Polar FT4 Battery Died, cannot open it!

JenBrown0210
JenBrown0210 Posts: 985 Member
edited November 11 in Fitness and Exercise
My Polar FT4 battery died yesterday in the middle of my workout! Now as aggravating as that was, you are supposed to be able to take off and the back and replace the battery. My husband and I both have the same one just different colors. Neither of us can get the back off to change the battery. We called Polar and we are going to have to mail them in to have them repaired. Has anyone had this problem? Is there a trick to getting them opened? I really do not want to be without my heart rate monitor. :sad:

edit to say. It is the transmitter that has died not the watch itself. The thing that hooks onto my chest strap.
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Replies

  • Carolyn_79
    Carolyn_79 Posts: 935 Member
    Perhaps take it to a jewellery store? I just got mine so I haven't had to try changing the battery yet.
  • JenBrown0210
    JenBrown0210 Posts: 985 Member
    Perhaps take it to a jewellery store? I just got mine so I haven't had to try changing the battery yet.

    It is the transmitter that has died. The part that goes onto the strap. Do you think they could open it?
  • Carolyn_79
    Carolyn_79 Posts: 935 Member
    I'm not sure. Hopefully someone else see's this and can help you.
  • Picola1984
    Picola1984 Posts: 1,133
    I thought it is meant to warn you that the battery is low! I've had mine for a long time now and its still going strong. Now I'm worried!
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    I never heard of them being user-fixable. . . .
  • CnocNaCu
    CnocNaCu Posts: 536 Member
    Fortunately I read something similar here on MFP a while ago. So I decided NOT to buy a Polar. 3 weeks ago Lidl Ireland had a HRM on offer for 17.99 Euro (24$). I bought one and am absolutely happy with it. It works perfectly fine, HR and calories burnt are correct and the best thing: I can change batteries of watch and transmitter. Am glad I didn't go for Polar.
  • CallMeCupcakeDammit
    CallMeCupcakeDammit Posts: 9,377 Member
    I think you have to buy a new transmitter. My receiver battery I replaced at the jeweler's. Look on heartratemonitorsusa. They sell them separately on there, but it might say if it's removable. I've had my F4 for almost 4 yrs with no problems. How old is yours?
  • JacMarieSTL
    JacMarieSTL Posts: 68 Member
    I have a Polar F6. I've had it for 5 years, and I've replaced the battery twice (paid for it once). I took it to "Batteries Plus" and they took care of it for me. A regular battery was $9.00, but I got the lifetime battery for $16.00.
  • wdwghettogirl
    wdwghettogirl Posts: 559 Member
    When I bought mine, the store was very clear with me that if anything was/went wrong with it, that I would have to send it to Polar to be fixed. They didn't specify batteries, but I assumed that was included in the "must send to Polar" group. I haven't had to change mine out yet tho... let us know what happens!
  • GinaBinaFaye
    GinaBinaFaye Posts: 35 Member
    What does the back of it look like? My FT7 you need a coin screw drivers don't work. I have changed the batter in the transmitter and the watch part.
  • GinaBinaFaye
    GinaBinaFaye Posts: 35 Member
    If that doesn't work I would try a watch repair shop. Good Luck
  • sr_patterson
    sr_patterson Posts: 4 Member
    DO NOT TRY TO REPLACE IT YOURSELF! I tried to do it myself and it broke it and that voided the warranty.
  • CallMeCupcakeDammit
    CallMeCupcakeDammit Posts: 9,377 Member
    I just looked at the manual online, and you're supposed to be able to replace it yourself. Do you still have the instructions? This is what I found. http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/yhst-55532753181910/polarWearlink.pdf
  • jskaggs1971
    jskaggs1971 Posts: 371 Member
    When I bought my FT4, there was a very clear statement in the User's manual that you need to send it to Polar for battery replacement, or the waterproof warranty will be void.
  • JenBrown0210
    JenBrown0210 Posts: 985 Member
    What does the back of it look like? My FT7 you need a coin screw drivers don't work. I have changed the batter in the transmitter and the watch part.

    That is what mine looks like. However it is stuck. Both mine and my husbands (model FT4 make and female) are supposed top new able to replace the battery yourself. We turn the back but you cannot lift it up. I have to mail it to Polar to have it repaired.
  • JenBrown0210
    JenBrown0210 Posts: 985 Member
    What does the back of it look like? My FT7 you need a coin screw drivers don't work. I have changed the batter in the transmitter and the watch part.

