HRM battery change time?

Smurfette1987

My HRM is giving whacky readings, last week it was jumping up to 220+ this week it's having trouble detecting my HR and when it does it's like 55 or so (because I've been stood there for a million years fiddling with my chest strap or watch) as soon as I move it loses it and assumes that the entire time my HR has remained that low and I'm not getting an accurate burn reading. SOOOO, my chest strap is clean and I wet it, it's big but always has been so I just tied a knot in it and wedge it under my bra strap ladylike I know, but it works.
So I'm guessing this means the batteries are going? Which battery do I change? The strap or the watch? I'm guessing there's a battery in the strap and that's what the coin key thing is? :-s

IronSmasher

As long as you're sure you've got good contacts, it will be the strap battery, or its contacts. It's the coin thingy, and probably a Cr2032.

George1567

Battery change in the chest strap transmitter is a good thing to try. For a Polar use a coin (nickle works best on mine) and turn the cover as indicated. Change out the battery and see how it goes.

I am going to go out on a limb and say it might be the strap. I have had in the past trouble like you are saying, and even though the strap had no visual issues that I could see, when I sent it in to Polar they said otherwise. I use mine daily, and a strap with regular washing lasts around 7-8 months. I now have the Polar soft strap, does not have to be wet to use and only washing required is for oder type issues. The contact ares do not need to be washed like the old "metal looking grids".

Best of luck.

Smurfette1987

Thanks guys, I'll try the battery.
Out of interest can you get just straps, just the cloth bit (not the actual contact bit), anywhere? That way I don't have to have a knot stuck in my back... it's not great having a lump in your spine if you're carrying any kind of weight.