Heart Rate Chest sending incorrect values : all stats wrong

Former Member over 7 years ago

Hi,
I don't know why on sunday after more than half an hour running, the heart rate begin to go high (from 166 to 190, without changing speed significantly, or climbing...)
Today I tried to fix it removing the connection between the chest and the fenix, and re-connect it. At first it worked fine. But then after 10 minutes, it showed bpm like 200 (i was in warm up...)
The battery level of the chest on the watch is medium.

My stats are totally killed... Any help ??

Thanks,

0 JSRUNNER_ over 7 years ago

Not sure which HRM you have but I have found with most HRMs that the straps become unreliable after a certain time and start to record false highs and spikes

If its an old style with separate strap then I suggest replacing the strap (maybe with a polar as they fit and are cheaper)

I assume that you wash the strap regularly and wet the contacts before starting the run.

I have seen this effect worst in cold dry conditions

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

I noticed the same with suunto strap regulary. I think it's be abuse off bad connection with body. Shifting the strap a little always solves the problem

0 mcalista over 7 years ago

As the salt from sweat accumulates on a chest belt over many months, the belt itself can be conductive, and the sensor can pick up false signals from static electricity passing through the belt, rather than just the electrical signals firing the nerves with each heart beat. This is a well known problem with chest straps across a range of brands.

A good wash (or even 2) in warm water can help extend the life of belts, but eventually a replacement strap will be necessary (in older style units, you can get a replacement strap fairly cheap and just move the sensor unit over).

0 JSRUNNER_ over 7 years ago

Agreed on washing etc - I dump the whole thing in the bath after every run whilst the bath runs and then put it through the washing machine on a cool wash with my running kit every couple of weeks

My current strap has lasted about 2 years on that regime which is the best life I've had out of one so far. It is starting to delaminate in places but still working consistently but I don't expect it to hang on much longer :)

0 allan6344 over 7 years ago

I use Tensive conductive adhesive gel (Amazon) on each pad before I put the HRM strap on. It's used for medical electrodes. It's a little sticky at first but it washes off easily with water. I don't get reading errors, spikes or dropouts. The HRM battery lasts much longer as well. Analyzing the FIT file in Firstbeat Athlete R-R software shows 3-5% reading errors for a long ride where it used to frequently be 50% or higher.