RCBS Charge Master will not calibrate accurately

[TIMO]

Question for everybody. My Charge Master will not calibrate accurately. It will calibrate, but it is off by several grains depending on the weight and increases as I increase the charge weight. Additional info, I have always followed the normal procedures as outlined in the RCSB manual, today when I was ready to calibrate, after putting on the first 50 g. weight, the scale pointer arrow constantly fluctuated when indicating it was stable, it did this also with the second 50g. weight for calibration. This is the first time I have had any issues with this. The Charge Master is between 10 to 15 years old. I disassembled the scale from the dispenser to check the connection, all was ok, it would not calibrate accurately separated from the dispenser. No loose powder in the scale either.

Any ideas or fixes that I can try, or is this ready for the trash can. Oh, I called RCBS and the tech said it was probably static electricity and to wipe it down with a dryer sheet or flouresant lights. I always wipe it down before powering up and no flouresant lights in the room. I also keep several dryer sheets in the powder hopper when not in use. The dispenser seems to work fine, guess the scale is about done for. Maybe I can replace just the scale.

Your input is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Tim

 

[dsbur]

When my Chargemaster goes fritzy it's usually because some powder got down into the mechanism below the black panholder. Ramshot TAC is the worst as it's small grained and gets into everything. Simple disassembly of the lower scale unit and some gentle compressed air to get the stuff out of the beam/load cell area works for me. Mine is an older unit also.

I put a large o-ring under the panholder on top of the scale housing to help prevent powder from migrating into the mechanism.

Ditto on the static stuff, I use a soft flannel and anti-static laundry spray and wipe things down frequently.

 

[Bill K]

Stop trying to fool around and correct it yourself, you could void warranty. Call RCBS, they will probably give you a return postage stamp to print out to send it back too them, Let them correct or give you a new one, they will do so without issue. Very good customer service with RCBS.

 

[TIMO]

Thanks,
I will give RCBS another call tomorrow and discuss a bit more in-depth about the issue.
Tim

 

[GLShooter]

Stop trying to fool around and correct it yourself, you could void warranty. Call RCBS, they will probably give you a return postage stamp to print out to send it back too them, Let them correct or give you a new one, they will do so without issue. Very good customer service with RCBS.

He's so far out of warranty I'm afraid he might as well try for a self fix. This is one warranty that RBCS really tries to adhere to.

Greg

 

[Brians356]

I've never been impressed with dryer sheets for anti-static. We get cool dry air in winter where I live, and a lot of static buildup. The best antidote I've found is to kick my shoes off at the bench. Your stocking feet will continually discharge static to the floor.
-

 

[TIMO]

This has thrown me for a loop, just used it last weekend for some loads. It has always performed well. I even reset all the factory settings that I had changed to adjust the dispenser side of the machine. I reached out to Lone Mountain communications by email. I will also give them a call tomorrow about a repair if RCBS service does not pan out.

Tim

 

[mike mccormick]

Stop trying to fool around and correct it yourself, you could void warranty. Call RCBS, they will probably give you a return postage stamp to print out to send it back too them, Let them correct or give you a new one, they will do so without issue. Very good customer service with RCBS.

That unit only comes with a one year warranty, and rcbs will not repair them. I ran into this a few years back.

 

[338 dude]

I have noticed interference from my phone and Bluetooth connection as well

 

[Bill K]

I had one that was old. Yet RCBS replaced it, free of charge. He should call and talk too them, first and proceed from there. They have always had good customer service, if you ask politely for help on a issue, no matter the age of their products. I might add that I also had a issue with a Hornady Charge master, Hornady did the same in fine service with it, when I called them for a return to check it out, they advised the issue was within the keyboard and they sent me a new one, also with no charge. Both these companies have given me and some of my friends super customer service on products, either with replacements or a part or repair and never, so far, have we had to cough up money.

That unit only comes with a one year warranty, and rcbs will not repair them. I ran into this a few years back.

 

[1bamashooter]

If it's over a year old take the scale apart and blow out the internals with canned air and as mentioned above a rubber washer will help keep powder out of it in the future. RCBS has a great warranty on everything but the electronics. I've gone through 3 over the years all did pretty much the same as you state yours is doing RCBS did nothing even for one that was 3mo out of warranty that's when I upgraded to the Autotrickler.

 

[Old Navy]

My scale will not calibrate or zero. Since I found out I am on my own I quit worrying about it. I wrote the weight of the pan on the bottom when I first got it. I use it to calibrate now. Works for me. When it quits I will buy a new one.

 

[TIMO]

I thought about that, I ran some test loads but they were off and as I increased the powder charge the amount it is off increased in grains. I do not have any confidence in it now until I can calibrate the scale and verify the accuracy of how it weighs.
The RCBS Tech support is closed today so I will give them a call on Monday before I do anything else. I have another electronic scale to use as a check, but just like the dispense part of the whole setup. Still have a 10-10 as backup.
Can the newer Charge Master Lite internal setting be tweaked to suit yourself. I have done that with a number of the settings on the CM 1500.
Received a repair cost from Lone Mountain for $155.00 + shipping. Might go that route if all else fails. But, that is getting close ($$) to a new CM Lite for that money and I would still have an old system that could quit again, Hmmm.

Tim

 

[Just Say Moe]

For one that old, I wouldn't pay postage to get it fixed. Spend that towards a new one. It seems that RCBS could give you the factory reset procedure for a last ditch try.

 

[Spoonbill]

I have seen a company called Lone Mountian that repairs Chargemaster scales. Have no idea on price or quality of work. Anything reloading I have to plug in to the wall I buy from Brownells because their individual warranty exceeds the manufacturer's warranty. I know that doesnt help op right now but its something to think about

 

[ronemus]

I had similar problems with Pact?RCBS scales, and was advised by the service department that the load cells had failed; they were replaced under warranty (still in the warranty period), Load cells are prone to develop noise catastrophically with age - it's not a matter of if, but when. are you sure you don't want to upgrade to the FX-120i/Autotrickler setup? I was amazed at how much faster and more accurate it is - well worth the coin.

 

[TIMO]

I have seen a company called Lone Mountian that repairs Chargemaster scales. Have no idea on price or quality of work. Anything reloading I have to plug in to the wall I buy from Brownells because their individual warranty exceeds the manufacturer's warranty. I know that doesnt help op right now but its something to think about

I received an email response from them for the repair. It will cost $155.00 + return shipping.

Tim

 

[Hunting 2019]

I would put that 155 towards a charge master lite, if RCBS won't warranty yours.
Or as ronemus advised.

 

[Spoonbill]

I received an email response from them for the repair. It will cost $155.00 + return shipping.

Tim

I would do it. Cheaper than another scale. If you do buy another one look at Brownells lifetime warranty

 

[Retired Grunt]

I don't have the RCBS, I have the Hornady. I was suspicious it was weighing lite. After I got the FX-120I, it confirmed it was indeed 1.4 - 1.6 grains low. Now I just set it it to throw 1.2 grains low and trickle up. I am testing my first lot Wednesday.