Battery life in PM5?

[rico567]

We've only had our C2 Model D since November (ordered from the factory) and 2 months later I'm already getting low battery on the PM5. This is used -maybe- an hour a day. Any thoughts?

[Citroen]

Buy the top of the range Energizer Max or Duracell Plus alkaline D-Cells. Not some cheapo substitute from the pound or dollar store.

[Carl Watts]

Its pretty important to use only top quality Alkaline Energizer or Duracell or the likes of Varta batteries for not only how well they last but the fact they tend not to leak corrosive fluid, even when flat.

The leading cause of monitor deaths is leaking batteries.

Don't use a USB stick in the monitor, they simply draw way to much current for a battery powered device. The PM5 should have had an SD card slot, however they are nowhere near as convenient to carry out of the monitor and plug in and out all the time.

If you have a mains outlet near the PM5, simply plug a printer USB cable into it and use a good quality cellphone charger and leave it turned on. You can then leave the USB stick in the monitor.

[c2jonw]

It's possible the batteries were low when you received the machine. Get new batteries and see how it goes.

Does the monitor shut off when you are done with your workout? The batteries are only being used when the flywheel gets below a very low threshold speed- above that threshold there is a generator powering the monitor. Normally you should get many months out of a set of batteries.

[Dangerscouse]

That is strange. I haven't changed my Duracell batteries since Dec 2018. I think that they are still on about 70% and I've done circa 4.5m metres, so it's not like I haven't used the rower.

[Ernits]

Don't use a USB stick in the monitor, they simply draw way to much current for a battery powered device. The PM5 should have had an SD card slot, however they are nowhere near as convenient to carry out of the monitor and plug in and out all the time.

Interesting. I have had my USB stick in the PM5 24/7 and the battery shows halfway to empty after ~1.5 years.

[GreenStratMan]

I’ve had my pm5 on my model c for 3 months and my batteries are 86%. Have been rowing 30 to 50 minutes 5 times per week, with iPhone connected via Bluetooth and hrm connected via + ant and I’ve never plugged a usb cable into it. Also the model c doesn’t power the pm5. I’d agree, duff batteries.

[Tsnor]

We've only had our C2 Model D since November (ordered from the factory) and 2 months later I'm already getting low battery on the PM5. This is used -maybe- an hour a day. Any thoughts?

connected bluetooth device forcing PM5 to stay on ?

when rowing the PM5 has zero battery use, instead PM5 uses power from Model D generator.

When sitting waiting the PM5 shuts off. Not battery use when shut off (unlike automobiles).

When sitting waiting while bluetooth connected the PM5 does not shut off, it eats the battery.

[ben_r_]

Havent had any issue with the batteries that came in my Model D/BikeErg/SkiErg (with a USB drive constantly in the PM5 as well as using Bluetooth and ANT+ everytime I use the machines) dying prematurely yet, but I have been thinking of swithing them over to some good D cell ultra low discharge NiMh rechargeable batteries. Anyone gone that route? Any performance issues with rechargeables?

[Nomath]

..., but I have been thinking of swithing them over to some good D cell ultra low discharge NiMh rechargeable batteries. Anyone gone that route?

Don't go that way! As most C2 users can testify, standard D cells in a PM3/5 last for 3 or more years, even in daily used ergs. Rechargeable batteries are economical if the discharge current is so high that you discharge them several times in a year, say in GPS devices. NiMH rechargeable batteries typically have a 50% self-discharge in 1 yr, whereas standard alkaline zinc-manganese have a self-discharge rating of 50% in 5-10 years.
The cell voltage of NiMH at 50% discharge is about 1.2 V, in contrast to non-rechargeable alkaline zinc-alkaline batteries that have a cell voltage of 1.3V. So if the device is designed for non-rechargeables, it will signal 'low battery voltage' much earlier. In additional, D-cells will not fit in most available chargers. They are typically made for AA-size or AAA-size batteries. So you will have a buy a separate, more expensive D-cell charger.

I also question an earlier comment in this topic, that you should buy premium-price alkaline batteries for the PM. Non-rechargeable batteries are commodities, just as gasoline/petrol. There is not much quality difference between the major brands, but there is a big price difference, often a factor of 2-3. This is because each brand targets different customers. Prices reflect advertisement costs, distribution channels, profit margins of shops and ultimately the willingness of customers to pay a higher price for batteries in their lifestyle gadgets. In a Dollar General, you can safely buy low-cost alkaline batteries. Look at where they are manufactured. If manufactured in the USA, EU or Japan, you can be assured that they are made on highly-automated high-volume production lines. Batteries are a good example where production in countries with cheap labour cannot beat the cost and stable quality of high-automation.

[mict450]

Don't go that way! As most C2 users can testify, standard D cells in a PM3/5 last for 3 or more years, even in daily used ergs. Rechargeable batteries are economical if the discharge current is so high that you discharge them several times in a year, say in GPS devices. NiMH rechargeable batteries typically have a 50% self-discharge in 1 yr, whereas standard alkaline zinc-manganese have a self-discharge rating of 50% in 5-10 years.
The cell voltage of NiMH at 50% discharge is about 1.2 V, in contrast to non-rechargeable alkaline zinc-alkaline batteries that have a cell voltage of 1.3V. So if the device is designed for non-rechargeables, it will signal 'low battery voltage' much earlier. In additional, D-cells will not fit in most available chargers. They are typically made for AA-size or AAA-size batteries. So you will have a buy a separate, more expensive D-cell charger.

I also question an earlier comment in this topic, that you should buy premium-price alkaline batteries for the PM. Non-rechargeable batteries are commodities, just as gasoline/petrol. There is not much quality difference between the major brands, but there is a big price difference, often a factor of 2-3. This is because each brand targets different customers. Prices reflect advertisement costs, distribution channels, profit margins of shops and ultimately the willingness of customers to pay a higher price for batteries in their lifestyle gadgets. In a Dollar General, you can safely buy low-cost alkaline batteries. Look at where they are manufactured. If manufactured in the USA, EU or Japan, you can be assured that they are made on highly-automated high-volume production lines. Batteries are a good example where production in countries with cheap labour cannot beat the cost and stable quality of high-automation.

Thanks for this write up on batteries. Great information!!