This section is designed to help you diagnose and fix problems with your performance monitor. To help minimize issues with your monitor, Concept2 recommends keeping your firmware current. Firmware releases are available at no charge from our website.
Stuck On Zero:
Symptom
The Performance Monitor (PM) comes on and you can navigate the menus, but when you begin rowing or skiing, the monitor numbers stay at zero.
Resolution
- Ensure the “tach” (generator) cable is plugged in fully.
- On indoor rowers, ensure the model type on the monitor matches the indoor rower in use. Check this as follows:
- On the Main Menu, choose More Options.
- Choose Utilities.
- Choose Product ID and look at what appears next to "Model." This should be D or D/E for Model Ds, and D/E for Model Es and Dynamic Indoor Rowers (for reference, D/E will also be listed for SkiErgs, but this procedure applies to indoor rowers only). If you have retrofitted a monitor to an older indoor rower, this should read C, B or A according to the indoor rower you have. If this doesn't match the indoor rower model you have, take the following steps:
- From the Main Menu, select More Options > Utilities > LCD Contrast.
- Press Change Units or Units three times.
- Press Change Display or Display three times.
- When the Set Rower Type screen appears, press the button next to Change Type until the correct indoor model is displayed:
- D or D/E for Model D Indoor Rowers
- D/E for Model E and Dynamic Indoor Rowers
- C, B or A as appropriate for the indoor rower you have, if you've retrofitted a monitor to an older machine
- Select Set Type to save the setting.
Note: If you change the monitor batteries, you may need to follow this procedure again.
- If the problem persists:
- Unplug the monitor pickup wire and inspect it for frays or breaks. This is the wire that leads from the bottom of the monitor to the flywheel. If frays or breaks exist, the pickup wire will need to be replaced.
- Inspect the monitor pickup wire port on the bottom of the monitor. If there is a crack in the port, the monitor will need to be replaced.
- If the wire and port look fine, securely plug the wire back into the monitor.
- If the problem persists and you have access to a known working monitor, swap the monitors to determine whether the problem is with the monitor pickup wire or the monitor itself:
- If the known working monitor stays at zero when you begin your workout, the monitor pickup wire is faulty and must be replaced.
- If the known working monitor operates normally, the original monitor is faulty.
- If you do not have access to a known working monitor, contact Concept2 or your authorized dealer for further assistance. If the monitor is used in a health club or other setting where a user may have sprayed the machine down with a cleaning solution after use, inspect the inside of the monitor and the circuit board for contamination. To inspect the inside of the monitor:
- Disassemble the monitor.
- Inspect the circuit board. If contaminants are visible, wipe down the circuit board with a cloth slightly dampened with water.
- Allow the circuit board to dry and reassemble the PM.
If the problem persists, or if no contaminants were visible on the circuit board, the PM must be replaced.
Battery Issues:
Symptoms
- Your Performance Monitor (PM) is warning you that the batteries are too low, but you think the batteries are OK.
- You’re using D cell batteries in your PM, and the battery life seems short.
Resolution 1
This resolution applies to PMs installed on the following equipment:
- Model D Indoor Rower
- Model E Indoor Rower
- Dynamic Indoor Rower
- SkiErg
Take the following steps to determine whether the problem is with the generator cable or the battery.
Note: This procedure will not work for the combination of a PM5, hardware version 500–599, and Firmware Version 20/720.
- Remove all batteries from the PM.
- Ensure the “tach” (generator) cable is plugged in firmly and all the way.
- Row/ski hard on your machine.
- If the PM comes on and stays on while you are rowing/skiing, then at least part of the generator is working. Proceed to step 4.
- If the PM does not come on, then generator cable needs to be replaced, and you can stop following this diagnostic procedure.
- Install fresh D cell batteries in the PM. The PM should power up.
- Set the language and date (the year, at minimum).
- On the PM Main Menu select More Options, then Utilities, then Product ID.
- Look at the Model type. Make sure it is set to D or D/E.
