RCBS chargemaster issues

[tillroot1]

Hi Folks, I am on my second RCBS 1500 chargemaster, the first one lasted me over 10 years, this one is less than 2 years old, I noticed as of late it struggles to finish a consistant charge, now its stopping and giving the audible beep when a full grain shy of the set amount programed in, or it will just stop, not beep and not trickle to finish the charge. I am wondering if anyone is experiencing these same issues, how did they address it, are there other set ups that are more dependable? I know I can contact RCBS and I am sure I will, I just wanted to see what opinions were here?

thank you,

Ron Tilley

 

[BlueWater]

Am assuming you're calibrating each session, and each change in powder.

Does this also occur each session? Does it occur with each of your various powders (if using more than one)?

 

[CharlieNC]

Ron the only light charges I've experienced occured due to bumping the bench, vibration, or a similar disturbance. Do you observe anything unusual?

 

[rijndael]

Am assuming you're calibrating each session, and each change in powder.

Why is that needed?

I just put on a few check weights at each startup, and if it weighs correctly (which it nearly always does), I just start using it. I was pretty surprised how little it needs to be calibrated.

 

[Charlie-NY]

I doubt that RCBS will be of much help. After the first year you are on your own. There is a telecommunication company that has made a name for themselves by rebuilding the Chargemaster for a flat rate. RCBS is who put me on to them when my unit began giving me problems. They will fix anything or everything for the same charge.

 

[tillroot1]

I do calibrate each time, I always turn it on and let it sit for a while, it started sporadic, now every time I use it, I have to constantly watch the display to complete the charges.

 

[jnyfeler]

I doubt that RCBS will be of much help. After the first year you are on your own. There is a telecommunication company that has made a name for themselves by rebuilding the Chargemaster for a flat rate. RCBS is who put me on to them when my unit began giving me problems. They will fix anything or everything for the same charge.

Do tell.

Jeff

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I havent had a single issue since going to straight battery power

 

[Stumpy1]

Do tell.

Jeff

Hi Jeff,

I am pretty sure he was referring to these guys. I have not personally used them, but kept the link on file just in case.

RCBS Repair

Lone Mountain Communications is a fully functional Two-Way radio communications maintenance facility offering extremely high quality workmanship, done right the first time. Lone Mountain Communications also provides new and reconditioned Two-Way radios, as well as parts, accessories and the...

www.lonemountaincommunications.com

Hope this helps,

Frank

 

[338 dude]

Hi Folks, I am on my second RCBS 1500 chargemaster, the first one lasted me over 10 years, this one is less than 2 years old, I noticed as of late it struggles to finish a consistant charge, now its stopping and giving the audible beep when a full grain shy of the set amount programed in, or it will just stop, not beep and not trickle to finish the charge. I am wondering if anyone is experiencing these same issues, how did they address it, are there other set ups that are more dependable? I know I can contact RCBS and I am sure I will, I just wanted to see what opinions were here?

thank you,

Ron Tilley

Mine has never done anything like that mine was replaced when it could not be re-zeroed

 

[338 dude]

My machine is hooked to a battery back up power supply line conditioner I never shut my unit off I use a McDonald’s straw and have tuned up the Settings through YouTube videos mine works great although this is my second one when your unit will not zero out it is done.

 

[Charlie-NY]

Hi Jeff,

I am pretty sure he was referring to these guys. I have not personally used them, but kept the link on file just in case.

RCBS Repair

Lone Mountain Communications is a fully functional Two-Way radio communications maintenance facility offering extremely high quality workmanship, done right the first time. Lone Mountain Communications also provides new and reconditioned Two-Way radios, as well as parts, accessories and the...

www.lonemountaincommunications.com

Hope this helps,

Frank

Yup - that's the place. I had my Chargemaster repaired/rebuilt and it has been working fine ever since.

