RCBS Chargemaster scale accuracy concerns

[mgunderson]

Did you try leaving it run for a few hours to let it thermally settle. Led lights are typically not the issue, but large electric loads in the house or neighborhood might. Large industry, heaters, ac, well pumps.

 

[M-61]

Taking it apart to clean per the instructions, I guess.

Mine is maybe 8 years old.
Instruction booklet is 10 pages.
No where in mine are any instructions for “breaking it down.”
I keep it covered when not in use. Cleaning (breaking it down?) consists of blowing the powder off that I accidentally spilled on it.

 

[Ksracer]

my chargemaster started doing this same thing last week. i found i had a bug in the system. actually a ladybug or beetle had died under the platen. picked out the bug and it worked fine.

It's pretty easy for a stray kernel of powder to get under there also.

I'd take the platen off and shake it upside down, then blow it out with a keyboard duster.

 

[nakneker]

Been using two charge master lites side by side. Never had an issue, both scales dispense equal charges. I check on a beam scale before and after every session. I recalibrate every session too. I also let them warm up an hour before use. I don’t have forced air or windows in my reloading room, my other electronics are several feet away, they’ve been great.

 

[USAFRet]

Did you try leaving it run for a few hours to let it thermally settle. Led lights are typically not the issue, but large electric loads in the house or neighborhood might. Large industry, heaters, ac, well pumps.

I let it run for about 30 min. Hearing all the variables, makes me wonder if I ought not go old school.

 

[TIMO]

I had problems with my Charge Master before. Here is the link to my post and how I fixed the issue. Charge Master still working as it should.

RCBS Charge Master will not calibrate accurately

Update, CM 1500 is now working and back to normal. Verified with my other electronic scale and 10-10 scale. I hope it lasts.:) Probably just my lucky day. I applied a number of short blasts of compressed air to the opening where the scale platen sets and where the power cord plugs in. Also...

forum.accurateshooter.com

Tim

 

[Lone Hunter]

Did you try leaving it run for a few hours to let it thermally settle. Led lights are typically not the issue, but large electric loads in the house or neighborhood might. Large industry, heaters, ac, well pumps.

This ^^^^
I found if I let mine (warm up) stay plugged in for at least an hour it would perform like it was supposed to.

 

[M-61]

I let it run for about 30 min.

Meaning leaving it plugged in or letting it dispense and refill for 30 minutes.

 

[USAFRet]

Meaning leaving it plugged in or letting it dispense and refill for 30 minutes.

Letting it warm up. Plugged in and turned on. Just wiped it down with a dryer sheet and turned it on. Going to let it sit and warm up for about an hour to see how it does today.

 

[Homerange]

I did have an LED lamp on. I wonder if that could have caused an issue.

Potentially yes as some LED fixtures/lamps emit high levels of RFI/EMI that can interfere with sensitive electronics. Try another light source to see if there is any difference although I don't recommend using a candle ! LOL

 

[acloco]

How close was your cell phone to the scale?

RX/TX traffic is picked up by scales, whether AC or DC powered.

 

[Rocketvapor]

My little reloading corner is next to the wall that holds my wifi modem, about 4 feet away.
I can upload cell video from 2 to 3 feet away and no effect on the scale.
Running off USB adapter. Bench illuminated by clip on LED light.

 

[Homerange]

My little reloading corner is next to the wall that holds my wifi modem, about 4 feet away.
I can upload cell video from 2 to 3 feet away and no effect on the scale.
Running off USB adapter. Bench illuminated by clip on LED light.

Thumbs up it works for you but we can't make generalisations as some products are real crap and emit piles of RF garbage. Wallwarts have to be the most common offenders.

 

[jackieschmidt]

I had a ChargeMaster Lite that I bought in ”as new” condition off the classifieds. When I got it it looked brand new.

It would not zero. The scale would drift up, then down. I tried every suggestion everybody had, even took it apert to see if something was stuck in the scale parts.

Nothing worked. I threw it in the garbage. Lesson learned.

my other ChargeMaster Lite has given me great service for several years. I have another as a spare that works fine.

So I’m batting 666.

 

[USAFRet]

So, left the cell phone off the table, wiped it down with a dryer sheet and let it warm up for an hour Loads were within .1, so something in there fixed the issue. I did have to recalibrate once as the scale went wonky, but the hopper was low of powder so that may have been the issue.

Thanks folks.

 

[Skeetman59]

Yes. Welcome to the club. Recheck every charge with a second precise scale.

That’s what I do.

 

[Wildstreak]

I have a RCBS chargemaster 1500 and it the biggest piece of junk I have ever owned. I have followed all of the instructions, tried all of the tricks and its still crap. I have heard from enough people to know that mine isn't an anomoly. Take it for what its worth.

 

[LHSmith]

I have been using a CM 1500 since 2010. It replaced a Pact Auto dispenser. The Pact worked fine, but the CM is more convenient to use. I have dropped thousands of charges for Benchrest and hunting loads without problems once I addressed all the concerns listed above. I random check my drop weights on a 1010 which is checked with certified test weights.

 

[wkdickinson]

Mine is maybe 8 years old.
Instruction booklet is 10 pages.
No where in mine are any instructions for “breaking it down.”
I keep it covered when not in use. Cleaning (breaking it down?) consists of blowing the powder off that I accidentally spilled on it.

Easy to take apart (CM 1500):

1. Unplug the unit and empty powder hopper. Turn over and unscrew the leveling feet from the scale unit.
2. The scale portion is on rails that align it with the dispenser. Slide the scale portion away from the dispenser. This unplugs the electrical connection between the two.
3. Once the scale unit is remover you will find 4 Philips screws in the bottom. Remove them and open the unit. There are wires that connect the top and bottom portions, I did not unplug those.
4. Turn both half upside down and tap them on the counter to remove loose powder. Then using a can of compressed air (same as used for computer keyboards), thoroughly blow out the inside.
5. Reassemble.

No guarantee that will fix it, but it's worked for me.