PM3 problem?

[jumpsturdy]

Recently bought a model D and have been rowing 2 sessions a day for the lat month and a half. Have logged about 800,000 meters, typically rowing about one and a half to two hours daily. Am reasonably fit and have been running and lifting for many years. Only recently came across this forum and based on what I am reading assume there must be an issue with my monitor. I am six feet six inches, 220 lbs and according to the PM3 the fastest single pull I can get is 3:11. Have had several other folks from my gym try it and no one can pull a better pace. Based on what I am seeing here that pace is not reasonable for someone my size who can somewhat easily dead-lift the front of a car. I have checked to be sure that the monitor is set for a model D and it is. So, any suggestions as to what may be wrong would be appreciated.

The rower is essentially brand new; I bought it used but it had less than a 1000 meters on it and was a model year 2011. Also,from review of several rowing videos, my form is pretty good and quite long. From almost touching the yolk where the chain enters to a full pull with my torso leaning back to the 1:00 o'clock position.

Thanks

[Bob S.]

Recently bought a model D and have been rowing 2 sessions a day for the lat month and a half. Have logged about 800,000 meters, typically rowing about one and a half to two hours daily. Am reasonably fit and have been running and lifting for many years. Only recently came across this forum and based on what I am reading assume there must be an issue with my monitor. I am six feet six inches, 220 lbs and according to the PM3 the fastest single pull I can get is 3:11. Have had several other folks from my gym try it and no one can pull a better pace. Based on what I am seeing here that pace is not reasonable for someone my size who can somewhat easily dead-lift the front of a car. I have checked to be sure that the monitor is set for a model D and it is. So, any suggestions as to what may be wrong would be appreciated.

The rower is essentially brand new; I bought it used but it had less than a 1000 meters on it and was a model year 2011. Also,from review of several rowing videos, my form is pretty good and quite long. From almost touching the yolk where the chain enters to a full pull with my torso leaning back to the 1:00 o'clock position.

Thanks

What do you get with steady rowing for several strokes, rather than a "single pull"? Also, change units and see what it reads in watts. A pace of 3:11 would correspond to about 50 watts. For the Cal/hr, it would be about 470. Have you used other model Ds at any time? This one sounds like a real puzzler and I don't ever remember seeing it come up before.

Bob S.

[Carl Watts]

That sounds very strange.

The later models of monitor, post mid 2007 are excellent and have few problems. Perhaps the easiest way to check is to find another Concept 2 erg and try that to compare.

I would say there is a prroblem with the machine as its just about impossible to row that slow. 2:15 pace is a Cool down and your just about falling asleep.

Possibly there is something wrong with the pickup. I would check your running the latest version of firmware and if not then update it from here.

http://www.concept2.com/us/service/firmware/

[jumpsturdy]

Thanks for the replies.

It has the newest firmware. I am now also suspecting the pickup. A prior respondent questioned steady pace and at best I can hold only about 3:40 for any length of time. Wattage and calories seem to correspond correctly to the indicated pace from what I can read (i.e. correspondingly low). And I am really pulling (pushing with my legs) strenuously. As I have never rowed previously, I am only now becoming aware of the problem as I compare what I am reading here with what I am seeing on my own PM3. At the end of ten minutes I am pouring sweat trying to maintain a 3:40 or so pace. And as I said before, I am in pretty good shape and really quite strong for my size. Played football in college, albeit only at the ivy league level.

Will try and find another model D/PM3 erg to try for comparison as I suspect it will be the only way to know for sure that the problem is with my own machine.

BTW cannot see any significant change in results by changing the damper (which seems to correctly reflect the appropriate drag factor range) nor by changing stroke rate from 18 through the low 30s. To keep up a pace around 3:40 if feels as if I am pulling my weight on each stroke and after about ten minutes I feel ready to keel over and drown in my puddle of sweat. It makes running the bleachers almost a fond memory in comparison.

Again, thanks for your suggestions and help.

[BetaMO]

hehe - wow - according to the old PM 2 at work on a Model C, when I do 3:20/500, it's very easy - something is malfunctioning for SURE! You're probably breaking records and don't even know it!

[Citroen]

Again, thanks for your suggestions and help.

Check that all the magnets are on the flywheel.
Check the the monitor is set for the right model of rower.

[Bob S.]

Again, thanks for your suggestions and help.

Check that all the magnets are on the flywheel.
Check the the monitor is set for the right model of rower.

Missing magnets sound like a good bet. There are supposed to be three, right? At only about 50 watts, I'd bet that there are two missing. The original post did say that the monitor was properly set.

Bob S.

[jumpsturdy]

Thanks for the suggestion, will check the magnets later today.

[jumpsturdy]

Well, I have taken the flywheel mechanism apart and did not see any magnets. This probably indicates I don't know what I am looking for, but the inside surface of the flywheel seemed to be bare and there was what appeared to be a ring with a metallic surface that corresponded to the placement of the electronic mechanism (probe?) which protrudes through the sidewall. In any event there was nothing I saw which was seemed meaningful to solving the problem.

I also had an opportunity to try another model D for a few minutes and found that I was easily able to row at a 1:50 and lower pace, so I now know there is indeed a problem with my rower.

Any further suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Carl Watts]

IIRC there are 3 visable shiney silver magnets embedded in the flywheel that line up with (are on the same radius as) the sensor you mentioned.

You must have at least one for the monitor to be working at all so look for holes in the flywheel with no magnets.

If all three are present then check them with a bit of steel. The sensor is pretty sensitive and a moving magnet within 25mm (1 inch) of it is enough to turn on a PM2 so the distance betwwen the sensor and the magnets is not super critical.

[Citroen]

I think you should call C2 at 1-800 245 5676

[jumpsturdy]

There were several holes but I did not see anything that seemed to be a magnet, shiny or otherwise. Will look again and then give C2 a call. Fortunately I live within reasonable driving distance of the company so if I have to bring it to them I could.

Having said that, as Carl pointed out, there must be at least one magnet for it to be working at all, and if I missed seeing one, well I guess I could be missing seeing more...

Anyway, I will check again so I don't end up looking too foolish if they are there.

Thanks again for the suggestions.