RCBS Charger Master 1500

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Magload

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Ok here is what is happening. I used the Primal Rights reprogramming and it has been working fine in light loads, but trying to drop 21.4gr of H110 it seams to run up to the 21.4 on fast out with out going to trickle. Stops at 21.4 but then will show a over charge by .1 to .8gr. I was doing 21.0 to 22.0 in .2 steps 10 loads each. I had to set it low and then trickle to the proper weight using a hand trickler. Do I need to change these presets for the larger loads? Don BTW I am using the soda straw but don't like it with the points cut in the end. Too much powder falls off the points when they aren't supposed to be falling.
 
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No offense, I like gadgets and stuff as much as the next guy but I still have not come to a reason why these auto powder measure scales are worth the time and money??
Why get electronics involved?

A good manual powder measure and a beam balance scale, done.

Dial in a good powder measure and drop a load.;)

Sorry no help to you and I hope you get it figured out.:)
 
Magload said:
Ok here is what is happening. I used the Primal Rights reprogramming and it has been working fine in light loads, but trying to drop 21.4gr of H110 it seams to run up to the 21.4 on fast out with out going to trickle. Stops at 21.4 but then will show a over charge by .1 to .8gr. I was doing 21.0 to 22.0 in .2 steps 10 loads each. I had to set it low and then trickle to the proper weight using a hand trickler. Do I need to change these presets for the larger loads? Don BTW I am using the soda straw but don't like it with the points cut in the end. Too much powder falls off the points when they aren't supposed to be falling.
Click to expand...

I use mine for loading 33grs and up in my 500 loads, not a problem...
 
I have one and it is no trouble. I did the straw thing, cut straight, and that works. I did not reprogram the 1500. it goes fast enough. Not broke, don't fix. Go back to the default settings.
I dump my pistol powder, but for rifle, lots of rifle, it's a great tool.
 
I just spent some time trying to duplicate your results on my own Chargemaster. I let it warm up maybe 15 minutes and tried several targets. The results were all over the place.

EG, at a target of 6.0gr the unit used full speed and stopped with a lurch at 8.4gr. The actual throw was over 10gr. Almost all throws were very high, and the unit seemed to use high speeds too long.

I tried to use the parameter list shown below to figure out the points at which the speed should change for various targets. I thought you might be close to a breakpoint, and the unit was missing it. But my unit didn't shift speeds anywhere near close to what the parameters might indicate.

I let the unit sit for an hour, maybe longer, then turned off the fluorescent lights in the room. The unit behaved much better, but still shifted speed gears at points different than the parameters would indicate. But I could now throw 5gr, 6gr, 21.4gr, etc with typical Chargemaster accuracy.

Net? The only time I came close to having your issue was after a short warm up and with fluorescent lights on. The scale in this unit is a typically flakey strain gauge balance scale, and was probably sending all kinds of false readings to the dispenser until it was *really* warmed up and sorta stable.

So I'd advise a lonnnnng warm-up followed by a reset to factory parameters followed by calibration.

I have included the full parameter list below so you can check and make certain you restore the unit to factory parameters.

Once you've done that, try 21.4gr again, then maybe re-try your programming changes and try 21.4gr again.

Note: FWIW, I had the most accurate results from this scale after changing ONLY the parameter S_S to 255, the highest it will accept. This tells the dispenser to wait as long as allowed for the scale to become stable when in slow speed before deciding what to do next.

====================================

This list of parameters is not mine - I got it via google from other users on other forums over the years. The parameter names and factory values did match my unit. But I have no assurance from RCBS that the parameters have the uses described below. My unit does not (eg) shift speeds at the points expected reading this parameter list.

