OK, so I'm weighing some Powder and my RCBS Range Master 750 Electronic Powder Scale locked-up
Didn't do anything out of the norm, but it now reads 02008
Will not zero, calibrate or reset in any way
I know it's an older Scale, but it's worked great up to now
Any ideas ?
If it has an internal battery that holds memory? Remove the battery / replace the battery and give it another try
Ken
Quote from: Kenk on March 07 2020 06:46:39 PM MST
If it has an internal battery that holds memory? Remove the battery / replace the battery and give it another try
Ken
I'll look into that
TNX, Den S
Mine was inconsistent from the get go so after talking with RCBS they sent me a new one that works great. He said they had a problem with something internal and knew the date range it applied to.
This one has worked great up to now
I may have zapped it or got it too close to the LapTop I was using to enter the weights as I got them
I'll see what RCBS has to say
But I feel I may have lost her
Your RCBS 750 scale is both battery or converter powered. If you've been using the converter I'd try a 9v battery. If it doesn't work, the warranty is 2 years only and only to the original buyer. It's been my experience with RCBS that they don't move from the warranty period concerning anything electric. I've had a few of the chinese junk units that RCBS sells only to have it die right after the warranty period. No, they haven't made anything good yet. But it can't hurt to try. If you intend to replace the unit with another digital scale, look for a jewelry scale that also weighs in grains. The RCBS you currently have is accurate to .4 of a grain +/-. Most jewelry digitals are at least half that and some down to .001 grain, providing you want to throw the money at it. Some will count how many times it has weighed the project which can be helpful. Some have overload protection which can save a unit should something get dropped on the scale that is more than it's capacity. Regardless, you need to know that digital scales marketed into the reloading market are basically bottom of the barrel crap. You can get a decent jewelry scale for the same money. But you'll need to research all of them to find the right one for you.
Take a look at the Gempro-250, This scale has served me well. If I remember correctly, they run something like $120.00, but may have been discontinued
https://myweigh.com/product/gempro-series/
Thanks Trapper !
Great info
Sounds like I need to do some research
It was plugged it, but I have tried the 9v too .... no joy !
I'm gonna give it a look today, just for Ss and Gs
We'll see what (if anything) RCBS has to say
They've always been GREAT when it comes to their Dies and other "NON-Electric" Tools
But yeah, I think, in this case, I'm SOL !
Thanks KenK
I'll look into that one too
I have a hunting bud that owns one of the largest scales companies in South Texas. He had recommended a MyWeight scale to me. I don't recall the model and could easily be the one Ken is recommending. It was the most accurate digital scale I ever saw. Most won't weight the same charge of powder 24 hours later, and worst, at 48 hours you'll get an even bigger difference. Most of the scales with the reloader as the target buyer have this issue unless you're wanting to spend some big bucks. My MyWeight scale was great but unfortunately just couldn't weigh the F350 that ended up on it. Hated to see that scale in pieces but it is what it is. You can look thru all of the MyWeight scales at Old Will Knotts Scales. Make sure you understand what you are reading, it can get confusing which is more sensitive or even if it weighs in grains. If you were happy with the RCBS sensitivity at .4 grain, you'll be happy with one at .2 or .1. Now if you wanna really spend some bucks, they have them down to .001 sensitivity but that'll cost a 4 digital number. Here's the website to Old Will Knotts and a scale I'm probably going to buy as a backup to what I have. As of now I'm using an Ohaus 10-10 scale and frankly, it's pretty lousy. I always setup my powder measure via scale and recheck it with a different scale. The 10-10 gets it in the neighborhood while the micrometer on the powder measure finishes it off.
https://www.oldwillknottscales.com/jennings-tb500.html
One thing with the MyWeight scale, it's best to turn it on a few hours before use
Ken
Based on this thread the code means it is pooched, but RCBS will get you a factory replacement:
https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/rcbs-rangemaster-750-issues.98216/
Just a thought, if RCBS doesn't take care of you. Surface mounted electronics are the reason many devices fail. Years ago all the components on circuit board were punched all the way through and soldered on the back side. Today they are mounted and soldered from the top. Heating and cooling cause the boards to flex and tiny cracks in the solder develop. The solution sounds crazy but it works. Remove the circuit board and bake it in the oven, component side up, at 375-400 degrees for 10 mins. It re-flows the solder and can bring them right back to life. One should remove any batteries mounted to the board prior to baking.
I've done this to the motherboards of 2 flat screen TVs and my buddy has done it to his kid's X-box 360 at least a half dozen times. If something is headed for the trash anyway, what have you got to lose?
