FX-120i, FX-200i, FX-300i Problems

[rardoin]

4.998 to 50.006 grams is a change of .016% .008 grains. Ill bet the interior volume of any two cases are not identical to within .008 grains of water.

Actually the OP is experiencing 0.12 grains variation which would be intolerable for my needs. (The OP posted variation in grams)

I also recommend a good quality line conditioner/surge protector. I use a Trpplite LC 1800. I have an old refrigerator/freezer on the same circuit as a Sartorious Entris 64 and when the compressor kicks in and out, the lights in the room will change intensity yet the scale readout remains dead nuts stable.

 

[Twoboxer]

This solved the air current problems for me, the dust cover isn't used at all. I block any air movement from the front. A cardboard box can be used for a test. JME, YMMV.

 

[T-shooter]

This solved the air current problems for me, the dust cover isn't used at all. I block any air movement from the front. A cardboard box can be used for a test. JME, YMMV.

I may give that a try. I played with the scale all day and noticed unless the breeze shield is on, it fill fluctuate between 2 readings back and forth. With everything closed up, it stays 99% stable. Also removing the top decreases the reading by increment, put it back on and it goes back up. The room I reload in is small, an 8' x 9'. There are no forced heat and nothing in the room moves except me breathing. Even sitting at arms length away, it still moves most of the time even with only one side panel off. I'm experimenting now. I tried a powder funnel in the top but the powder fell through too fast and some bounced out of the pan. So, I took a .308 case and cut the primer end off making a tube. It's clears the top of the powder pan by about 1/16". To slow down the powder I used a Dremmel with a small cut off disk and cut 2 slots in it about 2/3 of the way across and at 45 degree angles. One is angled to the right, and the other to the left, and inserted a thin piece of sheet metal in each as a baffle, so each one slows the powder flow. So far Varget and CFE223 can be poured in and none bounces out. My Dandy trickler is tall and long enough to reach the funnel too. On one side panel, I moved it to the outside and used white Gorilla duct tape on one end to act as a hinge. It opens and closes easily without leaving too much of a gap. So now it's touch free until the complete charge is dropped and blocked from almost all air flow. I'll try this for a day or so to see if it's worth while.

 

[Twoboxer]

. . . I tried a powder funnel in the top but the powder fell through too fast and some bounced out of the pan. . . .

While your funnel, tube, and baffles may have solved the powder bounce problem, keep in mind that you can use a "pan" with much higher sidewalls. Paper and plastic cups come to mind first.

 

[jlow]

I've been thing about trying to reduce the weighing surface area. Like you said, I think it too large and that could be a lot of the problems. The inner platform (pan support) could easily be cut down since it looks like chrome plated plastic and it has a ridge under it measuring 2.4" If I can find a stainless cover (weighing pan) for it that fits, it may be an improvement. I use the Dandy/Omega trickler and only leave one panel out when reloading.

Although wind could be your problem, I am a bit surprise the degree of problem you are having. I am still inclined to think that your problem is static except for the precautions you have already taken.

In terms of cutting the pan down, I would do that only as a very last ditch effort. Once you have done that, there is no "Going back". Instead, I would perhaps consider replacing it with a smaller pan? I am also concern the huge change in "base weight" the machine expects when the pan is gone...

 

[T-shooter]

Although wind could be your problem, I am a bit surprise the degree of problem you are having. I am still inclined to think that your problem is static except for the precautions you have already taken.

In terms of cutting the pan down, I would do that only as a very last ditch effort. Once you have done that, there is no "Going back". Instead, I would perhaps consider replacing it with a smaller pan? I am also concern the huge change in "base weight" the machine expects when the pan is gone...

Got it solved. Ordered a new pan support (which is chromed plastic) from A&D. Easy to cut down with hand tools. A&D also has a weighing pan (the stainless cover on the platform) for their HT-120 which is 2.75" diameter. This will reduce the platform size from 5.1" down to 2.75", only about 29% the surface area. That should help stop air from working on the large surface. It doesn't need to be that large for reloading. And I still have my original parts if there is a problem. I may have to add a little weight to the platform.

 

[T-shooter]

Although wind could be your problem, I am a bit surprise the degree of problem you are having. I am still inclined to think that your problem is static except for the precautions you have already taken.

