Chargemaster program parameters

[Rwnielsen]

My chargemaster is consistently over throwing with H4350. I believe the dispenser is out running the scale
The straw trick helped but not much. RCBS C/S says I should send it in as it's still under warranty. I think if I could slow down the trickle it might help.
Thanks for your help

[Eljay]

I think I might send it in. The straw trick might make it run really slow but you shouldn't get overruns.

[noylj]

Send it back.
Over-runs: I only get that with the first dispensing--so I set the first dispense about 1.0 gn short and trickle it up. After that, the most I get is an occasional 0.1 gn overshoot and that is simply not important (and easily adjusted using a moist finger to pickup two or three kernels of powder).
If the problem is not fixable and the overshoot is at all consistent, set the charge below that and trickle the last 0.1-0.2gn.
Personally, I never used a straw and don't consider that I have any problem that would need a straw.

[Rwnielsen]

Ok, thanks for the help. I was hoping I could adjust it somewhere in the program. Back it goes.

['ol shooter]

Try leveling it, then tilting it back slightly, see if that helps, it did on mine.

[anyracoon]

Here is a link to reprogram speed. Be sure to write down current set up before you mess with parameters as there is no auto reset to factory parameters.

http://benchrest.com/showthread.php?82003-RCBS-Chargemaster-Parameters-and-how-to-speed-it-up

[milotrain]

This is a setup checklist that I was given by a guy who shoots better than anyone has a right to.

Tune Up for RCBS Chargemaster 1500

1. Get a McDonalds drinking straw. (McDonalds because it is larger in diameter than other straws.) Cut off approx. 1", and insert in the dispensing end of the drop tube. This covers up the threads, and helps prevent clumping, causing the last few grains of powder to dispense smoothly. If the straw is the right size, it should stay in place by friction alone.

2. Remove the clear powder reservoir. Take a .30 caliber bullet with a flat base, and place it in the cut out in the dispensing tube, partially blocking the opening into the tube. You only want to leave a .1" or so opening. You can rotate the drop tube by hand, and wrap electrical tape around the bullet & tube to hold it in place. Or you can use some silicon glue. Mostly blocking off this opening only slightly slows the powder flow, but smoothes it out a lot. Re-install the clear tube.

3. Now for the part that isn't just bubble gum and baling wire: Turn the measure on. Press the Enter and Edit keys at the same time. This takes you into the programming. There is a long series of parameters that you scroll through by hitting the Enter key repeatedly. To change any of these parameters, you scroll until you get to it, then key in your new desired value, then hit Enter. Once you have scrolled through everything (there are 27), the machine resets itself with the new values.
The first three parameters that appear should be:

HSP_A1 15.68
HSP_B1 3.42
HSP_C1 1.08

These are the only ones we are going to change. What each one represents is how far below the desired charge weight does the machine switch to the next lower speed. For the values above, it runs at the highest speed until it is 15.68 grains below the desired charge, then it runs at the second highest speed until it is 3.42 grains below the desired charge, etc.
When each parameter is on the screen, you just need to enter the number you want and hit Enter.
Start with:
HSP_A1 6.50
HSP_B1 2.00
HSP_C1 0.50

After you have entered these, hit Enter repeatedly until you have scrolled through everything else, and the machine has reset. It will now be MUCH faster. If you are getting overcharges, or it seems to stop the high speed discharge too soon or too late, adjust the above parameters until you are happy.

There is no default reset button, so if you want to put it back like you found it, you will have to re-enter the original numbers. I have all of them if you ever need them.

I use the machine as follows:

1. Turn it on a 1/2 hour before I want to start.
2. Calibrate it.
3. Throw charges and seat bullets at the same time, seating one while the next charge is throwing. If your press and scale are on the same bench, you must use the press GENTLY to avoid confusing the scale.
4. I re-zero the scale before each throw. Pick up pan, pour powder into case, put pan back on scale, hit Zero, then Dispense.

[Eljay]

If your press and scale are on the same bench, you must use the press GENTLY to avoid confusing the scale.
4. I re-zero the scale before each throw. Pick up pan, pour powder into case, put pan back on scale, hit Zero, then Dispense.

I put mine on its own shelf, it definitely doesn't like being on an unsteady surface.

I'm pretty sure it actually zeroes itself after every throw, or mine does anyway, if you put the pan back on with a little something in there you can easily see if it zeroes or not. Maybe that's a setting.

[tpf68]

This is a setup checklist that I was given by a guy who shoots better than anyone has a right to.

Tune Up for RCBS Chargemaster 1500

1. Get a McDonalds drinking straw. (McDonalds because it is larger in diameter than other straws.) Cut off approx. 1", and insert in the dispensing end of the drop tube. This covers up the threads, and helps prevent clumping, causing the last few grains of powder to dispense smoothly. If the straw is the right size, it should stay in place by friction alone.

2. Remove the clear powder reservoir. Take a .30 caliber bullet with a flat base, and place it in the cut out in the dispensing tube, partially blocking the opening into the tube. You only want to leave a .1" or so opening. You can rotate the drop tube by hand, and wrap electrical tape around the bullet & tube to hold it in place. Or you can use some silicon glue. Mostly blocking off this opening only slightly slows the powder flow, but smoothes it out a lot. Re-install the clear tube.

3. Now for the part that isn't just bubble gum and baling wire: Turn the measure on. Press the Enter and Edit keys at the same time. This takes you into the programming. There is a long series of parameters that you scroll through by hitting the Enter key repeatedly. To change any of these parameters, you scroll until you get to it, then key in your new desired value, then hit Enter. Once you have scrolled through everything (there are 27), the machine resets itself with the new values.
The first three parameters that appear should be:

HSP_A1 15.68
HSP_B1 3.42
HSP_C1 1.08

These are the only ones we are going to change. What each one represents is how far below the desired charge weight does the machine switch to the next lower speed. For the values above, it runs at the highest speed until it is 15.68 grains below the desired charge, then it runs at the second highest speed until it is 3.42 grains below the desired charge, etc.
When each parameter is on the screen, you just need to enter the number you want and hit Enter.
Start with:
HSP_A1 6.50
HSP_B1 2.00
HSP_C1 0.50

After you have entered these, hit Enter repeatedly until you have scrolled through everything else, and the machine has reset. It will now be MUCH faster. If you are getting overcharges, or it seems to stop the high speed discharge too soon or too late, adjust the above parameters until you are happy.

There is no default reset button, so if you want to put it back like you found it, you will have to re-enter the original numbers. I have all of them if you ever need them.

I use the machine as follows:

1. Turn it on a 1/2 hour before I want to start.
2. Calibrate it.
3. Throw charges and seat bullets at the same time, seating one while the next charge is throwing. If your press and scale are on the same bench, you must use the press GENTLY to avoid confusing the scale.
4. I re-zero the scale before each throw. Pick up pan, pour powder into case, put pan back on scale, hit Zero, then Dispense.

Great write-up. I'm subscribing to this one, thanks!