8 replies to this topic

[baghee]

Hi to all,
I post some photos of my problem. If I raise up my HD 4000 with the grip aligned to the sled the setup stay still and very good balanced, with a drop time of 2.7 seconds. But if I raise up the system with the grip and my arm perpendicular to the sled the system loses the balance and tilts backward and to one side...
I've tried many times to adjust the position of center gravity...
 DSCF1037_01.JPG   143.98K   67 downloads

 DSCF1039_01.JPG   170.33K   63 downloads

[baghee]

Hi to all,
I post some photos of my problem. If I raise up my HD 4000 with the grip aligned to the sled the setup stay still and very good balanced, with a drop time of 2.7 seconds. But if I raise up the system with the grip and my arm perpendicular to the sled the system loses the balance and tilts backward and to one side...
I've tried many times to adjust the position of center gravity...
 DSCF1037_01.JPG   143.98K   67 downloads

 DSCF1039_01.JPG   170.33K   63 downloads

This is what happens when I rotate the post... why?
 DSCF1042_01.JPG   159.13K   31 downloads

[Matija Petrovic]

This is what happens when I rotate the post... why?
 DSCF1042_01.JPG   159.13K   31 downloads

can You post video of Your problem

[Tom Howie]

Hi again,

Based on our discussions and your photos you will need to slightly adjust the central bearing on your Glidecam HD-4000 to center.

Here are the instructions that we provide for gimbal calibration and a useful video;

Video;


Instructions;
The cover of the Glidecam 4000 central bearing can be loosened via a size 10 torx head screw, then four small set screws (size 1/16” allen wrench) found on the intersecting line, perpendicular to one another on the sides of the central bearing, can be adjusted to calibrate the alignment, centering the bearings alignment resulting in greater performance.

See the following link for more information on Torx tools; www.torxtools.com

*A bubble level is recommended for during calibration. It is also advisable that during calibration the vertical balance is at 2.5 to 3 second drop time.

The bubble should be level at 0, 90, 180, and 270 degrees;

Step 1:
Horizontally balance the Glidecam 4000 at 0 degrees.

Step 2:
Turn camera 180 degrees; if out of alignment adjust the downward side of the yoke via the small set screws by turning the screw clockwise, in-turn "pushing" the central bearing in the opposite direction. Start by only making 1 to 2 rotations of the adjustment set screws, as this is incremental adjustment, (.032” per rotation) and does right slight adjustments. Move to step 3.
During this process you must also loosen the counter set screw back-stop, opposite screw from the ‘active adjustment set screw’, one on the ‘downward’ side of the yoke.

Step 3:
Then rotate Glidecam 4000 back to 0 degrees and horizontally balance using the camera.

Step 4:
Then rotate back to 180 degrees, if still out of alignment repeat steps 2-4.

Step 5:
Repeat steps 2-4 for 90 and 270 degrees. (this may take several attempts)

Step 6:
Once balanced on the 0-90, and 180-270, lock torx head screws on cover.

[ab2.]

I am having the same exact problem and invested a good amount of money for the HD 4000 and the X-10 vest system. Do the Gimbals come factory balanced? I was a bit frustrated with it.

Edited by ab2., 19 September 2012 - 07:42 PM.

[Tom Howie]

This is a rare occurance, however, it does happen less that 1% of the time on some of our USA Made gimbals.

Please let me know if you need any assistance with these instructions, as it is a quick easy fix. Feel free to email me directly at tomh@glidecam.com

[ab2.]

Tom,

I tried doing what the video instructed, but it didn't work. I took the cap off the top of the bearing and see that there are small pins that extend out to push the bearing in the desired place. I noticed on mine that the pins on the end of the bolt are flush with the walls even though it's all the way tightened down. So the pins are not moving the bearing in the desired spot. I don't think this is right and I followed the directions explicitly. Do I have a defective unit? This has caused a lot of frustrations with trying to balance this thing. I took pictures.

[ab2.]

Here's some additional pictures.

[Tom Howie]

Hi Ab2 - thank you for your detailed description. Have you tried 'screwing' the adjustment screw all the way through the bearing housing? There might be a metal burr on the screws hole (flush sides) Did you try pushing screws all the way through on both side? See your email as well. We will get this figured out for you