Polar FT 7 maintenance

reneelee

I found this review on Amazon tonight. Wish I found it a few months ago, because I got ride of my broken polar.

Update: This might be a bit premature but I was reading a lot of reviews on HR monitors (trying to find a replacement for the FT7) and the lack of reliability over time was a common complaint when using chest strap models. One reviewer mentioned a call to customer service that informed him that the contacts on the transmitters can corrode causing erratic readings. I took my Wearlink transmitter and with some fine sandpaper cleaned the round connectors on the transmitter and also rolled up a tiny piece and cleaned inside the connectors on the strap. I couldn't see any corrosion on either part before or after sanding them. However, I hooked up the transmitter and tested it. It worked right away, no erratic readings and it locked in like it did when it was new. I had also put the original battery back in it.
It makes sense. The current going through these things is miniscule so any loss could be catastrophic to operation.
It is still reading flawlessly. I can't say it will last but anyone having this problem might want to give it a try. I'm going to the gym tonight so it will get a good test. I'll keep you posted.

2/4/2012 Another update. My FT7 worked flawlessly through my workout , a spinning session and for five more hours until I finally took it off. I just put it on to prepare for another spinning session and it locked right in.

There must be something to the corrosion theory.

I want to caution people that I used a very fine 240 grit sandpaper and just lightly sanded the metal contacts. I would not recommend this as a procedure to be repeated indefinitely as it could eventually be detrimental, especially if you use a more abrasive sandpaper.. I bought some Deoxit contact cleaner today to use as a less abrasive cleaner should the need arise again.

4/10/12 Update. The FT7 worked flawlessly until about two weeks ago. I was in the gym and I got the check transmitter message again. It wouldn't clear. I took the transmitter off the strap and rubbed both contacts with my fingers then put it back in the strap. It worked fine. When I got home I put some Deoxit on it rather than sanding it again. So far so good. No glitches.