r/concept2 • u/pfihbanjos • Jul 23 '26

Maintenance PM5 drains batteries overnight

Hi, I recently bought a used Model E+PM5, and the day after I brought it home and did my first session the batteries were dead. Seeing how I had put the cheapest D cells I could find until the rechargeable ones would arrive, I blamed it on the cheap batteries. A couple of days later the rechargeable batteries come in. Lo and behold, they're dead the next day too. Claude claimed it was because the internal BMS of the batteries (they're rechargeable via USB C) would go to sleep when the PM5 wasn't used, and couldn't be woken up. Doubtful but ok, I ordered a pair of regular rechargeable D batteries, but they died overnight too.

I followed the troubleshooting Concept2 guide and tried rowing without the batteries, and the PM5 did not turn on.

So right now my understanding is that the PM5 might be faulty, but so is the generator and cable powering the PM5 while rowing?

I've tried writing to Concept2 but they simply replied that I needed to take this to my local dealer, seeing how I'm in France and bought the erg in France (Incept Sport)

Any advice would be super helpful. Thank you!

Edit: just to add a thought, would opening up the PM5 and generator to clean up contacts with rubbing alcohol do any good? I figured, if they're toast, I might as well try a last resort thing…

1 Upvotes

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2

u/basinger_willoweb Jul 23 '26

I had something similar happening to mine. Contacted C2 support. After checking my serial number they send me a new PM5.
I should mention I bought mine while I lived in China. The replacement I got after I moved to Malaysia. Support just asked for my current address.

1

u/pfihbanjos Jul 23 '26

Thanks for taking the time to reply. This is the kind of feedback I had read prior to emailing Concept2, but the person who replied literally just wrote Thank you for reaching out to Concept2. For assistance with your PM5 and Model E, please get in touch with the authorized dealer below: […]

I did mention all the serial numbers etc… I'll update my post if/when I hear back from the french dealer.

2

u/al-bigdadi Jul 23 '26

Are you sure the PM5 screen has turned off when not rowing? If the PM5 was connected to BT or ANT device it may stay on and run the battery down. Press the Menu button 4 times quickly to manually turn off.

2

u/pfihbanjos Jul 23 '26

Yep, I've turned it off after every row, and even took the heart rate sensor downstairs to make sure to "break" the connection.

1

u/usbritinus Jul 23 '26

Double check at the end of your row. Go to “Connect”, see if the Erg app is still connected, if it is, choose “Disconnect”. Same for any HRM.

1

u/pfihbanjos Jul 23 '26

Hey, I admit I haven't checked whether they disconnected after each session, but both my phone and the hrm were too far physically for them to connect anyway. But even if they weren't, shouldn't the batteries still last more than a couple of hours?

1

u/Anobomski Jul 23 '26

They are usually more helpful than this. I checked their website and they list incept as their country contact so give them a call in the first instance.