RCBS Chargemaster 1500 Scale

[amlevin]

I should perhaps start a new thread, but I have a 1500 and although I like it, it tends to overrun with Varget on a regular basis. I have tried the straw and that doesn't seem to make much of a difference. It is level and well warmed up. It seems like it clumps up at the exit tube and then throws a bunch all at once.

I have used two CMs side-by-side and the scale was significantly slower on one of them. The slower scale threw overcharges fairly often... maybe 5-10% of the time. It was easy to tell which scale was which: The faster one went from off to 0.0gr in about 8 seconds, while the slower one took more like 13. Worth looking into.

You can "tweak" these units by going into the programming and setting various parameters for the fast, slow, and trickle windows. There's and article referenced elsewhere on this website. Written up by a South African shooter.

 

[MVW]

The two inch straw was a big help! Much improved weights.

 

[dboyles]

You can "tweak" these units by going into the programming and setting various parameters for the fast, slow, and trickle windows. There's and article referenced elsewhere on this website. Written up by a South African shooter.

I'm familiar with the tweaks described here, but do they relate at all to the speed at which the Chargemaster starts up or how fast it detects a change in weight? Not that I can tell, and I'm pretty sure that I had only changed the HSB_A1, HSB_B1, and BSP_C1 settings.

 

[amlevin]

You can "tweak" these units by going into the programming and setting various parameters for the fast, slow, and trickle windows. There's and article referenced elsewhere on this website. Written up by a South African shooter.

I'm familiar with the tweaks described here, but do they relate at all to the speed at which the Chargemaster starts up or how fast it detects a change in weight? Not that I can tell, and I'm pretty sure that I had only changed the HSB_A1, HSB_B1, and BSP_C1 settings.

As I read the write up, there were some tweaks that covered the delay which occurs while it "reads". Many of the parameters are undocumented and maybe someday when I'm bored I'll mess with them.

Naturally, after writing down all the "defaults" first 8)

 

[dboyles]

As I read the write up, there were some tweaks that covered the delay which occurs while it "reads". Many of the parameters are undocumented and maybe someday when I'm bored I'll mess with them.

Naturally, after writing down all the "defaults" first 8)

You're right; S_F, S_M, and S_S look like they might be relevant. I want to say that I made sure that the settings between the two CMs were identical, but I'm not 100%.

By the way, I saw that Natchez has the Chargemaster for $290 and that RCBS has a $75 rebate for purchases over $300 (rebate used to be $50).

 

[jimbo88mm]

Having been in Amateur Radio for more years than I care to say, I am a Big Proponent of line filters. If you have a Volt Meter, plug it into an outlet and watch it for a while, especially when the Frig, or Furnace Fan, or Central Air turns on. You would be amazed at the amount of line noise present in household 115v., along with the power serge/dip. Read the following. I'm not saying that this is a cure all, but something that should be addressed. I plug my scale into an electronic line filter, not a surge suppressor. Just my 2 cents worth.

http://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/reloading/line-noise-filter-helps-reduce-scale-drift/

I'd like to say thanks to Ronsroom1 for posting that link. I'm using a Lyman 1000xp that would drift. The observed drift was noticeable with the pan off the scale. It would drift by as much as .5gr. Putting the pan back would always bring it back to zero but reweighing the same charge would sometimes yield a difference of a few tenths of a grain. My work around was re zeroing the scale frequently.. sometimes as often as every 5 rounds.

Well I picked up one of those line filters from Fry's and tried it out tonight.. the difference was night and day. There was still a little drift but it was limited to about a 10th of grain. Obviously the scale I'm using is far from the best but adding the line filter made a dramatic improvement.

It really makes you wonder why the manufactures just don't incorporate them into the provided power supplies in the first place. Given the costs on the support side, the returns and the bad rep.. spending a little more up front would save them a lot.

 

[SShooterZ]

I have one and I love it. I do occasionally get a "spike" in drops, not seen until after it counts the charge out. 9/10 it is too heavy a drop. I dump that one back in the hopper and go again and usually don't see the same problem twice in a row.

For those of you contemplating purchasing one, Natchez has a helluva deal on them right now: http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=RC98923&src=tpSlrHm

 

[infantrytrophy]

I have one and I love it. I do occasionally get a "spike" in drops, not seen until after it counts the charge out. 9/10 it is too heavy a drop. I dump that one back in the hopper and go again and usually don't see the same problem twice in a row.
...

This points out an area ripe for improvement in the otherwise very good ChargeMaster dispenser. The 5-second delay while the charge count # is displayed is a worthless delay, IMO. What you really need to see as quickly as possible is the actual dispensed weight, not a sequence number. Once you get into a rhythm of seating a bullet while the next charge is automatically dispensed, you end up waiting an extra 5 seconds or so for the next charge to be dispensed while the sequence number is displayed.

