Background: I have fabricated a device to isolate component forces to an applied load.  The device uses pairs of cantilevered beams mounted such that both end conditions are fixed for bending but the ends move relative to each other-- forming a (nearly) linerar guide.  I would like to record the component forces using strain gages and a look-up table, but with bench apparatus and at a low cost (I'm doing a feasibility test).  
I have read application notes and it appears my best bet is to use a full-bridge setup, because transverse, axial  loads and temperature effects are conpensated.  My question is this: can I use a battery for V(in) accross the strain gage and a voltmeter to measure V(out) if my tests are static and I record V(out)/V(in) for each data point?
Are there any (many) other points that I should know?