Original Model D with PM3 - eating batteries

[xnexus]

Hi, I've bought a model D with a PM3 from a friend of mine. It's in good shape, but the main issue I've seen so far is that it's eating batteries like no tomorrow. A set of Duracells last roughly 6 weeks. With the batteries out, the PM3 doesn't work. However, the one thing that gives me pause is that, when I start rowing with the batteries out, the PM3 displays a second or 2 of garbled display, and then goes blank. I would have thought that if the problem was with the generator, I wouldn't get anything at all. The monitor works normally with the batteries in though. Is there a way to tell if my issue with with the PM3, or with the generator?

[Citroen]

If you're in the US it's a no-brainer to ditch the PM3 and replace it with a PM5.

It'd cost you more to repair it.

[Carl Watts]

Hi I repair those monitors in New Zealand and that's just about the one and only fault I have never been able to fully nail down.

What's happening is the PM3 is not fully shutting down. The current draw with it turned off is supposed to be like 0.125mA to 0.250mA so your batteries last about 18 months if you have the later "Twin Coil" version of Tach pickup that supplies all the power while you row.

I have managed to fix a few of them. Firstly what Firmware version are you running in the Product ID screen ? I have found that updating from V90 to V108 fixed two of them.

Also there is a semiconductor that is seldom used on the board that I take off, that has also fixed a few of them.

Ultimately however its either the Flash Memory or the Micro that's the problem if neither of those two options above work, in which case you need to plug a phone charger into it with a USB printer cable or else bin the PM3 and buy a new PM5.

Personally I now row with the PM5 and there is no going back as the Bluetooth is so useful on it to connect your phone and run ErgData.

[xnexus]

Thanks for the advice. I've upgraded the firmware - it was v101, got it to v108. Took a few tries as it disconnected/timed out more than once during the process, but eventually worked. We'll see in about a month or two if it fixes the problem, or if it's still chewing through batteries too quickly.

One question, if it doesn't work, and I do end up having to buy a new PM5, do you recommend getting a new generator as well, or do you think just replacing the PM will be enough?

[Carl Watts]

doubt V101 to V108 will fix it.

Plug a 5V cellphone charger into it. The current it's using is tiny for a charger.

Just get a new PM5 if you don't want to use a charger.

[Vculler]

No need to replace to a new PM5 monitor. Just change the generator unit that powers you PM when you row, so it saves the batteries:

https://shop.concept2.com/parts/102-pow ... embly.html

Happened the same to me and it worked

[Carl Watts]

No need to replace to a new PM5 monitor. Just change the generator unit that powers you PM when you row, so it saves the batteries:

https://shop.concept2.com/parts/102-pow ... embly.html

Happened the same to me and it worked

Doesn't work, the current is to high all it does is extend the battery life a tiny amount because your not rowing 95% of the day but you no longer get 18 months out of a set of Alkaline batteries. The only option is a separate charger.

I have two PM3's on the shelf that I will not sell. The standby current is in the 3 to 6 mA region instead of 0.250mA, still a tiny current but the battery life is still affected.

I have seen them using as much as 100mA and the batteries last a matter of days.

[xnexus]

Just an update on this. It looks like the firmware update, if not fixing it entirely, has vastly improved things. It's been 2 and a half months, and my battery life is still at 60ish%. Before now, I don't think I had a set of batteries last more than 6 or 8 weeks. Thanks for the suggestions.