Technical Support - Heart Rate Interfaces & Chestbelts
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Hardware
This section is designed to help you diagnose and fix problems with your heart rate equipment. If you have questions or problems, or if you need further troubleshooting assistance, please email us at technicalhelp@concept2.co.uk or call 0115 945 5522.
New problems may arise that are not dealt with in this troubleshooting section. We would appreciate any information you may have to help us deal with these situations.
Note: Polar W.I.N.D. products are not compatible with Concept2 Performance Monitors.
Problem Cause Remedy (PM2 Only) Entire monitor screen (not just Heart Rate display) goes blank when the Heart Rate cable is plugged in. A short-circuit that occurs if the Heart Rate cable is plugged into the PM2 while the monitor is turned ON. Push the ON/OFF button once to turn the PM2 off, then push the ON/OFF button again to turn the PM2 back on again. We suggest that the Heart Rate cable be plugged into the monitor when the PM2 is turned off. The heart rate reading is absent or is totally erratic. Cause #1 - Poor contact between skin and electrodes. Remedy #1 - Repeat the electrode wetting procedure by wetting the two grooved rectangular areas on the underside of the Belt Transmitter thoroughly with water or saliva. The electrodes must be wet to pick up accurate heart rate readings.
- Make sure the transmitter is centred with electrodes flat against your skin, as high under the pectoral muscles as is comfortable.
- Wash your belt transmitter with mild soap and water, if you have not been doing so regularly.
Cause #2 - Receiver too far away from transmitter. Remedy #2 - Make sure your Receiver is within the proper range to receive transmission (1 meter/3 feet from your chest belt). Cause #3 - Bad cable connections. Remedy #3 - Check the cable connection on the back of the PM where the receiver cable plugs in. Check the connection between the cable and the receiver. Cause #4 - Outside interference. Remedy #4 - If you are exercising within range of strong electromagnetic signals the heart rate readings may elevate to abnormal levels. Common sources of electromagnetic signals are televisions, computers, cars, TV antennas, high voltage power lines and motor driven exercise equipment. Cause #5 - Signals from more than one Belt Transmitter within the transmission range (1 meter/3 feet) may also cause incorrect readings. Remedy #5 - Check your surroundings and move away from the source of interference if possible. Note: Two Indoor Rowers with heart rate hardware must be at least 4 feet (1.22 meters) apart to avoid interference. Heart Rate Related Monitor Problems
Heart rate reading absent or totally erratic.
Note: Occasionally the Heart Rate Monitor will pick up bad data for a number of reasons. When the PM recognises bad data, the display will go blank rather than show the bad data. It will take 5 seconds or longer to re-establish and display accurate readings. Review the following causes and solutions:
- Poor contact between skin and electrodes. Wet the electrodes. The electrodes must be wet to pick up accurate heart rate readings.
- Make sure the transmitter is centred with electrodes flat against your skin, as high under the pectoral muscles as is comfortable.
- Wash your belt transmitter with mild soap and water, if you have not been doing so regularly.
- Receiver too far away from transmitter. Make sure your receiver is within the proper range to receive transmission (1 meter / 3 feet from your chest belt).
- Bad cable connections. Check the cable connection on the back of the PM2 where the receiver cable plugs in. Check the connection between the cable and the receiver.
- Outside interference. If you are exercising within range of strong electromagnetic signals the heart rate readings may elevate to abnormal levels. Common sources of electromagnetic signals are televisions, computers, cars, TV antennas, high voltage power lines and motor driven exercise equipment.
- Signals from more than one Belt Transmitter within the transmission range (1 meter / 3 feet) may also cause incorrect readings. Check your surroundings and move away from the source of interference if possible.
Note: Two Indoor Rowers with heart rate hardware must be at least 4 feet (1.22 meters) apart to avoid interference.
PM2 & PM2+ Users - Screen blanks when Heart Rate cable is plugged in.
This is caused when a short-circuit that occurs if the Heart Rate cable is plugged into the PM2 while the monitor is turned ON. To resolve, push the ON/OFF button once to turn the PM2 off, then push the ON/OFF button again to turn the PM2 back on again. We suggest that the Heart Rate cable be plugged into the monitor when the PM2 is turned off.
How to Pair Suunto T6 and Chestbelt
- Select PAIR in the TRAINING MENU of your Suunto t6.
- Select HR BELT. The message "TURN ON NEW DEVICE" is displayed.
- Grab the contact areas with both of your hands. Your hands should be moist.
- One of the following messages will display within 30 seconds: "PAIRING COMPLETE" or, if pairing failed "NO DEVICES FOUND"
- If pairing failed and no devices were found, remove the battery from the transmitter belt. Short-circuit the - and + metal plates in the battery compartment by connecting them with a metal instrument. Or, the battery can be inserted upside-down into the compartment and then removed.
- Select PAIR in the TRAINING MENU of your Suunto t6.
- Select HR BELT. The message "TURN ON NEW DEVICE" will be displayed.
- Insert the battery into the battery compartment and wait for the acknowledgement.
NOTE! Do not insert the battery into battery compartment before you have selected HR BELT in the menu and the display reads "TURN ON NEW DEVICE".
