Garmin Edge 500, HR Monitor and battery replacement...

Seweryn

Hi Guys,

I am looking for some help with the Garmin Edge 500 bundle that I have been using for about 7 months.

The HR Monitor recently started showing no signal at the beginning of a ride or just low readings (going back to normal operation after about 10 minutes through an activity). To solve the problem I removed the battery from the HR Monitor, measured its voltage (reading shown in the old battery was 2.98V) and decided to replace it with a brand new battery (new battery voltage measured was 3.23V). Before putting in the new battery, I left the unit with power off for at least 5 minutes. After the new battery went in, I put on the HRM strap as always, wet the electrodes, started the Edge 500 Unit to test the system, but there was no signal from the HR Monitor. I removed and put back the battery in HR Monitor once again, checked the battery position, cleaned the contacts, etc. Then I went into settings in the Edge Unit and activated the HR Monitor "Search" function, but still with no result. Finally, I went for a ride, during which the signal from the HR Monitor was never received by the Edge 500 Unit. The HR Monitor is the premium model with the soft cloth all-black strap. The latest firmware is in and until the battery replacement, the whole system was working somehow OK. It has been used approximately 9 to 12h per week.

Is anything else I can do, or is there any procedure to activate the HR Monitor? I will appreciate your help

07Lapierre

Seweryn wrote: »

Is anything else I can do

Only thing you can do now is contact Garmin and get it replaced under warranty

jinkypolly

Try placing the battery in reversed for about 10 seconds to reset the transmitter ID.

Seweryn

jinkypolly wrote: »

Try placing the battery in reversed for about 10 seconds to reset the transmitter ID.

Do you mean in reverse polarity, i.e. flip the battery upside down in the HR M.?

clog

I had the same problem a while ago, putting the battery into the unit the opposite way for a few seconds apparently re sets the unit. I then put battery in normally and searched again for the unit. (you need to be wearing strap)
This worked for me and it only takes a minute to try.

Seweryn

clog wrote: »

I had the same problem a while ago, putting the battery into the unit the opposite way for a few seconds apparently re sets the unit. I then put battery in normally and searched again for the unit. (you need to be wearing strap)
This worked for me and it only takes a minute to try.

Thanks,

I will try this later. However, the way the battery is installed, if you put it in the opposite way, only the positive + will connect both electrodes in the unit creating a short circuit. Well, maybe that will resolve the issue. Thank you anyway, will try.

Eamonnator

jinkypolly wrote: »

Try placing the battery in reversed for about 10 seconds to reset the transmitter ID.

This worked for me.

Seweryn

Thanks Guys,

Fixed the HRM as suggested. Back in business, thanks for your help .

slap/dash

yeah just came in to say i had the exact same problem and solution. garmin support arent the best imo, just refer you to the lengthy manual and its numerous, at time almost magical series of things to troubleshoot. /rant.

ashleey

Just add. Put the strap in the wash with your cycle kit after about 10 uses. Not the transmitter though!

Salt builds up in the strap (if you cycle fast enough, which you do) which affects the conductivity.

Seweryn

ashleey wrote: »

Just add. Put the strap in the wash with your cycle kit after about 10 uses.

Thanks Ashley, that makes sense.

ashleey wrote: »

Salt builds up in the strap (if you cycle fast enough, which you do)

Errhm... Yeah, salt builds up if you sweat, i.e. when I am trying to cycle faster that I am normally able to .

ashleey wrote: »

Not the transmitter though!

07Lapierre

Reverse the battery to reset? ... Thats handy to know thanks.

clog

Just to add reversing the battery has also worked for me with a speed/cadence sensor which became unresponsive after changing battery.

Seweryn

07Lapierre wrote: »

Reverse the battery to reset? ... Thats handy to know thanks.

Yep, that's it.

Another option - just connect both terminals in the HRM unit and create a short circuit. It does the same effect.

ashleey

After all that my original strap started playing up this morning. I've found that the Polar strap is more reliable. Just need to trim some plastic off the fasteners and then it takes the garmin transmitter.

When my first garmin played up, I got a replacement under warranty and the new ones are redesigned so they are definitely aware of problems.

ashleey

Bought the polar strap from irishfit.eu but definitely considering the newer garmin hrm3