HSB_A1 (15.68) Grains under target weight to go from full to high speed for low weight
HSB_B1 (3.42) Grains under target weight to go from high to slow speed low weight
BSP_C1 (1.08) Grains under target weight to go from slow to final trickle speed low weight

MSP_A2 (39.20) Grains under target weight to go from full to high speed for medium weight
MSP_B2 (8.55) Grains under target weight to go from high to slow speed medium weight
MSP_C2 (2.25) Grains under target weight to go from slow to final trickle speed medium weight

SSP_A3 (196.00) Grains under target weight to go from full to high speed for heavy weight

SSP_B3 (42.75) Grains under target weight to go from high to slow speed heavy weight
SSP_C3 (11.32) Grains under target weight to go from slow to final trickle speed heavy weight


SEL (065) ???
F_A (050) Grains for a Heavy Charge
M_A (035) Grains for a Medium charge
S_A (006) Grains for a slow charge
W_F (200) Rotation for Full speed
W_M (100) Rotation for Medium speed
W_S (036) Rotation for slowest speed

S_F (012) Scale sensitivity timeout time in m/s fast speed
S_M (024) Scale sensitivity timeout time in m/s medium speed
S_S (128) Scale sensitivity timeout time in m/s slow speed.

FR1 (040) ?
FS1 (016) ?
FR2 (080) ?
SR1 (032) ?
SS1 (008) ?
SR2 (040) ?
DEC (000) ?
AT (000) ?
 
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I normally dump pistol powder but was making up test loads for the 357 to run across the chrono as soon as I am feeling better. This gall bladder removal has kicked my old butt. I will go back to defauld settings if I can figure out what they were and give those loads a try again. It might just be the H110 as this is my first pound of it. Don
 
Twoboxer said:
I just spent some time trying to duplicate your results on my own Chargemaster. I let it warm up maybe 15 minutes and tried several targets. The results were all over the place.

EG, at a target of 6.0gr the unit used full speed and stopped with a lurch at 8.4gr. The actual throw was over 10gr. Almost all throws were very high, and the unit seemed to use high speeds too long.

I tried to use the parameter list shown below to figure out the points at which the speed should change for various targets. I thought you might be close to a breakpoint, and the unit was missing it. But my unit didn't shift speeds anywhere near close to what the parameters might indicate.

I let the unit sit for an hour, maybe longer, then turned off the fluorescent lights in the room. The unit behaved much better, but still shifted speed gears at points different than the parameters would indicate. But I could now throw 5gr, 6gr, 21.4gr, etc with typical Chargemaster accuracy.

Net? The only time I came close to having your issue was after a short warm up and with fluorescent lights on. The scale in this unit is a typically flakey strain gauge balance scale, and was probably sending all kinds of false readings to the dispenser until it was *really* warmed up and sorta stable.

So I'd advise a lonnnnng warm-up followed by a reset to factory parameters followed by calibration.

I have included the full parameter list below so you can check and make certain you restore the unit to factory parameters.

Once you've done that, try 21.4gr again, then maybe re-try your programming changes and try 21.4gr again.

Note: FWIW, I had the most accurate results from this scale after changing ONLY the parameter S_S to 255, the highest it will accept. This tells the dispenser to wait as long as allowed for the scale to become stable when in slow speed before deciding what to do next.

====================================

This list of parameters is not mine - I got it via google from other users on other forums over the years. The parameter names and factory values did match my unit. But I have no assurance from RCBS that the parameters have the uses described below. My unit does not (eg) shift speeds at the points expected reading this parameter list.

HSB_A1 (15.68) Grains under target weight to go from full to high speed for low weight
HSB_B1 (3.42) Grains under target weight to go from high to slow speed low weight
BSP_C1 (1.08) Grains under target weight to go from slow to final trickle speed low weight

MSP_A2 (39.20) Grains under target weight to go from full to high speed for medium weight
MSP_B2 (8.55) Grains under target weight to go from high to slow speed medium weight
MSP_C2 (2.25) Grains under target weight to go from slow to final trickle speed medium weight

SSP_A3 (196.00) Grains under target weight to go from full to high speed for heavy weight

SSP_B3 (42.75) Grains under target weight to go from high to slow speed heavy weight
SSP_C3 (11.32) Grains under target weight to go from slow to final trickle speed heavy weight


SEL (065) ???
F_A (050) Grains for a Heavy Charge
M_A (035) Grains for a Medium charge
S_A (006) Grains for a slow charge
W_F (200) Rotation for Full speed
W_M (100) Rotation for Medium speed
W_S (036) Rotation for slowest speed

S_F (012) Scale sensitivity timeout time in m/s fast speed
S_M (024) Scale sensitivity timeout time in m/s medium speed
S_S (128) Scale sensitivity timeout time in m/s slow speed.

