Check those powder charge weights and watch your scales

[imaguy3]

So for the longest time I used a hornady autocharge, the original one. Never had any issues with it and trusted it. I would randomly double check my powder charge weight and it was always spot on.

I then upgraded to the Pro. Never gave it a second thought and it's been working fine for 6 mths. Last month I noticed I was constantly having a zero shift on my scale between each load! Even weirder is it seemed to change with my proximity to the scale. I was stumped by this... I'd calibrate and do everything as it should, zero out, throw a charge, the scale would stop exactly where I set it but then I would double check and the charge would be off by sometimes over a grain!

I spent much time conversing with Hornady, they were more than helpful but for some reason we couldn't figure out the issue as the scale was working properly, and tested out. I tried a second new one and immediately had the same issue. Back on the phone with them, with provided video, and he sent it to the engineers. One of the engineers suggested there was possibly a static electricity issue. I tried everything, unplugging everything around, trying different outlets... couldn't figure it out.

Finally I remembered that I had recently added some foam padding on the floor. The foam padding was causing my scale to go haywire! I have a series of videos I uploaded to youtube showing the issue I was having and then proving it was the foam padding...

Anyways, moral of the story, always pay attention check and calibrate your stuff....

Watch them in this order:

https://youtube.com/shorts/PnE_icYkSk4

https://youtube.com/shorts/vsKvLUYpY00

https://youtube.com/shorts/emMqq8S-ig0

[Klem]

Guy,

Interesting.

I think scale drift was discussed previously on the Forum with a few guys having their own solutions.

I don't use a power adapter for the Chargemaster, preferring instead the more stable power from a DC battery. So DC to DC, instead of house AC - DC (adapter) - DC (scales). 6x18650 Li-ion batteries in 3S2P. There is also a ferrite core near the plug to cut down on EMI. The power cable going into the scales is an antennae so the closer you can get the core to the plug the better. The scales don't drift and this probably helps.
Battery - Copy.jpg

Another thought is that if you are building up static in your body via your feet you could ground yourself using an anti-static wrist strap. Wear it and clip the plug against a grounded metal surface. Or attach it to the ground of a wall socket plug (obviously you have to be careful with live power nearby but I've done it). I don't use it for reloading but when soldering electronics. Or if you want to go the full hog use an anti-static mat ('ESD mat'). This will definitely solve the drift problem.

wristband - Copy.jpg
Both the ferrite core and wrist band are only a few dollars.
.

[A5Blaster Number 2]

That is the sole reason why I removed all the carpet from my loading room and put down a real wood floor, pus have a thin rubber mat down that coves half the floor.

That and I routinely clean out my chargmaster lits and give them a good going over with a used static clean sheet from the dryer. And let it warm up for a min of 30 mints before I calibrate it.

[Old Bob]

Along with grounding yourself & your floor mats, replace any fluorescent lights you might have with LED lighting. Used to use baluns (ferrite chokes) on my electronic scale power cords to cut down on drift. I have a cable that's connected to a cold-water pipe on one end & to a wrist-strap at the other. Even with the chokes & the ground wire there would still be some minimal scale drift from time-to-time. Re-cal the scale would fix it for awhile. But since I replaced all my fluorescent lights with LEDs, I haven't notice any drift at all. I also turn-off my TV, radio & a ceiling fan to eliminate air currents.