high drag factor readings

[johnlvs2run]

I took additional drag factor readings this morning, temperature 62 degrees.

1) range 80 to 188 - fan cage 12 inches (30cm) from wall
2) range 81 to 204 - open space in middle of garage
3) damper ten - 475 - open space with cover and mesh removed
4) range 100 to 360 - open space with cover on - mesh removed

The erg sounds better with the mesh off and there is nice air flow circulation.

[johnlvs2run]

The drag factor readings in #3 and #4 are explained as follows.
3) open space with cover and mesh removed = 300 + 210 - 45 = 465
4) open space with cover on, mesh removed = 300 + 105 - 45 = 360

When the side vent is closed it is still letting in considerable air. With the perimeter open (mesh off) and covering approximately 10% of the side vent or perimeter, I was able to get the following readings with the damper set on 10.

A - drag factors up to 300
B - drag factors starting over at 45/46

The break point for this was at drag factor 300. After some experimentation I was able to get many 300's and many 46's while rowing without stopping, but only a couple of rare 45's. It appears that 300 and 45 are identical when the resistance is the same.

With the damper set at #10 and getting the 300 readings, then setting the damper at #1, the reading is lower than 100.

It appears that none of the different readings are affecting the pace.
Whatever reading is showing, the resistance is being accounted for by the monitor.

[Nosmo]

I noticed similar strange drag factors a with the cover off when I was once repairing an erg. Didn't investigate like you did. From an electronics perspective what you say makes sense. There is probably an 8 bit register that controls the display in the drag factor. 8 Bits can range from 0 to 255 and with an offset of 45 then the range would be from 45 to 300. Internally, the math that goes into calculating the drag factor has more precision so it calculates pace correctly.

[johnlvs2run]

I noticed similar strange drag factors a with the cover off when I was once repairing an erg. Didn't investigate like you did. From an electronics perspective what you say makes sense. There is probably an 8 bit register that controls the display in the drag factor. 8 Bits can range from 0 to 255 and with an offset of 45 then the range would be from 45 to 300. Internally, the math that goes into calculating the drag factor has more precision so it calculates pace correctly.

That's great to hear.