Frequently Asked Questions
Does adjusting the mounting angle of my ActiveRate
unit affect its operation?
The unit is designed to work at any mounting angle between
horizontal and vertical. However if you do change the mounting
angle during an outing it can take up to one minute for the unit to
give accurate rate and Check readings.
Is it important that I mount my ActiveRate square to the
centreline of the boat and not leaning to one side?
Slight misalignments will not cause problems although Check
readings may not be completely accurate. In particular, using the
Suction Cup Bracket on the angled rear decks of boats will not
cause any significant problems.
The button on my unit occasionally sticks.
Remove the battery compartment cover, lift out the button and
clean both the button moulding and the recesses it slides in on
both the main moulding and the battery cover. Use a soft cloth
wetted with a dilute solution of dishwashing liquid and remember
to fit a new O-Ring seal when re-assembling the unit.
Do I need to take special care of my ActiveRate unit?
To maximise battery life it is a good idea to avoid excessively high
temperatures, such as those encountered in closed vehicles on hot
sunny days. These can reach 150 degrees Fahrenheit / 65 degrees
Centigrade.
Why does my ActiveRate not always show rates when I
move it backwards and forwards in my hand?
If you turn your ActiveRate on and then rotate it to a different
angle it can take up to 60 seconds for it to calculate the angle it
has been changed to and establish an accurate rate.
Why does my unit occasionally not display rates?
This is because your ActiveRate uses the variation in boat speed
during the stroke to calculate rates and in some situations these
are too small to be used reliably. This can happen when only
some of your crew is rowing or when your full crew is rowing at an
artificially light pressure.
Sharp downward changes of pressure, eg from firm to light, can
also cause the display to go blank for a few strokes. This is because
your ActiveRate marks these types of changes so that it can
automatically capture the finish times of recorded work pieces.
Is my ActiveRate suitable for all boat types and any
water conditions?
Your ActiveRate is designed for use in ‘racing’ sliding seat rowing
boats used in normal water conditions. It may work in other
situations but is likely to give less stable readings.
Can I use my ActiveRate when Coxing?
Your ActiveRate will be mounted at 180 degrees to its normal
orientation so it will generally not work correctly.
When I set off, why do I have to take two strokes before
rates are displayed?
Your ActiveRate calculates rates by timing between the maximum
decelerations of consecutive strokes so rates can’t be calculated
until two full strokes have been taken.
When more than one person in our crew use an
ActiveRate to record races we find the average checks
vary slightly.
This is usually because the units have not both been mounted
absolutely square to the boat.
I occasionally see inconsistent rate readings.
Your ActiveRate calculates rates by timing between the maximum
boat decelerations of consecutive strokes. Certain conditions, such
as gusting winds and very rough water, can affect the spacing of
these peaks and minor variations in rate can therefore be seen. In
extreme conditions the unit may even struggle to establish rates
for a number of strokes.
In practice these problems only happen very occasionally and
then in conditions where exact rates are somewhat irrelevant.
How long will my battery last?
The battery life you will normally achieve is around 130 hours of
rowing. This will give most users many months of use.
My ActiveRate does not turn on or turns on and shows
unusual readings.
The battery on the unit probably needs to be replaced.
We always welcome queries and suggestions so please feel free to contact us at
info@active-tools.com
.
We can only improve our products if you share your experience of using them with us.
Battery Changing Instructions
You will need a new type CR2032 battery, which are widely available. You will also need a replacement rubber O-Ring seal as otherwise the water
tightness of the battery compartment cannot be guaranteed. While the electronics in the unit are in a separate sealed area any water leaks into the
battery compartment may cause corrosion problems. Replacement O-Rings are available free of charge from the Active-Tools website.
To change the battery unscrew the 4 screws on the rear of the case. Replace the O-Ring and fit the new battery the same way round as the old one
(negative contact inserted first) and refit the cover. Take care to only touch the positive contact (the battery case) as touching both contacts can leave
deposits that cause the battery to discharge prematurely.