FR1 (040) ?
FS1 (016) ?
FR2 (080) ?
SR1 (032) ?
SS1 (008) ?
SR2 (040) ?
DEC (000) ?
AT (000) ?
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot. I will use those settings. I shifted down to a 7gr load and the machine went to trickle mode just fine. I think the setting I have may only work with light loads. I will let you know it these setting helped. I have really liked this machine up to this point. Thanks again.
 
Twoboxer said:
NP.

There's a long thread showing some tests I made on Chargemaster and PM accuracy. When you've got an hour :), you can find it HERE.
Click to expand...

That was a great read and well worth the time. Working in and supervising a Navy Calibration Lab for 12 years I really get into these instruments a strive for the best measurements I can get from the equipment I can afford. Don
 
Magload said:
I normally dump pistol powder but was making up test loads for the 357 to run across the chrono as soon as I am feeling better. This gall bladder removal has kicked my old butt. I will go back to defauld settings if I can figure out what they were and give those loads a try again. It might just be the H110 as this is my first pound of it. Don
Click to expand...

I use the H110 in mine, seems to meter very well with it. But again its pretty large amounts (41 grs).
 
I never had to do anything special to get mine to work. I plug it in and turn it on, then get the press set up. By the time the press is set up, the chargemaster is warmed up and ready to go. I punch in the weight I want, and it pretty consistently dumps the correct charge. Occasionally it might be .1 or .2 off. When that happens, I dump the powder back in the hopper and dispense a new charge.

If I have the A/C on, I have noticed that the charges are a little more inconsistent. I have also read that fluorescent lights can affect it.

As to why use it instead of a beam scale? Much less fiddling. I can punch in the weight I want and go. With a dispenser and beam scale, I have to fiddle with the beam scale to get it set to what I want. Then I have to fiddle with the dispenser until it is throwing what I want. Multiply this by the number of loads that I want to experiment with. An electronic scale tells you what something actually weighs. A beam scale only tells you if you are + or - the setting.
 
Magload said:
Do I need to change these presets for the larger loads?
Click to expand...

You didn't tell us what settings you changed, & to what value?

I've only changed HSB_A1, B1, C1 and W_F, W_M, & W_S, on mine but I have found they have a degree of inter-action between them. Also, it seems the W_F, W_M, & W_S values inevitably ending up being at the same weight I'm needing to dispense so I tweek the setting a bit so it doesn't start at the lower speed. If you set A1, B1, C1 to low, especially C1, it'll try to overrun the reading on large loads from the highest speed. I suggest keeping track of any values you change so you can tweek it based on any prior changes.

As you probably know, there's no way to reset the values back to a default value other than entering them in individually.

I've never noticed mine needing a warm-up period. It seems to be consistent right from the get-go, unlike the cheapo Lyman 1000 I got first.

H110 should dispense fine once you get your program values balanced.

.
 
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Ok I am feeling better after having my gall bladder removed Wed. have been thinking about this. I was working fine but I been running the window AC 24/7 and I bet that it. I only use LED lighting in this room but their are two computers and 4 large displays running.

Thanks for the help everyone the numbers will be a big help.
 
BLUEDOT37 said:
You didn't tell us what settings you changed, & to what value? Primal Rights article quotes HSP A1 - 7.00, HSP B1 - 2.00, HSP C1 - 0.50. Interesting, may or may not be significant, but these parameter labels do not match the first 3 parameters on my unit (HSB_A1, HSB_B1, BSP_C1)

I've only changed HSB_A1, B1, C1 and W_F, W_M, & W_S, on mine but I have found they have a degree of inter-action between them. Also, it seems the W_F, W_M, & W_S values inevitably ending up being at the same weight I'm needing to dispense My understanding is that the "W" parameters set the rotation speeds not weights. so I tweek the setting a bit so it doesn't start at the lower speed.
. . .
Click to expand...
Dunno if you can help me better understand the stuff above, but i think later today I may go downstairs and start playing with parameters again.

i do not believe the descriptions in the chart I posted tell the correct story.
 
