Power Map Calibration Issues with Elite Arion Digital Smart B+
Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 4:18 pm
I have a Elite Arion Digital Smart B+ and have had nothing but issues with it since day 1 in light of calibrating it and attempting to find the right power map (P1-3) settings. I am using the smart rollers with the BKOOL simulator, in particular the Velodrome simulator. This should be a fairly straight forward test scenario: 0% grade (in the sprint lane almost on the back measure line), track bike on the rollers, using either a Stages Dura-Ace power meter or SRM power meter coupled to a Garmin as reference point for power). No climbing. No simulated headwind. No terrain. No gear changing. Simple.
This is what I am finding...
First, this isn't the normal issue I see cited where the power being transmitted by the smart rollers to the app is either lower or higher than what the power meter reads. I've already read the support recommendations for this issue, and I have had multiple email exchanges with support on it. That solution is simply a matter of lowering or increasing the P1, P2, and P3 values proportionally by increments of 20-30w. I wish the issue were that simple, but I think the real issue has to do with the power curve that the P1-3 values generate. In addition, I have used the calibration functionality of the Elite app, where it has you ride at 3 separate P1-3 speeds, take note of your power meter output, and then use those average powers to program a new power map. That is ineffective as well.
Here is what I am seeing. When I start to warm up on the velodrome, the first thing I notice is that the power showing on the BKOOL simulator is much higher than what my power meter is reading, and speed is unrealistically high. For example, it will show me going 18mph and generating 200w, when my power meter is showing 140 watts. Now Elite support, you may step in here and say (support quote): " If the trainer brakes too much in that specific situation (power on screen seems too low compared to what you feel on the legs), increase the correspondent calibration point; if it brakes too little (power on screen seems too high), decrease the calibration point".
This does not solve the problem, and here is why. Continuing on with my example above, what happens is that as I increase speed, the Elite power output reading to the app, and my power meter reading start to converge, to a point to where I am doing a moderate sprint at 30mph, and both the Elite trainer and my power meter are showing approximately 475w. So this is why the solution is not simply a matter of lowering or increasing the P1-3 values proportionally. The power is correct at high speeds, incorrect at low speeds. This suggests that this is an issue with the curve.
So my next question is, can the curve be changed? Does increasing or decreasing the P1-3 values disproportionately modify the curve? If so, then how should one go about doing this? Because I have been experimenting with disproportionate P1-3 values and the results are erratic and inconsistent. I can't find a pattern.
Kris
This is what I am finding...
First, this isn't the normal issue I see cited where the power being transmitted by the smart rollers to the app is either lower or higher than what the power meter reads. I've already read the support recommendations for this issue, and I have had multiple email exchanges with support on it. That solution is simply a matter of lowering or increasing the P1, P2, and P3 values proportionally by increments of 20-30w. I wish the issue were that simple, but I think the real issue has to do with the power curve that the P1-3 values generate. In addition, I have used the calibration functionality of the Elite app, where it has you ride at 3 separate P1-3 speeds, take note of your power meter output, and then use those average powers to program a new power map. That is ineffective as well.
Here is what I am seeing. When I start to warm up on the velodrome, the first thing I notice is that the power showing on the BKOOL simulator is much higher than what my power meter is reading, and speed is unrealistically high. For example, it will show me going 18mph and generating 200w, when my power meter is showing 140 watts. Now Elite support, you may step in here and say (support quote): " If the trainer brakes too much in that specific situation (power on screen seems too low compared to what you feel on the legs), increase the correspondent calibration point; if it brakes too little (power on screen seems too high), decrease the calibration point".
This does not solve the problem, and here is why. Continuing on with my example above, what happens is that as I increase speed, the Elite power output reading to the app, and my power meter reading start to converge, to a point to where I am doing a moderate sprint at 30mph, and both the Elite trainer and my power meter are showing approximately 475w. So this is why the solution is not simply a matter of lowering or increasing the P1-3 values proportionally. The power is correct at high speeds, incorrect at low speeds. This suggests that this is an issue with the curve.
So my next question is, can the curve be changed? Does increasing or decreasing the P1-3 values disproportionately modify the curve? If so, then how should one go about doing this? Because I have been experimenting with disproportionate P1-3 values and the results are erratic and inconsistent. I can't find a pattern.
Kris