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Tanita TBF-551 Body Fat Monitor/Scale
Taking weight and body fat readings
1. Select Personal key
Using your toe, tap the Personal key for the person whose measurement is to be
taken. Release the key within 3 seconds.
Note: Do not hold the switch down or the display will show “error.”
The TBF-551 is activated, and the display shows the programmed data (see illustration,
left). After 2 or 3 seconds, the display will show “0.0.”
2. Take readings
When “0.0” appears in the display, step onto the platform.
Note: If you do not wait for “0.0” to appear, the display will read “error.”
Be sure you are barefoot, and that the soles of your feet are clean and dry.
Be sure that your toes and heels are correctly aligned with the electrodes on the measur-
ing platform. Stand erect on the platform.
Note: If you do not step onto the measuring platform within about 20 seconds after “0.0” appears, the
power is shut off automatically.
Your weight will be shown first. “00000” will appear in the display and then the
zeroes will disappear one by one until your body fat percentage is displayed.
Continue to stand erect on the platform. The values of body fat percentage and body
weight will be displayed alternately at 2-second intervals. If you remain on the platform,
the display will continue for about 30 seconds, and then the power will automatically
turn off.
When you step off the platform the alternating display of body fat percentage and
body weight will be repeated 3 times, and then the power will automatically turn off.
Taking weight measurment only
1. Select Weight-only key
Using your toe, tap the Weight-only key. After 2 or 3 seconds, “88888” will appear in
the display and then it will show “0.0.”
2. Take measurement
When “0.0” appears in the display, step onto the platform.
The body weight value will appear. If you remain on the platform, the display will
flash for about 30 seconds, and then the power will automatically turn off. If you step
off the platform, the weight will continue to show for about 5 seconds.
Changing values in memory
Perform steps 1 through 5 in “Setting and storing data in memory” on p.7.
Tap the Weight key using your toe
Replacing the batteries
When the batteries run low, the “Lo” message will appear on the display window.
When this message appears, be sure to replace the batteries immediately, since weak
batteries will affect the accuracy of your measurements.
Your settings will not be erased from the memory when you remove the batteries.
Fresh batteries can last for about one year if a family of four uses the unit once every
day. The unit comes with trial batteries. Their service life may be short.
If the following problems occur...then...
“st-lb” or “kg” appears while taking a weight measurement.
The unit’s “Weight Mode” has been set to measure your weight in units of stone-
pounds or kilograms. Refer to the Switching the Weight Mode (lb, kg, or st-lb) on
p.5 if you would like to change the setting back to pounds (lb).
Nothing appears in the display screen after initial display.
Be sure that the batteries are fresh and are in the correct positions. Also check
foot alignment.
Nothing appears when a Personal key is pressed, or the display shows “- - - - -”
and goes off when a Personal key is pressed.
No data (Adult, Child, Athlete, Male/Female, height) has been stored in memory
for that key. Enter data.
The body fat percentage measurement does not appear after the weight
is measured.
Vibration will interfere with measurement of the fat percentage. Be sure to stand erect
and still on the measuring platform. Do not bend your knees. Be sure that shoes and
socks are removed and check foot alignment. Step off and repeat steps on p.8.
The body fat percentage measurement is extremely low/extremely high.
Be sure you are measuring in the correct user mode (Adult, Child, Athlete,
Male/Female), and that the soles of your feet are clean and properly aligned with the
guides on the measuring platform. Dehydration, exercise, foot calluses, etc. will inter-
fere with measurement of the fat percentage. Step off and repeat steps on p.8.
The display reads “error” instead of a weight reading.
Wait for “0.0” to appear in the display before stepping onto the platform.
Troubleshooting
