Stages Power Meter - Issues

tuongtrante1 · Joined: 14 Jun 2016 Posts: 2

I've read elsewhere that if one of the tabs breaks off the battery door then this can allow water in which then totally messes things up. Is your door intact?

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KingstonGraham · Joined: 21 Mar 2008 Posts: 7559

tri_longer · Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 11:17 am Post subject:

tri_longer · Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 11:19 am Post subject:

My replacement gen 2 has turned up today, fitting later on and then fingers crossed that tomorrow morning I still have a battery in working order.
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gveale20 · Joined: 18 Apr 2015 Posts: 2

I have had a 1st gen unit for about 2 years and had a number of problems related to short battery life. The best battery life I have experienced gave me about 70hrs of riding over about 4mths. I have managed to get around 70hrs for a few batteries. My unit did have the rubbish battery cover that broke on about the 3rd time it was removed, and since replaced with an improved one (supposed to be stronger plastic) that has been good so far.

First problem encountered was that the battery when installed loses contact with the centre contact and the meter suddenly stops working. This can happen at any time. Simply squeezing the battery cover to press it down a little can be a temporary fix, but a little bit of tape on the inside of the battery cover can be a permanent fix.

The second problem would appear to be dampness inside the unit. Mine has the improved red "o" ring, but this did not stop it happening. Here I am making some guesses based on sound engineering principles. I know that the electronics package is sealed (Stages have said so), but the strain gauge and connections are potentially open to atmosphere if the battery cover is removed. The main housing is glued to the crank so any small defect in this glue can allow moisture (rain) into the area around the strain gauge. Any small amount of moisture can cause massive increases in the sleep power consumption, perhaps even greater than normal running power. Temperature changes could also cause condensation on the aluminium crank arm inside the housing without any leaks happening.

I also think that the unit in sleep mode is just in a low power mode where it is periodically checking for movement. This is were the problems arise as the Stages Power Meter would appear to have a small, but significant, power draw when in sleep mode. Because of this Stages may be able to legitimately claim over 200hr run time if the unit is used continuously, but normal riders do not ride continuously for 200hrs. In my case riding about 5hrs per week the power used in sleep mode would appear to be twice the power that is used in actually riding. I suspect that if you did NO riding the battery would be flat in under 6mths, all due to the sleep power consumed.

The good side here is that these issues do have solutions. My unit got damp inside even though it had the latest "o" ring and a perfect battery cover and minimal riding in the rain. Recently it would flatten the battery in 2 or 3 days without any riding. However removing the battery cover and the battery, then spraying inside unit with silicon oil, then warming the crank in front of the heater for 30min, fixed the problem. Just the heater is probably good enough, just don't get it so hot that you cannot touch the crank arm as heating any electronics to over 60 deg C is not a good idea.

I have now also put a bead of silicon sealant around the joint of the plastic housing to the crank arm to be sure this joint is water tight. After seeing a picture of a Stages PM that dropped off the crank arm I have also wrapped some electrical tape around the unit so if cannot fall of if the glue fails.

Hope this helps others that own Stages PM's.

armie · Joined: 12 Mar 2010 Posts: 42

gveale20,
Interesting read, I to have a 1st gen. Power crank (replacement after three months). Now I have never had an issue with moisture inside the unit via the battery cover as I've always covered with duck/electrical tape but I do get battery drain. As I've stated in this tread in only happens between the months of December and into April if I leave a battery in the unit. I have had numerous emails with Stages technical and although everything reads fine that the unit is forever adjusting due to the low temperature causing the unit to stay on.
I have to say that the unit performs great in use and suits my needs fine, I rue the day it eventually dies. Hopefully not for May years and miles.

Jorgan · Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2018 10:58 am Post subject:

So, not heard much on Stages here for a while. How are people finding the Gen 2 versions? I'm toying with the idea if the second gen is more robust, as an Ultegra version would go nicely on my Canyon.

Feedback?
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Chrace · Joined: 28 Apr 2010 Posts: 2642 Location: Eating a Yorkie

My Gen1 failed with battery drain, got warranty replaced by a Gen2 that arrived with battery drain, which got warranty replaced with a Gen2 that I sold on eBay unopened. A month later the buyer contacted me about how to do a warranty claim due to battery drain...

Currently using a 4iiii which in comparison is simply awesome. It ought to be pretty much the same but the fact that this one just works means I don't have to worry about it, which means I can just go ride instead of faffing with batteries and head units for 10 mins before setting off.

Some people have no problems at all but I'm not touching Stages with a barge pole.

(For info, all three units were losing all battery in <3 days with no movement)
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Jorgan · Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2018 3:17 pm Post subject:

Ah interesting with the 4iiii, they have come up on my radar. I've also been looking at the BePro pedals on fleabay; they get a good write-up online.
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Chrace · Joined: 28 Apr 2010 Posts: 2642 Location: Eating a Yorkie

r0bh · Joined: 03 Aug 2005 Posts: 1592 Location: Manchester

Chrace · Joined: 28 Apr 2010 Posts: 2642 Location: Eating a Yorkie

mattsurf · Joined: 28 Sep 2016 Posts: 297 Location: Zug, Switzerland

sounds like i am the odd be out here, I have 2 Stages and find them to be very reliable and easy to use. I have no battery drain issues, however, battery lasts only a couple of months, while my Quarq lasts much longer. I know from Quark that my L/R balance is 50/50 so RH only is fine.

It pairs with head unit quickly, however, sometimes fails calibration, on one of my Stages, if this happens i bring head unit close to crank to calibrate.

Jorgan · Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2018 4:47 pm Post subject:

Still sounds like Stages is a bit of a risk. My P2M battery is still going strong from well before Outlaw last year - I generally change it when I start my peak Ironman training, whether it needs it or not. I think in 4 years I've only ever had a low battery warning once. The 2450 is a big battery mind.
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