Zephyr top stage vibrations

[Victor Lazaro]

Hi,

 

I was preparing for a shoot today when I realized that the top stage of my Zephyr had a lot of vibration that you could feel and hear while shaking the rig.

 

After a bit of investigation, I realized that the play was in the side to side adjustment and after opening the top stage, I noticed 2 allen screws that would tighten it.

 

Now there is less movement, but I'm not sure it's completely gone. Could it come from anywhere else in the top stage? is there any other spot to check?

 

Thanks.

[Chris Van Campen]

Hi Victor - which 2 allens were the ones you tightened?

 

It would be nice to know how to snug things up.

 

Not to get into a manufacturer war, but it is pretty handy how GPI provides nice instruction videos on their site for things just like this.

 

cheers,

Chris

[Victor Lazaro]

I tightened the three small allen screws aligned in the center of the image, right above the red/white wire. These screws from my understanding tighten the dovetail like element of the side to side slide. I tightened it until the vibration disappeared and checked that I was still able to move the thumb screw.

 

The GPI videos are really useful it's true but Tiffen does have some handy pdf manuals for some standard maintenance.

[Tom MaCoy]

Hey Victor,

Since it's been a few days I'm guessing you've gotten rid of your issue, but I figure I'd throw in my 2 cents, because I've had a similar experience on my Zephyr. I noticed it showing up in the video feed first; I didn't feel it very distinctly until I laid a finger right on the center post itself instead of the grip while moving. No noise to speak of, so it may be a little different, but what I tracked mine down to were those 5-6 allen screws in the collar around where the top of the post meets the sled; they're also visible in your picture. I worked around, tightened them all up a little at a time and that seemed to knock it out. Doesn't make it any less unsettling though...

-Tom

[Jorge Novoa Royo]

I had the same problem

since some time ago I noticed some slack in the top stage

I opened the plastic case and tightened the three screws

The clearance has disappeared

Edited February 25, 2014 by Jorge Novoa Royo

[Jorge Novoa Royo]

photo

[Stavros Papastavrou]

May I suggest the cunning use of some type of locktite? Every screw on my sled seemed to have one type of the other. Maybe the medium strength one...

The procedure would involve removing the screws, cleaning them, re-applying some locktite compound and putting them back in. That should hold them from any vibration related loosening.

[Victor Lazaro]

I was told by Tiffen that they use the low strength purple Loctite 222 on a lot of screws. Might be the way to go.

@Jorge, what is that extra wire with a small board and plug on it? I dont think I have that in my J-box.

[Victor Lazaro]

@Jorge, I know it's an old thread but I'm stil curious about that cable and board. Is that a Tally or something else?

[Anthony Fung]

Hi all

I also have some play between the post and the stage which is causing movement in my footage. The collar with 5 allen screws is tight and secure with no movement relative to the post. There is however movement between the collar and the stage. I am thinking there must be screws that fasten the stage to the collar and those need to be tightened. However I can't access these screws. Can someone share their knowledge on how to gain access to these screws.

[Leamdro brigido]

I know this question has been around for a while, but I'm going to answer it here because I had the same problem and couldn't find any information about it.
 
Disassembling the top stage almost completely, you will see some philips screws that fix the top stage with the post.