AutoTrickler V4 Troubleshooting

[ivanpros]

Hoping someone can help here. I reached out to MacDonald Innovations to get the correct flow rate. I tried putting shims under the feet of the autotrickler and it worked, but they were washers and not a long term solution. Below is what MacDonald Innovations recommended, but now my FX-120I is not level and I am concerned I will not get accurate readings.

"'Just remove all shims, put a level on the roof panel and adjust the scale feet until the roof panel is level. This is a starting point and is supposed to produce a flow rate around 0.19 with a typical rifle powder.

Then calibrate, and then adjust the scale feet again as necessary until the flow rate is 0.19 to 0.23. Anywhere in this range should be good for most powders."

My response, awaiting reply-
Ok, as you can see I am really trying to get this right. I went ahead removed the washers and adjusted the feet. Looks like the feet do adjust more, just stopped seeing a change in the bubble on the scale, but you can see the adjustment needed with the bubble on the roof. This provides the target drop. My only question left I think is, does this affect the accuracy of the scale, since it is not level itself now?

 

[Sgt. Brumbaugh]

Balance it until the bubble on the housing of the scale is level.

 

[ivanpros]

Balance it until the bubble on the housing of the scale is level.

thanks, unfortunately this causes it to overthrow in the ,28 range. Looks like I just figured out a fix that is giving .21 right on the money. Used two sided gel tape stacked on each other on both sides and it worked. If anyone out there knows of any other fix please join in.

 

[Janeau]

Balance the scale with the in bedded level. You are overthinking all this.
Put shim under the powder dispenser feet - each side - carboard will do.
This is necessary ONLY if the powder ypu use cannot be calibrated within parameters in the apps. Not necessary with 98 % of powder.

 

[Walt Krafft]

My scale works fine with the front raised up. Get the calibration number down and you will be fine. Dont over think it.

 

[ivanpros]

Balance the scale with the in bedded level. You are overthinking all this.
Put shim under the powder dispenser feet - each side - carboard will do.
This is necessary ONLY if the powder ypu use cannot be calibrated within parameters in the apps. Not necessary with 98 % of powder.

Thanks, I guess that works as well. I did it on the front feet of the plastic frame and looks like same end result.

 

[ivanpros]

My scale works fine with the front raised up. Get the calibration number down and you will be fine. Dont over think it.

Thanks, running H4350. Took some tinkering, but got it working.

 

[sgav8r]

First, let me applaud you for actually taking the time to read and follow the instructions regarding V4 tilt angle and calibration. So many users have completely ignored the importance of those two things, and then taken to the internet to bash a product they don’t even understand how to use.

Obviously any advice you get from Adam is golden and it’s sure to get you running. I personally am not a fan of using “shims”, and I do not favor the idea of messing with the level of the balance itself. The solution is to just contact @JustDreaming right here on this forum and inquire about buying one of his “riser mods”. I think it’s one of the absolute best performance upgrades you can make to the V4 (that and the new fine tube overserts from MK Machining). Both are total game changers for the V4 (imo). Here’s a pic of the riser mod…


It completely replaces the OEM draft shield, and the top plate MacDonald makes. I find this system to be MUCH more stable (sturdier platform for the V4) and so simple to easily adjust the tilt angle (simply turn the thumb screw). I highly recommend looking at just doing that. There are a lot of users on here who will vouch for the superiority of that riser mod.

 

[ivanpros]

First, let me applaud you for actually taking the time to read and follow the instructions regarding V4 tilt angle and calibration. So many users have completely ignored the importance of those two things, and then taken to the internet to bash a product they don’t even understand how to use.

Obviously any advice you get from Adam is golden and it’s sure to get you running. I personally am not a fan of using “shims”, and I do not favor the idea of messing with the level of the balance itself. The solution is to just contact @JustDreaming right here on this forum and inquire about buying one of his “riser mods”. I think it’s one of the absolute best performance upgrades you can make to the V4 (that and the new fine tube overserts from MK Machining). Both are total game changers for the V4 (imo). Here’s a pic of the riser mod…
View attachment 1749969
View attachment 1749970
It completely replaces the OEM draft shield, and the top plate MacDonald makes. I find this system to be MUCH more stable (sturdier platform for the V4) and so simple to easily adjust the tilt angle (simply turn the thumb screw). I highly recommend looking at just doing that. There are a lot of users on here who will vouch for the superiority of that riser mod.

Thank you, looks like I was on to something here. Just wanted to make sure it was not operator error first. Looks like this has the relief I need to cant the dropper further back than the OEM. I will reach out @JustDreaming and will get the overserts from MK Machining

 

[sgav8r]

Thank you, looks like I was on to something here. Just wanted to make sure it was not operator error first. Looks like this has the relief I need to cant the dropper further back than the OEM. I will reach out @JustDreaming and will get the overserts from MK Machining

View attachment 1750100View attachment 1750101

Another thing you could try is removing that rear bumper pad and then threading your own nylon thumb-screw into the existing MacDonald V4 cover. I’ve thought about trying that (it would save a few bucks) but I’ve just gone ahead and bought the riser-mod for both my V4’s. I like how sturdy they are and the fact that they have sliding doors on the front. I think you’re going to love those overserts from MKM.

