Erg has no resistance

[citiusaltiusfortius9]

The newer modle D at the YMCA doesn't seem to have any resistance. I put the damper at a 3 today and pulled and there was barely any resistance, I was in the mid 30's with good ratio because the drive took little time.
I tried moving the daper to a 10 and it didn't make a difference, anyone know why this might be and how it can be changed?
Thanks
Sarha

[Bob S.]

The newer modle D at the YMCA doesn't seem to have any resistance. I put the damper at a 3 today and pulled and there was barely any resistance, I was in the mid 30's with good ratio because the drive took little time.
I tried moving the daper to a 10 and it didn't make a difference, anyone know why this might be and how it can be changed?
Thanks
Sarha

Did you check the drag factor?. That will give you a real number to judge the resistance rather than just by feel.

The usual reason for very low resistance is dirt clogging the cage vents, but this seems unlikely on a new machine. Another possibility is that the damper is closed all the way and that the control lever has somehow become disconnected.

Bob S.

[citiusaltiusfortius9]

How do I check drag factor?

[Bob S.]

How do I check drag factor?

This is copied from a message I sent 3 days ago in response to another message:

The drag factor can be read from the monitor and will depend to some extent on the damper setting, but also on the temperature, the atmospheric pressure, and the cleanliness of the erg cage. Even with no change in the damper setting the drag factor should be checked at the start of each workout, since it can change with changing conditions. To get the drag factor reading on a PM3, press Main Menu — More Options — Display Drag Factor. Then row a few strokes until the number stabilizes. It can vary by a couple of points, but if it more than just a few, it has not yet stabilized enough.

This is for a PM3 monitor. The PM4 may be different; I haven't seen one, so I don't know.

Bob S.

[johnlvs2run]

I was in the mid 30's with good ratio because the drive took little time.

What is mid 30's?

Maybe next time do a time trial and see what you get.

[citiusaltiusfortius9]

I checked the drag factor on the erg and it was between a 45 and a 51 (depending on daper setting.) From what I read it's supposed to be over 100. I don't have any ideas of how it could be so off, it's a model D erg, so I don't think dust could effect it that much. Could there have been a problem in the assembly? Is there anything I can do about it?

THanks,
sara

[Alissa]

I checked the drag factor on the erg and it was between a 45 and a 51 (depending on daper setting.) From what I read it's supposed to be over 100. I don't have any ideas of how it could be so off, it's a model D erg, so I don't think dust could effect it that much. Could there have been a problem in the assembly? Is there anything I can do about it?

THanks,
sara

Hi Sara,

Unfortunately dust is no respector of ModelDs. See the maintenance instructions here, which among other things says that you should "Check for dust inside flywheel with a flashlight. Vacuum if needed.

So I'd get a flashlight, and if needed, a vacuum and see if that helps.

Good luck.

Alissa

[c2jonw]

45 to 51 is extremely low. It must be either a lot of dust buildup inside or, if it's brand-new out of the box, it's also possible the clear protective shrink wrap that is put around the flywheel cover was not removed when the erg was unboxed. C2JonW

[citiusaltiusfortius9]

Any ideas of how I can check since it's at the YMCA... and I'm a highschooler so I'm not sure how to go up to the people and say there is something wrong with the machine and if vaccuming doesn't work I need to take it apart...
I somehow don't think that would go over very well at all.
sara

[johnlvs2run]

I'm a highschooler so I'm not sure how to go up to the people and say there is something wrong with the machine and if vaccuming doesn't work I need to take it apart...
I somehow don't think that would go over very well at all.
sara

That's exactly what I'd do, as it's their machine and they should be interested in how long it lasts and how well it is working. In any case, I'd bring it to their attention. It would help to print the maintenance instructions, give them a copy and ask if there's anything they can do.

In the meantime, take a peek through the perforations and see if there is any dust there that is visible. If there is a lot of dust you will see it. Or is there is a plastic cover on, you'll see that. A simple and tentative solution would be to rub a towel all around the performations and see if that makes any difference. This won't remove any dust but it might temporarily clear out some of the perfs and raise up the drag.

Let us know what you find.

[Citroen]

Any ideas of how I can check since it's at the YMCA... and I'm a highschooler so I'm not sure how to go up to the people and say there is something wrong with the machine and if vaccuming doesn't work I need to take it apart...
I somehow don't think that would go over very well at all.
sara

Print a copy of the maintenance instructions and ask nicely if they can confirm that the ergo is working correctly.

Most gym instructors should know how their equipment works since failing equipment is a health and safety issue. Just ask if they'll try the rower as "it doesn't feel right to me".

If they don't take you seriously, take your membership elsewhere where they will.

[citiusaltiusfortius9]

I've figured out it's dust... the cage is absolutly covered if you look close but I don't know if just vacuming it will work, are there any other ways, I'm afraid a dust cloth will just push the dust inside.

thanks
sara

[johnlvs2run]

I've figured out it's dust... the cage is absolutly covered if you look close but I don't know if just vacuming it will work, are there any other ways, I'm afraid a dust cloth will just push the dust inside.

thanks
sara

Vacuuming will help a lot. Best is if you take off the cover off and vacuum the inside and the holes. In lieu of this, just vacuuming out all the holes will make a major different, then do this again the next day.

An easy fix would be to wipe all the holes with a damp cloth and then with a dry one. That will remove quite a bit of the dust from the holes. Test the drag factor before and after to see what kind of a difference it makes.

Personally I have never vacuumed the cage. I open it up and wipe out the inside with a damp cloth then with a dry one and close it back up.

[Byron Drachman]

Hi Sarah,

Here's my advice. All you need is a Philips screwdriver and as John said, a damp cloth. You remove the four long bolts as shown here:



The nuts will not rotate as you loosen so all you need is a screwdriver. After you remove the four bolts, you will see something like this:



Clean and then replace the cover. The whole procedure will only take a minute or so. If anybody tries to stop you or says "Hey, what are you doing?", you just say, "That's OK. I'm authorized to do this work." Or else say,"The machine is supposed to come apart here for cleaning, so I'm doing it."

As you go through life, remember it is always easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.

added later: If you happen to have any mineral oil, put some drops on a piece of cloth or paper towel, pull the chain all the way out, and run it through the cloth or towel that is dampened with the mineral oil. I used to do maintenance on the ergometers at the gym I went to and I just acted like I was supposed to. It was easier and quicker than trying to get someone else to do it.

Byron

[PaulS]

Byron, Looks like you need a bit of cleaning on the fan vanes.

Nice change in seat. I've commissioned Carl Douglas to produce a couple nice boat seats for the Erg, hopefully they will turn up soon.