Fx-120i zero drift

[wolfman]

I've been running a Fx-120i for quite a while, and I've noticed that my zero drifts a fair amount over the period of a loading session. If I put my powder pan on the scale, and zero it, the tare weight will drift quite a bit between charges. My shop is a stand alone 15'x20' building, with no fans or air exchangers. Where do I start to rectify this?

 

[taylorw]

I've been running a Fx-120i for quite a while, and I've noticed that my zero drifts a fair amount over the period of a loading session. If I put my powder pan on the scale, and zero it, the tare weight will drift quite a bit between charges. My shop is a stand alone 15'x20' building, with no fans or air exchangers. Where do I start to rectify this?

Have you tried ferrite rings? If not, add one on both ends of your cord. That has helped me with my different scales I use.

 

[wolfman]

I haven't tried anything yet. I thought I'd wait to see what the options are before ordering anything blind.

 

[rijndael]

Are you letting the scale warm up before use?

 

[SKWERLZ]

Everytime I’ve had drift on mine it was actually an errant grain of powder.

 

[Plumsask]

Is there temperature fluctuations on the shop?

 

[wolfman]

I always leave the scale on. Temps do swing with the season, as I don't heat it when I'm not using it. Having said that, most of my high volume loading is done in the summer, when temps are 60-85F here in Atlantic Canuckistan.

 

[DngBat7]

A line conditioner has helped me a lot.

 

[madmixerman]

I use a line conditioner along with a ferrite bead and experience no drifting.

 

[DngBat7]

Does anybody know the proper size ferrite rings to purchase?

 

[powderbrake]

Does anybody know the proper size ferrite rings to purchase?

Not important.
Find one that has a hole large enough for the power supply plug that goes into the Fx120i to fit through.

 

[PracticalTactical]

I've been running a Fx-120i for quite a while, and I've noticed that my zero drifts a fair amount over the period of a loading session. If I put my powder pan on the scale, and zero it, the tare weight will drift quite a bit between charges. My shop is a stand alone 15'x20' building, with no fans or air exchangers. Where do I start to rectify this?

I know there's lot of love out there for the FX120i, although I don't understand why...

Congrats on Wolfman for noticing though!

Bottom line is the FX120 is a popular moderately priced scale. If you want better performance, you have to consider a better scale.

The FX120 in in an intermediate class called milligram balance. It's not as accurate as 95 percent of users on the internet claim. On a good day about the best you are going to get is loads within a 0.08 grain variation. Worse if you don't catch the drift.

If you want something better have a look at Analytical balances. Personally I have a Vibra HT220 and have never looked back.

 

[rijndael]

If you want something better have a look at Analytical balances. Personally I have a Vibra HT220 and have never looked back.

A large number of people using the 120 are using it with an AutoTrickler. The AT v4 requires an A&D FX or FZ model balance.

 

[6bra1k]

me thinks you need to monitor your line voltage.
mine does not drift....
voltage can vary over the day.
spring for or rent a clamp on volt meter
again i have excellent results inspite of the single naysayer in this thread

 

[wolfman]

me thinks you need to monitor your line voltage.
mine does not drift....
voltage can vary over the day.
spring for or rent a clamp on volt meter
again i have excellent results inspite of the single naysayer in this thread

I think that's probably a very good idea. I would dearly love to run the scale/autotrickler system from a battery, but my complete lack of electrical knowledge is stopping me from rigging this up.

 

[Rocketvapor]

"If I put my powder pan on the scale, and zero it, the tare weight will drift quite a bit between charges."
You need to evaluate and determine the true cause of your "DRIFT".

By "tare weight" I assume you are referring to the negative indication when you remove the pan and then return for zero. Does the scale return to a zero indication?
Can you get repeatable weight indications with a known and fixed object?
A pan has a large surface area relative to it's weight. This large surface is susceptible to static attraction and influences of small drafts. Thermal transients caused by difference in air temperature vs bench temperature can cause drift. Vibration/movement of the scale during other operations during reloading can cause drift.

I'm also assuming you don't have a set of check weights other than the calibration weights supplied.

Try this: Scale ONLY without auto trickler running.
Take a few coins (U.S. Nickels would work) and mark them A, B, C, etc., with a sharpie.
Tare and weight each and RECORD the indicated weight. Repeat as a check.
NEXT:
Place A on the scale platen (no powder pan) and TARE. Remove and replace noticing/recording the negative indication and Zero. Scale goes between NEGATIVE and back to ZERO.
Drift?
Now, place A on the platen, TARE, add B. Remove B only and replace. Repeat adding and removing B only noticing/recording the indicated ZERO and weight of B.
Scale goes between ZERO and Weight of B.
Drift?
Third check:
Place A on the platen, TARE, add B and notice/record indicated weight of B. Do not tare weight B.
Add C and notice/record indicated weight of B plus C. Repeat adding and removing C only noticing/recording the indicated weight of B and weight of B+C.
Scale goes between indicated weight of B and weight of B PLUS C.
Scale never goes negative, or zero and stays in positive weight zone..
Drift?

These three checks operate the scale in negative to zero,
Zero to positive weight,
and Positive only weight ranges.

Full scale, or linearity don't enter into this. Only repeatability of zero/near zero indications.

 

[karrarararararar]

Do you have it plugged into a power strip or directly into the wall? Mine is plugged into a power strip and would drift on my a little throughout a session. My stereo was plugged into the same strip and once I plugged it into its own extension cord my drifting issues went away. Now my scale stays on 24/7 and always reads 0.00.

 

[ChrisNZ]

..

The FX120 in in an intermediate class called milligram balance. .. On a good day about the best you are going to get is loads within a 0.08 grain variation. ..

I personally have -never- experienced drift with my 120 and can always discriminate the addition of a single kermel of 4350. As was pointed out, it's often a kernel or two that has fallen onto the plattern than can be mistaken for drift..

So what is the significance of being able to have more than a single kernel level of resolution? I have used a GD503 at times and found the extra decimal point a distraction, not an advantage.

 

[6bra1k]

I

The FX120 in in an intermediate class called milligram balance. It's not as accurate as 95 percent of users on the internet claim. On a good day about the best you are going to get is loads within a 0.08 grain variation. Worse if you don't catch the drift.

factory specs are .02 with .03 tolerance...that is not .08 , your logic is the same as your math..\

IT DOES NOT ADD UP

 

[ACard]

Also pay attention to your relative humidity. Less humidity equals more static electricity. If you do not have your scale properly grounded and the yourself this can be an issue in dry climates