AutoTrickler V4

[rmfield]

In my experience, you don't "need" anything extra. I suggest you just follow the instructions to calibrate it and see how you like it.

If you haven't seen Adam's flow rate/calibration video, you should check it out.

 

[John Glidewell]

I like the tip mod for the small tube and shim kit.

^^^^^ This ^^^^^ I use the tip and the shim kit. And most what I see as issues are a failure to follow directions. I adjust tilt with shims until I see a powder calibration on small tube of at least .18. It works best from .18 to .22 in my experience. RL15.5 is a #1 shim at .18. VV N555 is a #3 shim at .19. You get the point. Play with it, follow the instructions and realize each powder can be different. Those powders are so close is size and weight but they do not flow the same. I get + or - .02 very consistently in an 8 to 12 second throw. I am very happy with that speed. If you want faster, stick with a V3 and the new trickler that is out. But is that juice really worth the squeeze? I think my V4 is more consistent than my V3 set up and about the same speed. The other advantage I like is the V4 is easier to set up for a session and much easier to clean up after, in my humble opinion.

 

[secondofangle2]

there is much debate on here about whether the issues with ATV4 are "real" or just the grumblings of a few malcontents and incompetents.
With RL50 at least, the issue is real. Fully 1/3 of my throws are overages and the small tube just cannot effectively dispense the kernels. It can spin for several seconds and drop nothing, markedly increasing the throw times, and then a bunch of kernels bunch up and it goes over. Changing the settings is not going to fix this, it is a mechanical problem with the flow of large extruded powders in the small tube.
For the disbelievers, I made a video to illustrate the problem. I can drop charges with a uniflow and hand trickler in half the time of the ATV4

 

[S3th]

Let me get this right... you have multiple 0.04 overages on a powder kernel that weights on avg. 0.063..?

 

[John Glidewell]

there is much debate on here about whether the issues with ATV4 are "real" or just the grumblings of a few malcontents and incompetents.
With RL50 at least, the issue is real. Fully 1/3 of my throws are overages and the small tube just cannot effectively dispense the kernels. It can spin for several seconds and drop nothing, markedly increasing the throw times, and then a bunch of kernels bunch up and it goes over. Changing the settings is not going to fix this, it is a mechanical problem with the flow of large extruded powders in the small tube.
For the disbelievers, I made a video to illustrate the problem. I can drop charges with a uniflow and hand trickler in half the time of the ATV4

what is the flow rate of the small tube in settings after running calibration on V4?

 

[secondofangle2]

I have it at 10. If I had it slower, I’d be waiting 40 seconds for a throw

 

[secondofangle2]

Let me get this right... you have multiple 0.04 overages on a powder kernel that weights on avg. 0.063..?

I forgot to mention that of the 1/3 that are overages, 1/3 of those are LARGE overages

 

[rmfield]

The above posts are right on. The kernels are large (huge) for this kind of powder and the required flow rates make a big difference. Flow rate is not just speed, but also tube angle.

 

[John Glidewell]

Not what I asked. I asked for a calibrated flow rate not your speed setting. Look at the top - calibrated flow rates - small tube.... what is that number on yours?

 

[secondofangle2]

I mean, I can make you a video or livestream but you wouldn’t want to watch it. Easier to take my word for it I don’t have a dog in any fight here

I forgot to mention that of the 1/3 that are overages, 1/3 of those are LARGE overages

 

[secondofangle2]

My bad.

Not what I asked. I asked for a calibrated flow rate not your speed setting. Look at the top - calibrated flow rates - small tube.... what is that number on yours?

View attachment 7951409

 

[John Glidewell]

and there is a problem. .07 for flow is not good. It needs to be around .20. Try adding tilt, shim the back under the V4 where the rubber foot is. It is going to take a bit too. If you have some card stock try adding 2 or 3 pieces and run the powder calibration on the V4 and check to see where it is. Keep adding until the small flow rate is around .20 then try doing a few throws. You will likely need to readjust speeds.

 

[secondofangle2]

and there is a problem. .07 for flow is not good. It needs to be around .20. Try adding tilt, shim the back under the V4 where the rubber foot is. It is going to take a bit too. If you have some card stock try adding 2 or 3 pieces and run the powder calibration on the V4 and check to see where it is. Keep adding until the small flow rate is around .20 then try doing a few throws. You will likely need to readjust speeds.

Yeah, I have read about doing this in this thread, and that Adam discourages it.
Honestly for the volume of 50 BMG I load, I'll just use the uniflow and a hand trickler next time. Not worth futzing with it for small volume cartridge.
Just disappointing that I find myself here. One would have thought that some proper beta-testing would have easily identified this problem, especially since the inability of the hopper on the V3 to handle N570 seems to have been part of the reason behind the V4.
In good news, it drips RL15 like a champ.

