Rosco Davis checks the E targets

The East Central District Rifle Association Inc’s small group of technical specialists have been busy servicing the new electronic target system.

The E target system has developed over time beginning with one target, then two, and now three, and just like any mechanical / electronic device they need servicing.

In this case, the regular servicing that is conducted on a week by week basis had ensured that the Association got by but did not get the whole system into a regular servicing situation.

Over the weeks since the Christmas shoot the team have serviced all the electronic equipment and found some interesting results.

The transformers that break down the 240 volts to 12 volts to recharge the batteries all have little lights to display when they are charging. What was found was that some had the little light showing but the output was zero while another was showing charging was taking place but when checked it was putting out 19 volts instead of the required 12 volts.

The team have got things into good working order and have checked the costs against the budget. The good news is that the range fees developed to cover the servicing and maintenance and replacement/redundancy costs are adequate.

Treasurer Rosco Davis is pleased as it was the first time he had been able to get a good idea of the real costs involved.

Recharging the numerous batteries and ensuring that the plugs used to connect and disconnect the various elements is the bugbear of all electronic systems and to this end all the connectors have been replaced with heavy duty “state of the art connectors” that are standard across the whole system.

The batteries and computers have a new charging station that will simplify the safe storage and charging of these elements.

Regrettably the team have not found a way of overcoming the very hot weather and keeping the sense computer components at the correct safe storage and operating temperature.

It is hoped that as the current renovation works are completed that the issues will be eliminated.

Testing of the E Targets after the cool change on Sunday proved that all was well and await the final all clear once the electronic data is checked by the manufacturer.

The tests involved minimising the movement of the “range server” during shoots and the preliminary results indicate that we may have a system that eliminates the need to move the range server and associated batteries at all.

Yes, as promised the range will be open for full bore shooting next Saturday (Feb. 2) subject to the fire-weather conditions being below “extreme”.

Special thanks to Dave Wallace assisted by Graeme Kerr and Rosco Davis for completing the major service and to the other members led by Marty Kelly who have ensured that from week to week the system was a good as they could make it.

Best wishes to the local ECDRA shooters for the 2019 season: the word is that we may have quite a large contingent at the Victorian Individual championships in March as well as teams in the State team competitions in October after the pennant season.

Shooters please consult the calendar on the website www.ecdra.com.au for current shoot information.


By Robert Chaffe