FX-120I Question

[jsthntn247]

I looked at my notes and my pan weighed 175.60 when I started loading this spring. My load is 42gr and I keep the original charge in a sealed vial and tare my scale with that charge before loading for a match. The same scale now weighs 175.74 and that same charge weighs 42.1-42.14. I loaded for a match a month ago and the scale weighed 175.68 and the charge weighed 42.6. Anybody else seeing wondering weights like this? I use the same check weights and calibrate my scale before a loading session.

 

[Comrade Terry]

I looked at my notes and my pan weighed 175.60 when I started loading this spring. My load is 42gr and I keep the original charge in a sealed vial and tare my scale with that charge before loading for a match. The same scale now weighs 175.74 and that same charge weighs 43-43.2. I loaded for a match a month ago and the scale weighed 175.68 and the charge weighed 42.6. Anybody else seeing wondering weights like this? I use the same check weights and calibrate my scale before a loading session.

Mine hasn't changed a bit in about two years. I don't know what to tell you.

I'm sorry to be of so little help!

 

[FlatlandBusa]

Have you calibrated the scale lately?

I cal before every loading session and the all the know weight items I have always weigh exactly the same.

 

[#40Fan]

@FlatlandBusa

I use the same check weights and calibrate my scale before a loading session.

 

[rardoin]

Brad, have you checked the leveling recently? If it is off then re-level, recalibrate. I know you mention having the charge in a sealed container but the 'powder' can imbibe moisture if not perfectly sealed/never opened.

 

[Dos XX]

Metal or plastic on the pan? Try wiping it with alkyhol on a cloth. It might have picked up some stuff?

Sounds like your check weight still weighs the same?

 

[F Class John]

I’m assuming you’re using it in conjunction with one or both of the Auto products? My guess is that it’s any one of the items listed above OR just needs a reset. If so you may try resetting the scale to factory setting according the FX and reloading it according to Adams instructions. I had a buddy do this and his never had the problem again.

Also as stated above regarding your power possibly imbibing, what I did for my powder weight check vials was go to my hardware store and found the smallest nails/brads I could find and used those and trimmed to make weight and then sanded the plastic lid to get it the final weight. There may be a better metal flake product out there to use as well??? Either way it takes out the powered absorption problem. After all the scale doesn’t care if you actually have powder in there. A buddy taught me that trick.

 

[nmjwolf]

Unplug it for a couple of minutes and then recalibrate. Also what is your zero track set to?

 

[vahena]

As Dos say's, try cleaning the pan.
Rob

 

[pcrowe]

Similar to one poster above, I took 22 cal. bullets and ground off enough to get them to weigh what I wanted. If I took off too much, a small dab of instant glue would bring them to the exact weight. Works great for setting the desired charge weight.

 

[Twoboxer]

Check the level indicator and adjust scale as necessary to level.

Warm up the scale.

Wipe the check weight(s) with a clean cloth.

Calibrate the scale.

Weigh the check weights on the now calibrated scale. Ideally, they will weigh exactly 100g. Re-calibrate and re-weigh until they do, or equal the slightly different weight you have always gotten in previous startups.

When looking at the (tare) weight of your powder pan, make sure the pan is also in the same condition (clean) as it was last time.

ETA: Absent the above, there are lots of ways the scale can be improperly calibrated, or give phantom differing weights. EG, a simple breath on the scale while setting "0" or "100" during calibration, dirty weights, dirty pan, etc.

 

[6BRinNZ]

I looked at my notes and my pan weighed 175.60 when I started loading this spring. My load is 42gr and I keep the original charge in a sealed vial and tare my scale with that charge before loading for a match. The same scale now weighs 175.74 and that same charge weighs 43-43.2. I loaded for a match a month ago and the scale weighed 175.68 and the charge weighed 42.6. Anybody else seeing wondering weights like this? I use the same check weights and calibrate my scale before a loading session.

yip I do. The odd thing is my check weights come in right on the money but during reloading the zero drifts a lot....basically I can't trust it.
I'm under fluros so maybe that has something to do with it.

