Could the speed sensor activate the PowerPod?

[Guido_K]

Dear John,
I used the Powerpod in two triathlon races, the Ironman 70.3 Japan and today at
the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Australia.

While the PowerPod is working well in training, my aim getting it was pacing
during racing. And the PowerPod failed in both events.

The reason is simply that the PowerPod switches itself off after 30 min.
However, between closing of the transition zone and exiting the water is
usually much more time.

At least my bike race ready is pretty busy around the cockpit packed with all
kind of equipment. That makes it very dificult to hit the rather tiny button to
activate the PowerPod - especially in the heat of the moment transitioning
onto the bike.

I am well aware that the button design can't be changed retrospectively.
But the firmware could.

Would it be possible to augment the firmware in a way that it checks for the
speed sensor every 5 or 10 sec.? During pushing the bike out of transition
to bike start would be enough time to activate the PowerPod.

Thank you very much!

Guido

[Velocomp]

When you push the button to turn on the PP, it remains awake for 20 minutes and, during that period, checks continuously for the speed signal (even when the light goes off).

We could lengthen the time the PP is awake for TT situations. You would awaken the PP, then do your swim, and your PP would just sit there, waiting for you to arrive out of the transition period.

What time period would be appropriate?

Remember, the longer the PP remains awake, the more the battery power it would use while waiting to go to sleep. This would not be a big deal, as long as you charge your PP fully between rides.

Let me know...

[Guido_K]

Thank you that would be a nice and easy solution to my problem!

Based on my last race (an event with 3500 athletes) but being consistent with
my previous half distance races would be:

Bike check-in a day before the race,
On race day:
- 6 AM transition zone closes,
- 8:15 AM start of the last wave of athletes.

Not assuming the fastest swimmer and some time to pick up the bike adds 45 min.
Adding another view minutes before closing of transition and for a longer
swim / transition gives a a range of 3 to 3.5h.

Of course, this might be even longer for full distance races and it would be
good if others could share there opinion on this.

Since this eats into the battery life of the PowerPod and for shorter of local
races the value is by far to large it might be a good idea to make it
configurable in the future.

The possibly required charging between rides is not an issue for me but others
may differ on this. Personally, the PowerPod lasts in the range of weeks in
training.

Thank you very much!

Guido

[Velocomp]

So, you're saying that you'd like the PowerPod to remain on for 3.5 hours before going to sleep?

[Guido_K]

I admit reading that high absolute value sounds somewhat crazy since it is based on worst case assumptions (huge event and being in the very last wave of athletes).

For the Ironman 70.3 Japan, my previous race, 2 h would have been sufficient.

I've got a very long layover on my flight home tomorrow and will check the athlete's guides of other events. Hopefully I can figure out a more sensible smaller value.