Thoughts on leaving your scale on 24/7?

[little_scrapper]

I work in a development lab and we have many high end high precision scales of various weight limits. They are left on 24/7.

Therefore, I leave my chargemaster on 24/7. I calibrate it before each use and verify it again after throwing charges. Never had it read anything other than the verification weight I placed on it. What your thoughts on 24/7 power?

P.S. I have never seen it drift. At all; ever. It always says 0.0. I intitially was leaving different weights on it to see if it would drift. It never has. I have everything from 10g up to 500g verifications weights.

 

[Alabusa]

I always turn mine on 30 minutes to an hour before I am going to use it. Works for me.

 

[antithesis]

The only time my scales are powered off is when I need to move them or they are removed from service. I keep them plugged in to a UPS, and they always have weight on them (check weight or the pan). I re-calibrate before I use them that particular day.

 

[little_scrapper]

I am also of the belief that scales are more accurate in the middle of their range; as opposed to the very upper and lower limits of their range. ie. 42 grains is definitely on the low end of a Chargemasters range. Does anyone put a flat metal disk on it to put the scale more in its midrange? I am thinking of doing this to get the scale more in the middle of its range before zero.

 

[Fig]

I completely unplug mine when not in use as per the Mfg. instructions.

It’s not lab equipment. It’s fucking plastic. IMO you are roasting it by keeping it on, which is the exact opposite of what RCBS recommends...., but I guess all you geniuses know better than the folks who make it.

 

[longgunJR]

I been keeping mine off and turn on the night before throw powder, I don't think I reload enough to keep it on all the time.

 

[antithesis]

I completely unplug mine when not in use as per the Mfg. instructions.

It’s not lab equipment. It’s fucking plastic. IMO you are roasting it by keeping it on, which is the exact opposite of what RCBS recommends...., but I guess all you geniuses know better than the folks who make it.

Except mine just happens to be a lab scale.

 

[little_scrapper]

I completely unplug mine when not in use as per the Mfg. instructions.

It’s not lab equipment. It’s fucking plastic. IMO you are roasting it by keeping it on, which is the exact opposite of what RCBS recommends...., but I guess all you geniuses know better than the folks who make it.

You mad bro?! Ever consider RCBS just doesn't want to get sued if their wall wart burns some ones house down. With them in it? I tend to believe MOST companies would give that advice strictly on liability reasons alone.

That being said; you may in fact be absolutely right. However, it would have to be a seriously crappy design/designer who would put in under-rated regulation in such a low power device like an electronic scale. Then again if some idiot dials in a charge weight then walks away while the hopper is empty I could see the motor burning out.

EDIT ADDED: I just went and read the Chargemaster manual. I don't see where RCBS recommends it be unplugged when not in use. Can you show me where it says that? LOL

 

[Niles Coyote]

My PACT scale has been on for 25 years... not kidding. The only time it's been off is when the power has been off to the house, which unfortunately seems to be increasingly common the last few years.

I would say 30 years but I moved once, LOL.

 

[kthomas]

I completely unplug mine when not in use as per the Mfg. instructions.

It’s not lab equipment. It’s fucking plastic. IMO you are roasting it by keeping it on, which is the exact opposite of what RCBS recommends...., but I guess all you geniuses know better than the folks who make it.

Awfully presumptuous of you to assume we all use chargemasters.

Myself and many others use scales designed for lab use. This is not the first time I've heard of lab scales being left on 24/7 to mitigate drift.

 

[softcock]

Chargemaster never turned off, except for a couple power outages, then turned back on . I have my chargemaster turned On since 2008 .
.

 

[Fig]

You mad bro?! Ever consider RCBS just doesn't want to get sued if their wall wart burns some ones house down. With them in it? I tend to believe MOST companies would give that advice strictly on liability reasons alone.

That being said; you may in fact be absolutely right. However, it would have to be a seriously crappy design/designer who would put in under-rated regulation in such a low power device like an electronic scale. Then again if some idiot dials in a charge weight then walks away while the hopper is empty I could see the motor burning out.

EDIT ADDED: I just went and read the Chargemaster manual. I don't see where RCBS recommends it be unplugged when not in use. Can you show me where it says that? LOL

I’m not mad dood. You read bro?
Page 2. “ 1500 Scale Instructions” ON/OFF:

https://rcbs.com/RCBS/media/RCBSMedia/Instructions/English%20(EN)/ChargeMaster1500-Scale-Inst.pdf

Hey, do whatever you want and believe whatever you want, but that’s what RCBS specifically says to do.
The benchrest guys will run three or more at the range, and they seem to think that as they’re left on they wander and need to be recalibrated rather than than leaving the on makes them more accurate.
The op said Chargemaster. Totally agree that some lab scales are built to stay on. Apparently the chargemaster is not built like that, but if you think you know better have at it.

 

[antithesis]

I pulled the manual, it is there as mentioned. My money is on them being far more concerned about them getting phone calls and warranty claims because of crappy home wiring than because of the electronics. I don't unplug the microwave, toaster, or coffee pot when not in use but they all say I should.

If it really were an electronics issue they would qualify it with a 'don't use for more than x hours at a time' or 'don't let the scale sit for x amount of time between usage' kind of thing. As written, you better turn off and unplug it every time you go take a piss.

