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Hrm Pro and Run are unusable after first change of factory battery cause the sudden discharging of all new batteries

andrewc71
over 3 years ago

After that to ALL of mine straps owned, two Hrm Run and now a Hrm Pro, has happened the same thing, I'm sure of that: after changing factory battery the strap drains all brand new battery that you put in in a few hours or days or little more but there's nothing to do, it's like they were short circuited on the strap, when you wear the first time all seems working then the battery get discharged. I tried everything, even put the battery on reverse side for a while but there's nothing to do. I'm sure that Garmin is aware of this problem cause on the web there are many cases like mine, I also suppose it's done on purpose otherwise it's unesplicable how this happens and how they didn't fix it. You can change under warrenty the first time but at the end of two years you are forced to buy a new one since the factory battery lasts 1 year. For me this situation it's a shame since that this are very expensive devices, next time I think I'll buy a normal strap from another brand giving up to running dynamics and other features.

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to andrewc71

    I realise i'm a bit late to the party here - I had a business servicing scuba gear, including dive watches and the housings for other electronic stuff so that it can work underwater.

    For a battery change on dive watches (and I'm assuming the same for running watches), I'd remove the o-ring and the battery. Clean the bit the o-ring was sitting in, normally with a cotton bud/cue tip.

    Gently pinch the o-ring between finger and thumb on one hand and gently pull with the other hand so you're wiping off salt/dirt.

    Reapply a thick (not water-like) silicon grease in a very small amount and wipe around the entire o-ring using the pinch method described above. Whilst you're doing this you are assessing the springiness of the rubber, it should stretch and return to it's orginal size no problem and there should be no visible cracks.

    With the surface it sits on clean and the surface of the o-ring clean you pop it back onto it's home. Chuck in a new battery, screw the dive watch closed - excessive pressure is NOT advised as this will squash the o-ring and risk creating an entry point for water.

    On the occasions where you have a large amount of salt deposit (which I'm guessing is unlikely in running but hey... the more info the better) you can use white vinegar mixed with fresh water (50:50 mix) to dissolve the salt. You can then rinse with fresh water and dry the seat before putting the o-ring back on it or dry the o-ring before applying silicon grease.

    IF you don't touch the o-ring, there is a chance that some dirt/hair/etc can land on to it and cause there to be a breach in the seal. This always seems so super unlikely that most people don't bother but taking it out and cleaning it is always recommended in scuba gear as they seem to attract failure if you don't.

    Maybe it'll be the same with running gear - just bought a second hand HRM so am about to find out...

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to 9846502

    It is also that plastic housing that fails. The lid is bent so there is a gap where you can see the red o-ring.

  • 0 over 1 year ago

    sad to say i have the same problem HRM PRO strap, after 3rd battery replacement, i get this battery drain issue. i bought 2 new energizer battery before i put it on i measure the volts and says 3.2V. put on to the hrm pro and i get connection put the housing screws in place put the strap to chest. and it work for a couple of minutes like 10 mins. i remove battery test it and reads 2.89 V. i connect the 2nd new battery with 3.2v, press the battery to the housing to see if it bradcast BT but nothing happens. remove and test the batt again and reads 2.89V. in a flash it drains battery to the point that it does not work. i series a 2 1.5V AA battery giving a reading of 3.15V wire connect it and still no BT broadcaast and ant+. this means it can only work if i have a 3.2v or more maybe to work. my test experiment stops from here. as i dont want to stress test the device.

    i leave in oman and i dont know garmin support has in our country. my device is a year old. i tried all the work around on this forum but nothing works.

    my last option is to contact garmin hoping they have out right replacement support in our country. i like the device but this kind of issue with a high priced product, they will loose customer 

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to tagay

    Out of interest, did you touch the battery with your fingers?

     This type of battery can lose a lot of power just by being touched. 
    it sounds like you know what you’re doing, I’m just curious to find out what is causing this issue. 

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to 9846502

    This happens as a result of a short inside of the unit when moisture enters the unit. The same happened to me. It is a pretty bad design, but the new ones seem to be better. I would however never recommend Garmin Heart Rate straps after my experience. Other brands out there are more durable.

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to 9846502

    yes i i use finger to press onto the housing once, the BT connects i screw the cover. i found philips battery and it has 3.3V. it work for 3 hours, but the strap keeps disconnecting till battery drains. also BT and ant are always on. i believe there is no more work around for this issue. yet will still wait for members find a way to fix this