- If using a PM4, look at the firmware version and ensure your PM is running the most current version. If you have old firmware, the rechargeable battery will not work at all after a while. Your PM4 will work fine after updating the firmware and fully charging the battery pack.
- Press Menu or Menu | Back until you reach the Main Menu.
- Select Just Row/Ski.
- Start rowing/skiing:
- If the numbers begin counting, then the generator appears to be working. Proceed to step 10.
- If the numbers do not begin counting, stop this diagnostic procedure and replace the generator before proceeding.
- Stop, press Menu or Menu | Back while the flywheel is still spinning, and wait for 30–60 seconds. If you receive a low battery message, stop this diagnostic procedure and replace the generator.
- If using a PM4, remove the D cell batteries and install the rechargeable battery pack.
- If using a PM4, plug the PM into a USB port of a computer overnight to charge battery. Note: Concept2 recommends turning off your computer’s Hibernate or Sleep modes; otherwise, you may not get a good charge.
Resolution 2
This resolution applies only to monitors in use with Model A, B, or C Indoor Rowers.
Under normal circumstances, a set of Alkaline D cell batteries should last in a PM3 or PM4 for about 350 hours of operational time, and about 200 hours of operational time in a PM5. If you find this is not the case, take the following steps:
- Check your firmware version: On the Main Menu select More Options > Utilities > Product ID. Running the latest version of the firmware may extend the life of batteries, as newer firmware uses the microprocessor more efficiently.
- Observe the performance monitor after rowing/skiing. The monitor should turn off within six minutes of the time you stop rowing (except when plugged into a computer, using PM4 racing, or during certain types of intervals). If it is not turning off within that timeframe, please contact Concept2 for assistance.
- Check the battery level: On the Main Menu select More Options > Utilities > Battery. Once the battery level gets down to about 80%, the battery percentage should not go down by more than 1% per day. If it does, there is probably damage to the circuit board and the unit should be replaced. In a health club, the most likely cause of this is spraying the monitor with cleaning chemicals.
Broken USB Cable Jack:
Symptom
The port (or jack) for the USB cable is loose. On the PM3 and PM4, this is the largest port on the bottom of the monitor. On a PM5, this port is on the back of the monitor and is located directly beneath the race system jacks. For help identifying the USB cable port, use the hover overs on the How To Use page for the monitor you have:
PM3 |
PM4 |
PM5
Resolution
The USB cable port has broken off the circuit board. To resolve the issue, the PM must be replaced.
Buttons Not Working:
Symptom 1-
The monitor powers up and displays information, but one or more of the buttons on the monitor face (usually the Menu or Menu | Back button) do not work.
Resolution 1-
This is a hardware issue, usually caused by corrosion on the circuit board. The PM must be replaced.
Symptom 2-
Not all buttons on the monitor face power up the monitor. Only pressing certain buttons or rowing/skiing will power up the monitor. After the monitor is on, some buttons may not work unless pressing hard.
Resolution 2-
The keypad may be aging or worn and cannot make the connection. The keypad should be replaced.
Cannot Update Firmware with the USB Cable and Concept2 Utility:
If you have tried to update the firmware in your PM more than once and are encountering problems, follow the procedure below to reset the PM.
- Simultaneously press and hold the Change Units button, as well as the first and fifth gray buttons on the right.
- While holding these buttons, reset the monitor using a paper clip and the reset button on the back of the monitor.
- Release the buttons when the PM displays "Concept2 Flash Loader.”
- If the issue is not resolved, close and restart the Concept2 Utility. If the issue persists, try rebooting your computer and attempting the update again.
If you have performed the reset and are still encountering problems with the update, please note the PM screen contents (error messages, etc.) and contact Concept2 for assistance.
Dead Monitor/ Vertical or Horizontal Lines:
Symptom
The monitor does not come on at all or only shows a few vertical or horizontal black lines.
