I was replacing the batteries on the Vector 3 pedals I have and one of the small yellow gaskets/seals/washers around the door broke. These items are so small and fragile its ridiculous. Is the Garmin website the only place that sells these replacement parts? Or is there an easy hack replacement for these yellow seals?
Given the hassle even Garmin has had to get the battery doors right, I would not recommend a hack on this.
I don’t know where you are located. But I can highly recommend cyclepowermeters in the UK - I have used them for the past 5 years to do an annual service (bearing replacement, claw replacement and recalibration) on my Powertap pedals, they come back looking and feeling like new. The service is excellent and they are power meter specialists who seem to have access to all the needed spare parts for current and past models. I send my pedals to them from my training base in Mallorca, so no reason why you can’t mail yours from wherever you are based.
Vector 3 owners have had so many problems with this product that is sounds as if Garmin will do anything - especially wrt battery door-related issues - to make things right. I’d bet that if you contact Garmin support you can get new battery doors and a metric ton of gaskets by asking/complaining about your situation.
Garmin did a sort of a recall about this almost exactly a year ago. From the email:
FREE BATTERY DOOR REPLACEMENT FOR YOUR VECTORâ„¢ 3 SYSTEM
Garmin has identified an issue with the battery contacts of returned Vector 3 units. It was determined that the batteries changing size under normal discharge over time can cause the battery contacts to become compressed, which could result in power drops and spikes. This, combined with the shock and vibration experienced in cycling, could permanently deform the contacts leading to disconnects. The battery swelling does not present any safety–related concerns.
In an effort to improve the reliability and functionality of the Vector 3 system, we have redesigned the battery contacts and doors to prevent these issues from occurring. All Vector 3 owners can get free redesigned battery doors by entering the discount code below at Garmin.com.
Note: Vector 3 customers will need a quantity of two. Vector 3S will need a quantity of one.
You could reach out to them to see if this is related to the issues you are experiencing.
Vector 3 owners have had so many problems with this product that is sounds as if Garmin will do anything - especially wrt battery door-related issues - to make things right. I’d bet that if you contact Garmin support you can get new battery doors and a metric ton of gaskets by asking/complaining about your situation.
This. ^^^
They asked me to pay for shipping only on a “free” replacement part.
To which I replied something to the effect of: “I don’t think I should have to pay for faulty product replacement or shipping for said replacement when there are broadly known issues with the battery housing and door on these devices.”
For good measure, I also linked ~6 forum threads discussing the various probs that have existed.
Their reply was: “What address would you like them shipped to. We’ll cover the cost. It should arrive Tuesday”
I did that too and I’m glad they fixed my door issue. Those pedals when calibrated give me the exact same track as my SRM and Powertap hub safe for drivetrain losses and thus are hugely beneficial for me. That said, I would NEVER take a low serial # PM, especially a Garmin. NEVER!
thanks very much for this info
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