Garmin VECTOR 3 Power Meter: Alternative Battery Install (CR1/3N)
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- čas přidán 23. 05. 2019
- The Garmin Vector 3 power meter pedals had a troubled start to life with a number of their issues being around the batteries and the battery housing. Garmin have (mostly) resolved those issues with redesigned battery caps (or holders). I've seen people discussing online they have better results using a single CR1/3N - which is the same size as two LR44 or SR44 batteries the Vector 3 and 3S take. Please remember to click SUBSCRIBE to support this CZcams channel: goo.gl/QS5YZg
Links:
CR1/3N Duracell Battery on Amazon US: amzn.to/2Exo6gO
Garmin Vector 3 (Amazon US): amzn.to/2OLQ0I3
Garmin Vector 3S (Single) (Amazon US): amzn.to/2BcshgB
GPLama Garmin Vector 3 Power Meter // 12 Month Update: • Garmin Vector 3 Power ...
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#garmin #vector #powermeter - Sport
Vector 3 dual sided user for 1 year so far: I've had none of the original dreaded issues seen on the various forums and videos (thankfully!), but did run out of battery from the originals at around 50 hours' use (Garmin claimed 60 I believe?). I swapped to the CR1/3N batteries (I got a pack of 12 instead of the single packaged units which saved loads of money and more importantly, plastic!), installed them easily (although nervously given all the other previous reviews for older versions), and have been running them continuously for about 50 hours so far. My Edge 820 computer still says battery status 'OK' and I'm hoping they last the full 60 hours, which is actually plenty of riding time given how easy it is to swap batteries (which cost me about £8 for the 12 pack in the UK). I can only go by my own experience and my pedals have been superb - highly recommend them based on my own use! Hope that's helpful!
switched to the CR1/3N batteries last year when the old battery doors were giving me problems. They not only work great but also fixed that problem, so didn't even need the new doors (though I did install them anyways). Been letting all my friends with the pedals know, glad you made a video about it!
Thanks again. That’s 3 things you’ve helped me with in the last 2 weeks. Configuration of DI2, adding the wireless unit and now this just before my first battery replacement 👍
Bought vector 3s in March and had all the problems previously described drop outs, power spikes. Thought I had wasted my money. Found this video. Changed the batteries to CR1s. So far been fine. Despite the hiccup a great product, touch wood! we'll see how it goes. Thanks
I can confirm that today 20 July 2020 - I bought a Garmin Vector 3S pedal set from bike discount germany and upon unboxing and inspecting the left pedal (powermeter one) HAD THIS battery installed by the factory NOT LR44 ones.
After having lots and lots of problems with the 4 batteries on my wife's pair of Vector S pedals, switched to this solution about 6-8 months ago and no more problems.
It wont void your warranty, I spoke to garmin 2 days ago and they recommended those battery for me to use.
Interesting.
The concern Garmin has with the single battery is it can easily be inserted with the polarity reversed which will destroy the electronics. That said I have been using these batteries from about day one with zero issues until the V3.60 firmware update. At that point the batteries seem to drain if left in the pedals after riding.
After changing to these batteries a year ago the pedals work flawlessly. Only when it gets low will start reading crazy. New batteries and perfect again.
Just to give you a heads up, I received my Vector 3 pedals today. I wanted to fiddle with the pedals so I opened the battery door and it appears Garmin is shipping them with the CR1 battery now. This was in my pedal as bought from Garmin.
Hi, Love the videos! I had my Garmin vector 3S replaced a few times as I was still having disconnection issues and the max power would go crazy. I saw max power of 4000-5000 watts. I spoke recently with Garmin support and the agent did mention I can use this battery CR1/3N. He also mentioned to use mineral oil on the contact to maximize the connection between the pedal and battery. I didn’t have a chance to buy it yet but I don’t think Garmin will void the warranty since the agent do offer it as an alternative. I just wanted to share and thank you for the great videos. Keep it up.
I've been using these for awhile now and find them a perfect replacement. No more faff of putting mineral oil between the batteries.
Cracking power meter and pedals now the issues have been ironed out
I’ve had my issues with Garmin over the years but I can’t fault their customer service. Sent me a brand new pair of 3’s to replace my broken 2’s despite being out of warranty!
I guess it depends on who you get at garmin customer service. I had problems with my V3, I think I stripped the threads on the right one. the battry door fell off during a ride. Cost 250 GBP to replace.