Resolution 1 (Does not apply to D cell batteries)
Fully recharge the battery pack using a computer:
- Ensure that the battery pack is installed in your PM. This resolution does not apply if you are using two D cell batteries in your PM. D cell battery users should proceed to Resolution 2.
- Power up the computer if it is off.
- Connect your PM to the computer with the USB cable that came with your monitor. The PM should power up within 10 seconds of connecting it to your computer. If this does not happen, press
Menu | Back on the PM. If the PM still does not power up, proceed to Resolution 2.
- Leave the PM connected to the computer for eight hours or overnight. Your computer must remain on for the recharge to occur.
Resolution 2
Perform a full monitor reset.
Warning: Depending on the age of your monitor, resetting the monitor may delete all workout data from the PM Memory; workout data stored on a LogCard will not be deleted. Additionally, following a reset, you may need to re-program your monitor with the correct language, and the current date and time.
To perform a full monitor reset:
- Remove both D cell batteries or the battery pack from the monitor.
- Leave the batteries/battery pack out of the monitor overnight.
- Re-install the battery pack. If you are using batteries, install two fresh D cell batteries.
If the problem persists, the PM must be replaced.
Error Codes:
Error Codes 37-, 39-, 137-, and 240-
Resolution 1: If LogCard is Used
- Download and install the latest version of the Concept2 Utility on your computer.
- Launch the Concept2 Utility.
- Connect the PM3 or PM4 to your computer with the USB cable provided with your monitor.
- Insert your LogCard into the monitor.
- Using the Concept2 Utility, transfer your LogCard data to a spreadsheet. During the transfer data function, the Concept2 Utility will detect and correct the errors associated with the LogCard, which it does by rewriting the card. When you are prompted to have the Concept2 Utility rewrite the card, select OK. Your data will be retained.
Resolution 2: If No LogCard is Used
- Perform a full monitor reset.
Warning: Depending on the age of your monitor, resetting the monitor may delete all workout data from the monitor memory; workout data stored on a LogCard will not be deleted. Additionally, following a reset, you may need to re-program your monitor with the correct language, and the current date and time.
To perform a full monitor reset:
- Remove both D cell batteries or the battery pack from the monitor.
- Leave the batteries/battery pack out of the monitor overnight.
- Hold down the UNITS and DISPLAY buttons. While holding these down, re-install the battery pack. If you are using batteries, install two fresh D cell batteries.
- Update the PM3 or PM4 firmware.
Resolution 1: Check LogCard and Machine
Check that you are not trying to use a SkiErg LogCard with an indoor rower or vice versa. Each type of LogCard is formatted specifically for its intended machine (SkiErg or indoor rower). Look at the front of the LogCard to determine what kind of card it is.
Resolution 2: Repair LogCard
Your LogCard's information may be damaged and need repair. You can do this using the Concept2 Utility.
- Download and install the latest version of the Concept2 Utility on your computer.
- Launch the Concept2 Utility.
- Connect the PM to your computer with the USB cable provided with your PM.
- Insert your LogCard into the PM.
- Using the Concept2 Utility, transfer your LogCard data to a spreadsheet. During the transfer data function, the Concept2 Utility will detect and correct the errors associated with the LogCard. It does this by rewriting the card. When you are prompted to have the Concept2 Utility rewrite the card, select OK. Your data will be retained.
Error Code 50:
Several situations can cause an error code 50:
- Plastic wrap around the flywheel.
- Very fast, arms-only rowing, especially with some older versions of Performance Monitor firmware.
- A dirty flywheel enclosure.
- An incorrectly programmed Performance Monitor.
If you are getting an error code 50, here are some steps to take:
- If this is a new machine, ensure that the plastic wrap has been removed from the flywheel.
- Make sure your PM is running current firmware. See PM3, PM4 or PM5 for more information.