 

[rmfield]

I think too slow for such big grains. When you are lucky you are dropping .06 grains. When you are not so lucky you are dropping clumps of .06 grains.

 

[357Max]

My bad.

@John Glidewell beat me to it.

Your small tube flow rate is way to low. Shim the back with small allen keys or something to get .18 -.23.
The problem I ran into was the large flow rate will go to .35++ when you get the small flow rate in that range. The bigger the kernals the bigger the split in flow rate. It may start overthrowing via large tube.

 

[John Glidewell]

Powder Calibration 14  Start the calibration process.  Place the empty cup and re-zero the scale.  Press Calibrate in the app to start the process.  After the tubes are primed, the flow rate stabilizes, and the natural flow rates of both tubes at a constant speed will be measured. This takes about 1 minute.  The calibrated flow rates are saved in the AutoTrickler electronics even if you disconnect power to the scale.  Verify the measured flow rate is within range.  Press Settings and observe the small tube calibrated flow rate.  The value should be within 0.10 to 0.20 GN/s.  If the value is too high or low:  See page 17.  Recalibrate after:  Changing powders  Adjusting the level of the scale  Adjusting the tilt angle of the housing  Changing anything which could affect the natural flow rate.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0525/7235/6768/files/AutoTrickler_V4.pdf?v=1645705962

 

[John Glidewell]

Yeah, I have read about doing this in this thread, and that Adam discourages it.
Honestly for the volume of 50 BMG I load, I'll just use the uniflow and a hand trickler next time. Not worth futzing with it for small volume cartridge.
Just disappointing that I find myself here. One would have thought that some proper beta-testing would have easily identified this problem, especially since the inability of the hopper on the V3 to handle N570 seems to have been part of the reason behind the V4.
In good news, it drips RL15 like a champ.

Where did Adam discourage it? I think that is bad info. It is the user manual and Adam even said you can use the leveling feet on the scale to add or remove some tilt. The shims are really nice. I will try setting up for N570 wiht a large shim and see if it runs. I know it was tested and required some added tilt to get it to flow properly.

 

[secondofangle2]

so is Adam officially; recommending shimming now? I thought I recalled him saying NOT to do that last a year ago

 

[John Glidewell]

He never said that to my knowledge. This might be getting mixed up in the reasoning for removing the angle set screws on the original V4s. Some folks have said you can add that if you know what you are doing and Adam discourage that. But not shimming.

 

[rmfield]

Watch the old video I posted above and you will see him talk about higher flow rates for large kernels. And yes, shimming is how you get there.

 

[secondofangle2]

I must have read this wrong; I thought in the beginning he was discouraging shims but at least in this thread he's accepting that they're necessary

AutoTrickler V4

I’m using a food processor cover for my v3 that I got off of Amazon. Not sure if it’s going to fit the v4. Crutello Food Processor Cover with Storage Pockets for Small 2.5-5 Cup Processors, Fits Various Brands...

www.snipershide.com

 

[secondofangle2]

Thanks guys, when I use RL50 next time, I'll try shims and see if that messes up the large tube or not

 

[357Max]

It’s not just flow rate of the small tube since that is averaged over time. It’s how smooth the flow is from the small tube. I watch this during calibration. The scale should count up during the small tube calibration cycle in a smooth fashion on both high speed and low. If the flow is inconsistent you will have problems.

The shimming is needed for the small tube, the problem is that it also increases flow on large tube that doesn't need it. It’s a balancing act. You may need to slow the large tube once you get the small tube flowing smoothly between.18-.23

To illustrate my point & the main design issue IMO with the V4 here are 2 settings captures. Disregard the settings and just look at the split in flow rate large tube to small. The first is with Lever
This was giving me consistent sub 6second drops and no overflows.

Now look at H4350. The large tube flow went through the roof in order to get decent flow from the small tube.

Here is where I landed Setting wise to work across a pretty broad range of powders (fine ball - N555). These settings are for my machine only because I made a new small tube that is Acme threaded.
The split is much better now. I have plans to make the small tube elevation adjustable but it’s on the back burner till Thanksgiving.

 

[John Glidewell]

Thanks guys, when I use RL50 next time, I'll try shims and see if that messes up the large tube or not

Remember. Once you get the small tube flow around .20 you will have to play with speeds. For example: I run RL15.5 and VV N555. One requires shim #1, the other requires shim #3. They both run with large tube speed at 5 but the small tube speed is 5 and 7. They both throw dead nuts 8 to 10 seconds. It took some time playing with numbers but once you have it, write it down. I put that data in the load book for the rifle. Every powder is different but don't be afraid to play with tilt and speed. Once you spend time with it, it becomes more intuitive.

