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2013Sled forum

Zephyr sled lost dynamic balance capability despite static balance being achievable

13 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.

What the thread found

  • A sled that maintains static balance but immediately returns to one side when rotated 180 degrees indicates a potential issue with the gimbal centering or bottom stage alignment rather than a bent post.
  • Dynamic balance problems can persist even when stripping the sled to minimal components like just the rear battery plate and front weight, suggesting the issue is with the sled structure itself.
  • When the center of gravity line from monitor to battery does not pass through the post, achieving dynamic balance becomes more difficult.
  • The bottom stage of a Zephyr sled can become decentralized from its zero position and may be adjustable in the field, though factory service is the recommended approach.

Depends on

  • The poster did not complete troubleshooting before the conversation ended, so the root cause remains unconfirmed.
  • No resolution is documented; the poster was still seeking manufacturer support and considering borrowing alternative equipment.
  • The advice about camera center of gravity placement and drop time was offered as a workaround rather than a fix for the underlying mechanical issue.

Gear in this thread

Zephyrcatalog

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