 

[jsthntn247]

Brad, have you checked the leveling recently? If it is off then re-level, recalibrate. I know you mention having the charge in a sealed container but the 'powder' can imbibe moisture if not perfectly sealed/never opened.

I check the level every time. I thought about that with the powder, but the metal pan also?

 

[jsthntn247]

Metal or plastic on the pan? Try wiping it with alkyhol on a cloth. It might have picked up some stuff?

Sounds like your check weight still weighs the same?

Same metal shot glasses you use. I wipe the pan and the check weights down before using each time. I've never weighed the check weights, just set them on the scale and calibrate so I don't know.

 

[jsthntn247]

Unplug it for a couple of minutes and then recalibrate. Also what is your zero track set to?

I've tried unplugging several times and it always goes back to the same weight. Not sure about the zero track, what is that?

 

[jsthntn247]

I’m assuming you’re using it in conjunction with one or both of the Auto products? My guess is that it’s any one of the items listed above OR just needs a reset. If so you may try resetting the scale to factory setting according the FX and reloading it according to Adams instructions. I had a buddy do this and his never had the problem again.

Also as stated above regarding your power possibly imbibing, what I did for my powder weight check vials was go to my hardware store and found the smallest nails/brads I could find and used those and trimmed to make weight and then sanded the plastic lid to get it the final weight. There may be a better metal flake product out there to use as well??? Either way it takes out the powered absorption problem. After all the scale doesn’t care if you actually have powder in there. A buddy taught me that trick.

Never had this problems until I started using the Auto throw and trickler. My scale never really would drift much at all until this year either. Now it constantly drifts when loading. I will try resetting the factory settings then reloading the auto instructions and see if that helps. I use a metal pan "shot glass" and wipe it down with denatured alcohol frequently, it's weight shouldn't be changing.

 

[jsthntn247]

Check the level indicator and adjust scale as necessary to level.

Warm up the scale.

Wipe the check weight(s) with a clean cloth.

Calibrate the scale.

Weigh the check weights on the now calibrated scale. Ideally, they will weigh exactly 100g. Re-calibrate and re-weigh until they do, or equal the slightly different weight you have always gotten in previous startups.

When looking at the (tare) weight of your powder pan, make sure the pan is also in the same condition (clean) as it was last time.

ETA: Absent the above, there are lots of ways the scale can be improperly calibrated, or give phantom differing weights. EG, a simple breath on the scale while setting "0" or "100" during calibration, dirty weights, dirty pan, etc.

I'll try all this again, but I pretty detailed when I load and set everything up. I load during the middle of the day when nobody else is home so I can shut the lights off in the loading room and turn the AC off without hearing the wife constantly gripe about the air.

 

[SDDasher]

I'll try all this again, but I pretty detailed when I load and set everything up. I load during the middle of the day when nobody else is home so I can shut the lights off in the loading room and turn the AC off without hearing the wife constantly gripe about the air.

Brad,
I’m not sure how much “static” plays in affecting the FX drifting from calibrated zero. I know some shooter/reloaders use a device designed to eliminate static from the pan/powder before it’s placed on the scale.
I don’t use an auto trickler, but do throw the charge with the RCBS first then transfer it to the FX pan sitting on an anti-static dryer sheet
before placing it on the scale. Mine (FX) went out literally weeks before the five year warranty was out. I sent it in for repair and it came back better than ever. Most of my issues over the years delt with leveling, other electric devices (tumblers, radios, cell phones, etc.) in proximity to the scale. Check with Barry Holcomb, he uses the auto trickler as does Manny Cepada who has a background in laboratory scales.

 

[nmjwolf]

I've tried unplugging several times and it always goes back to the same weight. Not sure about the zero track, what is that?

 

[rardoin]

I check the level every time. I thought about that with the powder, but the metal pan also?

Yea...not the pan; no change expected there.