A&D FG-150KAL Manual, Explained: Setup, Keys, Resolution, Counting, Comparator and RS-232C

By MNM Scales · Last updated October 31, 2026

The A&D FG-150KAL is a 300 lb (150 kg) bench scale with a 15.4 x 20.9 inch stainless steel platform and a display on a column, built for shipping benches, receiving docks, parts counting and checkweighing. A&D’s FG-K manual covers the whole series, from the 60 lb FG-30KAM to the large-platform FG-60KAL and FG-150KAL. This guide keeps only what applies to the FG-150KAL, with the display codes as the scale shows them and the factory settings marked.

FG-150KAL manual at a glance: specifications

Item	FG-150KAL
Capacity	300 lb / 150 kg / 4,800 oz
Readability (Normal / High / Higher)	lb: 0.1 / 0.05 / 0.02 · kg: 0.05 / 0.02 / 0.01 · oz: 2 / 1 / 0.5 (High is the factory setting)
Repeatability (standard deviation)	0.02 kg
Linearity	±0.05 kg
Sensitivity drift	±20 ppm per °C (10 to 30 °C)
Counting	Samples of 5, 10, 20, 50 or 100 pieces; up to 120,000 pieces; minimum unit weight 1.25 g
Display	7-segment LCD, 26 mm characters, updates 10 times per second
Platform and size	390 x 530 mm (15.4 x 20.9 in) pan; 390 x 771 x 781 mm overall; about 16.4 kg
Power	AC adapter, or 4 C-size batteries (not included) for about 150 hours with alkaline cells
Operating range	-10 to 40 °C (14 to 104 °F), under 85 percent relative humidity, no condensation
Calibration weight (factory setting)	150 kg / 300 lb; the value can be changed

Setting up the FG-150KAL

1. Unpack it. Check the parts against the unpacking list in section 2 of the manual; our listing ships the scale, the AC adapter and the manual. Keep the packing; A&D recommends it for shipping the scale later.
2. Fit the column. Remove the 4 screws, set the column on the base without pinching the cable, and tighten the 4 screws again.
3. Route the cable. Tilt the display pod forward by pressing the two round side clamps, slide off the cable cover, feed the slack from the base up into the column, seat the cable in the 2 cable guides and refit the cover. The cable should sit with neither slack nor tension.
4. Place the pan on the base.
5. Choose the spot: a solid, level surface with steady temperature and humidity, out of drafts, direct sun and the airflow of heaters or air conditioners, and away from magnetic fields. Avoid very dry spots (under 45 percent relative humidity), where plastic picks up static.
6. Level it with the leveling feet until the bubble in the spirit level sits in the center.
7. Power it from the AC adapter in the jack on the rear of the display pod, or from 4 C batteries. Calibrate on first setup and every time the scale is moved; see the FG-150KAL calibration guide.

At power-on the scale zeroes itself if the load is within ±10 percent of capacity of the calibrated zero. If the display shows ------ instead, clear the pan and check that nothing is touching it, then turn it on again.

The five keys and the display

Key	In weighing	In the function settings and limits
ON/OFF	Turns the scale on (with power-on zero) or off	Turning off before end discards the changes
MODE	Steps through lb, oz, kg and pcs; hold it to store a counting sample or open the comparator limits	Moves to the next function; stores the settings at end
PRINT	Sends the reading to a printer or PC when an FG-23 or FG-24 interface is fitted	Changes the value or the blinking digit
ZERO	Sets the display to zero within ±2 percent of capacity; also clears a tare	Hold while turning on to open the function settings; selects the digit to change
TARE	Subtracts a container or pallet weight and turns on NET	–

The indicators show STABLE when the reading has settled, NET when a tare is in use and ZERO at true zero, plus HI, OK and LO for the comparator. Wait for STABLE before you read or print a weight.

Choosing the display resolution (F2)

The FG-K series has three resolutions. On the FG-150KAL in pounds: Normal (F2-0) reads 300 x 0.1 lb, High (F2-1, the factory setting) reads 300 x 0.05 lb, and Higher (F2-2) reads 300 x 0.02 lb. If you bought the scale for its 0.02 lb readability and the display steps by 0.05 lb, set F2 to 2. A&D notes that legal-for-trade use runs at Normal resolution, and counting always works at the Higher resolution whatever F2 says.

Finer steps are not the same as better accuracy on every load. Repeatability is 0.02 kg and linearity ±0.05 kg, so for heavy cartons the High setting gives a steadier, easier-to-read display; Higher suits light parts and counting.