 

[John Glidewell]

Really down and dirty test. Ran the biggest #5 shim and calibrated with N570. Set to throw 90 grains and it would over throw by a single kernel. 90 to 90.08 but the flow rate is a bit high. If I went to #4 shim and adjusted speed it would be fine. Took less than 5 min.

 

[secondofangle2]

OK, I put a .010" cardstock shim which took the small tube flow rate up to .15. Still had 2/10 overthrows (one greater than .1 grains) and 3/11 (I intended to just measure 10 throws but put the cup back on and it overthrew on #11.

So we're still at about a 25% overthrow rate (remember the slogan "To the kernel in 10 seconds"? it's still on the autotrickler.com website) and the throws are still taking about 25 seconds.

This is what we call "overpromise and underdeliver" (even with a hillbilly engineered cardstock "shim") and I think this is what has people frustrated with this version.

I'm open to any other suggestions of other things I can do. The small tube just cannot handle large extruded powders. The machine was designed around ball powders and H4350, I'm guessing. PRS stuff.

 

[John Glidewell]

For the big stuff try closer to .2 or .23 for small tube flow rate, so shim a little more. Set your transition weight to 2.0 grains. Set large tube speed to 4 and the small tube speed to 6. This is just a start point. To get to added features hit settings then press and hold on close. The advanced features will open where you can set transition weight and speeds.

 

[secondofangle2]

I'll work on it. YOu are a patient and gracious man.

 

[Alabama556]

I had the opposite problem. My flow rate for the small tube was at .35 and I was getting overthrows with R23, R26, and H4831SC.

I bought some cheap 1/16 plastic bumper pads from Amazon that are for glass table tops and stuck them to the front legs. I then tilted the scale up in the front as far as it would go, took off the tip I had purchased, and calibrated it. The level bubble is now in front of the center dot but still centered in the window.( level left to right but sitting higher in the front)

I had near perfect results with R23, R26, and H4831SC after I installed the pads.

I played with the transition weight and speeds and I am getting quick throws. I did not time it but I loaded up 20 243 ackley rounds to fireform the cases in quick order.

I love the V4. It works fine for me and it is so much quicker than my old RCBS charge master.

I took all the aftermarket parts off of my scale and now just use the bumper pads on the front legs.

 

[secondofangle2]

The disparities in peoples’ experiences are truly bizarre.

 

[Alabama556]

The disparities in peoples’ experiences are truly bizarre.

I understand. I did not have that much trouble setting mine up once I understood how to change the speeds and understood where the flow rates needed to be. I would buy one again in a heartbeat.

 

[CK1.0]

So, with the V4, what's the average time for a drop of Varget (taking overthows into account)?

I figured out I can manually drop a charge of Varget to the kernel (+/- 0.02gr) in 20 seconds on average. This is using caveman tools: a Lyman Brass Smith powder measure, their Brass Smith trickler, combined with a good, fast and precise scale (Ohaus SPX123, 0.001g/0.02gr resolution).

Yes, dropping them manually is tedious and annoying, but it's not really slow, just semi-painful if loading more than 100 at a time.

I'm hoping for "half as annoying" more so than "half the time" with the V4 lol...

 

[NodakBarbarian]

So, with the V4, what's the average time for a drop of Varget (taking overthows into account)?

I figured out I can manually drop a charge of Varget to the kernel (+/- 0.02gr) in 20 seconds on average. This is using caveman tools: a Lyman Brass Smith powder measure, their Brass Smith trickler, combined with a good, fast and precise scale (Ohaus SPX123, 0.001g/0.02gr resolution).

Yes, dropping them manually is tedious and annoying, but it's not really slow, just semi-painful if loading more than 100 at a time.

I'm hoping for "half as annoying" more so than "half the time" with the V4 lol...

10-12 seconds for me. I struggle to seat the bullets as fast as the Autotrickler throws charges.

 

[S3th]

I believe the disparities from person to person are due to the stacking of variances (tilt degree, balance of scale, speed setting, etc). Thus when a calibration is ran, two people, both with H4350 will have different flow amounts, etc. While I didn't really experience much of an issue with the V4 I have decided to sell it and order a SuperTrickler. This decision was mostly driven by wanting to move away from an app API that could be removed from the app store at any point in time.

 

[max1840]

I believe the disparities from person to person are due to the stacking of variances (tilt degree, balance of scale, speed setting, etc). Thus when a calibration is ran, two people, both with H4350 will have different flow amounts, etc. While I didn't really experience much of an issue with the V4 I have decided to sell it and order a SuperTrickler. This decision was mostly driven by wanting to move away from an app API that could be removed from the app store at any point in time.

I'm sure the app can be put on a website when things take a harder left.

 

[S3th]

I'm sure the app can be put on a website when things take a harder left.

I am not sure how one could download an app without it going through the app store. iPhone user here.

