for hives using plastic bottom boards like Nicotplast. Simply place the scale beneath the hive, sync with the BroodMinder Bees app, and start monitoring.

Conclusion
The BroodMinder-W4 Aluminum Hive Scale is the ideal solution for serious beekeepers engaged in transhumant operations. By providing consistent, real-time weight data and remote access, this scale enables smarter decisions, reduces operational costs, and optimizes hive management. Whether tracking nectar flow or managing seasonal feeding, the BroodMinder-W4 keeps you in control of your hives—no matter where they are.