2aHawaii

General Topics => General Discussion => Topic started by: rklapp on August 18, 2017, 11:00:29 PM

Title: Help with my chonograph
Post by: rklapp on August 18, 2017, 11:00:29 PM
I'd appreciate on any advice or explanation for what happened with the chono yesterday. It worked great for 70 rounds, then error'd for 10, then nothing for 30, then no problems with the next 50 or so. I can't think of what I did to make it start working again except to change the powder/bullet.  :shaka:

https://2ahawaii.com/index.php?topic=26240.msg254739#msg254739

https://www.amazon.com/Caldwell-Ballistic-Precision-Chronograph-Premium/dp/B00HTN5290/ref=sr_1_1
Title: Re: Help with my chonograph
Post by: Flapp_Jackson on August 18, 2017, 11:08:55 PM
I'd appreciate on any advice or explanation for what happened with the chono yesterday. It worked great for 70 rounds, then error'd for 10, then nothing for 30, then no problems with the next 50 or so. I can't think of what I did to make it start working again except to change the powder/bullet.  :shaka:

https://2ahawaii.com/index.php?topic=26240.msg254739#msg254739

https://www.amazon.com/Caldwell-Ballistic-Precision-Chronograph-Premium/dp/B00HTN5290/ref=sr_1_1

Operator error.

I usually charge $50 for that, so ... you're welcome!   :geekdanc:
Title: Re: Help with my chonograph
Post by: rklapp on August 18, 2017, 11:16:34 PM
Are your shoes on too tight?
Title: Re: Help with my chonograph
Post by: Flapp_Jackson on August 18, 2017, 11:19:07 PM
Are your shoes on too tight?

Shoes?  This is Hawaii.  Nobody wears shoes in the house!   :shaka:
Title: Re: Help with my chonograph
Post by: rklapp on August 19, 2017, 07:16:01 AM
So seriously, was it operator error? It's not like I can run out there and mess with the chrono while the range is hot. After the 7th set with the errors, I turned the chrono off/on during the break and got no errors but also no measurements. I did nothing to get it to start measuring the ARcomp rounds. Very puzzling.
Title: Re: Help with my chonograph
Post by: oldfart on August 19, 2017, 08:05:11 AM
For me, Light activated chronograph units have always been finicky.
Back in the 80's There was only the Oehler 35p. Very expensive.

So I bought a Tepeco time meter for much less.
It was primitive but accurate. I had to wait for the right daylight to make it work.
The best light is cloudy days. Conversely, the worst days are clear sunny days. Especially around noon.
I found that sometimes I could cheat the sun by tilting the sensors maybe 45 degrees left or right to reduce the amount of light.
Eventually I ended up with a Chrony, but even with the sun baffles, it's still finicky.
That's why people buy the magnetospeed or radar units.

I pulled the Tepeco out and it still works....
Title: Re: Help with my chonograph
Post by: Rocky on August 19, 2017, 09:05:09 AM
Hey RKL  :wave:

 We've had the same unit for about a year now and here's what we've found.

1) Sunlight is an issue. At our range, the chrono used to go chronic at the same time of the day. Found it was the angle of the sun hitting the chrono.
a) adjust the sun shades or better yet, b) use the light kit. for some reason it nullifies the sun light issue.

2) Having it  closer than the recommended 15' v it receives "muzzle blast" which causes intermittant error message.
Someone next to you with a compensator or just plain loud or powerful firearm will also cause your unit to error.

Title: Re: Help with my chonograph
Post by: ren on August 19, 2017, 09:09:35 AM
Opto chronys uses 2 optical sensors to detect the bullet and computes the difference in time when the bullet passes through to give you velocity. Lighting conditions obviously have a factor. I use a white transluscent plastic for screens to give sensors a solid background. Like shooting, consistent conditions. You can use LEDs to give the optical sensors a more consistent and predictable light source.
Title: Re: Help with my chonograph
Post by: Heavies on August 19, 2017, 09:53:54 AM
Like every one said, light.  Different lighting conditions mess it up.

I was about to build a screened in box, to put my optical chrono in, to try and even out the light the sensors see..   then I decided to get a magneto speed instead.    Too much headache and hassle trying to set up even more extra shat
Title: Re: Help with my chonograph
Post by: Rocky on August 19, 2017, 09:57:47 AM
Just for $#it's and Gigg!es, try just putting a dark towel over the top of light lenses letting it drape all down the sides.
Too easy ? :crazy:
Title: Re: Help with my chonograph
Post by: rklapp on August 19, 2017, 10:08:06 AM
Hey RKL  :wave:
 We've had the same unit for about a year now and here's what we've found.
1) Sunlight is an issue. At our range, the chrono used to go chronic at the same time of the day. Found it was the angle of the sun hitting the chrono.
a) adjust the sun shades or better yet, b) use the light kit. for some reason it nullifies the sun light issue.
2) Having it  closer than the recommended 15' v it receives "muzzle blast" which causes intermittant error message.
Someone next to you with a compensator or just plain loud or powerful firearm will also cause your unit to error.
Hey Rocky,
I'm thinking that the muzzle blast is the most likely explanation. I don't have a muzzle break on the 223. In the bright sunlight, I have to set up the unit in the shade about 4 to 6 feet in front. The LED lights are installed. At the 7th load set, the muzzle blast overpowered the units ability to detect the bullet. I recently installed a muzzle break on the AK so wasn't a problem. There's not too many cloudy days at Kokohead. Perhaps it's time for Dexter to add a muzzle break to the varmint rifle.


