RCBS Chargemaster Auto Function quit

[carlsbad]

I know there are a million threads on chargemaster and I did quite a bit of searching before starting a new one. I've had my share of frustrating experience trying to throw extruded powders with the Chargemaster. However, yesterday I was using it with some Accurate Ball powder and it was working spectacularly, the ball powder moves very quickly through the tube and then trickles accurately and it never goes over. That is my bit of free sharing of experience in exchange for some help.

After 109 rounds, the AUTO function quit working. As you know, in auto, when the pan is returned to the scale and it becomes stable and zero'd, the Chargemaster will automaticly start another throw. Now I put the pan back on the scale and nothing happens. I have to hit the dispense button. If that is the way you do it, then you are in manual. To switch to auto hold the enter button down.

I went back and forth to auto and manual, cycled the power, calibrated, reprogrammed, and tried everything I could think of to cause the auto function to start again but couldn't make it work.

Has this ever happened to any of you and if so do you know how to fix it? thanks in advance. --Jerry

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Anytime mines ever did that it was because of a fan

 

[amlevin]

Call RCBS. You may have either a faulty circuit board or a keypad that is "stuck" thus putting it back in "manual" all the time.

 

[snowpro440]

After having a few problems with mine I called RCBS about it and they said check the feet to see if there too tight or loose and also clean the contacts with a cleaner an apply dielectric grease to improve connection , as this seemed to fix it and all my problems went away . They don't repair them anymore if there out of warranty.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I performed the programming and McDonald's straw mod to my brand new Chargemaster before ever throwing a single charge and it has never thrown an overweight charge using any extruded powder. Mostly throw RL-15 for varmint rounds and RL-17 for hunting rifle rounds.

Haven't ever used the Auto function because I like to hit the Dispense button after I grab a new case out of the box because I may be doing other things at the same time. Don't like powder charges sitting on a scale very long after being thrown. Just an old habit I got into from having electronic scales in the past that would drift after a while with weight on them. Though I haven't checked the Chargemaster scale for drift yet so not sure if it will do the same. When I hit the Dispense button, it finishes throwing the charge just before the time it takes me to lube the case, size it, prime it and clean the lube off. Then I'm ready to charge the case and seat the bullet. Put it in the ammo case, grab another piece of brass and hit Dispense again to start the process over. No advantage to my method, just how I like to do things

 

[bigedp51]

In another forum I read something about some of the units having defective rubber o-rings around the dispensing tube at the powder hopper. The powder was getting in along the outside of the tube causing problems.

I'm not sure if this can affect a "reset" function for it to dispense the next charge, but I thought I would mention it.

 

[waldo1979]

... When I hit the Dispense button, it finishes throwing the charge just before the time it takes me to lube the case, size it, prime it and clean the lube off. Then I'm ready to charge the case and seat the bullet. Put it in the ammo case, grab another piece of brass and hit Dispense again to start the process over. No advantage to my method, just how I like to do things

FYI, priming and throwing powder simultaneously can be a dangerous operation. Always assume the primer will detonate while seating. This is exponentially dangerous if you're using a hand priming tool or almost any device that loads more than one primer. Be careful, the forums are littered with picks of people's faces after reloading accidents. Recently on the 1911 forums a novice reloader potentially loss the use of his right eye.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

... When I hit the Dispense button, it finishes throwing the charge just before the time it takes me to lube the case, size it, prime it and clean the lube off. Then I'm ready to charge the case and seat the bullet. Put it in the ammo case, grab another piece of brass and hit Dispense again to start the process over. No advantage to my method, just how I like to do things

FYI, priming and throwing powder simultaneously can be a dangerous operation. Always assume the primer will detonate while seating. This is exponentially dangerous if you're using a hand priming tool or almost any device that loads more than one primer. Be careful, the forums are littered with picks of people's faces after reloading accidents. Recently on the 1911 forums a novice reloader potentially loss the use of his right eye.

Thank you sir. However, I am no novice to reloading. The chargemaster sits about 4ft feet away dispensing the charge and I seat my primers with my RCBS press as I drop the case with the ram after FL sizing. I used to use hand primers, but did not notice any difference in my accuracy or consistency. For serious rounds I will use my Forster Coax press for priming because it makes me feel fuzzy inside Seating is always done with my Forster.

Making bombs that launch projectiles at thousands of feet per second is always dangerous. No step should be taken without safety in mind. If you know what you are doing the danger is minimized.

Lastly, keep in mind that Dillon and other progressive press manufacturers make a lot of money selling presses that do it ALL from one station. A few novice reloaders playing with bombs and making mistakes doesn't mean it can't be done safely and correctly.

 

[bigedp51]

Ledd Slinger

illegitimi non carborundum

Don't get mad, the forum members here don't know about the ashtray and empty beer bottles on my reloading bench. :
(I cant help it, reading fguffeys postings here drives me to drink and the cigarettes help calm my nerves)

Have you tried tossing primers and powder into the grill to get that freshly shot flavor to your steaks?

 

[CatShooter]

FYI, priming and throwing powder simultaneously can be a dangerous operation. Always assume the primer will detonate while seating.

I might not be up on my game, but I do not see anywhere where anyone is, "... priming and throwing powder simultaneously [...]"

You must prime first, or else the powder stuff will fall out through the little hole in the bottom of the case

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Ledd Slinger

illegitimi non carborundum

Don't get mad, the forum members here don't know about the ashtray and empty beer bottles on my reload bench. :

LOL ;D

 

[bigedp51]

CatShooter, give us a break and stop trying to be funny as I am, we all know how old you are and what type reloading equipment you have.

P.S. CatShooter, your loosing your grip on reality........................................just like fguffey.

Sorry CatShooter, all my cases had donuts today and I'm on a powdered sugar high.

Bazinga

 

[DennisH]

I would call RCBS. They are usually pretty good about helping.

Dennis

 

[CatShooter]

CatShooter, give us a break and stop trying to be funny as I am, we all know how old you are and what type reloading equipment you have.

P.S. CatShooter, your loosing your grip on reality........................................just like fguffey.

Sorry CatShooter, all my cases had donuts today and I'm on a powdered sugar high.

Edwardus...

I was saving up to get one of these cool tools to upgrade my loading bench...

... but the loading took second place to buying more rifles for the coming invasion of commie alien radio-active cats from planet 14!

Sue me ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

 

[hdbiker1]

My Chargemaster wouldn't go into auto mode when I replaced the tin funnel with a Lyman pan funnel. I found it didn't weigh enough to trigger the auto function. But as a work around, I glued a big washer onto the bottom of the pan funnel and auto dispense works. Also the large washer centers the pan funnel on the platen so placement is consistent. Probably isn't your problem though.

 

[carlsbad]

hdbiker, Maybe my problem is similar. I was loading 223 with only 24 grains of powder. Maybe that difference wasn't big enough to set off the auto function.

I'll try calling RCBS tomorrow.

Thanks for all the suggestions (and entertainment). --Jerry

 

[hdbiker1]

If you suspect the same problem I had, try putting a nickel or quarter on the platen, then put your pan on and zero and see if that works for you.

 

[bigmick11]

When I first got mine the auto wouldn't work at all, I wasn't too bothered and just used the dispense button. I checked the transformer plug, sent from the states with the item, I thought it felt too hot and I noticed it was a volt less than specified. I put a 12v one on and everything has worked perfectly since.
It just needed a little more ummff.