Connecting the Optima APOS Series with CAS and Brecknell Scales

This article will provide general setup information and pin outs for the supported CAS PD-II series scales, and Brecknell 6700U series scales. All but the APOS-01 systems that has the 6-pin RJ-12 RS232 serial connector will require an adapter cable in order to connect to the following supported brands and models below. 

IMPORTANT: Any scales used in a commercial or industrial trade environment must be calibrated and certified by a weights and measurements agency mandated by state/provincial or federal law. Please check your local laws regarding weights and measures certification.

USA: NIST - Office of Weights and Measures

Canada (EN): ISED - Measurement Canada

Canada (FR): ISDE - Mesures Canada

Setup Process and Requirements

The setup process in this guide can be done while in GoPOS (Home Menu > Menu > Settings > Hardware > Add New Hardware > Scale) or PCProg (Hardware Module > Add New Hardware [+] > Hardware Type > Scale).

You will need to define at least one department with the Scalable option on, and Print Weight/Volume Info Line on to ensure communication between the scale and the APOS system and the proper information printed out on the receipt.

You may also need to define the base weight unit in the General Settings of GoPOS (Home Screen > Menu > Settings > Options > Setting 18) or PCProg (Settings Module > Setting 18).

Serial Port: 6-pin RJ-12 RS232

When setting up the serial configuration for the 6-pin RJ-12 RS232 serial port, you must define the serial port number, which is dependant on the APOS model. In either PCProg or GoPOS, enter the following Serial Port value that corresponds with your APOS model in the Hardware Settings when defining scale communication:

Serial Port: 4-pin RJ-11 RS232

On some APOS models, the scale can also be connected with the 4-pin RJ-11 RS232 serial port. The Serial Port number are identified in the following APOS models:

IMPORTANT: Please note that the primary port for connecting any serial devices to any serial ports on any of the APOS systems will be on the 6-pin RJ-12 RS232 port. Therefore, the pin outs will be based on the RJ-12 connector. Please contact Optima Support if you are connecting a scale using the secondary 4-pin RJ-11 RS232 port on the select models above to confirm pin outs for the secondary RS232 port.

Parameters - CAS PD-II

The Optima GoPOS software supports serial models that have either the 9-pin DB9 RS232 connector or 25-pin DB25 RS232 connector.

IMPORTANT: Please consult the CAS PD-II User's Manual for more information on how to access and manage the settings, or contact Optima Support for assistance.

Default Serial Communication Settings

To set up the CAS PD-II scale to the correct ECR Type, ensure the scale is turned off. Next, press and hold the Zero Point key while at the same time, turn on the scale. You will then see the "EcrSEt" shown on the display, and then a current ECR type will be shown.

To change the ECR Type, select the * key. For our setup, we will use ECR-TYPE 4 (displayed as TYPE4 on screen). To save, select the Tare key.

IMPORTANT NOTE: For any calibration configuration, they must be performed by an authorized and certified technician under the authority of a local or federal government agency responsible for weights and measurements. Please check your local laws and regulations as noted earlier in this article.

Pin Out: 9-pin DB9 models

Using a 6-conductor rollover cable with a male RJ-12 connector on one end, and a 9-pin DB9 male connector, here are the following pin outs:

Pin Out: 25-pin DB25 models

Using a 6-conductor rollover cable with a male RJ-12 connector on one end, and a 25-pin DB25 male connector, here are the following pin outs:

Parameters - Brecknell 6700U Series

The Optima GoPOS software supports all the models in this series, which includes but not limited to the 6702U, 6710U, and 6720U scales.

IMPORTANT: For further scale information on how to access and manage the settings, please consult the Brecknell 6700U Series Manual or contact Optima POS Support for assistance.

For a more detailed step by step overview on connecting the Brecknell 6700U Series scale, please click on the link below.

https://optima.kb.help/integrating-the-brecknell-6700u-series-scale-to-apos-step-by-step-guide/

Default Serial Communication Settings

To enter Setup mode in the Brecknell scale, assuming the scale is turned on, press the HOLD and ON/OFF keys for 3 seconds. The display will then show "CONFG indicating you are in Setup mode. Use the UNIT key to view available submenus. Use the TARE key to select the submenu.

IMPORTANT NOTE: For any calibration configuration, they must be performed by an authorized and certified technician under the authority of a local or federal government agency responsible for weights and measurements. Please check your local laws and regulations as noted earlier in this article.

Select the USER submenu. Next, scroll until you see COM2, which will be used to communicate via RS232 protocol with the DB9 serial cable used for communication between the APOS terminal and Brecknell scale.

While in the COM2 settings, the following parameters will need to be set in the scale:

Interface Protocol Type: ECR-SCP02 (displayed as SCP02)

Baud rate: 9600

Bit format: 8N1

Once these parameters are set on the scale, exit back to the weighing screen.

Pin Out: 9-pin DB9

Using a 6-conductor rollover cable with a male RJ-12 connector on one end, and a 9-pin DB9 male connector, here are the following pin outs:

Parameters - Optima GoPOS and Optima PCProg

Hardware Settings

To add either the CAS or Brecknell scale, select Add New Hardware, and then select Scale (GoPOS) or click on Insert (+) in the Hardware Module in PCProg.

After creating a new Scale in Hardware settings, enter the following parameters in their respective fields:

Name: <enter the name you want for the scale>

Capacity: <enter Capacity x Precision - kg: 15 x 0.005, lb: 30 x 0.01, oz: 480 x 0.2>

Model: CAS PD-II or Brecknell

Connection: Serial

Enforce zero before reading (default OFF): <optional>

Tare round method: regular (default)

Baud Rate: 9600

Data Bits: 7 bits (CAS PD-II) or 8 bits (Brecknell)

Stop Bits: 1 bit

Parity: Even (CAS PD-II) or None (Brecknell)

Serial Port: Please see Serial Port sections above

Once the settings are entered, save and close the Hardware Settings.

Department Settings

Create or select an existing department in Department settings.

Under Options, enable the following in order for the scale function to work:

Scalable: ON (default OFF)

Print Weight/Volume Info Line: ON (default OFF)

Apply any additional settings you need for this department, then save and close the department window.

NOTE: If you are setting up a scalable PLU Item, you must first enable Setting 1 in the General Settings in GoPOS (Menu > Settings > Options > Setting 1 enabled) or PCProg (Settings module > Setting 1 enabled), and then enable the same Options above.

Apply these settings to any other departments requiring the scale option. 

General Settings

In the General Settings in either GoPOS or PCProg, you will need to set the unit of measurement, which can be found under Setting 18 - Base Weight Unit. You must set the unit of measurement to match the unit of measurement set on the scale, and they can be selected in the drop-down menu. For Kilotech scales, the unit of measurements are kilograms (kg), pounds (lb), or ounces (oz).

Once the unit of measurement is set, save and close the Settings.

For further resources and information, please refer to the APOS Help file and PCProg help file in our Dealer Portal.

For technical support, please contact us, toll-free at 1-888-475-2767, or email Optima POS Support at possupport@optimagopos.ca for assistance.