Thanks Shane, yes I agree fully, have been on these since the last battery change and no issues at all. I have retained my cork sliver under the negative contact. I have found excellent battery life as well, the lr44s were so variable and could have been due to the dreaded black spots on the contact surfaces.
Been running CR1/3Ns for a year... no issues so far.
A solution to this problem. Get the Favero Assioma Power Meter pedal ;)
Agreed. I sent the Vector 3's back and did exactly that. No regrets.
I did exactly that. Took 4h to perform the firmware update on the vector 3. But even after update they still were not reliable and couldn't calibrate them. I ended up returning them and ordering a pair of Favero Assioma. Up and running in less than 5mins and zero issues. Also several hundred dollars less. Never buying anything from Garmin again. There is only one word for the Vectors.... Embarrassing.
@@petaren I had the exact same experience as you did and promptly return them. I am an existing Vector 2 owner and those have been generally trouble free. The Vector 3 were terrible! I couldn't calibrate them and the data had terrible lag to my Wahoo head unit.
Saved me big with the LR44s! Thanks!
Update: I’m back and re watching this video at Clash Daytona, trying to find LR44s haha. Thank you once again
Thanks for the video. I was wondering about this. Another great topic by you!!! I just started trying out these pedals . I'm going to
try your battery suggestion. T MO
CR1/3N little over 1,500 miles before low battery live. Due to COVID19, bike set in garage for about 6 months. Replacing batteries with the DL1/3N. Excellent batteries.
am i the only one left wondering why Garmin didn't use these from the start ?. Thanks for the video :-)
Jamiedenny My understanding was that they found better global availability of the LR/SR44 batteries. Meaning, just walking into a random gas station and being able to procure them.
@jamiedenny @dcrainmaker my understanding was that it was the lower internal resistance that could damage the electronics if inserted the wrong way round?
Money
Works great with the CR1/3N batteries, much longer runtime also. So overall much better option.
will give it a try.
I recently purchased Vector 3 new and they came with this battery installed.
thanks for the advice
Next time I need batteries, I'll give them a try
The main problem of the Vector 3 pedals is the fretting of the batteries. If you don't apply oil on the batteries and the contacts on the cap, a corrosion film starts to form on the interfaces. Actually Garmin recommends to apply oil on the contacts with a toothpick on their website. I think this is the main solution of the dropout problems of the vector 3.
I've applied oil on the LR44 batteries and the contacts on the cap, but this didn't help. I still have the issue. I will buy the alternative battery CR1/3N, and hope this will fix the issue on my new Garmin Vector 3.
@@reggaedancer69 how did it go?
@@dh7314 Last year I replaced the LR44 batteries and used the CR1/3N, this didn't help. I think the issue was "bad contact" with battery cover, or over-tighten. I sent back my Vector 3, and Garmin sent me new Garmin Vector 3. I have used LR44 batteries since then, and my Vector 3 pedals are working flawlessly.
Good video as always, where I go to have my replacement cap ?
Thanks
Thank you.
Time to bring out Vector 4 - replace battery with sealed rechargeable, all issues solved, including the marketing disaster that is Vector 3 (irrespective if issues now resolved) and they need to come in at £500. As it is, just bought my Faveros for £630 for dual sides, free postage, delivery in 3 to 7 days... I shall soon see how weak I am for real and no longer can I blame my heavy saddle bag.
Shane I purchased the Garmin vector 3 pedals (version 2) (left side power only) where all the issues were supposed to have been fixed. However, I kept getting power data drop outs. I returned it back to the Cecil Walker Cycles in Melbourne and provided all the evidence of the issues (strava screen shots). The shop seemed to make excuses for Garmin. The shop ended up giving me my money back & I put this towards the stages left hand side V3 pedal. How the Garmin company can release a product that is expensive and for it not to work is simply bad.
Agreed. My first set were weeks (then months) of frustration.
I noticed the Energizer batteries were slightly wider and the pedals didn't spin freely, after switching to the Duracell brand the pedals turned freely again.
Be careful with those Duracell batteries. I use a lot of batteries in my profession and IME Duracell batteries leak about 50% of the time. I have yet to see a single Energizer battery leak, ever. Be safe out there.