 

[D Coots]

First, let me applaud you for actually taking the time to read and follow the instructions regarding V4 tilt angle and calibration. So many users have completely ignored the importance of those two things, and then taken to the internet to bash a product they don’t even understand how to use.

Obviously any advice you get from Adam is golden and it’s sure to get you running. I personally am not a fan of using “shims”, and I do not favor the idea of messing with the level of the balance itself. The solution is to just contact @JustDreaming right here on this forum and inquire about buying one of his “riser mods”. I think it’s one of the absolute best performance upgrades you can make to the V4 (that and the new fine tube overserts from MK Machining). Both are total game changers for the V4 (imo). Here’s a pic of the riser mod…
View attachment 1749969
View attachment 1749970
It completely replaces the OEM draft shield, and the top plate MacDonald makes. I find this system to be MUCH more stable (sturdier platform for the V4) and so simple to easily adjust the tilt angle (simply turn the thumb screw). I highly recommend looking at just doing that. There are a lot of users on here who will vouch for the superiority of that riser mod.

Great advise right there and stay with the original glass powder dealie.

 

[sgav8r]

Great advise right there and stay with the original glass powder dealie.

You talking about the powder cup?
I actually prefer the IP cup. It’s funny… that’s basically my #3 recommendation for V4 upgrades:
1. Riser mod
2. Overserts
3. IP cup

 

[AICS308]

Balance the scale with the in bedded level. You are overthinking all this.
Put shim under the powder dispenser feet - each side - carboard will do.
This is necessary ONLY if the powder ypu use cannot be calibrated within parameters in the apps. Not necessary with 98 % of powder.

This is the best way I’ve found. I cut pieces from a business card and put under the dispenser feet. Between 1- 5 on each side will usually get where you want.

 

[D Coots]

Y

You talking about the powder cup?
I actually prefer the IP cup. It’s funny… that’s basically my #3 recommendation for V4 upgrades:
1. Riser mod
2. Overserts
3. IP cup
View attachment 1750273

Yes I was. I had an aftermarket one that powder bounced out of and the handle was too long to close the doors when drafty. Evidently the IP cup works.

What are overserts?

Later

Dave

 

[sgav8r]

Y

Yes I was. I had an aftermarket one that powder bounced out of and the handle was too long to close the doors when drafty. Evidently the IP cup works.

What are overserts?

Later

Dave

AutoTrickler V4 Overserts (3-Pack: #10 / #12 / #18)

AutoTrickler V4 Overserts are three overserts with different internal thread pitches to help accommodate different powder types.

www.mkmachining.com

 

[FarmallSM]

Hoping someone can help here. I reached out to MacDonald Innovations to get the correct flow rate. I tried putting shims under the feet of the autotrickler and it worked, but they were washers and not a long term solution. Below is what MacDonald Innovations recommended, but now my FX-120I is not level and I am concerned I will not get accurate readings.

"'Just remove all shims, put a level on the roof panel and adjust the scale feet until the roof panel is level. This is a starting point and is supposed to produce a flow rate around 0.19 with a typical rifle powder.

Then calibrate, and then adjust the scale feet again as necessary until the flow rate is 0.19 to 0.23. Anywhere in this range should be good for most powders."

My response, awaiting reply-
Ok, as you can see I am really trying to get this right. I went ahead removed the washers and adjusted the feet. Looks like the feet do adjust more, just stopped seeing a change in the bubble on the scale, but you can see the adjustment needed with the bubble on the roof. This provides the target drop. My only question left I think is, does this affect the accuracy of the scale, since it is not level itself now?

View attachment 1749843
View attachment 1749834View attachment 1749836View attachment 1749837View attachment 1749838

It’s so counterintuitive and goes against Fx120I instructions to take it out of level so V4 works correctly. I did play with shimming V4 and leaving scale level. That worked fine but too much screwing around to change powders.
I did both ways and got great results.
My OCD couldn’t stand it so I drilled and tapped the cover and installed a nylon leveling screw. The balance stays level. Now it’s a quick and easy adjustment to calibrate V4 for different powders.

 

[jpjulian]

I do not understand why there is a reluctance to follow the recommendations Adam gives on how to adjust flow rate. You do not need shims. You do not need any kind of inserts to the tube. You do not need to modify anything. You DO need to follow Adam's instructions. He designed and manufactures the device. My experience with my V4 following Adam's advice to adjust the scale feet for proper flow rate gives me an average of 96% accuracy to +-.02 grain with the powders I use. It works guys.

 

[muleystalker]

You can also get this shim pack that works great, made by a shooters son. I first saw them posted here by the father but I purchased them from one of the retailers that advertise here because I was making a purchase and saw them. I can't remember who but you can Order directly the email and phone # is on the card. These go under the back of the trickler where the trickle rest on the lid, the spot were others are putting the nylon screw. They work good and only take a secound to change out.