Charge Master parameters

Twoboxer said:
- Primal Rights article quotes HSP A1 - 7.00, HSP B1 - 2.00, HSP C1 - 0.50. Interesting, may or may not be significant, but these parameter labels do not match the first 3 parameters on my unit (HSB_A1, HSB_B1, BSP_C1)

- My understanding is that the "W" parameters set the rotation speeds not weights.

Dunno if you can help me better understand the stuff above, but i think later today I may go downstairs and start playing with parameters again.

i do not believe the descriptions in the chart I posted tell the correct story.
Click to expand...

.

LOL, I had no idea what Primal Rights was referring to.

I couldn't relate to their descriptions very well either.

The value of the first three parameters (HSB_A1, HSB_B1, BSP_C1), that were tweeked in the article quoted, seem a little low to me, particularly the BSP_C1 at 0.50. I set my three parameters to: 600, 225, & 85 (represent 6.0grs, 2.25grs & .85grs).

Setting C1 too low will cause the over-run problem mentioned by the OP, especially if it's a heavy charge that gets up to full speed. It doesn't try to start slowing down soon enough, because the value (in grs.) is too close to zero & it over-shoots it's goal. Lighter charges don't run at the highest speed & therefore don't over-shoot the entered weight. These three parameters set where the speed changes: from full to high, from high to slow, & from slow to trickle.

The W_F, W_M, & W_S parameters set the (W)eight each of the three speeds start dispensing at. The factory values for these, 200, 100, & 36 (actually represent 20.0grs, 10.0grs, & 3.6grs) caused heartburn for me because an entered charge of 9.5grs starts dispensing at the slow (agonizingly) speed. By changing the W_M parameter to 55 (5.5grs) any charge entered over 5.5grs starts dispensing at the medium speed. I set mine to 150, 55, & 36.

It almost seems these values need to be flexible, dependant on your desired dispensed value. Last time I reloaded I wanted to dispense 14.5grs & disliked it starting at the medium speed so I temporarily tweeked W_F to 140 (14.0grs) so it would start dispensing at the fast speed.

Any help?

.

PS: Here was another thread on this: http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/404229-rcbs-charge-master-1500-a.html#post138520065

.
 
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BLUEDOT37 said:
.

LOL, I had no idea what Primal Rights was referring to.

I couldn't relate to their descriptions very well either. . . .
{lots of good stuff deleted) . . . Any help?

PS: Here was another thread on this: http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/404229-rcbs-charge-master-1500-a.html#post138520065

.
Click to expand...
Yes, a good deal of help. It actually makes some sense now . . . the descriptions are certainly all wrong lol. Will check the thread next. Will go down to the "Lab" tomorrow :) TYVM.

ETA: I was in that thread lol, but I missed the point you made in the text. The links really don't address any of these issues (unless my reading comprehension failed again), and just rehash simple stuff. Yours is the first mention I've seen that (eg) W_M means Weight-Medium.
 
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Bluedot37 hit this right on the head with this statement.
Setting C1 too low will cause the over-run problem mentioned by the OP, especially if it's a heavy charge that gets up to full speed. It doesn't try to start slowing down soon enough, because the value (in grs.) is too close to zero & it over-shoots it's goal. Lighter charges don't run at the highest speed & therefore don't over-shoot the entered weight. These three parameters set where the speed changes: from full to high, from high to slow, & from slow to trickle.

It never gets a chance to slow down and trys to stop at 21.2gr from the fast feed mode. It makes the stop but then will read from .1 to .8gr over. I will make the changes tonight. I also mover the ChargeMaster to it's own table beside my reloading bench to remove any vibration from the press being used. Don
 
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