 

[max1840]

I am not sure how one could download an app without it going through the app store. iPhone user here.

iphone user also. Didn't realize iphone apps can only be downloaded from the app store. Hopefully necessity is still a mother

 

[S3th]

iphone user also. Didn't realize iphone apps can only be downloaded from the app store. Hopefully necessity is still a mother

I guess worst case scenario the app becomes a download to be used on a laptop w/ bluetooth or something. Maybe even a website API.

 

[StaveyIL]

Not sure if this would matter ,in terms of running from a app. I didn’t want an app on my phone running my powder scale. I use the Autotrickler tablet. Came loaded with Autotrickler and shot marker programs. Sits rite next to the ATV4 on a tablet stand. Works great.

 

[1bamashooter]

Got my V4 on Thursday set it up today and tried Varget, RL 15.5, H4350, 7828ssc, RL26, and H1000. I didn't adjust anything but speed on all of the listed powders and my over/under throws were a kernel or two on all. I lost my V3 when my house burned down and the V4 replaced it. I don't see how some of you are having the issues with the V4 that are happening also none of my shooting buddies are having the trouble some of you claim to be having either. Maybe down the road I'll have problems but I doubt it anyway I'm happy and don't let some of you new to autotrickler let these folks talk you out of getting one.

 

[dttheliman]

Thanks guys, when I use RL50 next time, I'll try shims and see if that messes up the large tube or not

Ok the RL50 struggle is real - you there can shim the crap out of it even high enough to stop the small tube dispensing it will frustrate you, I got it down over 2 days with some cussing and some experiments with restricting flow in the big tube , still experimenting, but I’m throwing 137 gr every time in approximately 16 seconds, if I had control ie manual adjustments on the calibration speeds , it would be easier , takes an additional 30 seconds for me to change from a “ normal “ powder to RL50 and I’m golden, if anyone is interested in me writing up the workaround, I’ll get it wrapped up on Monday or so

 

[John Glidewell]

Ok the RL50 struggle is real - you there can shim the crap out of it even high enough to stop the small tube dispensing

That sounds like you are shiming the wrong direction. You shim from back, tilting it forward so the flow rate increases.

And you can access the individual ideal speed controls. Press and hold close and the advanced settings menu opens.

 

[dttheliman]

That sounds like you are shiming the wrong direction. You shim from back, tilting it forward so the flow rate increases.

And you can access the individual ideal speed controls. Press and hold close and the advanced settings menu opens.

Lol no not with RL50 it dumps tons , even with significant shimming of the front , you need to slow the volume not increase it

 

[dttheliman]

Lol no not with RL50 it dumps tons , even with significant shimming of the front , you need to slow the volume not increase it

@John Glidewell , I must be missing something here, can you share your process while using RL50 - I would be very interested in understanding how you got it to calibrate, by shimming the rear of the scale ?

 

[John Glidewell]

You don't shim the scale. Shim the V4 from the rear single pad on the back. It is in the instructions. I shared settings for N570 which was just a quick test and was working well with minimal tuning. I know I can get it to run really good. I do not have time to go through all this right now match preps for next wkend.

 

[dttheliman]

You don't shim the scale. Shim the V4 from the rear single pad on the back. It is in the instructions. I shared settings for N570 which was just a quick test and was working well with minimal tuning. I know I can get it to run really good. I do not have time to go through all this right now match preps for next wkend.

Shimming the v4 is what I’m talking about - n570 is not RL50 , it seems similar in powder grain size to 8133 - witch I have zero issue running with the v4, when you have time I would like to continue this conversation

 

[John Glidewell]

It's the same no mater the powder. Shim and calibrate until small tube flow is .2 to .23 the go into advanced settings and adjust large and small tube speeds and set your transition weight at 2 grains or higher. Keep playing with those settings until you can get an 8 to 10 second throw that is accurate. Note your settings and shims for each powder.

 

[dttheliman]

It's the same no mater the powder. Shim and calibrate until small tube flow is .2 to .23 the go into advanced settings and adjust large and small tube speeds and set your transition weight at 2 grains or higher. Keep playing with those settings until you can get an 8 to 10 second throw that is accurate. Note your settings and shims for each powder.

Ok when you get to RL50 please report back, and anyone else successfully using RL50 please chime in

 

[Gilly]

Really down and dirty test. Ran the biggest #5 shim and calibrated with N570. Set to throw 90 grains and it would over throw by a single kernel. 90 to 90.08 but the flow rate is a bit high. If I went to #4 shim and adjusted speed it would be fine. Took less than 5 min.

View attachment 7951486

I just want to know how the hell you guys see all these settings? My advanced settings only have about half of those slider bars. V4 and my app is up to date.

 

[John Glidewell]

Did you push and hold on close? That's how you get into advanced settings.