A linear motor drive system, comprising: a track segment defining a path along which a mover travels, the track segment receiving power from a power supply for electromagnetically propelling a mover, the track segment including: a plurality of drive coils spaced along the track segment; and a sensor configured to detect an acceleration due to gravity with respect to the track segment; and a controller in communication with the track segment, the controller configured to execute a program stored in a non-transient medium to control power to the drive coils for electromagnetically propelling a mover with a total force (F TOTAL) to move the mover along the track segment, wherein the total force comprises: a desired force (F D) for moving the mover along a track segment when arranged in a horizontal orientation; and a second force (F COMP) for compensating for an orientation of the track segment differing from the horizontal orientation, the second force being based on the detected acceleration, the linear motor system characterized in that the controller is configured to detect the acceleration at first and second times to produce first and second results, respectively, and then compare the first and second results to one another to determine an error, wherein the first and second times each occur when the mover is moving along the track segment, and wherein the error indicates a vibration caused by a faulty mover. a track segment defining a path along which a mover travels, the track segment receiving power from a power supply for electromagnetically propelling a mover, the track segment including: a plurality of drive coils spaced along the track segment; and a sensor configured to detect an acceleration due to gravity with respect to the track segment; and a controller in communication with the track segment, the controller configured to execute a program stored in a non-transient medium to control power to the drive coils for electromagnetically propelling a mover with a total force (F TOTAL) to move the mover along the track segment, wherein the total force comprises: a desired force (F D) for moving the mover along a track segment when arranged in a horizontal orientation; and a second force (F COMP) for compensating for an orientation of the track segment differing from the horizontal orientation, the second force being based on the detected acceleration, the linear motor system characterized in that the controller is configured to detect the acceleration at first and second times to produce first and second results, respectively, and then compare the first and second results to one another to determine an error, wherein the first and second times each occur when the mover is moving along the track segment, and wherein the error indicates a vibration caused by a faulty mover. a plurality of drive coils spaced along the track segment; and a sensor configured to detect an acceleration due to gravity with respect to the track segment; and a controller in communication with the track segment, the controller configured to execute a program stored in a non-transient medium to control power to the drive coils for electromagnetically propelling a mover with a total force (F TOTAL) to move the mover along the track segment, wherein the total force comprises: a desired force (F D) for moving the mover along a track segment when arranged in a horizontal orientation; and a second force (F COMP) for compensating for an orientation of the track segment differing from the horizontal orientation, the second force being based on the detected acceleration, the linear motor system characterized in that the controller is configured to detect the acceleration at first and second times to produce first and second results, respectively, and then compare the first and second results to one another to determine an error, wherein the first and second times each occur when the mover is moving along the track segment, and wherein the error indicates a vibration caused by a faulty mover. a desired force (F D) for moving the mover along a track segment when arranged in a horizontal orientation; and a second force (F COMP) for compensating for an orientation of the track segment differing from the horizontal orientation, the second force being based on the detected acceleration, the linear motor system characterized in that the controller is configured to detect the acceleration at first and second times to produce first and second results, respectively, and then compare the first and second results to one another to determine an error, wherein the first and second times each occur when the mover is moving along the track segment, and wherein the error indicates a vibration caused by a faulty mover.