Connecting the Optima APOS Series with Kilotech Scales

This article will provide general setup information and pin outs for the supported Kilotech KPOS 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 Screen > 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 - Kilotech KPOS 1530

The Optima GoPOS software supports serial models that have 9-pin DB9 RS232 connector.

IMPORTANT: Please consult the Kilotech KPOS 1530 Service 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 Kilotech scale, turn on the power by pressing the red power button. With the Calibration Switch set to on, press MENU. Using the yellow MENU key, shift to CAL to the calibration submenu, then press the ZERO key to enter the calibration submenu.

From this menu, the unit of measurements such as kilograms (kg), pounds (lb) or ounces (oz) can be set. This section is also where scale calibration is set. Please note that the calibration process must be performed and certified by a local or federal governing agency.

Using the MENU key, shift to USER and then select the ZERO key to enter the USER submenu. From here, it's important to set communication to the following parameters:

Interface: RS232 (default)

Interface Protocol Type: TYPE4

Baud rate: 9600

Bit Format (default 8N1): 7E1

Once the above 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 the Kilotech 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*

Connection: Serial

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

Tare round method: regular (default)

Baud Rate: 9600

Data Bits: 7 bits

Stop Bits: 1 bit

Parity: Even

Serial Port: Please see Serial Port sections above

*NOTE: CAS and Kilotech will have the same back-end configuration. When setting up a Kilotech scale, select CAS PD-II in the drop down menu.

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.