In terms of cutting the pan down, I would do that only as a very last ditch effort. Once you have done that, there is no "Going back". Instead, I would perhaps consider replacing it with a smaller pan? I am also concern the huge change in "base weight" the machine expects when the pan is gone...

I'm attempting to insert a picture. The yellow line is where to cut. Should be easy to rough it out with a cut off grinder and round it on a bench grinder. Under $25 in parts plus shipping.

 

[T-shooter]

While your funnel, tube, and baffles may have solved the powder bounce problem, keep in mind that you can use a "pan" with much higher sidewalls. Paper and plastic cups come to mind first.

Here is a drawing of the funnel setup. I put a ring of epoxy to keep the funnel from moving. It's not glued to the lid.

 

[CharlieNC]

You have mentioned several indicators of static, such as deviations as you reached to touch it. While the temperature may be consistent, low humidity yields high static potential. It may be worth a simple experiment to humidify the room, cotton clothing vs synthetic, no rubber soles, etc.

 

[jlow]

I'm attempting to insert a picture. The yellow line is where to cut. Should be easy to rough it out with a cut off grinder and round it on a bench grinder. Under $25 in parts plus shipping.

Hope it works out - would love to hear how it goes!

 

[T-shooter]

You have mentioned several indicators of static, such as deviations as you reached to touch it. While the temperature may be consistent, low humidity yields high static potential. It may be worth a simple experiment to humidify the room, cotton clothing vs synthetic, no rubber soles, etc.

I've tried that plus coating everything with anti-static spray. Grounding everything and wearing a wrist strap so far has done nothing. At times I can move even slowly at over 2 ft away and see the numbers change and then go back. I thought magnetism but a magnet moved around the scale does nothing unless it's right on the weighing pan. Something is effecting it but I'm at a loss to know what. I again shut down everything including the router in the house. No change. The humidity today has been over 50% and the other conditions constant but the reading wanders back and forth 1 division.

This morning at about 9am I leveled it and did another calibration. The same weight 5 minutes later read .02 grains high. I put the breeze guard back stock and covered the hole on top. I zero'd a powder pan and put in a 75.00 grain weight. Within 4-5 minutes the scales was jumping to 75.02 and back to 75.00 about once every 2-4 seconds. That's with absolutely nothing moving in the room. I was 3 ft away from the scale. After about 15 minutes it settled at 75.02 and stayed there for a short while, then back to going between 75.02 and 75.00. Later it settled on 75.00 and then fluctuated between 75.00 and 74.98. Later on it climbed back up to 75.02 and after a while starting bouncing back to 75.00 every few seconds in no set pattern. I left the room for a couple hours and when I came back in it was on 74.98. Now it's back on 75.00 and is not moving for now. At times I could raise my arm from 2' away and the scale instantly responded. Not it doesn't and is 100% stable for the last half hour. I can pound on the desk and it doesn't seem sensitive to light vibrations. I have everything set for low stability. Just now it's fluctuation again every 3-4 seconds or so from 75.00 to 74.98 again. Nothing has changed. I'm the only person in the house. I have a weather meter and check the temp, humidity, and pressure. Nothing is changing and the temp and humidity have been almost constant all day. There are no cell phone towers close, no large power lines, and the nearest house is over 50 yards away. The neighbor on this side of the house was gone all day, no one home.

When the scale decides to be stable, it's rock solid. Other times like today it bounces back and forth between 2 weights, usually never no more than .02 grain one way or the other. Yesterday it was very stable for several hours, never moved once that I know of. I've also noticed while the shown weight varies a bit, the negative weight with the powder pan removed is very constant. Also, any time I remove the plastic lid, the scale reads .02 lower. Everything except the clear panels have been treated with anti-static spray. Was stable for a couple minutes, now bouncing between 75.00 and 74.98 again. I turned on a laser printer that makes lights flicker a little when it starts and it had no effect on the scale. Maybe it I built a faraday cage around it? I'm sure there are other forces in nature but I don't have the means to check for them.

 

[nmjwolf]

Maybe send it in for repair? Could be something wrong with the drive circuit.

Just a thought.

