Proform R10 Pro project

[campagnolo1]

I recently picked up a used Proform R10 Pro rower and it has the iFit app installed. I'm not willing to pay the money for the sub and while it has a manual mode, that mode is very basic and doesn't provide much info. I came across this project and want to give it a try. I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to this kind of stuff, but I want to give it a go. From reading the project info, it looks like I need a Raspberry Pie to hook up to the rower. Do I also need a new sensor or can I hook the Pie to the existing sensor?
Should I start a "Project" and ask my questions there or is this a good place to do so? Thanks!

[JaapvanEkris]

I recently picked up a used Proform R10 Pro rower and it has the iFit app installed.

Yeah, this is a sister brand of NordicTrack, where one of its ancestors triggered my involvement in this project.

I came across this project and want to give it a try. I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to this kind of stuff, but I want to give it a go. From reading the project info, it looks like I need a Raspberry Pie to hook up to the rower. Do I also need a new sensor or can I hook the Pie to the existing sensor?

I found the ProForm R10 manual online. When you look at the maintenance procedures, it says

locate the Reed Switch (47). Turn the Left Flywheel (4) until a Magnet (85) is aligned with the Reed Switch. Then, slightly loosen the two indicated M4 x 19mm Screws (69), slide the Reed Switch slightly closer to or away from the Magnet, and then retighten the Screws.

We can reuse that sensor without issue. And with 4 magnets on the flywheel it will do nicely. So improving your metrics will be quite doable.

A lot more problematic is the resistance. This rower contains a electrical resistance motor (component 100 in the exploded view) which sets the magnetic resistance. Removing the monitor completely will also remove your capabilities of setting that. So removing the monitor can only be done if you are happy with a specific setting and keep it there. But keeping the sensor is also an option.

Should I start a "Project" and ask my questions there or is this a good place to do so? Thanks!

This is the perfect place to ask your questions. We will help you get going.

[campagnolo1]

Thank you so much for the fast response! I'm glad to hear that you think this will be possible to do. I was thinking of ordering this Pie here (the Starter MAX kit) https://www.canakit.com/raspberry-pi-zero-2-w.html
I may be off here, but if I add the Pie as a, more or less, new controller for the rower, I should still be able to adjust the resistance from the original interface, correct? I'm basically adding a second controller using the same sensor, so I shouldn't lose the original functionality.

[JaapvanEkris]

Thank you so much for the fast response! I'm glad to hear that you think this will be possible to do. I was thinking of ordering this Pie here (the Starter MAX kit) https://www.canakit.com/raspberry-pi-zero-2-w.html

Looks pretty decent. I would order the version with pre-soldered header, as you need to insert the pins somewhere.

I may be off here, but if I add the Pie as a, more or less, new controller for the rower, I should still be able to adjust the resistance from the original interface, correct? I'm basically adding a second controller using the same sensor, so I shouldn't lose the original functionality.

Without knowing how they trigger the reed switch (they could put 5 V through it, which is too much for the Raspberry Pi's 3.3V inputs), using the same sensor for both might be tricky. There are simple electronics to mitigate that (I typically use a small high frequency optocoupler to protect the Raspberry Pi), but getting a decent measurement would be wise. @Abasz has much more experience in electronics, so he might even have better ideas.

It might also be possible to disconnect the reed switch and keep the controll from the monitor (somewhere they have to split).

[campagnolo1]

Interesting. I will order the Pie (with header) and then see over the weekend if I can get a measurement on the reed switch. Thank you for looping in Abasz, maybe he has a good idea how to possibly keep the ability to adjust the resistance of the rower.
I will report back once I have a measurement and the Pie should be here early next week.

[Abasz]

You would need a multimeter to measure the voltage.

if the voltage across the reed is fixed, it is possible to use a simple voltage divider to reduce the voltage (again need to be measured because voltage changes with current as per Ohm's law). That is the simplest. Anything else is more compilcated :) .

to be fair I expect this machine to shoot with 3.3v like normal people do as most low power MCUs use 3.3v logic level.