Just for $#it's and Gigg!es, try just putting a dark towel over the top of light lenses letting it drape all down the sides.
Too easy ? :crazy:
Worth a try. If the towel was long enough, I could clip it together under the unit so it doesn't sail away in the wind.
Title: Re: Help with my chonograph
Post by: robtmc on August 19, 2017, 10:50:49 AM
Opto chronys uses 2 optical sensors to detect the bullet and computes the difference in time when the bullet passes through to give you velocity. Lighting conditions obviously have a factor. I use a white transluscent plastic for screens to give sensors a solid background. Like shooting, consistent conditions. You can use LEDs to give the optical sensors a more consistent and predictable light source.
This.

I use a Competition Electronic Prochrono digital.  Mostly airgun pellets these days, very small.  Just the right amount of light is crucial to consistent readings with no errors.
Title: Re: Help with my chonograph
Post by: ren on August 19, 2017, 02:09:48 PM
Remind me of project to have a powe supply for the LEDs and the chrony. Plan to use a 7812 reg for the LEDs and 7809 for the chrony with a sealed lead acid batt to power them.
Title: Re: Help with my chonograph
Post by: rklapp on August 19, 2017, 09:16:35 PM
The wires to the left of the shades is the power supply for the LEDs. I'll play around with it in my yard and use a rubber band. Previous tests have shown 68.2 FPS. I'll lay a thin cardboard over the LED lights, then cover with a dark fabric and secure with binder clips. Mwahahaha...
Title: Re: Help with my chonograph
Post by: Heavies on August 19, 2017, 11:43:16 PM
The wires to the left of the shades is the power supply for the LEDs. I'll play around with it in my yard and use a rubber band. Previous tests have shown 68.2 FPS. I'll lay a thin cardboard over the LED lights, then cover with a dark fabric and secure with binder clips. Mwahahaha...

I was planning on using some window screen, on the sides, to block out light, yet allow air flow, so the wind doesn't knock it over.
Title: Re: Help with my chonograph
Post by: rklapp on August 20, 2017, 12:25:48 PM
I do have spare screen in my garage. I tried to reproduce the error in my yard in full sunlight. The chrono worked okay in both full sunlight and shade. It passed the rubber band test until I finally lost the rubber band. Annoying because I've probably thrown away more rubber bands than I kept.
Title: Re: Help with my chonograph
Post by: ren on August 20, 2017, 02:28:08 PM
I do have spare screen in my garage. I tried to reproduce the error in my yard in full sunlight. The chrono worked okay in both full sunlight and shade. It passed the rubber band test until I finally lost the rubber band. Annoying because I've probably thrown away more rubber bands than I kept.
I dont see how rubber bands fit into the picture
Title: Re: Help with my chonograph
Post by: rklapp on August 20, 2017, 04:44:59 PM
Ha, I shoot the rubber band through the chrono to see if it works. Seems to work better than throwing rocks. I was able to measure a few passes in full sunlight. I guess it's hit or miss at the range, literally.
Title: Re: Help with my chonograph
Post by: robtmc on August 20, 2017, 08:53:06 PM
Seems to work better than throwing rocks.
No way I would be able to throw a rock that accurately. 

Now, a pea shooter.....But, do they even make those these days?  Probably requires a permit and fingerprinting.
Title: Re: Help with my chonograph
Post by: rklapp on August 20, 2017, 10:27:50 PM
I saw them at SEC on Saturday but probably do need a permit.   :o   :D
Title: Re: Help with my chonograph
Post by: Inspector on August 21, 2017, 05:50:15 AM
Now, a pea shooter.....But, do they even make those these days?  Probably requires a permit and fingerprinting.
McDonalds still makes 'em. Just walk in and grab a few. If you want to make a donation by way of buying a soft drink I am sure they would appreciate it.  :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
Title: Re: Help with my chonograph
Post by: rklapp on August 21, 2017, 06:55:07 AM
Those are outlawed at Sea Life Park.
Title: Re: Help with my chonograph
Post by: rklapp on August 22, 2017, 07:34:39 PM
I used my professional backyard chrono checker and seemed to work mostly fine.
Title: Re: Help with my chonograph
Post by: rklapp on August 23, 2017, 07:30:36 PM
The chrono fell over twice today. I got halfway through the jacketed Mosin rounds before the wind knocked it over. Mitch suggested I tie the sand bag to the tripod and lent me some string. That mostly worked until it started giving me constant error messages again so I moved it closer without moving the sandbag. Shit. Afterwards, it worked really well after setting it back up again. My AK load velocities were all over the place. I next shot the 300BLK with no problems so apparently, I haven't found the right bullet/powder for the AK. Next time, I'm gonna try one of the taller benches because the benches to the far left are killing my back.
Title: Re: Help with my chonograph
Post by: oldfart on August 23, 2017, 08:19:37 PM
Hey I was on the other side of the wall
Title: Re: Help with my chonograph
Post by: rklapp on August 23, 2017, 09:19:03 PM
I thought I heard some ricochets.  :rofl:

Here's my data.