The ball is making a knocking noise during operation

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The ball is making a knocking noise during operation

Reason: The ball has suffered a hard knock or drop

Solution: The sphere needs to be opened to examine which of the two halves have been affected.

Detailed Explanation: Powerball is a finely tuned product which has been designed to run smoothly and quietly at all times of its operation and this knocking noise is certainly out of character with the product.

There is one likely cause and we can go through it as follows:

Whenever the unit is dropped onto a hard surface it can sometimes cause a knocking noise similar to this. The hardened steel axle of the rotor sits on a soft plastic support band (Fig A) which itself is enclosed in a 2-3mm ‘channel’ between the two halves of the ball’s shell and allowed to turn freely within this space (there is also some small up/down movement while the rotor is stationary but this disappears once it is in motion).

Fig A: Rotor & Support-Band

What can happen during a fall or a hard knock however, is that the steel axle can come down hard on the support rim of either half of the ball’s shell and cause a small dent on its surface (see Fig B). This in turn will present a ‘rut’ for the axle each time it revolves [over it] while using the ball and will cause that ‘knocking’ sound you are hearing during use.

Fig B: Rut in Powerball Sphere

Now, be advised that should this happen to your Powerball there are two options available:

1. Any Powerball presenting a knocking noise after being dropped in such a manner will be virtually 100% cured if HELD VERY FIRMLY/TIGHTLY IN HAND and run at a constant speed of 10,000rpm for around 60 seconds (repeat this action if necessary).

What will happen during such a session is that the hard (but smooth) metal axle (which made the rut in the first place) will literally ‘sandpaper’ the rough edge of that very same rut (or ruts if there are several) and in remarkably quick time, you’ll be left with a Powerball that is almost as quiet and smooth as it was in the first place without having to take any further action.

When I say “almost” I mean that you may still hear a very faint noise from the ball each time the axle meets the slight undulation in the normally perfectly smooth surface on which it is meant to run – but be assured that this too will pretty much vanish over time. The key, and I’ll stress it once more, is to hold the ball really tightly in your hand as it spins – this is vital to the smooth running of your powerball now and for years to come.

2. If, after a week or so of hard spinning (at these high rev’s), you are not left with a “silent ball” once again, then its down to replacing whichever section of the sphere has that “rut”.

If you experience any difficulty with this process please get in touch (Provide detailed explanation, images etc.) info@rpmpower.com

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