Thanks again Guys
I have to find a minute and call RCBS
They have always been fair with me
If we're SOL, I may give it the "Roper" treatment just for Ss and Gs
I will be shocked if they don't just send you a new one.
Years ago I was given a broken Lachmiller lubrisizer. I tracked down the catalog item numbers for the parts I would need. RCBS had purchased Lachmiller and just put their name on the same lubrisizer. Called them up to order parts.
All parts provided for free and I was offered to have it sent in for a rebuild IIRC. Solid company to deal with.
Quote from: sqlbullet on March 09 2020 07:48:32 PM MDT
.... Solid company to deal with.
Yeah, I have NEVER had a bad experience with RCBS and their Customer Service
Not once
" Yeah, we've had some issues with a few of those (fill-in the blank) .... we'll send you one that we know is OK "
Free replacement Parts
Fix or replace a jammed-up Die
You name it
Only cost "MAY BE" your shipping to them !
I tore the Base off of a 7.62X51mm NATO Case inside a Small Base Sizing Die
I took the De-Capper and Lock Ring off and sent them the Die Body
Once they received my bad Die, they sent me a brand-new one (FREE)
New De-Capper, Lock Rings and all
No questions
Not everybody will do that !
They've sent me all kinds of free (replacement) stuff:
De-Cap Pins
Extra Lock Ring .... With and without Set-Screws
And I LOVE these Spacer Rings:
(https://i.imgur.com/mvMZL1Z.jpg)
I use them for several things while loading
OK; so here's the long and short of it
RCBS says it's waaaay out of warranty, so try the "Love Tap" :
" During the use of electronic scales over the course of a day, you may notice your RangeMaster scale's readings begin drifting or not returning to zero. This can be caused by changes in environmental conditions, especially temperature, and also residual stresses in the load cell from manufacturing. First, verify that your unit has had sufficient time to warm-up (at least 20 minutes). If you have been using your scale for more than an hour and noticed this behavior, try re-calibrating your scale, especially if you are outdoors or in an uncontrolled environment (garage, shop, etc. without air conditioning). Otherwise, your load cell may need to be stress-relieved to eliminate these symptoms. Normal use of the scale over time will break-in the load cell and cause these symptoms to stop, but could take hours of use. Follow these steps to safely accelerate this 'break-in' period of the device and eliminate this problem:
Accelerated Break-In Procedure:
1. Remove weights and pan from platen
2. Press 'ZERO' button
3. With your finger, tap the platen softly enough to barely cause the scale to overload (you will get an "OL" reading). The amount of force required will be comparable to how hard you push on a computer keyboard when typing.
**Note** the scale is equipped with a mechanical stop on the load cell to prevent it from being over-stressed. However, applying excessive force could still damage it. Do not hit your scale with more than 8 ounces (250 grams) of force.
4. Repeat this tapping 20-30 times. (You do not want to see OL)
5. Allow your scale to stabilize. If you have a non-zero reading, your scale did have residual stress in the load cell and should function better now.
6. Recalibrate the scale and resume normal operation.
7. If over time, you notice this behavior recurring, repeat these steps again as necessary. "
Well, it didn't work
So I tore-off the "VOID" sticker and unscrewed the Face-plate
Lightly drug a Screwdriver across random Solder Joints; thinking maybe it needs to discharge static or any residual charge
Plugged it in and voila 0.0
Calibrated and working
Don't have a clue as to what it did, but the Scale works !
Thanks for all the input
Glad it worked.
At the risk of dating myself, I can remember with the Apple III a common trouble shooting step was to drop the CPU from a height of 6-8" onto a desk.
All the transistor chips were in sockets rather than soldered, and the heat cycle of using the computer would work them loose. Dropping it re-seated them.
Quote from: sqlbullet on March 12 2020 09:10:04 AM MDT
Glad it worked.
At the risk of dating myself, I can remember with the Apple III a common trouble shooting step was to drop the CPU from a height of 6-8" onto a desk.
All the transistor chips were in sockets rather than soldered, and the heat cycle of using the computer would work them loose. Dropping it re-seated them.
Not many remember the RCA Vacuum Tube Testing Stations at the Local (Thrifty) Drug Store either
Mmmmm, Thrifty Ice Cream
I'll take a triple please ! ! !
I have been reloading for over 30 years. RCBS and Dillon equipment and supplies. Their support is absolutely awesome. Two fine examples of great American companies.
RCBS is great with their "Hard" Tools, but Electronics .... not so much .... but then again ..... who IS ? ! ?