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Chargemaster died. Any suggestions?

slm9s

Gold $$ Contributor
We had a power outage from a windstorm last week and when I went reload the next day the Chargemaster's screen was blank. I always leave mine on so I thought uhoh. Sure enough, I think it gave up the ghost.

I got many years of great service from it. Is there any hope for this unit - will RCBS diagnose and service it? Offer discount on a replacement?

Or has a better or cheaper but as good unit come out since the introduction of the Chargemaster?

Thanks in advance.
 
This was from RCBS awhile ago. Other than changing it's location from one temperature to another there is no reason for a warm up period. I'm a real believer in reading and following the manufacturers instructions.

"From RCBS:
Chuck,
We don't recommend leaving your ChargeMaster left plugged in and turned on as it leaves it susceptible to power surges. We don't specifically advise against it in our instruction manual, but better safe than sorry. Also, along the lines of keeping your ChargeMaster ready to use, do not leave powder stored in the hopper as it will adhere and etch the plastic. It sounds as though you are following the instructions correctly. Hope this helps and thanks for contacting RCBS!"
 
We had a power outage from a windstorm last week and when I went reload the next day the Chargemaster's screen was blank. I always leave mine on so I thought uhoh. Sure enough, I think it gave up the ghost.

I got many years of great service from it. Is there any hope for this unit - will RCBS diagnose and service it? Offer discount on a replacement?

Or has a better or cheaper but as good unit come out since the introduction of the Chargemaster?

Thanks in advance.
Maybe you tried this, but many electronic devices get confused by outages. Try unplugging it for at least an hour and then try again. May help it to clear the cobwebs. Good luck.
 
get a good surge protector--lightening can intrude whether it is turned on or not.
 
We had a power outage from a windstorm last week and when I went reload the next day the Chargemaster's screen was blank. I always leave mine on so I thought uhoh. Sure enough, I think it gave up the ghost.

I got many years of great service from it. Is there any hope for this unit - will RCBS diagnose and service it? Offer discount on a replacement?

Or has a better or cheaper but as good unit come out since the introduction of the Chargemaster?

Thanks in advance.
 
As I recall, RCBS does not offer out-of-warranty repair, nor parts for repair, as the units are sourced complete from China.

The link 457 referenced is probably your best bet.
 
Good suggestion LRPV,

mine had an error code that couldn’t be cleared. It still powered up, but was non functional Which is why I sent mine in.

Neil
 
Problems I don't have.. Quite a while back I purchased a battery pack to power my Charge Master. I read about it here on the forum. My reasons are to isolate it from the harmonics in the house current. Surge protection is just a plus. Before that I had it plugged into an isolated power supply, with battery back up. I'd send it in and get it repaired.
 
We had a power outage from a windstorm last week and when I went reload the next day the Chargemaster's screen was blank. I always leave mine on so I thought uhoh. Sure enough, I think it gave up the ghost.

I got many years of great service from it. Is there any hope for this unit - will RCBS diagnose and service it? Offer discount on a replacement?

Or has a better or cheaper but as good unit come out since the introduction of the Chargemaster?

Thanks in advance.
Yes, there is a new kid on the block, but he is pricey. The FX120i V3 Auto Trickler, was just under $1200.00 back in July 2020. And that was priced with the Area 419 clear top and an extra glass pan. If your shooting out to 1000yds, the charge master will work for you, provided that you get a good one. It's one of them buy once cry once deals.
Justin over at Data Weighing Systems (www.dataweigh.com) can hook you up.
Good luck in your decision.
EDITED, I just learned Data Weighing Systems is no longer an Authorized Dealer. I'll call them tomorrow and find out what's up. Sorry.

 
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I bought my chargemaster 1500 in the eighties , wouldn't turn on , called RCBS they said it was out of warranty , kinda surprised me being I thought everything was lifetime . Had nothing so I removed the void labels , removed the screws and lightly cleaned off the boards , there was some grains of IMR 4064 on the boards , checked for loose connections and burn marks . Everything looked good except for the grains on the boards . Anyway reinstalled everything and to my surprise is still going strong for at least 6 years now . My not be the same because I don't keep mine plugged in but you have nothing to loose.

Chris
 
We had a power outage from a windstorm last week and when I went reload the next day the Chargemaster's screen was blank. I always leave mine on so I thought uhoh. Sure enough, I think it gave up the ghost.

I got many years of great service from it. Is there any hope for this unit - will RCBS diagnose and service it? Offer discount on a replacement?

Or has a better or cheaper but as good unit come out since the introduction of the Chargemaster?

Thanks in advance.
Get yourself a Talentcell rechargeable battery with a 5.5 mm male to male cord and run it like that. No need to worry about surges.
 
Last edited:
Yes, there is a new kid on the block, but he is pricey. The FX120i V3 Auto Trickler, was just under $1200.00 back in July 2020. And that was priced with the Area 419 clear top and an extra glass pan. If your shooting out to 1000yds, the charge master will work for you, provided that you get a good one. It's one of them buy once cry once deals.
Justin over at Data Weighing Systems (www.dataweigh.com) can hook you up.
Good luck in your decision.

Best scale decision I ever made was selling two charge masters and go with the FX120i V3 auto trickler with area419 top.
 

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