RCBS Chargemaster Fix

[IanP]

I got a new chargemaster some months ago and I swapped it for another at the shop within a week of the purchase.

It would run thru the first 2 speeds then refuse to trickle to complete the load. The scale was impressively accurate when checked against my 10-10 beam scale.

The next one I got did the same thing except intermittently it would work fine. I finally got tired of its refusing to work and arranged to take it back to swap for yet another.

I phoned NIOA the RCBS importers who were extremely helpful and they said it was probably a power supply related fault. To cut a long story short I'm an electrical/electronic technician so I did a little testing.

The chargemaster came with a 9V DC regulated plug pack (sourced locally) and it did indeed put out a steady 9.0VDC. I hooked up a variable regulated DC supply to the chargemaster and found the following.

At 9.0VDC the trickle feed would work intermittently and as I wound the voltage up it would work 100% of the time.

I could hear a high pitched whine at 9.0VDC sometimes as the chargemaster tried to drive the spindle at trickle speed. The pitch changed and the spindle would reliably rotate between 9.3 - 9.5VDC.

Problem solved, the locally sourced plug pack was too low at 9.0V DC to drive trickle speed. NIOA are sending me the USA plug pack and adapter which I'm assured will work fine. In the mean time I have a 100% operational chargemaster hooked up to a monster variable supply and it will stay that way until the new plug pack arrives.

Anyone with similar problems now have a solution at hand for this great product with great support from NIOA.

[VickiMcc]

Ive got a different problem

When you go to calibrate scales, the cal button will work when it wants, you have to push repeatly from different angles to get into the calibration menu. Also have to be careful when entering a weight value. Dosnt always like that either


Paul

[Chris S]

My Chargemaster came direct from Sinclairs as a European model
and the power supply is 230 AC to 10 volt DC, it has the Euro style
plug that is easily fixed with an adaptor. No wonder the 9V p/supply
just does'nt really do the job.

Chris...

[IanP]

My Chargemaster came direct from Sinclairs as a European model
and the power supply is 230 AC to 10 volt DC, it has the Euro style
plug that is easily fixed with an adaptor. No wonder the 9V p/supply
just does'nt really do the job.

Chris...

Thanks for your comment Chris!
The RCBS Manual states a 9V DC supply but an unregulated 9V supply would output a higher voltage unless fully loaded (as in current draw).
I suspect RCBS mean an unregulated supply and the regulated plug pack sourced locally by NIOA did its job too well and kept the voltage right on 9.0V DC.

Did you measure 10VDC or does it state it on the plug pack that came with it?

[Chris S]

G'day Ian,

I have not measured the output of the plugpack myself.
Just quoting what is printed on the unit. I'll dig out the multi meter!

Chris...

[Chris S]

G'day Ian,

I plugged in the 10 VDC power supply and checked
the output with my trusty (?) Dick Smith multi-meter
and was suprised to measure 15 and a bit volts! Can that be
right or is it because there is no load on the power supply?
Over to you sparkies out there.

Chris...

[IanP]

Chris, that is the output from an unregulated 10V plug pack without a load attached. No wonder the regulated unit supplied by NIOA had problems driving the Chargemaster.

Thanks for the info!

[littlebang556]

Mine also is a euro job with a 10VDC supply...runs at a tickle under 12VDC...I guess there have been issues in the past.

On another note...I find I get much more consistant readings If I turn mine on about half hour before needed.

Otherwise, a marvelous tool...I was lucky enough to get mine for an absolute song.

Cheers

Rob Al

[VickiMcc]

Hi all

My problem seems to be fixed. I plugged in the original power supply using a travel adapter. Not only do all the buttons work with the slightest touch, and from any angle, but the unit also runs faster.


Paul

[IanP]

NIOA sent me a factory supplied 9V DC plug pack and Australian socket adapter. Checked the voltage without load and it measured 15V DC.

NIOA made a mistake supplying the 9V DC regulated plug packs and now a lot of us can use our Chargemasters as they were designed to function. The right voltage was all that was needed!