Counting parts on the FG-150KAL

1. Press MODE until pcs shows.
2. Hold MODE until the sample size appears; press PRINT to choose 5, 10, 20, 50 or 100 pieces.
3. Put an empty container on the pan and press TARE if you use one.
4. Place exactly that number of pieces and press MODE. The scale stores the unit weight and shows the count.

The total sample must weigh at least 125 g on the FG-150KAL; if it is lighter, lo ut appears, so use a larger sample. The stored unit weight stays in memory after power-off, and the scale counts to 120,000 pieces. For small screws and fasteners, see our counting scale buying guide.

HI/OK/LO comparator for checkweighing

Function F6 sets when the scale compares: 0 off (factory setting), 1 all data, 2 data above +4 or below -4 divisions, 3 all stable data, 4 stable data above +4 or below -4 divisions. To enter limits, hold MODE in lb, oz or kg until the upper limit shows; ZERO picks the digit, PRINT raises it (and toggles the minus sign), and MODE moves on to the lower limit and stores it. Limits ignore the decimal point and stay in memory after power-off.

HI, OK and LO show on the display. With the FG-24 option the same result drives a solid-state relay output (50 V DC, 100 mA) for a stack light or a reject gate. Our checkweigher scale guide covers checkweighing setups.

Function settings (F1 to F8)

With the scale off, hold ZERO and press ON/OFF. PRINT changes the value, MODE moves to the next item, and at end MODE stores everything. Turning the scale off before that discards the changes.

Function	Settings (factory setting in bold)
F1 Auto power-off	0 off · 1 on battery only · 2 on battery and AC adapter
F2 Display resolution	0 Normal (1/3,000) · 1 High · 2 Higher
F3 Unit at power-on	0 lb · 1 oz · 2 kg
F4 Baud rate	0 2400 bps · 1 4800 bps · 2 9600 bps
F5 Data output	0 stream · 1 command · 2 PRINT key · 3 auto-print +/- data · 4 auto-print + data
F6 Comparator	0 off · 1 to 4 as described above
F7 Filter	0 fast · 1 normal · 2 slow (for vibration or drafts)
F8 Command reply	0 reply sent · 1 no reply except Q

RS-232C and relay options

The FG-150KAL connects to a printer or PC through one of two interfaces fitted in the display pod: FG-23 (OP-23), RS-232C, or FG-24 (OP-24), RS-232C plus the HI/OK/LO relay output. The two cannot be fitted together. A&D’s cables run from the scale’s 8-pin DIN connector: AX-KO1786-200 to a 9-pin D-Sub and AX-KO577A-200 to a 25-pin D-Sub, both 2 m.

Data goes out at the F4 baud rate, 7 data bits, even parity, 1 stop bit, in ASCII ending in CR LF. Lines start with ST (stable), QT (stable count), US (unstable) or OL (over range). In command mode the scale answers Q (send the reading), Z (zero) and T (tare). A&D lists the AD-8121B printer for printed tickets. For cables and adapters, see how to connect a scale to a computer.

Batteries and power

Slide off the battery cover, push the battery case into the display pod to release it, fit four new C cells with the polarity marked in the case, and refit it. Replace all four at once when lb0 appears, use one battery type, and take the cells out before long storage. Auto power-off (F1) switches the scale off after about five minutes at zero to save the batteries. lb1 means the AC supply is low; check the adapter matches your outlet.

FG-150KAL error codes

Display	Meaning	What to do
E	Overload	Remove the load; it is above 300 lb
-E	Range over: upward force on the pan	Check that nothing is caught under or against the pan
------	Load outside the power-on zero range	Clear the pan and turn the scale on again
lo ut	Counting sample too light	Use a larger sample (125 g or more)
lb0	Batteries low	Fit four new C cells or use the AC adapter
lb1	AC power low	Check the adapter and outlet
err13	Memory write error	Turn the power off and on and try again; if it stays, it needs service

If an error will not clear, our repair bench can help. Codes for other brands are in our scale error codes guide, and drifting readings are covered in scale will not zero or keeps drifting.

Calibrating the FG-150KAL

Calibration uses the CAL switch behind a cover on the rear of the display pod and a 300 lb (150 kg) test load, or another value you set. The full procedure, the gravity setting, the weights to use and our service options are in the A&D FG-150KAL calibration guide.

FG-150KAL vs FG-150KALN for selling by weight

The FG-150KAL is the high-resolution model for weighing your own shipments, inventory and production. A&D’s FG-K series holds NTEP Certificate of Conformance 05-101 (Accuracy Class III), and the legal-for-trade setting for this size is 300 lb x 0.1 lb (Normal resolution, 1/3,000). For charging by weight, choose the A&D FG-150KALN, the NTEP version on the same 15.4 x 20.9 inch platform, or the FG-150KAMN on the 11.8 x 15 inch pan. Our what is NTEP guide explains the approval.