- Check the flywheel enclosure and clean out any debris. Refer to the following instructions:
- For monitors on indoor rowers, ensure that your monitor is correctly programmed for the indoor rower model on which it’s installed: From the Main Menu select More Options > Utilities > Product ID. Look at what appears next to "Model." This should be D or D/E for Model Ds, and D/E for Model E and Dynamic Indoor Rowers. (For reference, D/E will also be listed for SkiErgs, but this procedure applies to indoor rowers only.) If you have retrofitted a monitor to an older indoor rower, this should read C, B or A according to the indoor rower you have. If this doesn't match the indoor rower model you have, take the following steps:
- From the Main Menu, select More Options > Utilities > LCD Contrast.
- Press Change Units or Units three times.
- Press Change Display or Display three times.
- When the Set Rower Type screen appears, press the button next to Change Type until the correct indoor model is displayed:
- D or D/E for Model D Indoor Rowers
- D/E for Model E and Dynamic Indoor Rowers
- C, B or A as appropriate for the indoor rower you have, if you've retrofitted a monitor to an older machine
- Select Set Type to save the setting.
Note: If you change the monitor batteries, you may need to follow this procedure again.
If the problem persists after performing these steps, contact Concept2 for assistance.
Error Codes 120- through 129-
Error codes 120- through 129- occur when the monitor is being used with external or third-party software. If you receive this error, you should update the monitor firmware. With the exception of Concept2 ErgData, this error could also indicate a problem with the third-party software and not the monitor. If updating the monitor firmware does not resolve the issue, please report the problem to the software vendor.
- Ensure that the battery pack is present and properly installed. If this is the case, it is possible that the battery pack is dead.
- Ensure you are running PM4 firmware version 18 or above. If you are running a lower version of PM4 firmware, update the firmware in your PM4 and allow the battery pack to charge overnight.
Notes:
- If you are unable to check your firmware version due to low battery pack power, either install two D-cell batteries into the monitor, or connect the monitor to a powered-up computer using the USB cable.
- When charging the battery pack by plugging it into a computer, the computer must be on, and the computer's sleep mode must be disabled. This ensures that power remains flowing to the USB port that you are using to charge the battery pack.
- If the problem persists, it may be due to the usage pattern of the indoor rower. If the usage pattern is inadequate for keeping the battery pack charged, you may want to switch to using two D-cell batteries.
Error Code 573-1:
Concept2 recommends updating the firmware in the monitor to the latest version. In the meantime, use one of the following resolutions to fix the problem.
- If you have not yet installed batteries in your performance monitor, do so now to resolve the problem.
- If your monitor already has batteries in it, you can resolve the issue by removing the batteries and unplugging the USB cable and leaving the batteries and cable out for 24 hours.
- If you need to get your monitor functioning quickly, instead of the 24 hour reset, you can perform the following factory reset. Just be aware that although performing the following reset will resolve the problem, it will also clear all memory (including lifetime meters) as well as any language, date, and time settings:
- On the face of the monitor, press and hold the Change Units and Change Display buttons, while pressing and releasing the Reset button on the back of the monitor.
Resolution 1: Replace Monitor
If this monitor is being used for racing, it is recommended that you replace the monitor.
Resolution 2: Separate Pins
If this monitor is being used for home use, you can separate the pins inside the RJ45 jacks or continue using the monitor even though the error persists.
Fluttering Line on Screen:
Symptom
The monitor screen flutters with horizontal lines going across it. While the LCD is “fluttering,” other symptoms may be observed such as incorrect stroke output values, erratic strokes/minute display, inability to connect to PC or Mac or code 50 error. The video below illustrates a fluttering LCD.
Resolution
Replace Monitor
Known Issues:
Known Issues for Firmware Versions 304–313
Versions 311–313
There are no known issues for Versions 311 or 313 at this time.
Versions 304–310
Issue 1: Error code 573-1 may occur when powering up the performance monitor.
Resolution 1: Update Your PM4 Firmware
Issue 2: The PM4 flickers, fades, or shuts off when connected to a Mac that has HP printer/scanner or some other HP device software installed on it. If you are not sure whether you have HP device software installed on your computer, please
contact us for assistance.
