(Problem Solved) Brand New FX120i Won't Stabilize!

[KenOath]

Brand new FX120i won't hold zero. I have had it on for over a day so it's warmed up. Worked for about 15 rounds and then started to drift randomly. It would hold zero and I tried to weigh some rounds and after 1 or 2 rounds it goes bananas. AC is off, temp.@65 deg., I'm in my attic and there are literally no breezes, no magnetic interference. It's sitting on a 28"x20"x3/4" slab of marble. Would a UPS help?

If there’s no obvious interference send it back...

 

[Killick]

...I should change the subject to “Problem Solved!”

 

[T-shooter]

Mines always been super stable with no drifting at all. I recently got the Area419 clear top cover; this made the scale go into fits. Remove the clear top and place the stock thin cream top on it and all is well again. I suspect the issue is caused by static electricity somehow, although I’m not sure how to resolve it. Placing a thick plate of alu on the clear cover helps, but kinda defeats the point of having a clear cover.

Try some Static Spray. I use it on everything plastic to remove static. Spray it on, let it dry, and wipe off any excess buildup. I've had reloading funnels that were next to un-useable until spraying them.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Just resurrecting this ancient thread here for a bit.
This past weekend, I had to setup my A&D with AutoThrow and AutoTrickler in a more common area of the house. At first it seemed unworkable, what with A/C and people moving around. So in a fit of desperation I retrieved a tri-fold poster board from the closet and set it up on the table right behind the A&D and presto, no more problems. The scale was never affected by the air currents and of course an A&D never drifts. I did my 100 rounds very quickly. The AutoThrow was set to drop with 2 grains to spare and the AutoTrikler was autotrickling. All I do is measure the powder and drop it in the case; nothing else, and at times, I could not keep up with the setup. It was producing a load within a few seconds and right on target.

 

[Dave Way]

Mines always been super stable with no drifting at all. I recently got the Area419 clear top cover; this made the scale go into fits. Remove the clear top and place the stock thin cream top on it and all is well again. I suspect the issue is caused by static electricity somehow, although I’m not sure how to resolve it. Placing a thick plate of alu on the clear cover helps, but kinda defeats the point of having a clear cover.

I have the same exact issue with the Area 419 clear cover. Massive shifts due apparently due to the static electricity with the lexan cover. When I put the original cover back on, the problem goes away. Unfortunately they have never returned my call or responded to my email which I sent through their contact page. Because of that I'll have no choice but to return it and try to get a refund. Not happy with Area 419 service at this point.

Please let me know how you make out. I will do the same.

Thanks-Dave.

 

[dickn52]

BOUNCE dryer sheets. wipe it down inside and out.

 

[dcali]

I have dirty power, twisty lights, supply grill directly overhead, mobile phone in my pocket and mine is rock steady.

Same story here. I even dropped mine once. Works like a champ.

 

[gbyleveldt]

I have the same exact issue with the Area 419 clear cover. Massive shifts due apparently due to the static electricity with the lexan cover. When I put the original cover back on, the problem goes away. Unfortunately they have never returned my call or responded to my email which I sent through their contact page. Because of that I'll have no choice but to return it and try to get a refund. Not happy with Area 419 service at this point.

Please let me know how you make out. I will do the same.

Thanks-Dave.

Ok, so I had a little spare time to mess with it and, as others here have suggested, the issue is static. I didn’t have any anti-static spray around, so I thoroughly cleaned both sides of the cover with lens cleaning fluid. And, believe it or not, the issue is no more. The Area419 lid no longer interferes with the scale and readings are now as stable as before. I’ll monitor it going forward but so far I’m calling the issue resolved

 

[normmatzen]

I don't have a 120 but do have a 20-30 year old Ohaus TS200 and TS120 that were designed to work in a true lab environment that usually meant a clean bench with fluorescent lights on top as well as a filtered air circulation system. The TS series comes with a power supply that is totally filtered for most electro-magnetic noise. The only problem I have is with the a/c on and I get unstable measurements. So, I turn off the AC!
Bottom line, get a decent UPS designed for a Lab environment.

 

[tommd47]

I know this is a fairly old thread but I just bought the area 419 clear lid and thought I would say I'm was having the same issues. The first time I tried it my scale went berserk. It was all over the place. Wouldn't hold zero. Had to keep hitting re zero and it wouldn't last. I switched back to my original lid that came with the setup and it worked without issues. I went online to see if I can find a solution and came across this thread. I used a "Bounce" dryer sheet and wiped the whole lid down with it and it runs flawlessly now. It's crazy how static can screw up a scale.

 

[divingin]

Mines always been super stable with no drifting at all. I recently got the Area419 clear top cover; this made the scale go into fits. Remove the clear top and place the stock thin cream top on it and all is well again. I suspect the issue is caused by static electricity somehow, although I’m not sure how to resolve it. Placing a thick plate of alu on the clear cover helps, but kinda defeats the point of having a clear cover.

Soap solution is ionic, so it conducts electricity. Give it a wash, but not rinse. Allow to dry (note: it will be hazy and/or streaked. You can buff it with a cotton cloth if you need to see through it. Don't use microfiber as it will probably worsen your static problem.)

Some early static sprays were just soapy water (or soapy solvent, anyway.)

 

[Hermantk]

Soap solution is ionic, so it conducts electricity. Give it a wash, but not rinse. Allow to dry (note: it will be hazy and/or streaked. You can buff it with a cotton cloth if you need to see through it. Don't use microfiber as it will probably worsen your static problem.)

Some early static sprays were just soapy water (or soapy solvent, anyway.)

I had an issue with my FX120i this morning after not using my 3 year-old unit for 6 months. The unit would not drift but, if i put the same weight on it a dozen times it would give me 9 or 10 different readings. I tried cleaning and grounding and using anti static stuff without success. Called A&D service tech who spent half an hour with me, finally telling me to take the 2 screws off the plate under the pan and shaking the unit out (after disconnecting power). Works fine now. Same old reliable unit it was before. It would appear that, somehow, a tiny piece of grit got inside the unit, interfering with the free movement of the interior mechanism. Wonderful service! I will now put a better/larger fabric cover over the unit when not in use.

 

[Big Mc]

Brand new FX120i won't hold zero. I have had it on for over a day so it's warmed up. Worked for about 15 rounds and then started to drift randomly. It would hold zero and I tried to weigh some rounds and after 1 or 2 rounds it goes bananas. AC is off, temp.@65 deg., I'm in my attic and there are literally no breezes, no magnetic interference. It's sitting on a 28"x20"x3/4" slab of marble. Would a UPS help?
OP Edit:
Detective Turbulent Turtle, on the case, solved the riddle.

Pretty Smart there . Mr Turtle. Tommy Mc

 

[Northridge]

The older mine gets, the better it seems to hold zero. After reading all the hype and finally buying the FX120i, I'm not overly impressed for the amount of money spent. Nothing really "great" about it. I find myself using the RCBS Chargemasters more than anything.

yoour funny...

Shawn Williams

 

[INTJ]

So wiping the Area 419 lid with a dryer sheet is the real deal. Dramatically cut down on my scale drifting. So do we need to wipe or down before each use?

 

[Hunting 2019]

No not necessary, I leave a sheet inside the cover when not in use.

 

[Hunting 2019]

Also works great on scale pans! Like on ChargeMaster. Don't have to tap it to get that last kernel out. LOL