Fault: None (unless the cat ate it which is common!)

Solution: Please click here and fill in the details on the form we'll issue you a replacement pair once you have given us the required information

Detailed Explanation: While you are waiting for your new cords, please note the following details which should have you spinning again in minutes:

• Please go and find a piece of knitting wool about 45 centimeters long.
• It should be light grade wool and I want you to tie a knot in both ends. Then, tie a second knot at each end which exactly covers the first knot to 'bulk' it up.
• Get a match and burn these 'knotted' ends so that there is a small little hard 'tip' on each end of the cord.
• This tip should be about 3-4mm in length and should be hard enough to gain purchase in the hole in the rotor (where the proper cord will eventually fit).
• If the tip is still a little too flexible, then get a little bit of super glue and apply to the end, letting it set. This will definitely make it hard enough to allow you start the ball as you would with the proper cord.

Likewise, if the tips have come off the original cord, you can use this technique to build up the ends of the [cord] to allow them grip the rotor properly during the starting procedure.

Fault: While starting the rotor, you pulled the cord out at too severe an angle, causing it to slip off the rotor surface and wrap itself around the rotor axle, bending some of the LEDs as a result.

Solution: Open the Powerball, remove the tangled cord and straighten the LEDs

When using the cord to start your Powerball, it is important that you ensure it is wrapped tightly around the rotor's centre groove and that there is no loose play. If the cord is too slack, or if the cord is pulled at too severe an angle (please note Fig A), it can slip off the rotor internally and wrap itself around the rotor axle several times becoming severely embedded in the mechanism.

Fig A: Cord trapped around rotor axle

In such cases, it can also bend or otherwise damage the surface LEDs on the side of the rotor. These can then result in minor vibrations as the ball is spinning.

The solution is simple - open the sphere as shown here and straighten the LEDs carefully, while simultaneously removing the jammed cord.