My Powerball won�t spin past 5000rpm

Reason: The friction between the rotor support band and the internal surface of the sphere shell has been damaged / altered in some way.

Solution: Open the sphere shell and clean all inner surfaces

Detailed Explanation: Every new Powerball has a perfect �bite� � that almost perfect resistance to your efforts you�ll feel as the rotor support band revolves smoothly around the internal platform on which it sits, driving the rotor speed ever higher with each turn.

If you use the Powerball correctly and as instructed, maintaining a firm grip on the ball at all times during which the rotor is spinning, then this perfect resistance will remain for many years.

If, however, you fail to grip the ball FIRMLY during use, then the outer sphere shell will be free to resonate in sympathy with the fierce inertia being generated by the fast spinning, perfectly balanced rotor (this is not a flaw in the ball by the way), a process which has a very negative effect on the actual rotor support band (the white polycarbonate ring which fits around the rotor inside the sphere) and one which will cause minor wear on the band every time this occurs.

The result of this wear can be seen as a thin layer of very fine plastic �powder� which, over time, will coat the internal platter on which the rotor support band sits and adversely affect the perfect frictional resistance between the band and the sphere surface, ultimately causing a reduction in the overall speeds achievable on the ball.Fig A: Dust from the rotor support band on the lower sphere half

(This dust deposit can begin to take place after only a few short days of use, again, depending on how the ball is operated, so product age is often immaterial)

Worse still, the lovely creamy movement of the ball will diminish and you�ll be left with a ball which feels slightly rougher and is certainly noisier than it otherwise should be.

At the most extreme end of this fault spectrum, the worst possible scenario is that, over time, the metal axle of the rotor will end up literally �vulcanising� this plastic dust down into the surface of the inner sphere as it spins around with each turn, thus altering dramatically, the perfect surface harmony and therefore the overall frictional resistance between the rotor support band and the sphere and killing any opportunity to achieve a decent speed on the ball in the future.

In such cases, you will be left with a ball which almost feels as if it has been oiled inside (a definite no no!!) and which will yield miserable scores (often less than 5000rpm!) to even the most skilled operators.

If you have been guilty of operating the ball while not keeping it firmly gripped at all times then the cure for this problem is actually quite simple;

Open the ball up (using the following guidelines) and give all inner surfaces a good clean with a soft, dry cloth � this will give an instant performance boost.Fig B: Use a soft dry cloth to clean the inner parts

In extreme cases, (generally in older balls, where this condition has been allowed to prosper unchecked for a lengthy period) where the surface area has become embedded/pitted with the resulting plastic shrapnel from the support band, a very fine sandpaper rubbed over the platter surface will also help to rejuvenate the ball�s performance in an instant (P180 grade sandpaper or even a fine emery paper)

Finally, please be advised that the same performance deterioration may also result from the ingression of foreign matter into the sphere via the exposed area on the base of the ball over time - dust, carpet/clothing fibre, tips of cords etc. these can all be ingested into the chamber in which the rotor support band rotates and cause an alteration in the frictional relationship between the rotor support band and the sphere and cause a significant drop off in speed.

Once again, if this is found to be the case, simply open the sphere shell and clean all surface areas - this should return the ball to factory condition after a few spins (you may find performance slightly down on previous top speeds while the parts begin to 'bed' in once again but this will be seen to quickly improve after a few short sessions)