HI Shane. Important question: Is the CR1/3N a solution -instead of- the old caps or needed -in spite of- caps replacement? I have the latest caps and still having lots of issues.....(btw thank you for the great content and tips)
I have new caps and CR1/3N batteries. I'm trying to eliminate all possible problems. Give them a shot I guess.
'I have a dream.that one day all power meter oedals will be less than $500 Australian a pair' crowd goes wild...
*Kickstarter goes wild! ;)
My Garmins shipped today with CR1 battery installed. However both dead, I assume from waking up whilst in transit to various suppliers and shops and to me.
the ship has sailed on Garmin V3's - favero assioma are in. Garmin missed the boat on the pedal powermeter.
The best are energizer SR batteries, lasr 20-30% more than the LR, bit more expensive but cheaper than the CR1/3N.
20,000km without any problems (only with the cork patch).
These are Garmin's recommended batteries (energizer) - the SR are the best performance but the LR is the best cost effective.
The SR holds a constant voltage for longer time.
Hmmm. If you have the newer version go the Vector 3s there shouldn't be a problem with the double batteries as I've experienced since Garmin replaced mine, so doubling up on the battery price that has lower capacity, for me anyway is not worth it.
I just pulled the the caps off the battery housing for my Vectors. Wow came with from Garmin with the CR1/3n. I’m guessing that putting them in won’t void the warranty.
Yep. They came around and are now suppling them with their pedals.
Garmin's specifications now list CR1/3N as an option, so certainly no warranty worries now.
Hi Shane Miller
Firstly , THANK YOU for your response, love your channel/tech/ info! Sorry , my previous question was poorly formulated. I guess what I'm trying to understand is that there is clearly an energy output/ burning calories/ power different between rides touring with additional( 80lbs trailer) and without , so does my system ( vector3 ) accurately calculate ALL data without manually entering the 80lbs(eg. far more calories/energy burnt with trailer riding 300km than without) ? What data Category breakdown best captures that touring days output ( NP , FTP , calories, etc)
HOW DOES , or DOES Vector3 now know I added 80lbs to the task ?
THANK YOU for your time
A power meter like the Vector is a direct force measurement device. It doesn't need to know your weight. Towing a trailer will require you to either push harder on the pedals (more force = more energy required) or pedal for a longer period of time than without a trailer (more energy required to ride for a longer duration).
Fairly standard camera batteries from back in the day. Should not void anything. Where used interchangeably on older Nikon SLR film cameras.
I would have used a cotton bud to remove any fret residue then a small dot of baby oil on each contact. That way you won't get any spikes due to dirty contacts.
On another note keep up the awesome work, the channel is excellent :)
Does the single battery still require application of baby oil, or was that primarily for the contact between the two batteries?
I guess it can’t hurt.
Maybe the battery manufacturer could use more packaging :0
I have recently bought 3s. I found that there is a battary compartment in the right padel. can you explain what is the use of it as this is single padel version and right padel doesn't have the sensor.
No idea.
Bought a pair Vector 3 last october (already new doors installed) since the first battry change i put cr1 3n instead. In january i had to send them back because of the same issues as everybody. Power spikes and drop off... they came back maybe a mounth later with new doors ? The first were already the new ones as i said... when i put them back on the bike, there was a new update for vector 3. It worked (still with cr1 3n its the only battery i used) for the last 3-4 mounths. 2 days ago "right pedal is missing", spikes and everything... thoses pedals are crap no matter the "solutions" proposed ! 1000$ for a powermeter that as had 2 major issues in les than a year... scandal! (Im french sorry for the poor english)
There should be no reason this will cause problems. DL1/3N have been around for close to 40 years. They were used in SLR camera light meters as a direct replacement for 2x SR44. The main thing back then was being Lithium they had much longer stability for occasional use than the silver Oxide SR44. That was then though and although I see the DL1/3N is still Lithium I assume there is a Lithium SR44 now? Maybe not?
Why is there two different ID numbers on the left and right Pedal???????
Hi Shane.. do you still recommend a pair of garmin vector3 in 2020
No. gplama.com/power-meters/
Garmin ships the Rally 200XC with the CR1/3N.
