RCBS Chargemaser 1500 software Flash-HELP

[rvander1]

Hi,
I just got a 1 year old Chargemaster 1500- and it was consistently overthrowing charges by .2gn.
I had read about changing software parameters- but wanted to wait until I had talked to Don Legg at RCBS. I talked to him today and he suggested several things, including changing the S_S software parameter.
Things were going fine-- increasing accuracy by changing this parameter,controls rate of turn of tube at slow speed)-- but I must have accidentally changed a different parameter! Don't know how the hell I did it- but now the machine just throws at high speed and overshoots all charges by about 4 grains!!
Does anyone know if there is a way to flash the memory of this machine back to factory defaults??
BTW Don Legg is working on a fix for the,common) problem of overcharges when using coarse powders in the Chargemaster 1500.
Bob
Thanks to Don Legg- he is very helpful at RCBS.

 

[hunter74]

After you flash you should try this.

I used a drinking straw from McDonald's to mod it, described here http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/6mmbr/vpost?id=2090972&highlight=chargemaster

Now it maybe overthrows every 1000th charge by .1. Before it least happened every 20th with VV N150 powder. A cheap and simple way to fix it. Sure helped me a lot! Good luck!

 

[rvander1]

hunter74
Thanks,
I got through to Don Legg today and we scrolled through the software settings and found the one setting I had screwed up.
Now back to his recommendations- which he said included putting a straw in the tube as you suggested, as well as elevating the front legs of the charger by about 1.4 inch,he says this doesn't hurt scale readings- even though the instructions say front-back leveling is impportant) He is working on a better fix,a modification/attachment to the tube that sounds like your straw!! Anyways, I think these two things are designed to cut down on the bunching up of the powder at the end of the tube-causing overcharges with a small final turn of the tube.
He also told me about some software tweeks to try.,I have already written down ALL the factory settings in case I screw up again).
I will definately try the straw thing tonight-- are you throwing H4831sc?
Bob

 

[rvander1]

In the last post I meant to say elevating the front of the unit by 1/4"-- NOT 1.4"!

 

[Mark Walker in TX]

Kevin,

Would you please take some pics of the straw mod and post them here?

Last loading for me it took 140 throws to get 100 proper loads.

They need to get this fixed NOW.

 

[rvander1]

hunter74
I tried the straw,I wrapped the end in teflon tape until it was the right size to screw into the tube, and it definately improved things. I can now see the last charge amount is trickled in 1-2 pellet amounts-no more "clumps". Think I'll try a larger straw. Anyways, now the unit dispenses H4831sc spot on about 90% of the time and 10% it is .1gn over. I'm still convinced that if I could increase the TIME BETWEEN rotations of the tube at the last charging setting, it would be on 100%. Don Legg does not know which setting refers to the "TIME BETWEEN rotations of the tube at the last charging setting".
Thanks, your "straw" helped more than any manipulations of the S_S seetting.

 

[hunter74]

The only powder available here in Norway are Norma and Vihta Vuori, so I only use vv N140 and N150 and occasionally N550.

Another mod I've had success with is using the yellow tip of a primer picking tube for my Dillon XL650. This also works but approx. doubles the trickle time with small 6br loads so I prefer the McD straw.

 

[Kevin]

Kevin,

Would you please take some pics of the straw mod and post them here?

Last loading for me it took 140 throws to get 100 proper loads.

They need to get this fixed NOW.

Here are some pix of my idea. Seems to work great. Just cut the straw about 1.5" long,shorter doesn't hurt). Take a lighter and just hit one end for a short time, the end should curl as seen.

 

[Mark Walker in TX]

Thanks, will give it a try!!!

Kind of reminds me of Eddie Murphy Raw "I got McDonalds."

 

[Mark Walker in TX]

Kevin,

Would you please take some pics of the straw mod and post them here?

Last loading for me it took 140 throws to get 100 proper loads.

They need to get this fixed NOW.

Here are some pix of my idea. Seems to work great. Just cut the straw about 1.5" long,shorter doesn't hurt). Take a lighter and just hit one end for a short time, the end should curl as seen.

Kevin,

How far back in the dispenser tube do your threads go? Mine only go back about 1/2".

Straw is in hand, ready to operate on it.

Thanks again!!

 

[Kevin]

going from memory, only 1/2-3/4" also. Shorter straws,in threads help, but, I found that the longer you can "smooth" out the entire tube, the better. The smooth ID helps separate the kernels. Never tried one the full length of the tube though.

I just push the flared area back into the non-threaded area. Kind of makes a "wall" that also helps separate them.

I dispense H4831SC and H4350.

The straw pictured is 1/4" OD.

Good Luck!