Resolution 2: This issue is resolved in PM4 Firmware Version 308 Beta 1 and higher. Update your firmware
Important: To successfully install the firmware, you will need to use either a Windows PC or a Mac that does not have the HP software installed on it. If you do not have access to another PC or Mac, you will need to uninstall the HP software to allow for the PM4 update. To uninstall the HP software, use the uninstall link for the HP software under Applications, or contact HP for instructions. You may reinstall the HP software after updating the PM4.
Version 305
Changing to higher speeds for Venue Racing not consistent.
Known Issues for Firmware Versions 26 or Lower
There are no known issues for Versions 25 or 26 at this time.
Version 24
Issue: When accessing certain Information and Help screens, the performance monitor may display error code 42 or higher.
Resolution: Update your firmware. Until you are able to update the firmware, press Menu|Back to return to the previous screen and continue using the monitor.
Versions 21 and Lower
Issue: Static discharge causes erratic behavior of PM4. Typically, a Just Row workout counts up to a minute or two of rowing/skiing then starts over at 0 again or a fixed time or distance workouts for about a minute and then just freezes as if the workout is over.
Resolution: Reset the monitor using the reset button on the back.
Version 21
Issue 1: An infinite loop and/or a 44–94 error may occur when the following conditions are true:
-
The monitor is on a "Just Row/Just Ski" workout
-
The workout duration has just passed the two hour mark
-
The monitor is showing the "All Numbers" workout view (the view that appears when you press the top grey button on the right of the monitor face during a workout)
-
A LogCard is present in the monitor
If a LogCard is not present but the first three conditions are true, the monitor may present an infinite loop error and appear to reset, but will actually continue logging the workout.
Issue 2: If your PM4 is connected to a computer via the USB cable, and you stop rowing/skiing during a time interval of a variable interval workout (you must have stopped rowing/skiing long enough for there to be a period of inactivity on the PM4), the PM4 terminates the workout but does not return to the Main Menu.
Version 19
Issue: 933 errors have been reported when a PM4 is connected to a computer that is not running any software and Menu|Back is pressed at the end of a workout.
Resolution: The immediate resolution is to unplug the USB cable from the PM4, press Menu|Back until the Main Menu is displayed, and then plug the USB cable back in. The long-term solution is to update your firmware.
Version 16
Issue 1: There have been rare reports of LogCards being inserted and being formatted, because the PM4 thinks that the LogCard is a factory fresh card. Version 19 has added a prompt before formatting cards.
Issue 2: LogCard corruption may occur when using third party software such as RowPro.
Issue 3: Aborted Variable workouts do not correctly log results to the LogCard.
Issue 4: Error 137–84 occurs when deleting the first user on a LogCard with multiple users.
Issue 5: The Add User and Edit User screens contained bugs.
Issue 6: A few issues with Venue Racing are present.
Issue 7: Various screen formatting issues are present.
Version 14
Issue 1: A 571 error occurs when the rechargeable battery pack is in use and the PM4 powers up.
Resolution 1: See the Resolution Code for Error 571
Issue 2: With older Suunto T6 belts, the PM4 allows you select the belt but no heart rate information is displayed while you are rowing/skiing.
Resolution 2: Update your firmware
Monitor Resets to Zero or Freezes While Rowing:
Symptom
While you are rowing or skiing, the monitor either resets to zero or freezes.
Resolution
Perform a full monitor reset.
Warning: Depending on the age of your monitor, resetting the monitor may delete all workout data from the memory; workout data stored on a LogCard will not be deleted. Additionally, following a reset, you may need to re-program your monitor with the correct language, and the current date and time.
To perform a full monitor reset:
- Remove both D cell batteries/the battery pack from the monitor.
- Leave the batteries/battery pack out of the monitor overnight.
- Install fresh batteries/reinsert the battery pack.
If the problem persists, the monitor must be replaced.