Ergomo Troubleshooting and Service


CPU | Bottom Bracket Sensor | Downloading | Download Info

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CPU

- Original battery life on an Ergomo CPU is 40 hours of use. If you are getting less than 4 hours it's time to send in your CPU for a battery update.  We use AAA 1000 mah (milliamp hours) NiMH batteries.  The originals were AAA 800 mah NiMH.  Because all chargers are rated for a particular load and capacity (Ergomo chargers= 800mah, 1.2 v) one won't get any more run time out of higher capacity batteries, but they will last a bit longer for a particular charge and lifetime.

  • Charge your batteries for 6 hours after your first two rides.
  • Don't charge your batteries "overnite". There is circuitry in both the CPU and the AC charger to prevent over-charging.  Once they are charged, they are charged.  However, on occasion a charger malfunctions, and overheats batteries, and CPU meltdown (and probable damage) occurs.
  • NiMH don't form a usage "memory" as much as other batteries, but it is still advisable to vary how low you run your batteries.  Running them down and letting them sit discharged completely for more than a week will substantially cut battery life.

- CPU keeps crashing or freezing when it is connected to the bike.  The only way to get it working again is to reset it.  

  • This is a battery issue.  It is coincidental that it does this while connected to the bike.  Replace batteries.

- CPU charges, but when I take it off the charger the battery indicator drops to zero and the screen goes blank.  Sometimes a reset will get it to work, other times it won't.

  • Your CPU actually isn't charging.  The battery charge indicator is being fooled by the input from the AC charger.  Your batteries are old and won't hold a charge.  They occasionally might take a bit of a charge, but it's time to have the batteries replaced.
  • 1 out of 15 times, this is a battery as well as a CPU issue.  There is a charging circuit inside the CPU, and occasionally, a component in it goes at the same time your batteries go.  We are working on identifying the offending components, and close to a remedy.

-Battery Charger Tip.  Always plug into the wall before plugging into the CPU. When one plugs into the wall to charge the CPU, it takes about 1 minute for the charger to reset itself. If your CPU isn't charging, you should try unplugging the charger from the CPU and Wall, then plugging the charger back into the wall and then the CPU. Hit the rest button at the back of the CPU and the charging sequence should begin correctly.

 

- I'm not getting consistent speed readings, and my odometer isn't recording mileage correctly or at all. 

  • Some of the older issues of the Ergomo Firmware were a bit buggy, and this is a known bug.  First, check the tire circumference in your CPU and see if it is correct. Then download the latest version of the firmware here, and flash into your CPU.  Afterwards, make sure you do an offset sensor,and check your tire circumference in the CPU.

 -I'm getting really low wattage readings and the average does not seem correct.

  • On some occasions, for reason which we can't divulge (we haven't a clue),it takes a few offset sensors sets to get the CPU and BB sensor to sync-up.  Try 3-4 offset sensor procedures, clear the last few rides and try again.

 -I have a message on my CPU and it won't reset or work on the bike.

  • USERPROGRAMM DOWNLOAD VOM PC
    • Follow these steps:
      Step 1:  Charge Ergomo for 5-6 hours by plugging in and hitting reset button on back.
      Step 2:  Open the Ergoracer 3.0 software on your PC.  Download (zipped file)
      If you have not downloaded from our website the latest firmware do
      that now (the latest is PN-080422).  Download (zipped file)
      Step 3:  When charged. connect Ergomo CPU to computer with cable.
      Step 4:  Click on the Tools icon (bottom left menu bar) to find the “Update  Ergomo”  button.
      Step 5:  Click the UPDATE ERGOMO button. It will look for your ergomo cpu and connect with it.
      Step 6:  Click the Start update button
      Step 7:  Chose the correct file (20080422.MOT) to update by double clicking on it.
      Step 8:  Wait for the update to finish 100% then wait a few more seconds
      before disconnecting your Ergomo.
      Step 9:  Input the correct weight, date and time on your Ergomo and it will
      take you to the first screen.

 

Changing your CPU Display

Connect your Ergomo CPU to your PC
Go into ErgoRacer 3.0.
The top right icon says "User Display'
Click on this and the window will give you options for 1-8 fields to be displayed.
Choose the number you want.
Click on the top right Ergomo button. This toggles through the fields.
When you are at the field you want to change, click on the bottom button to choose available options.
(Don't be concerned if it shows metric vs. US)
When done, Click on the Icon at the top that indicates PC->(Display)

 

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 Bottom Bracket Sensor

Ergomo measures power by two optical sensor “combs” which generate square wave streams. These are compared for shifting, measured in time, and knowing the characteristics of the axle, the amount of torque can be calculated, and thus power.