 

[_Windrider_]

I’m not mad dood. You read bro?
Page 2. “ 1500 Scale Instructions” ON/OFF:

https://rcbs.com/RCBS/media/RCBSMedia/Instructions/English%20(EN)/ChargeMaster1500-Scale-Inst.pdf

Hey, do whatever you want and believe whatever you want, but that’s what RCBS specifically says to do.
The benchrest guys will run three or more at the range, and they seem to think that as they’re left on they wander and need to be recalibrated rather than than leaving the on makes them more accurate.
The op said Chargemaster. Totally agree that some lab scales are built to stay on. Apparently the chargemaster is not built like that, but if you think you know better have at it.

I’m revoking your man card for reading the manual.

 

[Fig]

It's a military thing. I read the instructions through twice before starting to build something, and read the manual cover to cover whenever I get something requiring one.

This stood out to me, because I don't do that with almost anything else except certain chargers, and I've been doing it for years. I had always wondered why they say to do that, and then a few years ago there was a discussion on Accurateshooter about the BR guys running lots of them on the firing line and how the longer they remained on the less accurate they got. I think their SOP became to recalibrate with the weights every hour. This is the only, non-speculative thing I've ever seen on it.

Again, do whatever you want, but just know that you're advising people to do something that the MFG says not to do.

I almost always read the manuals (even on home appliances), and I can't remember seeing a similar thing except on certain fixed battery chargers. I've always unplugged it, and it's just a habit now.

 

[Doom]

The reason for unplugging is to to protect the unit from power surges, and to minimize the likelyhood of a fire starting from a failed power supply, which is always energized.

 

[softcock]

I also a firm believer in making ' several ' wraps of your units power cord, passing threw a Snap-on Ferrite/toriod Ring . an inexpensive item that nobody thinks of using on there plugged-in electronic scales .
.

 

[little_scrapper]

I’m not mad dood. You read bro?
Page 2. “ 1500 Scale Instructions” ON/OFF:

I’m revoking your man card for reading the manual.

Umm yea.. I didn't read it. I just figured I could make him read it again. Just to prove me wrong. LOL

 

[canezach]

Back on topic: my FX120i stays on 24/7. It's plugged into a line conditioner/surge protector combo and I leave the check weight on the tray

 

[Rhed]

#

 

[little_scrapper]

I also a firm believer in making ' several ' wraps of your units power cord, passing threw a Snap-on Ferrite/toriod Ring . an inexpensive item that nobody thinks of using on there plugged-in electronic scales .

Good for high freq suppression but wont do much for power surges. Power surges, especially high power surges like lightening strikes will easily saturate the ferrite core. Just saying. What you need are a big bank of caps, MOV's and TVS diodes. After that... phht lightening shmightening.

 

[TxWelder35]

I am also of the belief that scales are more accurate in the middle of their range; as opposed to the very upper and lower limits of their range. ie. 42 grains is definitely on the low end of a Chargemasters range. Does anyone put a flat metal disk on it to put the scale more in its midrange? I am thinking of doing this to get the scale more in the middle of its range before zero.

42 grains isn't all that's on the scale. On a chargemaster you have that plastic piece and the cup. That's what like 200 grains right there?

 

[softcock]

Good for high freq suppression but wont do much for power surges. Power surges, especially high power surges like lightening strikes will easily saturate the ferrite core. Just saying. What you need are a big bank of caps, MOV's and TVS diodes. After that... phht lightening shmightening.

-
I know that the Scales power cord laced around Ferrite clips wont do anything for a Lightning Strike overload surge to my electrical devices in the home . But, the Scale is plugged into a wall outlet with other running electrical devices using same fuse circute and also the reload room has florescent and LED lighting running . The Ferrite wrap can help, it certainly is Not a negative .
.. Lightning strike is going fuckup a lot more than a old chargmaster . Lot of things in my house that are constantly plugged in 24/7 to my 110/220 . everything these days has some PCU/motherboard electronics, from my washer dryer, cooking, music, TV, PC, ..etc.
.

 

[little_scrapper]

42 grains isn't all that's on the scale. On a chargemaster you have that plastic piece and the cup. That's what like 200 grains right there?

Yes. However, I believe the range is like 2-3K grains so that 200ish grains is still in the bottom 10%. Just saying.

 

[cpa22]

I have a Denver scale and leave it on 24/7.

 

[Lunchbox27]

I leave mine on 24/7 (Chargemaster) in an attempt to break it so I'll have a reason to spend FX120i duckets.

 

[antithesis]

I leave mine on 24/7 (Chargemaster) in an attempt to break it so I'll have a reason to spend FX120i duckets.

I think you are going to be waiting a while with that plan. Good news is Christmas is not that far away.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

At one time (late 1980's) I was a Solo Programmer/Machine Operator in Midtown NYC. We had a lot of power fluctuations, but I had no idea how wild they were until I borrowed a Dranetz Power Quality Monitor.

There were dropouts, sags, and spikes ranging from 40VAC to 800VAC; ConEd doing its thing. That doesn't even consider Lightning surges, and we get plenty of them here, too.

When I was a USMC Engineer Electrician running the Battalion Power Center in the 'Nam, the comm shack would go bananas if I ever did that to their power. That included my running around in the midst of incoming arty, fixing downed lines, working the lines hot. You do what you gotta do...

There's no way in Hell I'm leaving my sensitive electronics connected to such electrical mayhem.

My measure is an RCBS Chargemaster Lite. I reconnect and turn it on when I walk into the shop, do my prep, and then meter away. When I'm done, it gets shut down and secured, isolated from the power.

Greg

 

[morganlamprecht]

One of my chargemasters has been on for 6 yrs and the other for 5 yrs hooked up to a surge protector strip...only time theyre off is during a power outage

havent seen any negatives to do otherwise