Using the link provided above I took a fresh look at the LoneMountain site. It is now loaded with info on repairing (or even replacing) your Chargemaster 1500. The only thing that I did not see was the "repair anything/everything @ one price". I guess you need to call and see what their current pricing structure is.

 

[Ackman]

Hi Folks, I am on my second RCBS 1500 chargemaster, the first one lasted me over 10 years, this one is less than 2 years old, I noticed as of late it struggles to finish a consistant charge, now its stopping and giving the audible beep when a full grain shy of the set amount programed in, or it will just stop, not beep and not trickle to finish the charge. I am wondering if anyone is experiencing these same issues, how did they address it, are there other set ups that are more dependable? I know I can contact RCBS and I am sure I will, I just wanted to see what opinions were here?

thank you,

Ron Tilley

My second chargemaster over many years and lots of use finally stopped working. First some of the buttons, then it wouldn’t even turn on. A company in Arizona replaced all the guts/electricals, basically rebuilt the whole thing. Now it’s better than new. The RCBS people can tell you who to contact.

 

[M-61]

I never shut my unit off

For what it's worth RCBS does not recommend this. I have no issues at all with mine (7 years) I did call them and other than changing where you are reloading (temp change) they said to shut it off when done. When starting in the same tamp no warm-up time was necessary. They seemed to suggest that leaving it on was more of a safety concern than anything. I know some folks leave there phone charger plugged in all the time. When not in use obviously) Personally I don't leave it plugged in and have no idea if it's a safety hazard or not.

 

[Zero333]

Make sure the unit is level. Adjust the feet accordingly. Re-program to the type of powder being used.

Primal Rights

Primal Rights

www.primalrights.com

 

[johnmyers]

This sounds off the wall but my unit is old and when I called RCBS about problem the lady said to wipe screen and front down with a dryer sheet. Problem solved hope this works for you

 

[Zero333]

I wipe my CM1500 with dryer sheet periodically as well.
I also put 2 Ferrite Chokes on the electrical cord. One choke near the Chargemaster and the other near the receptacle.

I castellated the mouth of the straw so it can throw 1 or 2 kernels at a time when trickling. Might be ugly, but it works !




I twist the straw to make the intake opening smaller or bigger, depending on the size of the kernels. If it overthrows more than 2 times every 50 rounds, I make the opening smaller.

If it takes too long to trow and trickle a charge, I make the opening bigger...



For ball powders I make the opening very small by turning the straw so part of the opening is covered by the tube...
After I'm done loading with ball powder, I take the straw out and blow out whatever is remaining in the tube because fine ball powders find their way between the straw and tube.

 

[jnyfeler]

Hi Jeff,

I am pretty sure he was referring to these guys. I have not personally used them, but kept the link on file just in case.

RCBS Repair

Lone Mountain Communications is a fully functional Two-Way radio communications maintenance facility offering extremely high quality workmanship, done right the first time. Lone Mountain Communications also provides new and reconditioned Two-Way radios, as well as parts, accessories and the...

www.lonemountaincommunications.com

Hope this helps,

Frank

Thank you, Frank.

Jeff

 

[jnyfeler]

Yup - that's the place. I had my Chargemaster repaired/rebuilt and it has been working fine ever since.

Using the link provided above I took a fresh look at the LoneMountain site. It is now loaded with info on repairing (or even replacing) your Chargemaster 1500. The only thing that I did not see was the "repair anything/everything @ one price". I guess you need to call and see what their current pricing structure is.

Thanks, Charlie.

Jeff

 

[tommeboy]

Mine is so old you can't do any adjustments to it. No auto dispense. Never had any problems. Can't remember the last time I calibrated it. I have a couple of bullets I check the weights with once in a while. The only time it varies anything is if I don't turn it on at least a 1/2 hr before i need it. As long as it has had time to settle it works perfect. And I get a over charge about 1 out of 200 charges.

I must have got a good one. it is really old. I dont remember when i bought it but it was when it first came out.