Polar - watch died

[mayhem]

Just wondering, does anyone know what kind of battery it would need, should I try to change it or get a watch person to do it. I have a Polar that only has a heart rate monitor.

TIA

[CAW]

Personally, I'd take it to a watch or jewelry store and get someone to change it.

[mayhem]

Thanks Kara, I just was under the impression it HAD to be changed by a professional...

I just need it for Thursday, teaching bootcamp.

[Jwolf]

Certified Polar dealers are the only ones who can change the battery if you need keep the warranty intact. Otherwise, any jeweler or watch-dealer can do it as long as they leak-test it for waterproof properties. If you want to do it own, just take out the battery and bring it to the watch store.

[5km]

When I purchased my heart monitor, in 2001, I was told that all Polar watches had to be sent back to the "factory" for battery changes. That is why I purchased a Sigma Sport PC-7 instead. I have changed the batteries many times myself.

[seuss]

When I purchased my heart monitor, in 2001, I was told that all Polar watches had to be sent back to the "factory" for battery changes. That is why I purchased a Sigma Sport PC-7 instead. I have changed the batteries many times myself.

that is only to keep the warranty intact. once out of warranty any good jewellry store can do it - they do need to be leak tested for use in the water.

[eme]

When I purchased my heart monitor, in 2001, I was told that all Polar watches had to be sent back to the "factory" for battery changes. That is why I purchased a Sigma Sport PC-7 instead. I have changed the batteries many times myself.

That is only if you want the warranty intact (as was stated above).

I took my HRM watch to get the battery replaced at the local watch repair shop. As long as they know what they are doing in regards to watches with seals, you are fine.

Most HRM warranties only last for a year anyways, so if it is over a year since you bought it - you don't have much to loose by taking it to a watch repair.

[TriJenn]

Good to know, I was just about to send mine back..

Jenn

[Jwolf]

When I purchased my heart monitor, in 2001, I was told that all Polar watches had to be sent back to the "factory" for battery changes. That is why I purchased a Sigma Sport PC-7 instead. I have changed the batteries many times myself.

That is only if you want the warranty intact (as was stated above).

Also, it doesn't have to be sent back to the "factory", but to an authorized Polar service centre. There are three in Canada, one in Toronto, on in Montreal (I think) and one in Vancouver (Time and Gold on Georgia St.).

[clocker]

If you choose to do this type of thing yourselves, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Magnification helps. If you're mechanically inclined and have proper tools it's a breeze. The mistakes that get made most often are in using metal tools and fingers or thumbs to do the work.

Using metal tweezers often creates a direct short with these slim batteries. Thumbs and fingers can leave acid etching finger prints that can lead to battery failure and corrosion. If you can find a wholesale battery supply place they may give you a pair of plastic tweezers for naught.

Keeping the dirt from around the case back and gasket from falling into the watch as you take it apart is a good idea too, as is cleaning the gasket and seat. A sharpened tooth pick would do the job. When reassembling the gasket, use "O" ring grease (silicone grease) to lubricate the gasket to create a good seal on a clean surface.
Hope this helps.

Any watchmaker worth his salt can do this for you. Jewelers and in particular, counter help, does not a watchmaker make.
Ian

[eme]

Thanks Ian!

For some reason I totally forgot what you did for a living! When I think of you, I think of a smile and creepy crawlies .

[clocker]

Thanks Ian!

For some reason I totally forgot what you did for a living! When I think of you, I think of a smile and creepy crawlies .

The distractions are many.
Ian

[a_beacher]

Mayhem...My Polar watch was flashing low battery today and I immediately thought of you. Hex Hex Hex

[mayhem]

LOL Annette!

[ilee]

My wrist watch is indicating low battery but a few of days before the wrist watch started its low battery warning I wasn't able to receive any heart rate data from the transmitter.

Is the low battery in the wrist watch the reason I couldn't pick up any heart rate data? Or do I need to replace both batteries?

Thanks,
Ian.

[clocker]

Has anyone ever torn apart a chest strap or somehow proved that there is a battery there too? I've only ever replaced the watch battery and have had no indication of any failure in the chest strap.
Ian

[TriJenn]

My wrist watch is indicating low battery but a few of days before the wrist watch started its low battery warning I wasn't able to receive any heart rate data from the transmitter.

Is the low battery in the wrist watch the reason I couldn't pick up any heart rate data? Or do I need to replace both batteries?

Thanks,
Ian.

I just sent my whole thing in to Polar for replacement. I have done it before and they usually replace both batteries. They probably assume that they both die at the same time.

I also have a Suunto HRM and it has a battery on both the chest strap and the watch. The nice thing about Suunto is that you are supposed to be able to replace them by yourself.

Jenn

[jgore]

Has anyone ever torn apart a chest strap or somehow proved that there is a battery there too? I've only ever replaced the watch battery and have had no indication of any failure in the chest strap.
Ian

Chest straps do have batteries. Older models were sealed so it was impossible to get into them. Newer versions allow you to change the batteries yourself. The newest higher-end Polars have the electrodes built into the flexible strap and the plastic portion that clips on contains the battery. I've always believed it made the most sense to change the batteries in both the watch and the chest strap at the same time, but I really don't know if it is necessary. Because the chest strap has only to broadcast the signal to the watch and the watch carries out all other functions, it's possible the battery in the strap will last considerably longer.

[5km]

I have a Sigma Sport PC-7 heart monitor. When the display on the watch part becomes "wonky" I change the battery in the watch. When the pulse reading becomes erratic i.e. shows 90 bpm when it should be showing 180 etc. I change the battery in the chest strap transmitter.

[clocker]

Has anyone ever torn apart a chest strap or somehow proved that there is a battery there too? I've only ever replaced the watch battery and have had no indication of any failure in the chest strap.
Ian

Chest straps do have batteries. Older models were sealed so it was impossible to get into them. Newer versions allow you to change the batteries yourself. The newest higher-end Polars have the electrodes built into the flexible strap and the plastic portion that clips on contains the battery. I've always believed it made the most sense to change the batteries in both the watch and the chest strap at the same time, but I really don't know if it is necessary. Because the chest strap has only to broadcast the signal to the watch and the watch carries out all other functions, it's possible the battery in the strap will last considerably longer.

Thanks Jim. I so want to take mine apart.

[ilee]

Okay, thanks everyone.

I just went to one of Polar's service centers and they replaced both batteries.

[a-slow-5]

Jenn, if you're planning to attend any of the larger races this year, keep your eye out for the Polar display booth at the race expo.

Polar sometimes offers a "tune up" for your Polar equipment, including battery replacement, etc., for a great price. Saves having to mail it off to them for any technical work. (Last time I saw it was in Otttawa at NCM.)