Questing about watt output on my new black model d

[Broseanrichard]

I was using a model d at the local gym and could get a max wattage of 650 or so but I just got my own black model d and going all out at same setting as the local gym I can only get a max wattage of 405 or so.is there something wrong with my machine or does the environment the machine is in effect the watt output?

[OarConsequences]

I'm guessing your drag factor was probably set differently on the two machines.

You should read these articles:
http://www.concept2.com/service/monitor ... rag-factor
http://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/t ... etting-101

[hjs]

I was using a model d at the local gym and could get a max wattage of 650 or so but I just got my own black model d and going all out at same setting as the local gym I can only get a max wattage of 405 or so.is there something wrong with my machine or does the environment the machine is in effect the watt output?

Check the configuration, could be wrong on one of the both machines.

[Citroen]

It's highly likely that the monitor on the gym machine is configured for the wrong type.

Main menu --> More Options --> Utilities --> LCD Contrast

Once on the LCD Contrast menu press [CHANGE UNITS] three times then press [CHANGE DISPLAY] three times.

That brings up the hidden menu where you configure the monitor for the type of machine it's mounted on.

[Broseanrichard]

Checked all the setting and it seems to be set up right. With damper set to 1 I get a little better wtts but not like I did at gym. Does the environment the rower is set up in effect the performance of the machine

[OarConsequences]

Many things can affect the performance including atmospheric conditions, elevation, and perhaps most relevant in this case, the cleanliness of the cage.

It is important to understand that the damper setting means nothing in absolute terms. You need to check the drag factor (see links in the first response to your post) in order to be able to compare two ergs directly. At least once you have the same drag factor you can either confirm that's the issue or eliminate it as a cause.

[dwalk]

Environment wouldn't have a 250 watt difference. On my friend's brand new model d I pulled slightly over 1000 watts, but on the machines at the Y, which are not maintained very well, I can manage a little over 900.

[OarConsequences]

Environment wouldn't have a 250 watt difference. On my friend's brand new model d I pulled slightly over 1000 watts, but on the machines at the Y, which are not maintained very well, I can manage a little over 900.

I meant to say that many things can affect the drag factor, which in turn affects performance. You are correct that atmospheric conditions alone wouldn't account for 250 watts of difference.

[Citroen]

Many things can affect the performance including atmospheric conditions, elevation, and perhaps most relevant in this case, the cleanliness of the cage.

For a user in the UK elevation is totally irrelevant (unless we're rowing on top of Ben Nevis). Atmospheric changes aren't big enough (you need a hurricane sized change of 38Hpa before you'd notice).

The cleanliness of the cage shouldn't matter, the monitor self calibrates for that. It mostly affects damper lever vs drag factor and prevents setting an optimal drag on a dirty machine. But a completely clogged machine won't allow the big wattage. Take a screwdriver into the gym and clean their machines for them (since they're likely clueless about the need to clean and the method). Now you have your own machine you'll need to learn how to do that (so it will be good practice). You don't need to disassemble the whole cage, just loose enough so you can remove the perforated strip (clean and re-fit).

One other likely problem is where the fan cage is in relation to walls and furniture (if you've got it in a cramped room). It needs a clean an uninterrupted flow. Also the environment, warm-up, state of mind and the other intangibles has a much bigger effect on the person rowing than they ever realise.

[TabbRows]

I was using a model d at the local gym and could get a max wattage of 650 or so but I just got my own black model d and going all out at same setting as the local gym I can only get a max wattage of 405 or so.is there something wrong with my machine or does the environment the machine is in effect the watt output?

I'm missing something here. Max wattage? I thought the watts were average over the time rowed. A 650watt would mean a split pace of around 1:21 or a 5:35 for a 2k Dwalk's 1000 equates to a 1:10 pace and a 4:42 2K. Are these max wattage numbers just a single power pull with the damper on 10? If so, that doesn' equate to anything.

Comments here on drag factor versus damper versus clean fan are good. If in a gym, do ask permission to clean the fan cage before pulling out your leathermantool or screwdriver. I simply gave the manager of my gym a printed copy of the C2 cleaning guide and let them go at it. Which to the horror of the "100 calories at damper 10 setting" gymrats caused a lot of grunting and dropping of handles.

[Citroen]

Which to the horror of the "100 calories at damper 10 setting" gymrats caused a lot of grunting and dropping of handles.

But, I bet it was worth it just for that

They must have been full of dust.

[hjs]

Max is indeed max, the higest reading during one stroke. Some people can pull sub 1.05 pace. They are pretty strong and explosive. Fastest piece ever is a 500 m in 1.10.5 Av

I was using a model d at the local gym and could get a max wattage of 650 or so but I just got my own black model d and going all out at same setting as the local gym I can only get a max wattage of 405 or so.is there something wrong with my machine or does the environment the machine is in effect the watt output?

I'm missing something here. Max wattage? I thought the watts were average over the time rowed. A 650watt would mean a split pace of around 1:21 or a 5:35 for a 2k Dwalk's 1000 equates to a 1:10 pace and a 4:42 2K. Are these max wattage numbers just a single power pull with the damper on 10? If so, that doesn' equate to anything.

Comments here on drag factor versus damper versus clean fan are good. If in a gym, do ask permission to clean the fan cage before pulling out your leathermantool or screwdriver. I simply gave the manager of my gym a printed copy of the C2 cleaning guide and let them go at it. Which to the horror of the "100 calories at damper 10 setting" gymrats caused a lot of grunting and dropping of handles.

[TabbRows]

Which to the horror of the "100 calories at damper 10 setting" gymrats caused a lot of grunting and dropping of handles.

But, I bet it was worth it just for that

They must have been full of dust.

Yep! I haven't seen a damper handle above 6 on any machine since the cleaning.

They were horribly caked with dust. I pushed the damper up to 10 on 3 of the 4 machines and got drag readings or 105-112. On the 4th machine it was 98
Middle of 5 now gives a reasonable 118-122 on the 2 machines I frequently use.