FX-120i observations

[itchyTF]

I was messing around with my controller to see how well I could tune it for short stick (Varget) to maximize speed and accuracy. Everyone knows the FX scales/balances are fast responders. While trickling at a fairly fast speed the numbers were flying on the display. When I got to my VSlo speed (Very Slow) dropping kernel by kernel I noticed the scale took a bit to settle. My target weight was 34.00 grains and the trickler would stop when 34.00 was displayed but a second or two later it rose to 34.02 or sometimes even 34.04. I can slow the trickler down to allow for that but I would lose in the speed category. I have the FX set to Fast response. Just wondering if anyone else has seen this behavior with the FX series.

I modified the trickler box to hold the supplied stylus.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Quite often. Goes the other way too on occasion. . It may be that the actual weight is between the scales' ability to display it

 

[ronemus]

What is your humidity level? In a humid environment powder weight will increase as moisture is absorbed (and decrease at low RH). The scale is sensitive to temperature swings as well, and will shift over time (auto-zero corrects this). Either effect could explain part or all of your observations. the weight displayed when the measure stops is quite accurate - letting the charge sit has unintended consequences. sitting around and looking also reduces your speed.

 

[ogre1911]

Yes

 

[MikeRu]

Room air currents might cause slower operation so close any vents or fans, and use a housing of some kind around the platen. And sit still.

 

[209jones]

Could be the powder granules are just the wrong weight to register without going over that 100th boundary, winds up on a parameter that rounds it up. Take one out and it may go back to the zero.

 

[itchyTF]

What is your humidity level? In a humid environment powder weight will increase as moisture is absorbed (and decrease at low RH). The scale is sensitive to temperature swings as well, and will shift over time (auto-zero corrects this). Either effect could explain part or all of your observations. the weight displayed when the measure stops is quite accurate - letting the charge sit has unintended consequences. sitting around and looking also reduces your speed.

I’m running in a dehumidified basement. It runs between 45% & 50% with the temperature in the 60’s. No vents so no air currents. It’s not from my movements or breathing.

I can’t imagine powder would absorb moisture (from the air) in a second or two.

 

[JLittle]

Static?

 

[itchyTF]

Static?

If the humidity was real low, maybe but not where it’s at.

 

[smoooth]

There are lots of little things that will get you chasing your tail trying to pinpoint, be it stray voltage from lighting or other electronics nearby, fluctuations in your power supply, air currents, air pressure, gremlins in the scale parameters, kernel size and weight consistency, vibration, etc., etc…..
Which one, or which combination of those things, is just one more thing to obsess over in an already OCD sport!

Are you able to shoot and measure the difference between your 34.00gn and 34.02 (or 34.04gn) loads??? Is there a difference in group size???

Have you tried going metric for the slight gain in scale resolution??

So many things to think about!!

 

[SeabeeKen]

My S203 is very sensitive to variations in gravity if used in different areas of the country. So the instructions say. I've gone back to my beam scales

 

[itchyTF]

I doubt I could shoot the difference of .02 or .04. I was just trying to compare my setup with post #203 in Ingenuity Sightings by @PatMiles. I was getting similar results when I noticed the FX behavior. I could slow down the kernel by kernel drop to as long as 10 seconds but that would kill the trickle time. Personally I’m not in a hurry so if I wanted the gnat’s ass I could delay 1 or 2 seconds and not be bothered.