I just bought about 5 packs of LR44 batteries (roughly 30 or 40 pieces...please don't make me count them)...I wish I would have watched this earlier. Totally off topic, but I wonder if connecting the Vector 3's to both a Garmin 1030 computer and the ANT+/Bluetooth dongle in a computer while using a smart trainer is possible or not? Perhaps a video to investigate, based you experience with such devices. Thanks in advance... I will do my own little investigation. I guess the logic is to record my cycling dynamics with the Garmin 1030 in addition to getting the recorded workout in Zwift (and hence Strava). Although, the Garmin 1030 is linked to Strava, essentially, I would end up with 4 recorded workouts (2 on Strava from being linked with the Garmin and the smart trainer, one on Zwitft, and the original on the Garmin 1030). Why is my life so complicated...lol.
the CR1/3N is basically two of 1.5V ones in series (e.g if you opened it up)
Not quite. Electrically, yes it is effectively equivalent. But in terms of chemistry, LR batteries are Alkaline, SR batteries are Silver Oxide while CR batteries are Lithium.
Great video! Why in the world does Garmin use 2 stupid batteries instead of 1? I've been wondering if there was a solution to those 2 stupid battery usage.
They're more commonly available. The CR1/3N are a much better idea though for sure.
@@gplama Thanks for a great video. Ordered the CR1/3N today, form Amazon, and they are coming tomorrow.
Not working for me, I tried every method I can found on internet, last time I ride them for 2 hours with 20 times dropout. Now I am using a new rotor 2inpower with no issue at all...My computer is EDGE 1030
CR 1/3n 180h, LR44 120h, thats the difference...400h so far without issues 😁
Boom! Nice.
Went through two sets of vector 3's both failing after the first battery replacement, utter rubbish! I have a box full of these new battery's to give away now I have moved to Powertap reliable power pedals.
how can i get battery status on vector 3 on my garmin edge 1030? or is it not possible?
Not possible as a data field. You'll still get a low battery warning alert on the Edge if the power meter battery is low.
thanks for reply Shane ,, @Garmin new update needed
I’ll be honest, I’m not very impressed with the length of the threaded portion of the caps. Fewer threads mean a larger clamping load per thread, which increased the risk of stripping the threads out, especially since it seems to be aluminium.
Never seen those batteries before. Very interesting
Changed battery, garmin does not regognize the Pedal anymore...
How about the issue with dropouts caused by the battery contact inside the pedal being depressed to much?
Cork hack, or return the pedal.
Shane, yea I’ve used a paper card. Guess I need to buy a good bottle of wine for the cork
Shane Miller - GPLama more details please on the cork hack.
you should never need to "hack" a thousand dollar product...period
Mattias Grenhall imho avoid. I have had 3 sets of replacement pedals from Garmin because they don’t work. The 4th set that I’ve been using for past month seem to be ok though.
Just for your information Shane... your Vector 3 battery covers are NOT the latest... just had mine replaced and the internal connections are now ALL gold plated.. noticed your battery holders are still silver not gold.. was sent a set for free when I queried with Garmin..
Correct, I got the new gold plated contact ones and they have been flawless with either style of battery. I was ready to shitcan the pedals until I got the new covers and they solved the issue.
i have the gold ones (brand new replacement units from garmin) and had drop outs all over the place. the new battery fixed it.
I bet you didnt actually turn cycling dynamics on there. Your phone said you turned it on, but if you close the app, let the pedals turn off and open it up again, id be willing to bet it shows that cycling dynamics is turned off. I've given up trying to turn things on and off on my vector 3 pedals. On my phone it says its good, but in reality, its not. Check it out, and let me know what you find.
I need new bat trees
I will go for Favero not to produce so many rubbish - used bateries, each battery in own plastic box .. no go for me.
Got the new one and they are still shit
Shame on Garmin! Very poor design. These power pedals never should have been released to the public! You would think a big company like Garmin would have done the right thing and recalled these pedals after all the initial complaints. Now everyone who owns a set of Vector 3 pedals has to hack the hell out of them to maybe get them to work for a while. Bullshit! $1000.00 down the drain..... Thanks for the update Shane.
Scott Brennan I betcha the Garmin marketing Dept overruled the engineers on when to release to market. I’m betting not enough testing was done. Still perplexed by their choice in battery and configuration, especially given the vibration and spinning motions in play.
Here is the solution for your right pedalsVETOR 3 - czcams.com/video/RRPJPFkh9ec/video.html
Just by a power2max and u Will have no problem
That doesn't really assist those with these pedals looking for a solution. P2M isn't going to suit everyone given the design and requirements for install.
First