Texas note: TDA does not require an NTEP certificate for every device, but the scale must meet NIST Handbook 44 and suit its use; some scales do need one, so we recommend NTEP models and can check yours. See TDA’s scales used in trade guidance (PDF) and our TDA scale certification guide, or call us or TDA to confirm your use.

Not sure your use counts as trade? Try our free legal-for-trade scale checker.

Setup tips from our technicians

• Set the base on the floor or a heavy bench, not a cart that flexes; a level base on a solid surface gives the steadiest reading.
• Center heavy cartons on the platform and let the reading settle (STABLE) before you print.
• Raise the filter to F7-2 near conveyors, forklifts or fans.
• Keep debris from under the pan edge; anything pushing up on the pan shows as -E or a reading that will not return to zero.
• Clean with a soft cloth dampened with mild detergent; skip organic solvents.
• Calibrate after every move; the how often should a scale be calibrated guide sets a schedule for busy shipping benches.

Common mistakes

• Expecting 0.02 lb steps with the factory High setting; change F2 to 2.
• Mixing old and new batteries, or leaving cells in a scale that sits unused.
• Pinching the load cell cable when fitting the column; route it through both cable guides.
• Changing settings and turning the scale off before end, which discards them.
• Fitting both FG-23 and FG-24 options; only one fits at a time.

The FG-60KAL (150 lb x 0.01 lb in its Higher setting) shares this manual and platform, and the FG-150KAM puts 300 lb on the 11.8 x 15 inch pan. Browse all A&D bench scales and shipping bench scales, or compare FG-K models in our best shipping scale for small business guide and shipping scale for large packages.

Calibration, repair and rentals from MNM Scales

• Book calibration: our scale calibration service in Houston lists every tier. The FG-150KAL (150 kg) is in the 35 to 150 kg tier: in-house calibration with a certificate or NIST calibration with a NIST-traceable certificate; see the current rate on each listing. See NIST vs in-house certificates.
• Mail-in calibration: pack the scale in its original packing, as A&D recommends, and ship it with the mail-in calibration service.
• Cypress drop-off by appointment: bring it to our Cypress, TX shop (21249 FM 529 Rd, Cypress, TX 77433).
• On-site service: on-site calibration is $295 plus $2 per mile, round trip, once per visit, plus the calibration fee for each scale. Our TDA-registered technicians bring certified test weights to shipping docks, warehouses, food plants, metal shops and farms across the Houston area.
• Repair: load cell, cable, display and keypad problems go to our scale repair bench.
• Rentals: we rent all types of scales; ask about a scale rental while yours is in for service.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find the A&D FG-150KAL manual?

A&D publishes the FG-K series instruction manual (WM+PD4000966), which covers the FG-150KAL and the rest of the FG-K series, as a PDF, with specifications on its FG-K series page.

Why does my FG-150KAL read in 0.05 lb steps instead of 0.02 lb?

The factory setting is High resolution (300 x 0.05 lb). Hold ZERO while turning the scale on, press MODE to reach F2, press PRINT until it reads 2 (Higher, 300 x 0.02 lb), then press MODE through to end and store.

How do I open the function settings on the FG-150KAL?

With the scale off, hold ZERO and press ON/OFF. PRINT changes a value, MODE moves to the next function, and pressing MODE at end stores the settings.

How do I count parts on the FG-150KAL?

Select pcs with MODE, hold MODE, choose 5, 10, 20, 50 or 100 pieces with PRINT, place that many pieces and press MODE. The sample must weigh at least 125 g.

Can the FG-150KAL connect to a computer or printer?

Yes, with the FG-23 RS-232C interface or the FG-24 RS-232C and relay interface fitted in the display pod. Data is 2400 bps by factory setting, 7 bits, even parity, and the scale accepts the Q, Z and T commands.

What batteries does the FG-150KAL use?

Four C-size cells (not included), for about 150 hours with alkaline batteries. Replace all four when lb0 appears.

What does -E mean on an A&D FG-150KAL?

An upward force on the pan. Check that nothing is caught under or against the pan, then zero the scale.

Is the FG-150KAL legal for trade?

The FG-150KAL is the high-resolution model for in-house weighing. For charging by weight, choose the FG-150KALN, the NTEP version on the same platform, which reads 300 x 0.1 lb.