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Acculab

My acculab has been a serious disappointment. The air
in my shop is so still,it goes to sleep .But my acculab
just keeps on floating up then down.stays zeroed for a
brief moment,then down the road
 
I have the acculab. Let it warm up for a minimum of one hour before using it, I know some guys thhat always leave it plugged in,even when it is off, the power symbol on the screen stays on when it is plugged in) My scale holds zero best with a pan on the platen, then zeroed. I throw into a pan, then dump into a pan on the platen. For whatever the reason it likes to always have weight on it?

Hope this helps.

AW.
 
My numbers just float,when I try to use it. I tried it that way.and it has been plugged in for 6 mo.It needs a new home,
in my dumpster
 
Mine drove me nuts. Kept it plugged in full time in a totally draft free basement. It's readout drifted unaccountably while using and drifted over night while not using. I'd weigh out five cases, sing a song after charging each case while it decided on a readout, then I'd go back to re-weigh the first case and get a very completely different result. I sent it back to vendor and got a full refund.

Gladly and happily went back to my Tanita and easily saved over 1/2 charging time per tray of 50 rounds. Hey. It fits in my pocket, registers weight in 2 seconds. Results on target show I can live with .05 grain,2 kernels of Varget) discrimination.

Frank
 
Don't give up on it. You can also adjust the sensitivity, I believe this is outlined in the manual. As stated if you cannot get it to settle it has a 2 year warranty. If you purchased from sinclair give them a call.

AW.
 
I work daily with precision analytical balances,I'm a research chemist) that offer the precision and resolution we're looking for here, but those instruments cost thousands to tens of thousands of dollars. To reach a price we're willing to pay, some corners must be cut,vendors won't line up to sell to us below cost). Unfortunately, the instruction manuals accompanying our scales generally aren't very good at spelling out the steps necessary to have then operate to our satisfaction.

For stable zeros it's necessary to warm up for at least a few hours,they're generally left on continuously to avoid drift) and keep the room temperature fairly constant,within a few degrees).

Inexpensive scales such as these are commonly bothered by power line noise and transients, but those van be eliminated by using a filtered power strip; I use and recommend a Tripp-Lite isobar.

Static electricity can easily shift readings by a few grains, so it pays to wipe down all plastic surfaces with an antiststic such as a drier sheet. Don't wear nylon or other static-prone fabrics when working with the scale. A humidifier set to maintain 35% RH will help a lot.

It is necessary to isolate the scale from drafts and vibrations. Laboratory scales with this sort of resolution generally have a housing around the pan with sliding doors for access and vibration isolators in the feet. An air current that's not eve perceptible can easily shift readings at the level of precision we're looking for, but opening and closing a door is a nuisance when you're trying to up the pace. I use a carboard file box,intended for archival document storage) with one end cut out placed over the scale. The side goes down so the box can be removed for filleing with powder, etc. without disturbing the scale. I leave off the top,now facing forward) so I can work my Pact scale/dispenser. With the bench closing the bottom and the box closing three sides and the top, air currents have a hard time getting to the scale.

Vibrations are another problem - you don't want to have heavy equipment operating nearby, or foot traffic on a residential floor. You can make a vibration isolator by putting a heavy plate,Steel, stone, concrete, etc.) on a slab of soft foam, but it may not be effective; really good vibration isolators are expensive.
 
ronemus
Some terrific info there. Good post thanks. You recommend the Tripp-Lite isobar. I checked them out. Could you go so far as to be more specific as to which model. I'm looking for the most cost effective unit available that will filter out the power line noise as you described. I'm pretty dumb when it comes to electrical stuff. Thanks in advance

Bob
I had/have pretty much the same expierience as you. My scale sat for over a month because it wandered just as you described.
I've found with mine that if you just keep rezeroing it it will settle down and stop.
Not necessarily the end of all wandering though. While weighing charges its very important to keep an eye on the negative pan weight reading while the scale is empty. If that deviates more than .02 gns I rezero or reweigh until the negative reading returns to normal.
I've seen my scale perform at its best at 2-3 am while the power grid is idling and the house is quiet. I'm hoping a power filter will help further.
 
Any of the Tripp-Lite isobar Ultra series will do the job; I use one for my setup as I only need power line filtering and surge protection. I've also used the Tripp-Lite TLP810NET where I needed protection for ethernet, phone line and/or coaxial connections.
 
Here are some things I've done to help with my MXX-123.

Room must be draft free. Mines below ground level so no problem there.

Control humidity and temperature in the reloading room. Mine is at 72 degrees and 45-50% relative humidity.

Use a surge protector/line conditioner. Mine is an APC unit. I've 100% fluorescent lighting in my reloading room, with no ill effects.

Have a reloading bench that is solid as a rock. This is very important. Mine is made out of 2X6's and 4X4's with a 2X6 top covered with 3/4 inch plywood covered with Formica. Weighs a ton and would support a Humvee.

For extra stability for your scale go to a supplier/installer of granite floors and kitchen tops get a piece of scrap granite from them that's at least an inch thick and polished super smooth mines irregular shaped about 18X18 super smooth, level, and heavy. Scale sits on this. Price was free since it was scrap. If you have to pay scrap price it will be cheap too. If you have them cut you a piece it will cost more, but you can get the exact size you want.

You also can get Granite Surface Plates from Enco from 2-4 inches thick but beware they are HEAVY. For example the 2 inch thick 9X12 weighs a hefty 30 pounds! Shipping will be almost the cost of the plate which is $14.95. Check out their website www.use-enco.com they have great prices on measuring equipment as well. I buy from them all the time fast shipping and they stand 100% behind everything they sell.

Danny

Don't cover the entire top unless you plan on doing your kitchen counters too. Otherwise YOU WILL have some big explaining to do to the War Department!!!!!LOL!
 

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