Babolat Sensor Expert Dual - clamp base issue

[wagen]

Hello all,
I have purchased a used Babolat Sensor Expert Dual, originally it was used at the French Open.
Since I got the machine ~6 months ago I have a strange issue with one of the clamps: the machine constantly thinks it needs to lock the clamp base, even though the clamp is open. It then immediately releases the clamp base again and then tries to lock it again, and so on and so forth. This happens only on one of the 2 clamps, and only when the clamp base is close to the middle of it's mobility range. When I move the clamp close to the towers (holding the racket at 12 and 6), it does not seem to happen as often. But whenever I string the mains and move the clamps from top to bottom or vice versa, the clamp locks and releases about 3-4 times.
The locking mechanism when I close the clamp is working fine.
I have tried to clean the clamps inside and outside, also cleaning the inside of the clamp base where the spring is in. Also I have tried to switch clamp and/or spring, but it seems to be tied to the clamp base.
Before I reach out to the Babolat representation, does anybody have an idea what I could try to fix it?
Thank you for your support!

 

[Rabbit]

I too own a Mighty Sensor and had the same thing happen with one of my clamp bases. I called Babolat and ordered two new clamp bases. I am using only one new one, the other is in reserve. The problem, as I was told, may be that your base is of an older design which uses two springs. The newer, replaicing design uses one spring and is more robust.

Good luck.

 

[wagen]

I too own a Mighty Sensor and had the same thing happen with one of my clamp bases. I called Babolat and ordered two new clamp bases. I am using only one new one, the other is in reserve. The problem, as I was told, may be that your base is of an older design which uses two springs. The newer, replaicing design uses one spring and is more robust.

Good luck.

Thanks for your feedback, I reached out to the local Babolat representation to see if I can order the clamp bases (and maybe order new clamps/springs to be safe).
Any idea how I can find out if I have the new design? Never seen another Sensor Expert before ;-) And there is only one spring coming out on top of the clamp base

 

[Rabbit]

@wagen - I really don't. @abllee2198 would be the one to know. And, I may have gotten it backwards. If you search Sensor base clamps, there is a discussion at the time mine failed. I didn't order any clamps when I ordered my bases because the dadgum clamps are so good. No problem with them. Upshot is, you may could save some money by only getting the bases -- they run $300/ea.

 

[mad dog1]

@Rabbit, OP has the sensor expert which is not the same machine as yours.

 

[Rabbit]

@mad dog1 - I don't believe that's right. I think I have the Sensor dual -- two clamps. My base doesn't have the cabinet and the base locks are push downs. Am I missing something?

 

[mad dog1]

@mad dog1 - I don't believe that's right. I think I have the Sensor dual -- two clamps. My base doesn't have the cabinet and the base locks are push downs. Am I missing something?

you and i have the Sensor Dual which have manual locking base clamps with automatic release. he has the Sensor EXPERT Dual which has automatically base locking clamps.

 

[Rabbit]

you and i have the Sensor Dual which have manual locking clamps with automatic release. he has the Sensor EXPERT Dual which has automatically locking clamps.

Oh sorry I didn’t read your post closely enough

 

[fritzhimself]

I think the automatic clamps have carbon brush pickups - similar to commercial drills. As it appears, this carbon brush should be worn that comes to this malfunction.
Should be an easy exercise to replace the damaged parts.

Brush (electric) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[kkm]

The Sensor Expert clamp bases are electromagnetic. FWIW the Sensor, not the Sensor Expert, was used at the French Open.
The guys I know who’ve had Sensor Experts have said that the clamp bases were a pain.

 

[wagen]

Hi all, thanks for all your replies.
Just to clarify, it's the Sensor Expert Dual, which is locking the clamp base automatically when the clamp is closed.
I heard back from Babolat today, it seems to be a common problem. There is a carbon bolt inside the clamp base which is used to detect the closing of the clamp. The bolts are expendable items and they can be replaced. Will bring the machine in a few weeks to get it fixed.

 

[Rabbit]

@wagen, glad it turned out well for you.