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HRM stops working during long activities, especially in 30+ degree weather

Sylvain T
over 4 years ago

I apologize if this question has been asked and answered, but google isn't helping me find the solution...

My HRM strap works fine for the first few hours of any activity, (how long depends how hot it is outside, or so I noticed)  Then it simply shuts off.  I have tried a conductive gel, I have tried cleaning my skin and the electrodes, I have tried re-wetting the electrodes, I tried opening my shirt to make sure not static interfeered, I even tried moving the straps position, I tried changing the battery (even if I purchased it in JUNE of this year).  NADA. The only reading I get, and that is very occationally (usually after I fiddled with it) is below my resting heart rate.

I am at a lost of how to fix this issue. And very disapointed since Hearth Rate reading was THE reason I wanted to get a garmin edge (yes I wanted the other things but I could do without).

HELP! please?  

Have a look at my latest activity on strava to see the HRM results....  

https://www.strava.com/activities/3885264421

Thanks!

EDIT: To answer a few questions:

  • I purchased the Garmin Dual HRM bundled with my Edge 530 in June.
  • It is paired via ANT +
  • I do not own a second HRM to test that out :(
  • 0 over 4 years ago

    Hi, in order to help you, could you tell us the brand of your hrm, is it Garmin or what? Did you buy it bundled with Edge or not? If it came bundled, how did you pair it, via ant+ or blutooth? 

    Have you got the chanche to try another hrm?

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to marcom1975

    I purchased my HRM bundled with the Garmin 530. It is paired via ANT+. It is a Garmin HRM Dual. 

    I do not own another to test that out Disappointed

    Thanks for the reply!

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to Sylvain T

    I would try connecting it via blutooth, and if connection drops again, returning item.

  • 0 over 4 years ago

    Also experiencing sensor drop issues. To be frank this is 

  • 0 over 4 years ago

    I am also having reliability issues with my Garmin HRM.  Actually I've had HRM on-off issues since new in 2013.
    I have a Garmin Edge 800, and the package came new in 2013 with the Garmin HRM and cadence sensor.  I have only used the HRM for a portion of the time since new.  I replaced the original strap a couple of times, and finally replaced the HRM with a new Garmin Dual-HRM 2 months ago.  Since then, the HRM has acted just like you describe for many rides.
    Over the years, I have addressed several "traits" of the Garmin HRM, and yet, still I struggle.

    For example, the strap needs to be hand washed or rinsed every use, especially if it is hot out and gets soaked.  It really does not like the salty fluid (sweat) messing with the conductive mesh fabric.  The battery checked at least annually.  The sensor pads need to have some moisture to start working.

    Right now, mine's not working again, so I'm going to try un-pairing, and re-pairing it.  I would classify this Garmin set-up as not very reliable overall.  If this still doesn't work, I'm shopping for something new.  My old Edge 800 does not have wifi, either, so uploads are always post-ride via cable-to-PC.  and the routing interface sucks.  I don't prefer the idea of a watch band sensor, but it may come to that.

  • 0 over 4 years ago

    Had this very occasionally during super hot races (albeit with a Fenix 5+ on the run) and I chalk it down to the amount of sweat I put out and soak my HRM TRI with it. This appears to be either shorting out the two pads or block wireless signals (in which case the stored data should be synced after the activity). The Garmin HRM RUN/TRI/SWIM belts are usually a bit resistant to these issues because the pod is not removable. If it is (like on the Wahoo Tickr) and too much sweats get's into the contacts and shorts them it is usually game over. 

    One thing you could try if your issue occurs only on the bike is to wear the belt so that the pod is sitting on your back. It will read HR data just fine and the back is usually a lot less sweaty.