I don't know if this has been posted or not, but I discovered something today. I've used one for about 7 years. Always had calibration problems. Since I built my gun room and installed a dehumidifier in it the problem has got worse. I would calibrate and load about 5 charges then it would not zero. Calibrate load about 5 then have to recalibrate. Tried turning all lights out but one incandecant one. Tried anti static dryer sheets, wearing all cotton cloths, standing bare foot on concreate floor. I think I finally corrected the problem. I have a metal vise on the bench next to the charge master. I made up a wire with a male banana plug on one end and an alligator clip on the other. The banana plug fits perfect in the ground hole of a wall receptical. I clamp the alligator to the vise. After I calibrate the scale I touch the vise before I grab the powder pan, dump the charge and touch the pan to the vise before setting back on scale. Using this procedure I loaded 100 loads without recal. I noticed I could hear a small spark when touching the vise with hand before grabbing the pan. YMMV but this will be my procedure from now on. Hope this helps.
Finally some success with RCBS Charge Master!
- Thread starter jwolf
- Start date
pirate ammo
Guaranteed to take the wind out of their sails
powder pans made of aluminum,which will conduct eletricity,don't know how spark your creating but you can get thru body transfer.how much spark does take to set off powder,
I don't want to try that experament.
I don't want to try that experament.
long40shot
Gold $$ Contributor
That's more or less the same concept circuit board houses use at their assembly benches. Anti static mats and bonding bracelets.
He said he installed a de-humidifier in the room...there's probably most of the problem. Extremely dry air definitely pre-disposes the area to static build up and probably the number one thing that helps it happen. The clothes you wear are the second.
We had a petroleum barge blow up and kill a bunch of workers here many years ago...they attributed the explosion to a spark of static electricity off the one workers nylon knit pants. Grounding, giving static a path to safely discharge thru really is the best answer. You can increase the humidity and wear all cotton, but you might still have static build up.
I've never had trouble with my Chargemaster, but I can tell you that I did the same thing with my bead blaster...that thing would repeatedly light you up with severe static when using it. I mean see the arc and not no little one either!!!
We had a petroleum barge blow up and kill a bunch of workers here many years ago...they attributed the explosion to a spark of static electricity off the one workers nylon knit pants. Grounding, giving static a path to safely discharge thru really is the best answer. You can increase the humidity and wear all cotton, but you might still have static build up.
I've never had trouble with my Chargemaster, but I can tell you that I did the same thing with my bead blaster...that thing would repeatedly light you up with severe static when using it. I mean see the arc and not no little one either!!!
pirate ammo
Guaranteed to take the wind out of their sails
in the early 70's a grain elevator on the lower Mississippi had a major explosion while loading wheat,static charge caused from nearby thunderstorm and dust from the wheat being
loaded unto a bulk carrier,,elemanate the varibles and be SAFE!
dcali
Bullet Maker
I've not had any issues with my chargemaster, but as others said, humidity matters a lot. Static voltages spike up substantially when it drops. Keep it above 30-40% or so and you'll probably see static issues disappear.
http://esdsystems.descoindustries.com/whitepapers/wp_humidity.html
Check out the difference in static voltage from walking on a carpet at 20% vs 80% humidity. 1,500V vs 35,000V. Big difference.
http://esdsystems.descoindustries.com/whitepapers/wp_humidity.html
Check out the difference in static voltage from walking on a carpet at 20% vs 80% humidity. 1,500V vs 35,000V. Big difference.
It takes an extremely high concentration of dust, and a proximate charge to do this. Lots of dust (eg sugars) will do the same BOOM thing.
There is no such dust with smokeless powder.
Sorry been out shooting today. I live in western KY. I put the dehumidifier in because my tools and dies were trying to rust. I keep it about 35% in that room. I can hear a faint pop when touching the vise. The room is sealed with no windows. I've turned out the lights and can see no spark but there is a small popping sound about every other time I touch the vise. Today was the first time I tried the grounding wire we'll see how goes it in the future.
That should not happen at 35% humidity. You get above 40% in a cold winter, and you'll get condensation on windows, and in worse places.
Linko
Silver $$ Contributor
Albany Mountain
Silver $$ Contributor
I would think a static bracklet would work as well, especially when it is worn constantly with no disconnection.
I think static is also a chemistry thing within peoples body composition. My wife is a lightning rod while I have no issues in the house. Have a coworker the same way. You can pick people out when they slowly reach for a metal object like a door.
I think static is also a chemistry thing within peoples body composition. My wife is a lightning rod while I have no issues in the house. Have a coworker the same way. You can pick people out when they slowly reach for a metal object like a door.
This is a frightening thread.
I previously sent my ChargeMaster back to Brownell's and will continue to take chances with my Redding beam scale.
I previously sent my ChargeMaster back to Brownell's and will continue to take chances with my Redding beam scale.
divingin
Gold $$ Contributor
The fabric of the clothes you wear has a dramatic effect. Synthetics means lots more static (wool, if cleaned often, will as well.) The chair you're sitting on, if a synthetic upholstered fabric, will contribute.
Skin generally conducts to some degree, so I doubt it's actually the person.
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