Chargemaster calibration problem

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Janitor

Janitor

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I went to use the Chargemaster last night, but it threw an 'ERROR' during calibration. This isn't a complaint about RCBS - the system has worked flawlessly for years - it's more a whine/plea for any ideas.

When I try to calibrate the scale ...

1: I select CAL, the scale settles and says "0"
2: Select CAL again it displays "-------" then returns with "50"
3: Put the 50gr weight on the platen, let the scale settle, hit CAL
4: Display says "ERROR"

- I know (very well) how to calibrate the system, and have tried at least 20 times since the original error. Fails same way every time.
- Even though I know how to calibrate it, I pulled out the manual and read that section again to be sure.
- Only thing about this in the manual is that I must be using the wrong weights. ugh
- I've tried after leaving it unplugged for a couple hours, no joy
- I've tried letting it warm up for a couple hours. Again ...
- From another post I found, I tried removing the platen and blowing out under it
- From the same post, I sure there are no cell phones or radios in the room

sigh

I've sent in an email to RCBS, but I can't imagine how they'd be able to get back to me for several days at best. Now, I'm posting here.

Left to my own devices, my next step will be to build a chicken bone cross and try something I heard about in the French quarter a long time ago.
 
Get ready to send it in for replacement. My neighbor is on his fourth machine and I am on number three. These are great machines when they work and I would never go back to a beam scale, but durable they are not. Btw, the neighbor uses his a whole lot more than I do.
 
I was prepared to get a new one. I'm fairly sure they're not going to want to replace one that's been in use for something like five to six years.

Today though, I just ignored it. Left it on all day and when I wanted to check the weight the measure on the press was throwing I just used my old 5-0-2 beam scale. (It may be slow to settle in, and it may be hard for my tired old eyes to read in all but the best light, but the darn thing has been working forever.) It also served to remind me how much easier the work flow is with the Chargemaster.

Anyway, not 20 minutes ago I had decided to try calibrating one more time and if I couldn't I was going to leave it unplugged overnight. Not sure what unplugging it would do, but it's a darn site quieter (and cleaner) than the ritual I remember with the chicken bone cross.

It calibrated. Took way longer than normal to come back from the 0 check and prompt me for the 50gr weight, but it did come back. I still expected the error but things just went fine.

I'll try again in the morning and double check it against the old beam. But this evening I'm (cautiously) about $200 happier than I was this morning. ;)
 
Last night was either a fluke, or something was different in the room. Powered it up this morning and let it "warm" for an hour or so. Still get the 'ERROR' when I try to cal the 50 gr weight.

I noticed that outside of cal, in measurement mode, that the measurement isn't at all stable. It was slowly climbing upwards as I stood there watching it. Something may have changed in the room but for the life of me I don't know what it is. I set zero on it about ten minutes ago. I'll see what the display reads after an hour or so.

Maybe I need to build a Faraday cage for it.
 
dnater said:
Yes they will. It won't be for free, but they offer very reasonable prices to replace machines that are out of warranty. Give them a call.
Click to expand...
THANKS!

I'll give them a ring if I can't nail this down to an environmental issue of some sort. I just can't imagine what may have changed though.
 
I have had my model 750 for over 7 years and have never had to recalibrate it . I also never unplug it and let it go into the sleep mode automatically rather than unplug it and let it discharge completely. I have checked it against my 5-0-5 beam scale dozens of times and has yet to be off ,,, EVER .

10 Spot
 
Janitor said:
.....Maybe I need to build a Faraday cage for it.
Click to expand...

you can try putting it in an old microwave! that's sort of a reverse Faraday cage - but cut the electric chord off the old microwave first for safety;)

I tried it on my digital - no help - there was other stuff wrong with it
 
dnater said:
Get ready to send it in for replacement. My neighbor is on his fourth machine and I am on number three. These are great machines when they work and I would never go back to a beam scale, but durable they are not. Btw, the neighbor uses his a whole lot more than I do.
Click to expand...

So between the two of you that's 7 machines but "you will never go back to a beam scale":confused: Yep they sound great.:rolleyes:
 
Electronic's....more trouble than they are worth. You didn't hold your mouth right, the moon wasn't in the right phase, it wouldn't work yesterday but works today...if I close one eye and tilt my head...and how do you check it...use the RCBS 5-0-5 scale thats 20 years old and still as accurate as hello...I'll just stick with the 5-0-5. Never did understand the attraction for electronic gizmo's
 
gwpercle said:
Electronic's....more trouble than they are worth. You didn't hold your mouth right, the moon wasn't in the right phase, it wouldn't work yesterday but works today...if I close one eye and tilt my head...and how do you check it...use the RCBS 5-0-5 scale thats 20 years old and still as accurate as hello...I'll just stick with the 5-0-5. Never did understand the attraction for electronic gizmo's
Click to expand...

Amen! What purpose do they serve especially the really expensive Powder Piddler's they trickle out some powder and weigh it?? I can charge 5 or more cases with a RCBS Uniflow in the space of time the electronic gadget spits out one and they are all precise. Weigh it once when setting it up and done.

