Digital scales/powder dispenser.

[gixer1]

With the digital powder dispensers/scales, we are told that you need to turn them on for a 15-30 mins prior to use and that this is due to temperature fluctuations….I don’t understand why? If the unit was kept in the box, or in a different place but my scale stays on the same table all the time…can anyone explain this?

Also, on the RCBS chargemaster (apparently one of the market leaders according to tests and reviews) why oh why did they put the on off button in the same position as the dispense button? The reason I ask is that periodically I will be concentrating on something else and hit the “off” button instead of the dispense button….does this mean I then have to go through the wait period and recalibration when I turn it back on??

Regards,
Gixer

 

[mealiejimmy]

I think the 15-30 min warm up is a bit of BS - I normally calibrate mine withing 5 minutes of switching on and then start dispensing.
You might want to try this:
Switch on the scale and run the calibration routine within a couple of minutes of switching it on
When calibrated and zeroed, measure and record the weight displayed when you put the 50 and 100g calibration weights on the scale
Now wait 30 mins and repeat to see if the displayed weights have changed.
If not, the there;s no need for a warm up period.
If they have changed by more than amount you deem acceptable, then the 30 min warm up would appear to be justified

Cheers

Bruce

 

[Malxwal]

I can't live with the +/- 0.1gr tolerance,so everything gets checked and adjusted on beam scale anyway.
But I just leave my unit powered up all the time, only goes off if we have a power cut, so frequently.

 

[shootonsight]

Following

 

[nun_hunter]

I expect as they're so sensitive then temperature or atmospheric pressure could affect them. More of an issue if you're moving them from storage to where you're going to use them but the manufacturer to cover all bases just says wait 30 mins.

 

[Steff]

You‘re talking about cheap strain gauge scales. They react to temperature and turned on electronics produce heat. That‘s why.

 

[gixer1]

You‘re talking about cheap strain gauge scales. They react to temperature and turned on electronics produce heat. That‘s why.

What electronic component in a strain gauge generates significant heat that will change over a 15-30 minute period? - they don’t…

 

[MarinePMI]

With the digital powder dispensers/scales, we are told that you need to turn them on for a 15-30 mins prior to use and that this is due to temperature fluctuations….I don’t understand why? If the unit was kept in the box, or in a different place but my scale stays on the same table all the time…can anyone explain this?

Also, on the RCBS chargemaster (apparently one of the market leaders according to tests and reviews) why oh why did they put the on off button in the same position as the dispense button? The reason I ask is that periodically I will be concentrating on something else and hit the “off” button instead of the dispense button….does this mean I then have to go through the wait period and recalibration when I turn it back on??

Regards,
Gixer

As I understand it, it's because they are strain gauge scales, and as the scale is turned on, things warm up...and expand. Which causes the scale to "drift" in it's readings. Same deal if you have it next to a window, and the sun starts poking through during your reloading session.

And then there's the fluorescent lights that will also mess with that type of scale (apparently is causes the power/electricity to get dirty; throwing off the scale).

JMTCW...but there's a reason magnetic force restore scales are what is used in most pharmacies and labs. They are more reliable and are designed to be left on for long periods of time. I think mine has been on for two years now. Zero drift. But, they are much more expensive.

ETA: Actually, it's been a year, now that I think about it. I had to unplug it and move it when I had workers in replacing the french doors, and they were afraid of swinging a piece of trim around, and knocking it off the table. It had been left on for at least a year before that. Again, zero drift. And sensitive enough that exhaling heavily in the direction of the scale will show a change in grains.

 

[gixer1]

Just read an interesting article (well….relatively!) and the time for leaving the scale on is due to the effect of static electricity which will dissipate over time - apparently static electricity and “electrical noise” and even radio waves can effect them - these effects can settle out over a time period.

Regards,
Gixer

 

[farmer7]

why oh why did they put the on off button in the same position as the dispense button? The reason I ask is that periodically I will be concentrating on something else and hit the “off” button instead of the dispense button….

You can set it to dispense automatically so on replacing the pan it dispenses without having to press a button at all. (if its a 1500 as mine is, I'm not familiar with the newer models). I set mine to do that years ago and have never changed it back!

It means you can replace the pan and seat a bullet whilst it's measuring without having to search out the disp button each time. Oh and you can also turn off the loud, annoying beep too that announces the next charge is ready. For me with these two settings changed it's much more pleasant to use!

 

[gixer1]

You can set it to dispense automatically so on replacing the pan it dispenses without having to press a button at all. (if its a 1500 as mine is, I'm not familiar with the newer models). I set mine to do that years ago and have never changed it back!

It means you can replace the pan and seat a bullet whilst it's measuring without having to search out the disp button each time. Oh and you can also turn off the loud, annoying beep too that announces the next charge is ready. For me with these two settings changed it's much more pleasant to use!

Yes, I do use the auto feature, but prefer the button push….