Picked up a model B - what to change?

[Lurens]

Good morning everyone,
I am new to the forum and needed your help. During the COVID I had bought a Model B and after that period I had not used it any more. Now due to an injury I've started using it again and I'm really getting into it. My Model B, however, does not have any sensor/monitor and online I am having a hard time understanding what I should buy (if it is possible) to upgrade to put the monitor (sensor?magnet?). I am writing to you from Italy, here unfortunately there is not much information about it . Thanks for anyone who can help me!

[JaapvanE]

Can you contact C2 locally (i.e. C2 Italy)? As far as I know, the PM5 can be retrofitted onto any previous model. See https://www.concept2.nl/en/indoor-rower ... itting-pm5 (this is the Dutch branch).

[gvcormac]

You can buy a PM5 retro kit for the Model B.

You might be able to find a cheap used PM3. It gives the same basic stats, but no wireless.

PM4 is less common (only standard on Model E, upsell for Model D in some years), but it would do, too.

If you buy a new PM5, you can select one for Model B. But if you get a used PM3/PM4, you can change the rower it is configured for: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eiXWy1rK60&t=61s

[Lurens]

Thank you very much for your quick replies. I am really new to rowing so I don't know how the speed sensor is supposed to work. Online I only find explanations and manuals for mounting the monitor, but nothing about the sensor. Should there be a magnet to attach to the flywheel? Or should I already have it? Just to understand so I can then look for the components online .

[JaapvanE]

Thank you very much for your quick replies. I am really new to rowing so I don't know how the speed sensor is supposed to work. Online I only find explanations and manuals for mounting the monitor, but nothing about the sensor. Should there be a magnet to attach to the flywheel? Or should I already have it? Just to understand so I can then look for the components online .

A model B should already have a sensor. It has a jack-plug (like in headphones), and should be close ro the axel of the flywheel.

[Cyclist2]

On the left side of the flywheel (as you're sitting on the machine), the pickup sensor is attached to the cage near the axle. There are three small magnets embedded in the flywheel that the pickup senses. The wire goes up to the monitor. Here is the C2 part: https://www.concept2.com/product/136.
You can get a PM5 to retrofit on the model B. Here is the C2 page for that: https://www.concept2.com/product/338.

I still use my model B occasionally. After about 40 years it (and the PM2) still work great. Have fun!

[Lurens]

I have some doubts about my Model B... I don't have the magnets you tell me and seeing online photos of the flywheel of other model B's it looks different... So could they have changed the flywheel or could mine be a reproduction ? If so I have no way to upgrade in your opinion?
This is my rowing https://ibb.co/xmXrdKP ( I don't understand why I can't upload here the photo). Here the flywheel https://ibb.co/wNbgXZ7

[gvcormac]

Concept 2 site has schematics, instructions, etc. Everything you need. As mentioned, installing PM5 (of PM3 or PM4) is a matter of removing and replacing one bolt and unplugging/plugging in the sensor cable.

https://www.concept2.com/support/indoor ... schematics

[Lurens]

Thank you very much everyone, I think I understand why I could not understand the pattern
I found this old thread:

viewtopic.php?t=190936

Could it be that my Model B is not “original” or at least the flywheel is not
I'll have to check, but I don't see that there is any magnet on my flywheel and there is no black “disk” (as in the picture in the topic) where the flywheel is.
Unless I find some different solution (maybe glue with American tape any magnet) I am afraid I cannot make the upgrade. I am sorry because I find it still works very well, currently I use it with heart rate monitor

[gvcormac]

Not sure who posted what images. The ones posted don't seem to be from OP, and they don't appear to be a Model D. The Model D is used had two drive sprockets on the flywheel and you could switch between them.

Concept 2 has schematics and instructions:

https://www.concept2.com/support/indoor ... schematics

[Cyclist2]

The photos you posted don't look like a CONCEPT 2 model B, but some other counterfeit brand. You'll have to get creative.

I have some doubts about my Model B... I don't have the magnets you tell me and seeing online photos of the flywheel of other model B's it looks different..

[JaapvanE]

The photos you posted don't look like a CONCEPT 2 model B, but some other counterfeit brand. You'll have to get creative.

It might be a genuine C2, see this topic: viewtopic.php?f=10&t=188733

So contacting C2 is a way forward.

An alternative is to buy a Raspberry Pi and install OpenRowingMonitor on it. But then you need to add some magnets and a sensor yourself (if the machine doesn't have them).

Disclaimer: I am the lead developer and package maintainer of OpenRowingMonitor.

[Lurens]

Thank you all very much for your support. I fear it may not be original or may be an upgrade from an even earlier model .
I tried to figure out for Raspberry Pi , that would be a nice idea , but unfortunately I didn't quite understand , I am not that familiar with software .
I think if the monitor only works with a magnet , I can attach a magnet (I had already done it , to put a bike counter , just to understand the difference in intensity in rowing) and take a sensor + monitor . It seems fair to give it a chance as it works very well

[JaapvanE]

I think if the monitor only works with a magnet , I can attach a magnet (I had already done it , to put a bike counter , just to understand the difference in intensity in rowing) and take a sensor + monitor . It seems fair to give it a chance as it works very well

A bike monitor doesn't understand drag, which is an essential element in rowing, even on a model B. ORM is designed to work on all known rowing machines, and installation is made pretty easy. And we have a forum of helpfull people if the manuals are detailed enough. But it is your choice to make.

[Lurens]

Yes sorry, I would said that in the past I use a counter bike only for have a index (that was in speed) , only I index for understand the different efforts . When I do this, I apply tha magnet , so I try to apply it yet. If the monitor need "only" a magnet and the pick up , I can try. But also I want to see all the manuals about Raspberry Pi, because looks like the best thing (sorry for my english)