I sent a note to RCBS (in the "Contact us" segment of the RCBS web site) requesting that the programming of the ChargeMaster be changed to either delete or drastically reduce the delay after the desired charge is dispensed. After all, that's the whole point - reducing the time required to load accurately.

If any of you agree, please consider sending the suggestion to RCBS. If the delay can be removed, this could speed up the process by up to 25%.

Randy

 

[amlevin]

I have one and I love it. I do occasionally get a "spike" in drops, not seen until after it counts the charge out. 9/10 it is too heavy a drop. I dump that one back in the hopper and go again and usually don't see the same problem twice in a row.
...

This points out an area ripe for improvement in the otherwise very good ChargeMaster dispenser. The 5-second delay while the charge count # is displayed is a worthless delay, IMO. What you really need to see as quickly as possible is the actual dispensed weight, not a sequence number. Once you get into a rhythm of seating a bullet while the next charge is automatically dispensed, you end up waiting an extra 5 seconds or so for the next charge to be dispensed while the sequence number is displayed.

I sent a note to RCBS (in the "Contact us" segment of the RCBS web site) requesting that the programming of the ChargeMaster be changed to either delete or drastically reduce the delay after the desired charge is dispensed. After all, that's the whole point - reducing the time required to load accurately.

If any of you agree, please consider sending the suggestion to RCBS. If the delay can be removed, this could speed up the process by up to 25%.

Randy

I concur. I don't care what the "round count" is, I can see that in my loading block or ammo box as I fill it.

I have a secondary powder measure/dispenser/trickler/scale setup I made from the RCBS stand/trickler combo, using a dillon D-Terminator. Using that setup I can almost beat the Chargemaster for time, it's just not Automatic. I use it for small batches of ammo when the powder I use is easy to meter. The Chargemaster is my designated "Varget Dispenser".

PS: for those who've used the RCBS powder measure stand / trickler combo, and had problems with powder splashing out of the pan, I just cut about 1-1/2" off the bottom of an aluminum pop can. Washed it out real good and pinched a spout on one side. Had to cut out a small semi-circle on the opposite side to allow me to slip it under the spout and rest on the Dillon scale. Weighs about the same as the small pan, no static problems, and pours just as well into my powder funnel. Looks a little funny but works great. Was free, too.

 

[MVW]

I was rereading this post and noticed that a number of reloaders mention upgrading their power supplies with filtered supplies. Electronics evolve quickly and models change, but does anyone have a specific recommendation on either a power supply or supplier to check with?

Thanks, MIke

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

A battery as a power supply accomplishes the same thing. It will isolate the unit from AC power spikes and smooth the current flow to very near constant. You can charge while operating the unit as long as the charger can't overpower the unit. It's also less expensive and offers portability to the unit to areas without electricity.

 

[LMOORE]

After calibrating and using my RCBS 1500 scale I would get a negative number after putting your scale pan back on the scale instead of a zero balance. I can tell you I had the same experience and found out it was a defective power supply. I would load about 10 rounds and then put the scale pan back on the scale and would get a negative .3 to .7 grains with the scale pan on the scale. It would get worse the longer I tired to resolve it. I got ahold of a new power supply and the problem went away. Now the scale has a zero balance no matter how many powder charges I put on the scale.

 

[M-61]

The below is the response from RCBS when I inquired about a similar post, but more about warm up and leaving it on. The only thing regarding warm up in the instructions refers to bringing the unit into a room with a large temp change. (outside to inside)

QUOTE:
"We don't recommend leaving your ChargeMaster left plugged in and turned on as it leaves it susceptible to power surges. We don't specifically advise against it in our instruction manual, but better safe than sorry. Also, along the lines of keeping your ChargeMaster ready to use, do not leave powder stored in the hopper as it will adhere and etch the plastic. It sounds as though you are following the instructions correctly. Hope this helps and thanks for contacting RCBS!"

RCBS Tech/AD

END QUOTE

 

[nmkid]

Try one of these. I got one and it seems to have pretty much solved all my "power" problems. I was directed to this protector by another member. Sorry I can't remember his name off hand to give him the credit.Tripp Lite Isobar 4 Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip. Amazon carries them for $40.93. I know, pricey but, they work!

 

[Jammer Six]

First, this thread is four years old.

Second, I use mine plugged straight into a standard outlet, below a double set of 48" florescent lights. In the summer, I use a fan next to me to keep me cool.

After careful testing, I've concluded that none of those those things has ever had any effect on the Chargemaster.

Therefore, I consider these items to be either urban legend, wistful thinking or rumor.