AutoTrickler V4

[tac284]

Waiting somewhat impatiently.

Beings this will be my first I have some patience… but John’s videos are wearing that down, lol. I fall in the December ship date so I have awhile.

 

[Jager]

Here's what you can look forward to in switching your unit from the V3 to V4

Thanks, John. Your setup video makes it pretty clear what those of us with V3 AutoTricklers have to look forward to.

The good news is that it looks like those of us using the Area 419 aluminum powder cup can continue using it.

The bad news - and, really, the only downside to the V4 that I can see - is that those of us using the Area 419 platen (purpose-designed to integrate with the 419 powder cup) will have to go back to the stock, OEM platen.

 

[adamjmac]

Thanks, John. Your setup video makes it pretty clear what those of us with V3 AutoTricklers have to look forward to.

The good news is that it looks like those of us using the Area 419 aluminum powder cup can continue using it.

The bad news - and, really, the only downside to the V4 that I can see - is that those of us using the Area 419 platen (purpose-designed to integrate with the 419 powder cup) will have to go back to the stock, OEM platen.

I think you could put a spacer on that to stop the cup at the right place.

 

[Jager]

I think you could put a spacer on that to stop the cup at the right place.

Roger that, Adam.

The benefit of the Area 419 powder cup is that aluminum is significantly more electrically conductive than is glass. And aluminum's higher resistance to static charge means that very fine powders are less prone to stick to it. I use a lot of W296/H-110 in .300 Blackout, .22 Hornet, and several handgun calibers... which is why that property is important to me.

The benefit of the Area 419 platen - beyond its much more robust build (something that, admittedly, has little practical effect) - is that the "latch up" when sliding the (419) cup across the platen into position is notably more positive than the stock, OEM platen. Those who have used the Area 419 platen / powder cup combo will know what I'm talking about.

I'm not a beta tester (my V4 was ordered through CE and isn't due until the first week of December), but one suggestion I'd make for the distant V5 iteration is to perhaps look at an aluminum cup and Area 419's platen design.

That all said... please don't take my thoughts as undue criticism. It's really a bunch of angels dancing on the head of a pin. Your AutoTrickler design is rock solid. And I wouldn't want anyone to think otherwise.

I can't recommend it highly enough.

 

[divingin]

John; Not sure what you have, but would the 419 platen turned backwards work with the 419 cup and the V4 trickler? It looks like it would be at least close to lining up. You'd have to insert and pull, rather than insert to the stop, but at least you wouldn't have $75 sitting on a shelf.

Just curiosity here; I don't own one.

 

[F Class John]

John; Not sure what you have, but would the 419 platen turned backwards work with the 419 cup and the V4 trickler? It looks like it would be at least close to lining up. You'd have to insert and pull, rather than insert to the stop, but at least you wouldn't have $75 sitting on a shelf.

Just curiosity here; I don't own one.

I don’t own one either. I have found that the factory plates works fantastic for my needs (both in the past and on the V4) and you will see in my upcoming videos that it’s not an issue with cup placement at all.

 

[F Class John]

Here we go, it's up and running!

 

[ormandj]

Thanks for the video! The emptying process seems annoying - I left a comment on the YT video, but couldn’t you just run it with a charge larger than the remaining powder, and let it empty that way? That’s how I’ve always cleared all of my automated charge dispensers in the past.

 

[F Class John]

Thanks for the video! The emptying process seems annoying - I left a comment on the YT video, but couldn’t you just run it with a charge larger than the remaining powder, and let it empty that way? That’s how I’ve always cleared all of my automated charge dispensers in the past.

Yeah you could do that to I guess, I'll give it a try but it takes just seconds to empty it either way. Definitely faster for me than the v3 and far less potential mess.

 

[BigPrince]

Thanks for the video! The emptying process seems annoying - I left a comment on the YT video, but couldn’t you just run it with a charge larger than the remaining powder, and let it empty that way? That’s how I’ve always cleared all of my automated charge dispensers in the past.

I did that the first time with my v3 then tapped it just to be sure and watched more come out (Varget). Not sure if the v4 would have any that stuck around after that emptying load.

 

[ormandj]

Copy that. It was one thing that really bugged me on the v3. I never had those issues with the Chargemasters/etc I ran before. I was hoping this would be more like that, as it sure was convenient. It’s hard to see what’s going on behind those little plastic doors so I wasn’t sure what the situation was.

Either way, great video, and thank you for taking the time to post it!

 

[Jager]

Here we go, it's up and running!

Wow. The two minor hassles with the V3 for me have been dumping powder from the AutoThrow/AutoTrickler when a load session is finished; and frequently having to adjust the arm on the AutoThrow when changing powders/calibers.

The V4 nailed both of those issues. And the green your-charge-is-ready light is just such a nice touch. Can't wait for my unit!

Another great video, John.

 

[adamjmac]

Thanks for the video! The emptying process seems annoying - I left a comment on the YT video, but couldn’t you just run it with a charge larger than the remaining powder, and let it empty that way? That’s how I’ve always cleared all of my automated charge dispensers in the past.

If you just run the tubes at full speed it will take a while for them to empty. The small tube especially will have some kernels in there floating around for a long time. It's just much better to tilt the unit backwards and it will all fall out immediately.

John didn't show what the back looks like but you will need to look back there and see that it's empty. Also you can look through the tubes from the front and see that they are empty. The entire assembly is wide open and powder is only in a couple of places so it's easy to be sure there's no powder. Trying to design the housing to be machinable while also having suitable slopes, curves, and no sharp corners that powder can get stuck on was a HUGE challenge.

 

[dttheliman]

@adamjmac or John, looks like you have done away with the coarse powder adjustment on (std on every hopper since the cows came home ) That's awesome hate messing with them cant wait until I get mine own V1,V2,V3 and all the shiny bits since then.

 

[F Class John]

@adamjmac or John, looks like you have done away with the coarse powder adjustment on (std on every hopper since the cows came home ) That's awesome hate messing with them cant wait until I get mine own V1,V2,V3 and all the shiny bits since then.

Yes the course powder adjustment is gone because the machine automatically knows where to drop it so if you are doing ladder charges or switching between different powders you never have to touch the machine. You just enter your new charge weight and it automatically knows what to drop. It’s pretty awesome.

 

[Sandstorm]

I used to think the V3 was the best thing since sliced bread...but..hmmmm
this may be all I never dreamed of....Great job @adamjmac
and thanks for video F Class John

 

[Panama Evans]

Here's what you can look forward to in switching your unit from the V3 to V4

You're great doing these videos for people. Great work on the details. I love how my sartorius works with the V3, and the accuracy is amazing now that I have everything setup the way I want. I know Sartorius isn't the prefered scale, and it isn't economical for adam to make systems for different models of balances. I found a work around because I have a CPA324S and adam's set up for the Entrise 64. Took just a little work, but worth it.

 

[F Class John]

You're great doing these videos for people. Great work on the details. I love how my sartorius works with the V3, and the accuracy is amazing now that I have everything setup the way I want. I know Sartorius isn't the prefered scale, and it isn't economical for adam to make systems for different models of balances. I found a work around because I have a CPA324S and adam's set up for the Entrise 64. Took just a little work, but worth it.

Thank you for the kind words and I’m glad you enjoy the videos and find them helpful.

 

[jthor]

 

[ormandj]

Nice view, and that’s a quick dispense. The green light is a nice visual aid; what a nice idea.