I have been using my ChargeMaster 1500 combo for about a year now and have loved it. Last night I went to load some 45 ACP and it was making funny beeping noises when I turned it on. Now it displays 02009 on the screen and will not respond to any buttons other than the power button.

Has anyone else had this issue? If so, were you able to fix it?

Thanks in advance.

Mike

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NRA Certified Pistol Inst.

Call RCBS! They'll fix you up.
Dick

Can you try simply unplugging the unit for 5 minutes? I had something remotely similar with my Lyman. Only unplugging would reset it. Electronics - uggh.

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Webfarmer

I actually thought of this and left it unplugged over night. Still did not work this morning. The warranty is only one year and I have had it longer than that. I have used it for less than a year however.

I do hope RCBS has an answer, or will treat me right.

Mike

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NRA Certified Pistol Inst.

Make sure you also remove the battery when you do this reset.

I think RCBS will do something to make it right for you, the're a great company.

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John

The Internet shows a lot of hits for this issue. Most reflect a $45 charge from RCBS to get fixed, but did see a reference from a 2013 post where RCBS supposedly told owner $200 to fix/replace.

I hope it's $45, but I would pay $200. I didn't realize how much I like this thing until it quit working. I do not want to set up my charge thrower, trickler, and beam scale again. I have been spoiled.

Mike

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NRA Certified Pistol Inst.

I don't think it has a battery. Am I wrong?

Mike

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NRA Certified Pistol Inst.

I have the 700 grain scale that died. I wrote rcbs.

They told me one year warranty. Buy another one.

David

You are correct....I was assuming it was like my 750.

First of all... the scale mysteriously started working again on Sunday. I can't explain why.

Secondly, when I called RCBS this morning, the lady I talked to said that the 02009 code means internal failure and that the scale is shot. She said they would exchange it if it is still within the one year warranty, which it is not. So she said I am out of luck and would have to purchase another one. I asked if they offered one at a discount, and she said no. I also asked if they have made improvements over the last few years to make them more robust and durable. She said she was not aware of any changes or updates.

So I am hoping it continues to work. If it doesn't, I am not sure I want to chance buying another RCBS. I think I have only thrown maybe 600 charges on this thing. For a $300 scale, that works out to .50 per charge. That makes reloading a bust.

Mike

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NRA Certified Pistol Inst.

Sorry to hear that Mike, and hope your Chargemaster has a lot more renewed life left in it. This is the main reason I did not transition from my Harrell's Precision to the Chargemaster.

I weighed 200 45 ACP charges tonight. Still got my fingers crossed.

Mike

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NRA Certified Pistol Inst.

Wow, sorry to hear that you are out of luck.
I have had RCBS stuff for years (non electronic stuff) and have had great luck with it and great service from them.
That said, I am not all that into trusting something as important as powder charges to an electronic scale. I work with electronic devices every day. I know about failure rate and the potential (un)reliability of most electronic things. Not a failure/error rate (actual part/unit, failure and deviation) that I want to be part of my reloading process.
I have always used beam scales, but I did recently buy one of the F.A., $20 digi scales to play with. It is surprisingly accurate...with one caveat, it always reads .1gr over my beam scale. That constant error should give me some comfort. It doesn't. I am always suspicious of the reading at any given time. And if I am going to keep a beam scale around to verify, I may as well just use the beam scale. I do use the F.A. scale to weigh odd stuff, unknown bullets and other "quick" weights for who knows what.

Good luck!

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Thugs that comply don’t die!

If the chargemaster was purchased with a credit card, many of them will double the warranty (up to one year). With AMEX cards, its hassle free where you can do it online. With Visa, its a little more legwork.

RCBS stands behind their products and will take care of the problem no questions asked.

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USAF Retired/VN Vet

I guess not really, see post #12.

RCBS said he Stuck Out of Luck...

Before this starts to swing towards RCBS not caring about their customers, they clearly indicate that the Chargemaster, electronic scales and Chronograph have a Limited 1 year warranty. While it would be nice if they lasted forever, it is still up to the consumer to decide cost benefit vs risk. Caveat Emptor still applies.

The lady at RCBS stated that they do not actually make these scales, but contract a third party to make them. This third party (EXCELL) will not allow RCBS to attempt any repairs on these scales. So these are not your typical RCBS product. They do however carry the RCBS name and that should mean something. If I were RCBS, I would be hesitant to put my name on something that is not VERY reliable.

This is not deterring me from buying RCBS products in the future, but if I have to pay full price for a new scale (if this dies again), I would look at other brands.

Mike

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NRA Certified Pistol Inst.

I looked for my receipt for a couple of hours. I can't find it. I think I bought it from Natchez, but you can't see your past orders on their site. So I don't know when I bought it or what card I used.

Mike

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NRA Certified Pistol Inst.

I have the box and receipt for the 750 chargemaster. 2006

David

I don't think the current RCBS company is the same one we all remember from the 70's and 80's. Products are re-branded with the RCBS name, many of them made in China, not the USA. One poster on another forum said the presses were even made in China. If that's the case, my loyalty will go elsewhere!

I had a problem with mine and just sent it back. They sent me a new one. It's worth a try. I leave my electronic scales on at all time. I have two that are approaching 20 years of age. Keeping them on provides enough heat to keep corrosion from occurring.

Mike if you have to replace your unit you might check out the Hornady Lock N Load Auto charge powder dispenser. I have only had this one a few months but so far I am very happy with it and it is a little less than the RCBS one. Keep in mind though, anything electronic can go out at any time. I still keep a beam scale handy to cross check the electronic one every few rounds. Good luck.

Thanks for the advice. I was also looking at the Lyman 6th Gen scale. The reviews on it looked promising.

I still keep my beam scale around too, but I really like an electronic scale. I don't think anything short of an EMP will make me go back to the old way

Mike

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NRA Certified Pistol Inst.

I have looked at the RC Supremes in the store recently, and I only saw made in USA units. I too would be hesitant to buy one made elsewhere.

I have had stellar customer service from RCBS on every other thing I have called them about, so I am not going to say they aren't the same company they were before. I had some older dies that did not have the stepped expander plug and wanted to buy the updated plugs. They sent them to me for free. That is stellar customer service.

Mike

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NRA Certified Pistol Inst.

I believe most companies have limited warranties on electronics. PACT is the only company with a lifetime warranty.