Wireless cycle computer problem?

Mark A · 4 Sep 2006 at 21:19

Hi,

Ive recently taken up cycling and decided to get a wireless cycle computer to record my mileage. I opted for a cateye model seen here and all seemed fine for a few days when it suddenly stopped working due to low battery. Fair enough i thought it could have been on a shelf for a while before i received it. I purchased a new Maxell 2032 cell battery and it was fine for a few weeks and ran out again :mad:

. I'm now on my third battery since i purchased the computer on the 23rd of July.

Is this common with wireless computers for the battery to last such a short time?. I have only done 57 miles in the time Ive had the computer so it isn't used excessively.

Any electronics boffs about know what could be causing it to run out so quickly?.

Cheers

Mark

dsb · 4 Sep 2006 at 21:22

i had a cateye for years with no problems, i had the bike before i was married so thats 7 years ago, when i gave it away it was stil working.

cheets64 · 4 Sep 2006 at 21:32

I have the same one and mine has worked for over 600 miles only recently the battery went dead on the censor near the spokes.

Mark A · 4 Sep 2006 at 21:32

dsb said:
i had a cateye for years with no problems, i had the bike before i was married so thats 7 years ago, when i gave it away it was stil working.

Was yours a wireless one?. I had a cheapo wired computer years ago and the battery in that lasted years, which is why im so surprised this is acting up.

Trigger · 4 Sep 2006 at 21:33

Sounds faulty to me. If there's a dodgey capictor on the board then that could be causing it to drain the battery

basmic · 4 Sep 2006 at 21:34

I've been bitterly dissappointed with the "quality" of Cateye's products.

I now steer well clear from Cateye products, and opt to not pay for the name.

Mark A · 4 Sep 2006 at 21:37

cheets64 said:
I have the same one and mine has worked for over 600 miles only recently the battery went dead on the censor near the spokes.

Cheers for that mate, looks like mines borked then

. I think I'll order a decent battery just to make 100% sure its not some dodgy batteries I'm using but i doubt it is as they are Maxell which are supposed to be good. I'll get a Duracell one and then if that goes dead its defo borked. Are Cateye good with returns?.

squiffy · 4 Sep 2006 at 21:38

I've the same computer, the first one went flat in 2 days, bought a new battery, 2-3 days flat again. Sent it back and the replacement is fine. Been around 6 months and still dark LCD.

dsb · 4 Sep 2006 at 21:41

Mark A said:
Was yours a wireless one?. I had a cheapo wired computer years ago and the battery in that lasted years, which is why im so surprised this is acting up.

ah sorry no it was wired not had the plesure of a wireless one.

squiffy · 4 Sep 2006 at 21:42

Should still last a few years though.

Mark A · 4 Sep 2006 at 21:49

basmic said:
I've been bitterly dissappointed with the "quality" of Cateye's products.

I now steer well clear from Cateye products, and opt to not pay for the name.

I'm pretty much a noob to cycles and their accessories so i just picked one that seemed good. I wanted to pay around £30 which i thought should get me good quality computer, how wrong was I.

could you recommend me a decent wireless computer for around the £25-£30 mark please, for if i cant get a replacement from Cateye.

Mark A · 4 Sep 2006 at 21:51

squiffy said:
I've the same computer, the first one went flat in 2 days, bought a new battery, 2-3 days flat again. Sent it back and the replacement is fine. Been around 6 months and still dark LCD.

Thats a bit of good news, seems like it could be a common problem. Did you send it back to the shop you purchased it from or the manufacturer?. Ive had it installed on my bike for a while now so its a little dirty etc.

Mark

squiffy · 4 Sep 2006 at 21:52

Sent it back to the shop.

Mark A · 4 Sep 2006 at 21:59

squiffy said:
Sent it back to the shop.

Cheers, i'll give it a try, i cant seem to find the clear plastic packaging though.

Mark A · 19 Sep 2006 at 20:21

WOOT!, got a package today with a new sensor and a new head unit within

, im crossing my fingers i havn't got another duffer. Strange thing is that the computer has some info on it, Max speed is at 140mph :eek:

and theres 1.3 on the oddo. Will fit it later and go for a quick ride to make sure its working.