 

[jlow]

I've tried that plus coating everything with anti-static spray. Grounding everything and wearing a wrist strap so far has done nothing. At times I can move even slowly at over 2 ft away and see the numbers change and then go back. I thought magnetism but a magnet moved around the scale does nothing unless it's right on the weighing pan. Something is effecting it but I'm at a loss to know what. I again shut down everything including the router in the house. No change. The humidity today has been over 50% and the other conditions constant but the reading wanders back and forth 1 division.

This morning at about 9am I leveled it and did another calibration. The same weight 5 minutes later read .02 grains high. I put the breeze guard back stock and covered the hole on top. I zero'd a powder pan and put in a 75.00 grain weight. Within 4-5 minutes the scales was jumping to 75.02 and back to 75.00 about once every 2-4 seconds. That's with absolutely nothing moving in the room. I was 3 ft away from the scale. After about 15 minutes it settled at 75.02 and stayed there for a short while, then back to going between 75.02 and 75.00. Later it settled on 75.00 and then fluctuated between 75.00 and 74.98. Later on it climbed back up to 75.02 and after a while starting bouncing back to 75.00 every few seconds in no set pattern. I left the room for a couple hours and when I came back in it was on 74.98. Now it's back on 75.00 and is not moving for now. At times I could raise my arm from 2' away and the scale instantly responded. Not it doesn't and is 100% stable for the last half hour. I can pound on the desk and it doesn't seem sensitive to light vibrations. I have everything set for low stability. Just now it's fluctuation again every 3-4 seconds or so from 75.00 to 74.98 again. Nothing has changed. I'm the only person in the house. I have a weather meter and check the temp, humidity, and pressure. Nothing is changing and the temp and humidity have been almost constant all day. There are no cell phone towers close, no large power lines, and the nearest house is over 50 yards away. The neighbor on this side of the house was gone all day, no one home.

When the scale decides to be stable, it's rock solid. Other times like today it bounces back and forth between 2 weights, usually never no more than .02 grain one way or the other. Yesterday it was very stable for several hours, never moved once that I know of. I've also noticed while the shown weight varies a bit, the negative weight with the powder pan removed is very constant. Also, any time I remove the plastic lid, the scale reads .02 lower. Everything except the clear panels have been treated with anti-static spray. Was stable for a couple minutes, now bouncing between 75.00 and 74.98 again. I turned on a laser printer that makes lights flicker a little when it starts and it had no effect on the scale. Maybe it I built a faraday cage around it? I'm sure there are other forces in nature but I don't have the means to check for them.

I have to say it again, both CharlieNC and I have the same feelings and that is what you describe is the classic MO for a static problem.

 

[USMCDOC]

I have not had a chance to put in the new dedicated electrical line for the scale yet.. i feel that a big part of my issue is static.. i have been known to energize a light bulb up briefly

 

[T-shooter]

I have to say it again, both CharlieNC and I have the same feelings and that is what you describe is the classic MO for a static problem.

It very well could be but what else can I do to fix it?

 

[ED3]

It very well could be but what else can I do to fix it?

If the problem is indeed static (and that does seem likely), humidity control, along with control of synthetic clothing and decor( carpet/ furniture coverings) should resolve it. You mention wearing a static strap: The straps I've used were to be touched to a true earth ground to discharge my body. As soon as ground contact is broken, it's possible for a charge to begin redevelopment...movement wearing layers of synthetic clothing, moving across carpeted floor, or sliding in/ out of an upholstered chair....

 

[CharlieNC]

What is your grounding mechanism? I'm not an EE but I have observed electronics totally malfunction when different devices were attached to a common ground, creating stray currents. Look up "ground loops". You may want to run a dedicated wire to a peg in the earth to assure proper grounding.

 

[dickn52]

Lighting, you didn't mention your lighting source.

 

[jlow]

It very well could be but what else can I do to fix it?

Humidity control is indeed the answer. One can do a whole bunch of stuff like grounding, anti-static spray etc but that is all trying to treat the symptom which is always less effective than treating the cause. I have never tried this as I have never had that bad of a problem but something that can put a bit of water in the air might work - perhaps a nebulizer of some sort?

 

[CharlieNC]

Go to your favorite big box discount store and buy a room humidifier, probably under $30. Controlling humidity is not the answer, it needs to be increased to a high level. Run it overnight and try the scale the next day. Worst case is you will be less stuffy.