Problems W/ PM3 & RowPro - SPM Out Of Whack

[Montanaandy]

I have posted this problem over at Digital but I was curious if anyone else experienced what I am going through and if so, what did you do to correct it?

When I hook up the PM3 via USB to my ThinkpadT43 while wearing a Polar HRM strap, I get crazy SPM readings on both the PM3 & RP. I tried grounding the C2 & my laptop as suggested but this did not help. I have narrowed the problem down to the interfacing between the PM3 & RP. If I disconnect the USB cable, my heartrate appears on the PM3 and is accurate. If the USB cable is connected (either prior to a HR reading or subsequent to the PM3 showing one) the HR disappears and the crazy SPM appears (jumps all over the place). I had the same problem with my wife's T40p as well as a HP Pavilion laptop.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

[Citroen]

What model ergo is it?

Has the PM3 been configured for the right model? Do you have the latest V101 firmware installed?

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

Once on that menu press CHANGE UNITS three times, then CHANGE DISPLAY three times and a hidden menu appears.

[Montanaandy]

Hey Citron - I have a Model C and it is confgured correctly to the B/C model when I go to the hidden menu. I have the latest firmware V101. It shows the jumper pin settings but I don't know where those are but I am pretty certain that I configured them correctly years ago. Again, this problem has just appeared when I have attempted to interface the PM3 + USB with Row Pro.

[Slothful1]

I haven't heard of this happening before. My only thought is that there is something wrong with the USB cable between PM3 and computer, so I would try another cable to see if that isolates the problem.

Cheers
Dave

[michaelb]

I have heard of HR jumping around and giving crazy readings, and that is caused by interference messing with the HR sensor. It is possible though that once on the UK forum someone had a similar problem (RP readings not working properly) a few years ago.

If you disconnect the HR sensor and don't use that, does RP work properly and show SR correctly? If the problem only occurs when you are using the HR monitor, I would suspect something there. Lots of things can cause HR interference, including TVs or stereos and other electronics (including your laptop). Moving those items even just a little bit can help a lot. What happens if you put your laptop as far away from the C2 as you can get and try it then?

[Bo Bojsen]

my spm, was going crazy too. on my laptop and the big computer. i found that ther was no graund connection on the elektrikel wire to the computer and in the connektion in the wall. i move the wire to a connektion with a ground, and then spm stop going crazy. when i use my laptop i must have a littel wire from the laptop metal, to a metal on a another computer ther is groundet, becurse the plugin on the charcher dos not have ground

Bo

[Montanaandy]

I have been able to isolate the problem to the USB connection on the PM3 & the USB connection on the laptop. I will try another cable (although this cable was one I switched to from a prior cable that I was having a problem with). Noticed that the HRM goes wacky too when the USB is plugged into just the PM3 so it most likely stems from either the USB cable or the PM3. When the USB cable is disconnected and I just use the PM3 everything operates fine. Strange. I did try grounding the erg & the laptop but that didn't make any diffrence. Could the problem be caused by my wi-fi signal (I am on a wireles connection on the laptop). The same SPM/HR problem has occurred with programs other than Row Pro so I know that it is not Row Pro causing the problem.

[Slothful1]

I'm using a wireless connection from laptop to router, with a Polar HRM running, and haven't had a problem with interference or funny SPM readings.

I don't know a lot about USB, but it seems possible that a dodgy cable could be leaking electromagnetic interference.

Dave

[Montanaandy]

I think that I am just going to bag it and stick with the ol PM3 screen because it seems like there is some type of a problem with the USB link between the PM3 & the laptops via the USB. I really enjoyed using Row Pro - bummer. I can't afford to upgrade to a PM4 which would probably solve the HRM problem since the Polar receiver is built into the unit. Strange thing is that I can upload my info. to the logbook via the USB but just can't run software (and I mean any of the rowing related programs out there) without the SPM and HRM going bonkers. Thanks for the suggestions.

[Citroen]

I can't afford to upgrade to a PM4 which would probably solve the HRM problem since the Polar receiver is built into the unit.

No it isn't.

The PM4 has an ANT transciever in the unit, which will pick up a Suunto or Garmin digital HR belt.

To work with analog Polar compatible HR belts you still need the dongle on the end of the stereo 3.5mm jack extension lead.

[Slothful1]

So it looks like different laptops and different cables are giving the same problem. I think you have a valid reason to ask C2 to service / replace the PM3, because this is certainly not a common problem.

Maybe the soldering of the USB socket inside the PM3 isn't perfect and causing the interference. It's the last variable in this problem - I'm really clutching at straws here!

I wasn't getting the interference problems, but I had started having connection problems with my USB socket after a year or so. PM3 was replaced without a quibble by my local agent.

Cheers
Dave