An optical sensor requires slightly more sophisticated processing electronics than a strain gauge, and also care in building the sensor. It requires an air gap with a clear optical path, and is therefore is more sensitive to intrusion of dirt, water, grease, etc., so utmost care is given to cleanliness in the production of the sensor. The optical torque sensor is a non-contact sensor, so unlike a strain gauge, the active components do not need to be mounted on moving parts (the strain gauges on other power meters rotate with the crank or hub, whereas the Ergomo optical sensors can be mounted fixed and stationary in the BB shell). 

 

 

-Power and Cadence Stop working

  • This is usually a sign that your BB sensor has had enough of going in circles and would like to be set free. The cause of this failure is usually dirt and/or water infiltrating the area between the photo-interrupters.  Our test bed and software can diagnose and confirm this, but b/c the system is sealed, the best we can do is find you a replacement.  On occasion, this same failure happens within a month or two "out-of-the-box". In this case, your BB sensor is waranteed, and the failure is because it was assembled with too much glue (which holds the electronics in place.)

-Variance in power and cadence readings

  • This is often caused by a broken wire internally.  The wires don't have much freedom to travel, so readings continue as if the wire is still working. 
  • If the power starts climbing and you think your training has just transformed yourself to Lance Armstrong, then see below.

-Power Readings fluctuate, and average power is huge/small.

  • It's likely that your BB sensor is going south to Miami for the winter, maybe longer. For reasons we don't understand, when a photo-interrupter decides to go, power readings gradually grow.  We can repair this issue by replacing all the electronics and wiring.  It's not a inexpensive process, but when we are done, you have a new bb sensor, except for the bearings. 
  • Another possibility is that your CPU has "dropped" the K Factor number or offset calibration.  This can result in a smaller than expected average power.  Go through the settings menu > Bike > Kfactor then offset sensor again.  On occasion, a CPU that has lost a charge may need to have the K-factor input refreshed.  Also, If your CPU has just come back from battery surgery or a power outage, it sometimes takes 2-3 times b/4 it "captures" your Offset Sensor proceedure. So, do that 2-3 times. After that, zero out the "ride" and see how the numbers look.
  • Another possibility is that after the bb sensor is installed,  the Offset sensor has not dialed in correctly, and the bb sensor needs a few rides to get seated.   I've also seen CPU's not pick-up the offset sensor.  So, here is my recommendation that should remedy both possibilities.
    After install, run the offset sensor and take note of the number.  Do a ride on the bike 20-30 miles minimum. Run Offset Sensor again.  If the number has changed, ride again.  Run offset sensor again, but this time, hit the reset button on the back while the CPU is displaying the first Offset Sensor screen (background black, text white). After the reset, run the Offset Sensor again.  Power numbers should be good, and the CPU shoulld be recognizing the new (and accurate) Offset Sensor number.

-How long do bearings last ?

  • We've seen bb sensors in for wiring repair or check-ups that have 20-25k miles and are still smooth and going strong.  This is about as long as one expects a bottom bracket to last, but as long as it's working there is no reason to replace it. There are five sealed bearings in the bb casing.

 

-Installation

  • It is critical that the bottom bracket sensor is installed with proper orientation and torque specifications.  You can download the install manual below.
  • You can purchase the correct size socket wrench that will fit on the Ergomo install tool and a torque wrench from us here or Northern Tool.

Downloading

  • CPU continues to record data and give INT and TSS + NP data.  On the battery page the memory value is stuck on 11hrs 22mins and now the computer and ergomo won't recognise one another.
    • Delete all files through ErgoRacer. Then, go into your Ergomo CPU
      Settings>Sets2>Data Recording>set to a Recording Rate of 2 or 5>back
      out to main CPU window.
      • With a recording rate of 1 second,the memory quickly gets filled and the memory blocks crowd the download queue. This impacts the download process in both ErgoRacer and Training Peaks WKO. By setting the Recording rate to 2 secs, you'll get 22 hours of data saved, by setting it to 5 seconds, you'll have 55+ hours saved.

 

Download Info

ErgoRacer Software  (.zip)

ErgoRacer 3.0 Manual (.pdf)

Firmware PN-080422 (.zip)

Request for Repair form (.pdf)

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