Robert Strickland said:Help! My bike computer (Sigma Sport BC800) seems to have flipped its
lid. I took the spoke magnet off briefly and now after I've put it back on, the computer is
giving me at least an extra 5-10 miles/hour. I know I didn't suddenly become really fast and
I can't imagine why this would be happening. I didn't remove or adjust the receiver unit or
change anything on the computer itself. Any suggestions why this would happen?
First off, it seems the magnet is not positioned correctly. That is the first place to look.
However, for it to give a higher than accurate reading, it would have to give a double trigger to
the pickup, at least now and then. I can only imagine that the magnet is out of place. Did you check
your calibration number to see if it is still the correct one?
The pickup on these units is a reed switch whose closure, by the passing of the magnet, draws
current from the speedometer. To prevent draining the battery in the event the magnet is parked in
next to the pickup, a high impedance circuit is used (with a large resistor and capacitor). If the
mounting bracket becomes wet and the water is not distilled water, the contacts can be effectively
shorted so that the capacitor charge is leaked out and only a few or no pulses are detected. Since
this interface is not easily kept dry, the next best method is to spray it with Armor All, or some
such hydrophobic liquid, so that a continuous water film cannot produce a short. Although the
opposite from your predicament, it is something to be aware of.
Other than that, you could have a goofy unit. Did you drop it?
Jobst Brandt [email hidden] Palo Alto CA