New Chargemaster seems kinda slow...

[memilanuk]

Hello,

I finally caved and got a Chargemaster 1500. Plugged it in and let it warm up last night, and got it all calibrated and such per the directions.

The review here gave the distinct impression that charge times were in the 10-15 second range. What I'm seeing is more in the 30-45+ second range. To be fair, *most* of the powder is dispensed in the first 5-7 seconds... but it stops 3-5gr short, and trickles up... which seems to take forever,e.g. 5 seconds to ~38-39gr, then another 35+ to go to 42.9gr of RE-15.

Any ideas as to whats up? Figured I'd check here and see if the community has any known solutions before I go calling RCBS.

Thanks,

Monte

 

[memilanuk]

Just for reference: timed ten 'throws','dispenses'?) of RE-15 tonight. Here's what I got -

Throw  T,sec)  RCBS-1500  AccuLab
  1      39      44.1      44.10
  2      48      44.1      44.16
  3      39      44.1      44.02
  4      48      44.1      44.02
  5      44      44.1      44.04
  6      35      44.1      44.06
  7      35      44.1      44.06
  8      45      44.1/2    44.16
  9      31      44.1      44.04
  10     43      44.1      44.06

 

[Forum Boss]

Just for reference: timed ten 'throws','dispenses'?) of RE-15 tonight. Here's what I got -

Throw  T,sec)  RCBS-1500  AccuLab
  1      39      44.1      44.10
  2      48      44.1      44.16
  3      39      44.1      44.02
  4      48      44.1      44.02
  5      44      44.1      44.04
  6      35      44.1      44.06
  7      35      44.1      44.06
  8      45      44.1/2    44.16
  9      31      44.1      44.04
  10     43      44.1      44.06

Nice data Monte. It does seem RCBS has slowed down the dispensign rate. But with the kind of consistency you've recorded there, it's hard to argue with that. For these kinds of powders, 0.1 grain is about 3-4 kernels. It looks like your machine is giving effective 2 kernel accuracy most of the time.

Based on your Acculab results and our testing with unmodified balance scales, that's better accuracy than most people can achieve manual trickling and using a balance beam scale out of the box.

You might also check inside your dispensing "pipe" to ensure there are no rough spots or obstructions to flow.

 

[memilanuk]

Paul,

From what I could tell, the 'heavy' charges mainly occured when a 'clump' of powder fell from the trickler spout... 4-5 kernels instead of 1-2. The first night I tested this thing,wasn't writing anything down, just observing) I saw some weights that were as high as 44.22 or as low as 43.98 that still read '44.1'

I've put a fair amount of effort into avoiding this machine over the last year First I got the AccuLab scale, and threw into a pan, placed it on the scale and trickled straight into it. The scale was having nothing to do with that... the Vibrashine trickler drove it berserk. Then I went to throwing into a pan,zeroed on both my Redding #2 and the Acculab), putting it on a mechanical scale, trickling into that, then putting it on the Acculab and topping off w/ a few kernels by hand,little pinch between thumb and forefinger). Worked, but damn slow... 1 min 30-45 seconds per charge or so. Eventually went to just dumping into a pan, and 'hand trickling' kernels into the pan on the Acculab... which got my time down to anywhere between 30 seconds and 1 minute plus,usually closer to a minute).

Now, I didn't buy this thing expecting it to be as accurate as the Acculab scale. What I didn't expect was it to be less accurate and almost as slow as doing this by hand. Hell, I could have just sent my old Pact in for a re-hab for that. It looks,at first blush) like they may have gotten the accuracy/consistency thing figgered finally, which is good. After trickling charges on a relatively decent,for reloading) mechanical scale and checking w/ the Acculab, I'd have to say that the Chargemaster is about as accurate as what I'd get using the mechanical scale. I just want to see if I can get it to slow down @ maybe 2-3gr out from the target weight, instead of 5. Perhaps that'll speed things up a bit. Worth at least trying, I think.

Monte

Guess I'll call RCBS;

 

[dreever]

Monte,

I've since developed this system with my MXX-123. I throw a charge near with my Harrels then just drop the rest in between thumb and forefinger. I can usually do 2-3 a minute if I don't pinch to much in and go over.
The RCBS sounds like a good idea, but waiting 45-60 seconds would drive me crazy.
Hope you can get it straightened out.

Danny

 

[mikecr]

Yours is very accurate for sure. But it doesn't time the same as mine.
For 44.1gr, mine would slow to 2nd speed at ~40, then to trickle pulsing at ~43.9, usually taking 3-4 bumps until a clump of a couple kernels fall into range.

Yours may have a high resistance in the motor/leads/amp causing it to run very slow. I can force this condition with mine because I've added a potentiometer in series with the motor. I actually adjust mine to do what yours does,not as much), for accuracy.
But if you need speed, I'd send it back for another if possible.

I don't like to handle powder. Been thinkin of making a granular dispensor of some sort.

 

[RIFLE1]

Does anyone have access to an instruction manual to the RCBS dispenser/scale combo?, the 1500) I've acquired one with no instructions what so ever. Something in the way of an email/PDF/JPG format would be of great help.

Chris

 

[usngunner]

Does anyone have access to an instruction manual to the RCBS dispenser/scale combo?, the 1500) I've acquired one with no instructions what so ever. Something in the way of an email/PDF/JPG format would be of great help.

Chris

Call RCBS. I'll bet they would send you a set.

 

[dreever]

Chris,

I think RCBS has a website where you can down load manuals and parts schematics. Do a Google and see what you can come up with.

Danny

 

[steveyrock]

I just timed my chargemaster which I purchased last year and with 41 grains of H-4350 I timed 15 charges.My fastest was 18 seconds and the slowest 25 seconds for the entire 15 charges.