Non-Spinning Ground Glass at DVinfo.net

Matt Burnell · July 14th, 2005, 11:23 AM

I have a fully charged battery and a Mini35 that we bought about 2 months ago. No matter what speed setting I choose, the glass does not spin. It did spin last week but now, it does not. Motor problem? Is this something I can fix or should I send it in? Thanks in advance.

-Matt

Dietmar Zonewicz · July 14th, 2005, 01:21 PM

Do you use genuine Canon batterys? If not, this might be the problem.

The other problem are the contacts sometimes they do not get a good connection to the battery, or the cable between the batteryholder and the mini35 itself may cause problems, too.

dietmar

Matt Burnell · July 14th, 2005, 06:20 PM

Here's more info. I can get the light to turn on but it's red even though the battery is fully charged. Today, I was able to get the ground glass to spin but then later it wouldn't. I have used the Canon 4 hour and standard batteries. The contacts look good. Possibly a short? Guess I should just send it in.

Holly Miller · July 16th, 2005, 01:34 PM

You have the red light on, the battery fully charged, and the speed setting to your choice... but did you push in the green button?

Matt Burnell · July 17th, 2005, 04:53 PM

In order to get the red light I have to push the green button. Is there another button on the Mini that I'm not pushing? The light doesn't come on until I push the button. When I do, it's red. Thinking I need to send it in. Not sure what the deal is. It's like it's not reading the full battery or something.

Dan Diaconu · July 17th, 2005, 08:45 PM

Matt,
Legal disclaimer first: I do not act on behalf on against P+S, I am only trying to help a man in need of help with a practical advice.
Given that you had it going at one point and then it stopped again, I am thinking the movement might need lubrication or... the motor might need its brushes cleaned. Try this: with the battery mounted, speed set at the highest position and the button pressed, try and shake the unit on the optical axes and gently tap it with the other hand. In other words, create a mechanical "jump start" and if it goes on, send it back to have the movement lubricated/cleaned or the offending part replaced. That's about all I can suggest without voiding the warranty. Let us know if it gave any signs of resurrection.

Eric MacIver · July 19th, 2005, 02:24 PM

I'd say send it in to ZGC. One of our units had the GG cease spinning and there was a simple fix for it but I don't like to open up expensive optical equipment so they did it and turned it around for us in a day.

July 14th, 2005, 11:23 AM	#1
Matt Burnell New Boot Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 12	Non-Spinning Ground Glass I have a fully charged battery and a Mini35 that we bought about 2 months ago. No matter what speed setting I choose, the glass does not spin. It did spin last week but now, it does not. Motor problem? Is this something I can fix or should I send it in? Thanks in advance. -Matt

July 14th, 2005, 06:20 PM	#3
Matt Burnell New Boot Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 12	More to this... Here's more info. I can get the light to turn on but it's red even though the battery is fully charged. Today, I was able to get the ground glass to spin but then later it wouldn't. I have used the Canon 4 hour and standard batteries. The contacts look good. Possibly a short? Guess I should just send it in.

July 16th, 2005, 01:34 PM	#4
Holly Miller Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: New York, NY Posts: 56	You have the red light on, the battery fully charged, and the speed setting to your choice... but did you push in the green button? __________________ Holly R. Miller Scouting \ 1st AD KMD Studios Group

July 17th, 2005, 04:53 PM	#5
Matt Burnell New Boot Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 12	Green Button In order to get the red light I have to push the green button. Is there another button on the Mini that I'm not pushing? The light doesn't come on until I push the button. When I do, it's red. Thinking I need to send it in. Not sure what the deal is. It's like it's not reading the full battery or something.

July 19th, 2005, 02:24 PM	#7
Eric MacIver Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 121	Send it in... I'd say send it in to ZGC. One of our units had the GG cease spinning and there was a simple fix for it but I don't like to open up expensive optical equipment so they did it and turned it around for us in a day. __________________ http://www.IndieRentals.com RED Rentals, Camera, Grip, Lighting, Sound, Post and More. http://www.madmojo.com Production blog.

July 14th, 2005, 01:21 PM	#2
Dietmar Zonewicz Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Esslingen & Frankfurt, Germany Posts: 47	Do you use genuine Canon batterys? If not, this might be the problem. The other problem are the contacts sometimes they do not get a good connection to the battery, or the cable between the batteryholder and the mini35 itself may cause problems, too. dietmar

July 17th, 2005, 08:45 PM	#6
Dan Diaconu Major Player Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 804	Matt, Legal disclaimer first: I do not act on behalf on against P+S, I am only trying to help a man in need of help with a practical advice. Given that you had it going at one point and then it stopped again, I am thinking the movement might need lubrication or... the motor might need its brushes cleaned. Try this: with the battery mounted, speed set at the highest position and the button pressed, try and shake the unit on the optical axes and gently tap it with the other hand. In other words, create a mechanical "jump start" and if it goes on, send it back to have the movement lubricated/cleaned or the offending part replaced. That's about all I can suggest without voiding the warranty. Let us know if it gave any signs of resurrection.