Now if Ron Popeil made one it would work!:D

Set it and Forget it!
 
Last edited:
gwpercle said:
Electronic's....more trouble than they are worth. You didn't hold your mouth right, the moon wasn't in the right phase, it wouldn't work yesterday but works today...if I close one eye and tilt my head...and how do you check it...use the RCBS 5-0-5 scale thats 20 years old and still as accurate as hello...I'll just stick with the 5-0-5. Never did understand the attraction for electronic gizmo's
Click to expand...

Bought mine in 1974 when they were badged Ohaus. It still works just fine.
 
Got my 5-0-5 two years ago, 2nd hand on Ebay, replaced the Redding #1 ,with oil dampened beam, that I got in 1969. That magnetic dampening and three poise beam is about as techno-advanced as I care to go. Do wish I had obtained a better scale earlier, like your 74 Ohaus , but those puppies were expensive back then.
I also think a Ron Popeil scale would be great...It measures, and it slices , dices and does jullian fries
 
Last edited:
A lot if not all the beam scales are still Ohaus. Yes, Smurfs even the DILLON eliminator!. My one and only Dillon product.:D
 
Well, even though we seem to be filled w/ gadget hate (fear?) I've got an update. RCBS did indeed offer me quite a heavy discount - like 50% off list - to replace a 5-6 year old system.

One last check though. I spent a bunch of time disconnecting the scale from the dispenser - something like a minute - and the scale works fine. Calibrated it several times and checked it against the old, & hard to read but accurate and reliable beam scale and it was dead on the money.

Reconnected it to the dispenser and I'm home again. Tossed about 10 loads each of 3-4 different weights and every single one was right on the money according to the 5-0-2.
 
Rule3 said:
Amen! What purpose do they serve especially the really expensive Powder Piddler's they trickle out some powder and weigh it?? I can charge 5 or more cases with a RCBS Uniflow in the space of time the electronic gadget spits out one and they are all precise. Weigh it once when setting it up and done.

Now if Ron Popeil made one it would work!:D

Set it and Forget it!
Click to expand...

They serve the purpose of allowing me to weigh every round.

When I'm going for p-dogs @ 500-700 yards I'm not going to rely on a powder drop. Don't get me wrong - I like the Uniflow. I've used one before and if my workflow for handgun ammo needed a standalone powder drop I'd probably pick one up. With the right powder they are adequate.

While the Chargemaster is automatically "piddling" out the next charge I'm seating the bullet on the last one and checking OAL. It's done before I am.
 
I use an electronic scale and wouldn't go back. Having said that, if my scale had acted up as bad and as long as yours, it would be unredeemable. It is obvious that there is a problem that could surface at any time, it is time for a new scale. This one sounds untrustworthy.
RichH
 
As long?

I'd hardly call 5-6 years without a problem and a 60 second zero dollar fix the first time one comes up untrustworthy. And a workmate and I came up with the fix last Monday - didn't try it until today simply because it took me that long to get around to it.
 
what was the fix?

Janitor said:
......
One last check though. I spent a bunch of time disconnecting the scale from the dispenser - something like a minute - and the scale works fine. Calibrated it several times and checked it against the old, & hard to read but accurate and reliable beam scale and it was dead on the money.

Reconnected it to the dispenser and I'm home again. Tossed about 10 loads each of 3-4 different weights and every single one was right on the money according to the 5-0-2.
Click to expand...

What was the problem? and what was the fix?
was it just "rebooting" the system??
 
Glad you got it running. I just have no use for them, that's why they make all kinds of stuff in the world.

Any quality powder measure will accurately dispense the correct charge constantly, without the hassle of electronic "interference"
It's amazing how benchrest shooters survived before the electronic powder drop scale combos.;)
 
Thank you. I'm glad too - didn't like taking all that time to dump/weigh everything before seating bullets.

It's not at all amazing that BR shooters were surviving before electronic stuff. They also survived before arbor presses. As in all things since the dawn of time - folks did the best with what was available to them. That, or they came up with an improvement.
 
Don't get me wrong I like tech advancements to a point. For a few rifle rounds they may serve a purpose. My only complaint is they are really expensive, it has a computer and is electronic so it's gonna fail at some time. If they gave a lifetime warranty I would consider one. I have a pretty expensive electronic scale with wind screen and rubber base pad etc. I think I used it twice.
Lights, air conditioning, ceiling fans, breathing;) all mess it up.

Wait for the EMP blast, then you are doomed.;):D
 
I keep hearing horror stories about Chargemasters, but in five years and a LOT of charges mine has never given me a moment's trouble. I calibrate it every time I turn it on, and it never wavers. Now if it just had a buzzer to keep you from leaving the powder dumping port open, it'd be perfect!

I think the biggest problem with internet fora is that if there is a problem it gets posted for immediate discussion and there are lots of "yeah me too" posts, but the stuff that works fine doesn't get discussed much.
 
Bearings fail, gears fail, ain't nothing last forever 'cept my sweet Baby's love!:D
 
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