Powerpod enhancement suggestion

[usedtobefaster]

Would it be possible for a firmware upgrade to use the powerpod light to indicate the profile it's using?

The reason I'm asking about this is I have a speed sensor which is, shall we say, temperamental but functions most of the time and because of this I would like feedback from the powerpod to indicate that cadence and speed sensors have been connected before the ride starts.

[Velocomp]

PowerPod light goes solid green when it successfully pairs to the speed sensor. Until it pairs it flashes green.

Are you suggesting something in addition to this?

[usedtobefaster]

Hi John

Do you get a solid green light when both speed and cadence sensor's are connected if you're running with separate sensors (magnetless Garmin units)?

I suppose I was think of flashing the LED red the number of times that matches the profile i.e. profile #1 then 1 flash, profile #4 then 4 flashes.

Thanks
Paul

[Velocomp]

The light turns solid Green when the speed sensor is detected. Detecting cadence is not necessary for PowerPod operation. My experience with the magnetless units is that it takes a few seconds of pedaling before the cadence sensor turns on.

I'm not sure that flashing the red light according to profile number will reduce confusion; I worry that just the opposite will happen

[usedtobefaster]

You could be right there John

I suppose I didn't fully appreciate that the solid green light indicated the speed sensor detected and which in turn would indicate the profile in the powerpod would be correct.

Through this thread your comment about the cadence sensor is detected has got me questioning how the power is calculated as, power = force X angular velocity, where angular velocity can be calculated from cadence. So if you're not using the cadence sensor how is power calculated? (My use and DC Rainmakers information tells me the figures are good enough for my use but now this information on cadence has got me questioning the results).

Thanks
Paul

[Fostex]

Power = Torque x Angular velocity when we are measuring torque applied to a rotating system, this is the case of a DFPM.

In the case of the Powerpod it is measures the various forces which must be overcome in order to propel the bicycle forward; gravity, air resistance, friction, rolling resistance etc. In the absense of powerstroke the cadence sensor is used in order to record when the bike is being propelled forward by the rider and when the bike is free wheeling. By having a mathematical model of the bicycle and rider and measuring the various forces affecting that model you can, as DCR's review shows, come up with a pretty accurate measurement/estimation of rider power output.

The iBike/Velocomp website has a really good description here :- http://www.ibikesports.com/index.php/pr ... ike-works/

[Velocomp]

Power = Torque x Angular velocity when we are measuring torque applied to a rotating system, this is the case of a DFPM.

In the case of the Powerpod it is measures the various forces which must be overcome in order to propel the bicycle forward; gravity, air resistance, friction, rolling resistance etc. In the absense of powerstroke the cadence sensor is used in order to record when the bike is being propelled forward by the rider and when the bike is free wheeling. By having a mathematical model of the bicycle and rider and measuring the various forces affecting that model you can, as DCR's review shows, come up with a pretty accurate measurement/estimation of rider power output.

The iBike/Velocomp website has a really good description here :- http://www.ibikesports.com/index.php/pr ... ike-works/

Well, we think the review demonstrates that PowerPod provides very accurate measurements...