    That is what mine looks like. However it is stuck. Both mine and my husbands (model FT4 make and female) are supposed top new able to replace the battery yourself. We turn the back but you cannot lift it up. I have to mail it to Polar to have it repaired.
  • tilishamichelle
    tilishamichelle Posts: 34 Member
    I have opened my before but now i can't open it.
  • josephinelau
    josephinelau Posts: 1
    I can't open mine either ): Did you ever figure out what to do?
  • Mads1997
    Mads1997 Posts: 1,494 Member
    That is one of the downfalls with the FT4 as opposed to the FT7's.
  • wendymaci
    wendymaci Posts: 61 Member
    I have an F11 maybe its different. I opened mine using a penny i think. Took it to a watch store and they fit it with a watch battery cost about $10.
  • wendymaci
    wendymaci Posts: 61 Member
    Oh yeah my warranty is void because I opened it and replaced it myself but I don't wear it swimming so don't need it to be waterproof. I changed mine about 2 years ago and I haven't had any issues with it and I sweat a lot when I wear it.
  • wowmom23
    wowmom23 Posts: 36 Member
    FYI I just had this same problem. I used a stick pin and kinda pried it off. Next time, I'll use duct tape and kinda stick it on and pull it off :). I hope this helps someone else in the future!
  • rrolling27
    rrolling27 Posts: 5 Member
    I am struggling with this right now too! I am sooo frustrated with it. I feel like i have warped it to the point its never coming off. I may have just ruined the whole thing. If thats the case I will be so bummed. I invested in this thing.........and now I cant even get it open!
  • scotty123abc
    scotty123abc Posts: 1
    Ok, so I would only recommend this if you're impatient like me! LoL.

    Here's what I did basically because a coin wouldn't work for me on the transmitter - it seemed to be stuck in place no matter how hard I tried...

    I used a stanley knife to carefully follow the circular outline of the battery on the back of the transmitter. I went around the whole thing a couple of times (be careful not to cut too deep). Then I worked a little more around the 'Open' and 'Close' marker points in order to try and pop the battery holder out neatly. Then I just used the stanley knife to carefully pry open the circle...could have used a flat-head screw driver or something.

    It popped out neatly and I put in a new battery I got from **** Smith Electronics (CR2025 Lithium battery - any one of these 2025 batteries will do the job).

    Was then able to just pop the battery in the casing and put it back in and back to lock... :-)
  • cardbucfan
    cardbucfan Posts: 10,571 Member
    When I changed my f4 transmitter battery I used a nickel to turn the cover then (I think) an ice pick to pry up the cover. Worked fine and still works great n I sweat like crazy.
  • EddieEHitler
    EddieEHitler Posts: 52 Member
    I had exactly the same problem with mine. It looks like it may have seized over time. I contacted Amazon (where I purchased) about it and they very kindly refunded me. I'll never buy a Polar watch again.
  • moltobella
    moltobella Posts: 37 Member
    I had exactly the same problem with mine. It looks like it may have seized over time. I contacted Amazon (where I purchased) about it and they very kindly refunded me. I'll never buy a Polar watch again.

    How long have you had the watch? I bought mine from amazon as well.
  • icimani
    icimani Posts: 1,454 Member
    I have the Polar FT4 and I didn't have any problem changing the battery in either the transmitter or the receiver. I used a large flat-head screwdriver, gave it a twist counterclockwise and it came right off. I did have to push a bit because of the seal, but it wasn't bad at all. Once I installed the new battery the cover went on just as easy, and it's still waterproof.
  • steffersb
    steffersb Posts: 1
    Hi

    I have an FT 7, was getting incorrect HR readings at the gym. decided to change the battery but couldnt get the back off. Thanks to the tip about the stanley knife I managed after struggling for a week to get the battery out in 5mins flat.

    Thanks for the tip!

    :)
  • zmzmzm19
    zmzmzm19 Posts: 155 Member
    About a month ago my Polar appeared to "die"...I tried and tried to get the back off the transmitter with no luck. (It is going on 2 years old) but, I decided to try cleaning the transmitter. I wiped the ends down with rubbing alcohol, and to my surprise, when I connected it, it worked perfectly, and it's been working great ever since. Good Luck!
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