2009Follow Focus forum
Troubleshooting noise and failure modes in Heden M28VP follow focus motors
17 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Increased noise in a follow focus motor can indicate potentiometer wear, especially after exposure to wet environments or repeated end stop collisions during calibration
- A failing potentiometer may cause the motor to exhibit noise, vibration, and gaps in positioning across certain lens positions before complete failure
- The potentiometer in this motor model can be replaced, though sourcing the specific component may be difficult and expensive
- Incorrect power cable connections, such as plugging a 4-pin Hirose power connector into the motor port instead of the proper FOX analog motor cables, can cause complete motor failure
- Manufacturer support for this motor model was discontinued in 2016, limiting official repair options
Depends on
- The potentiometer replacement procedure requires specialized small hex keys and specific knowledge
- Potentiometer cost and availability are significant obstacles to repair
- The specific failure mechanism from wrong cable polarity was not definitively determined in the discussion
- Only anecdotal evidence is presented regarding the potentiometer as the cause of noise
Parts
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