Steve,

I wrote G, Y, R above each plug-in on the 35P in permanent marker. Then I got a green, yellow and red zip tie and fastened them just behind the plug on each lead.

Looking at the back of the 35P, the left plug is the main START or first screen near you, middle plug is the middle START screen, right plug is the STOP screen for both timers, 2' and 4'.

I have a black zip-tie at 10' on my leads. I set the rail up, hold the leads up to the muzzle so it's at a consistant 12' to the center of the rail, never had a problem even with my 416 WBY, 338/378 WBY or anything at that distance, even with the diffusers getting tossed around.

Don't use the diffusers, only if there's a blue sky. Light intensity is real, real, low "then" and they must be used.

When the light gets low on the horizon and intensity gets too low, funny stuff can happen, likely it will just stop working.

Steve - What rail length are you using & have you checked your dip switch settings?

I just purchased a used Oehler 35P. I bought it off ebay. The printer had what seemed to be a real set of numbers on the tape, so I beleive that it was working when shipped.



I took the chrono out to the range this morning to get some velocities off my 375 and 458 Lott. I had real problems getting good numbers.



For example, I'd shoot over it and get 0000-01-0000 *



This would happen several times in a row. The chrono would trigger with the shot, but register no velocity for either the proof nor stop screens



I then finally started getting velocities on the stop screen but bogus proof numbers (or visa versa). Example this is an actual string of shots:



0015-01-2313 *

0015-02-2460 *

0015-03-2478 *

2505-04-2479 *

2491-05-4629 *

2510-06-4761 *

0015-07-9999 *



I didn't make any changes to the set up when generating this string.



Later the chrono went back to reading 0000-nn-0000 and I couldn't get it get any 'good' readings again.



I tried changing the battery, reseating the plugs, checked that the plugs were in the correct connector (several times), cleaned the lenses of photo transducers, moved the sky screens farther from the muzzle (thinking blast might be affecting it) and tried swapping the plugs for the proof and stop screens at the printer (as a test). Nothing seemed to work and I never got 'real' numbers for both sets of numbers.



I'm not unfamiliar with the 35P, as I have used my buddy's many times. Both with him and alone. So I really don't believe that I'm doing anything wrong.



I didn't get a maunal with it, so I don't have an refernces for troubleshooting problems.



Got any ideas?



Thanks!!



-Steve

ZD,

The rail is 4 ft. The dip switches are set to the following"

1234567
DDUDDDU (D=off/down U=on/up)

BTW, do you have a description of the dip switches?

Thanks,

-Steve

steve, Call Oehler and in 5 minutes they'll probably solve your problem.They did 4 me. They're really nice people. roger

Roger,

That's what I'm planning, if I can't get it figured out by Monday.

Thanks!

-Steve

Dear Steve:
I checked my 35P manuel, and you seem to have the dip switches set properly for 4' screen separation (off-off-on-off-off for switches 1-4). Switch 5 turns on the "10x" multiplier for low speed projectiles (archery, some air guns). Switch 6 toggles the edit / replay function- on, it stores 20 shots in memory and lets you fiddle with them, off it stores 255. Ohler ships the unit with this switch off. Switch 7 turns the printer on and off- default is on.

I checked the troubleshooting guide in the manuel. They cover things such as one or more screens being obstructed or in shadow, proper electrical connections, electricity from nearby powerlines, fences, appliances. "0000" readings= start signal received but no stop signal, "9999" readings= start signal received with a too-quick stop signal. I could find nothing in there which explains your "0015-01-2650" kinda readings. There are some vague references in the manuel that seem to be about disabling the middle skyscreen- maybe unplugging it will have the unit function like a standard 2-screen Chrony or Pact.

If all else fails: Oehler Research 512-327-6900 or 800-531-5125. They're professional and helpful people. Order a manuel, it's pretty comprehensive.

HTH
Rosse

Rosse,

Thanks for all the information. The switch setting info is very helpful.

Looks like I'll be calling Austin on Monday.

I might try shooting my pellet gun over it in the back yard, today. It'll be a bit easier to trouble shoot it at home than at the range. I'll try swapping the screens, etc...

Thanks again,

-Steve

Are your screens placed in the sun?

If so, then I think you might begetting reflections that cause these errors.

We had similar problems as yourself, and then made an additional screen, as you can see in the following photo.

It works great now.

Steve,

Sounds as if you might have a problem, perhaps one of the lenses came loose in shipment.

You didn't say how far back do you have the chronograph from the rifle barrel? You need at least 10 to 15 feet, otherwise the flash from the muzzle will start the chronograph but the bullet itself will be lost in the fire.

I used to use 10 feet, but I had to move it an additional 8 feet when I used it with my 416 Rigby. This is a dumb question, but you aren't shooting black powder are you? You are going to need a good 15 feet or so with that!

When you contact Oehler, be sure to ask for a new manual if you are missing the one that came with the unit.

RobertD

Was it overcast when you tested the unit? Here in Washington, near Seattle, it is overcast much of the time. I find that the same results that you have observed occur when I use the orange shades in an overcast sky condition. Just remove them, and it might work for you. I only use the orange shades in direct sunlight, say two to three weeks a year.

All,



Thanks for the pointers.



It was really rather dreary yesterday and ended up raining at one point (I wasn't shooting over it then). So it could be the diffusers.



I started out with it about 5 ft away, shooting mt 30'06 with regular smokeless powders. I then moved it about 12 feet away. Same results.



This is an older model that had the original metal screens with tape for the diffusers, instead the orange and black as are on the later models. It had one orange and black screen that I put on the start screen. (I've ordered more plastic orange and black ones.)



I'm getting ready to try and play with things in my yard with my pellet gun. If I can't get it to work, I'll be calling them tomorrow. I'll definitely be asking for a manual.



Thanks,



-Steve

Gents,

I think I got it sorted out.

Took it out in the back yard and shot over it with the pellet gun. Same results. Tried fashioning a over all diffuser with butcher paper. no good.

I ended up swapping the start and stop screens. Started getting consistant numbers, both proof and stop. Seemed to work with and without the low tech diffuser.

.177 in 7.9 gn @ 570 fps with the old Crossman. One sigma of 15 fps over 7 shots.

Not bad.

Next question. If I can get some hard cast pellets, do you think that this would be good enough for cape buffalo? How about oxpeckers on the buff.

Thanks for all the help!!

-Steve

Folks,

A follow-up;

I just got off the phone with a gentleman from Oehler. He's fairly certain that I had the start and stop screens swapped, all along. I don't doubt him too much. However I did swap the plugs (start/stop) originally and they were labeled at both the screen and plug ends.

But maybe I had my head in a warm dark orifice the whole time. It wouldn't be the first time. He was kind enough to put a manual in the the mail for me.

Thanks again for following along the this saga of my incompetence.

Take Care,

-Steve

Enjoy your Oehler, Steve I know I have a ball with mine roger

Well, so much for thinking that I had it all straightened out. I took it to the range today. Again problems. But this time a buddy was there with his 35P. So we swapped the receivers from both setups.

It seems to follow the receiver. Using his sky screens and my receiver he was getting bogus readings. With my sky screens and his receiver I was getting good numbers. It might be intermittant or a contact problem.

I'll be calling Oehler to see to arrange sending it back for repair.

-Steve

when I had a problem with my new Oehler I called ,told them the problem and they sent out a new printer that day. They asked me to send my unit back in the same box after I received it. They also included a self addressed lable with postage applied. I know they will treat you right. roger