Polar FT7 Issues?

sc1572
sc1572 Posts: 2,309 Member
edited October 14 in Fitness and Exercise
Hello! :)

I got a Polar FT7 for Christmas and LOVE it so far! My only problem is recently whenever I am about to start a workout and have it start reading my heart rate, sometimes it either goes to 0 and tells me to check the transmitter, or it will jump to a super high number over 200. I'll make sure the transmitter and strap are on properly, and then restart it and it does it again, or sometimes will work properly. If I try starting it on the bad readings, obviously the calories are way off.

About 1-2 times a week I let my chest strap sit in my sink with water and some antibacterial soap to wash it, and I always leave my chest strap to hang dry after each workout, and the transmitter and wrist watch in the original box. Before every use, I run the strap under water like the directions say as well. Any suggestions or advice? Have you had this happen, or something similar?

Thanks! :)

Replies

  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    I've had that happen and here is what I suggest:
    Make sure the strap is tight enough.. even if it feels like it's choking you at first, it loosens up with exercise.
    Make sure that you soak the transmitter with water.. I let water run on mine and then have the fabric sensors "soak" it up.. and I keep doing that until they can't hold anymore water.

    I'd also consider throwing it in the washing machine.. or rinsing it really well after you let it sit in the sink. It may have some residue left over that is blocking the signals.
  • imalikat2
    imalikat2 Posts: 87 Member
    I have the same HRM and have had absolutely no problems with it. However, I do not soak mine in the sink. After my workout and when I hop in the shower, I rinse it real well and actually hand wash it with neutrogena face soap. I figure that will do the trick. I let it rinse out really well under the shower to make sure ther is no soap residue left on the sensors. Then I squeeze the water out of the sensor and make sure no soap suds come out. If they do, then I rinse, rinse, rise it again; all while I'm in the shower. When I hop out of the shower, I take a towel and press any remaining water out of it and hang it to dry. Once it's dry, I do not store the strap and the monitor in the same location. I put my strap and watch in one bag (zip lock) and the transmitter in another bag (jewelry tie string). Seems to work just fine.

    When I go to wear mine, I run the sensors quickly under the water, just to wet them, but not make them soaking wet, or so full of water that they can't hold any more, just enough to make them wet. (I really don't think you need any more than that). Sometimes I use the buh-bump HRM electrode cream that I got when I purchased my HRM. Again, I don't soak it with the cream. I use just enough to give it a good coating, but not excessive.

    I attach the strap right under my boobs and make it a little bit snug. Not too snug where I can't breathe, but just enough. I find wearing a sports bra with eleastic rather than a regular bra is a bit more comfortable when I have on the HRM.

    If you haven't already found and downloaded the complete user's manual from the internet for the HRM, you may want to do so because it will give you some more information and probbly answer some of these questions. The Getting Started guide that comes wiht the HRM is just that. The full manual has a lot more info on how to use it, clean it, store it, etc. I got a lot of my info on how to clean and store it from the full user's manual. It also helps with troubleshooting.

    Hope this helps!!. :smile:
  • ginnaboots
    ginnaboots Posts: 316 Member
    I have the same problem, it jumps to 218, 199 then to 0. It gives me the message check heart rate transmitter. I sent it in for repair, got it today, used it and it did the same thing. I'm frustrated because no matter what I do it just doesn't work. I have tried everything. I know I am not getting an accurate calorie burn during workouts. Did you ever figure out what was wrong with yours?
  • wellbert
    wellbert Posts: 3,924 Member
    Had the same problem.
    Found out the Ft7 is not compatible with 'exercise fabric' because of the static charge that builds up.
    wetting the clothing or wearing very tight technical fabric can help reduce the issue.
    but even with a few erroneous spikes, the dataset becomes worthless.
  • 2essie
    2essie Posts: 2,849 Member
    I had the same problem of it not finding my heartbeat. Then it would work normally for a day or so. I changed the battery in the transmitter and it works perfectly. I had only had my FT7 for two weeks before this happened. No more problems for me now. Might be worth a try for you.
  • chefgirl866
    chefgirl866 Posts: 34
    If is recommended that after every five uses you should wash it in the washing machine. Mine will do that as well. Sometimes when I am jumping my shirt will get caught under the strap and that will through off the reading. Also make sure you rinse after every use.
  • christyemullins
    christyemullins Posts: 1 Member
    I have had the same model as well (for about 2 - 3 years) and experience issues from time to time. Most frequently, a battery needs to be changed in either the watch itself or in the transmitter. One time last year, though, replacing both batteries didn't fix the issue so I bought a replacement strap for $15. When that came in, I attached the transmitter to it and everything was back to normal for a good long period of time. Most recently though, I was having issues again and bought another new strap and replaced the transmitter battery, but kept having 00 or 235 or check transmitter messages. I just got a new battery for the watch yesterday and replaced it, and now everything is running smoothly again. Just seems that all three parts (two batteries and the strap) must be in excellent working condition or the entire thing quits working correctly. It's super frustrating, but I do love it when it is working! Good luck!
  • iWaffle
    iWaffle Posts: 2,208 Member
    I had the same problem of it not finding my heartbeat. Then it would work normally for a day or so. I changed the battery in the transmitter and it works perfectly. I had only had my FT7 for two weeks before this happened. No more problems for me now. Might be worth a try for you.

    Yep, Exactly this. You probably need to change the battery. I got a new transmitter in December and the batter was low right out of the box. They're about $8 for a package of two. Change the battery, make sure the strap is on snug, and add a little bit of water before you put it on. That's all there is to it.
  • i_jumani
    i_jumani Posts: 1 Member
    I was having this problem too with my Polar FT7 (check heart rate monitor message and erroneously high readings for the maximum heart rate and for the calories burned). I therefore decided it was time I changed both batteries (in the transmitter and the watch). But after doing so, I found I was still having the same issue...Here's what I believe is the problem, and how I fixed it:-
    In the transmitter, the battery cover holder, which can simply clip off with a coin, holds the battery in flush against spring loaded contacts inside the transmitter. The bottom (negative) contacts are not the problem here - as they seem to connect to the underside of the battery well enough. It's the side spring-loaded (positive) contact that connects to the side of the battery through a small cut-out in the battery cover holder. I believe the reason for the continued failure in the transmitter (if a fresh battery has just been installed) is/will be due to this flimsy contact to the battery. In my case, that side spring-loaded contact to the battery was not exactly flush/in line with the cut-out in the battery cover to make proper contact with the side of the battery. After several attempts of removing the cover and aligning it exactly so that the side contact made proper contact with the battery, the transmitter finally started to give the correct readings!!! It now works perfectly again!!! :)

    Note: If you continue to get this problem despite many attempts to align the battery cover holder, I suppose one idea may be to carefully slightly widen (with a Stanley knife) the small cut-out in the holder to give the side contact more chance of connecting to the battery. But I'm not sure if doing this would damage the water seal and make the transmitter less water-proof than it should be, and potentially make it more susceptible to moisture entering the unit?, so only do this after many attempts at alignment, and at your own peril.
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