First Degree Fitness VX-3FA User manual

First Degree Fitness
VX-3FA
Fluid Assist with Smart Handle and
External Power
User Guide

Table of Contents
Introduction.............................................................................................................................1
The NEW VX-3FA .................................................................................................................1
Firmware Features ................................................................................................................2
Knowing Your VX-3FA ............................................................................................................3
Overview ...............................................................................................................................3
Fluid Assist ............................................................................................................................4
Smart Handle ........................................................................................................................4
External Power......................................................................................................................4
New IPM................................................................................................................................5
Basic Operation.....................................................................................................................5
Advanced IPM Functions .......................................................................................................6
Auto Power-Down .................................................................................................................6
Manual Power-Down Function ..............................................................................................6
Calibration Function ..............................................................................................................6
Pairing Function ....................................................................................................................7
Health Check Function ..........................................................................................................8
Basic Maintainance.................................................................................................................9
Smart Handle ........................................................................................................................9
Troubleshooting......................................................................................................................9
Fluid Assist ............................................................................................................................9
Smart Handle ......................................................................................................................10

1
INTRODUCTION
The NEW VX-3FA
The new VX-3FA brings together the functionality of a First Degree Fitness VX-3 Rower with Fluid Assist
Motorized Level Control, with Smart Handle for Wireless Level Change.
Fluid Assist
•Replaceable Motor Control Module
•Motor Controlled Resistance Level
•Easy and Accurate Resistance Level Selection
•Change Level using the Interactive Performance Monitor (IPM) or Smart Handle
Smart Handle
•Easy Release Mechanism for Simple Replacement
•Low Power 2.4 GHz Wireless Technology with 5+ Meter Range
•Coded Wireless Signals - No Cross-talk
•Wirelessly Connect to Fluid Assist®
•Wirelessly Control Resistance Level
External Power
•Low cost external 6V Power Supply
•Easy access socket on tank frame leg
•Simple power-on procedure

2
Firmware Features
Fluid Assist
•Resistance Level Control
◦Motor Drive and Position Control
•Receive RF Data from Smart Handle
◦Level Up/Down Button Press and Smart Handle Battery State
•Simple Calibration Function
•Simple Fluid Assist to Smart Handle Pairing Function
◦Default Fluid Assist RF ID for configuration free Smart Handle replacement
•Communication between Fluid Assist and Integrated Performance Monitor (IPM)
◦Resistance Level Management
◦Fluid Assist and Smart Handle Battery States
◦Fluid Assist Special Function Management
•Power Management
◦Auto Power Down
Smart Handle
•RF Communication to Fluid Assist
◦Level Up/Down Button Presses
◦Battery Level Monitoring
•Smart Handle to Fluid Assist Pairing Function
•Power Management
◦Battery Saving and Auto Power Down
◦Battery level monitoring
◦Single button click to activate
New IPM Functionality
•Resistance Level Control
•Self-Test Function
•Calibration Function
•Health Check Display
◦Fluid Assist & Smart Handle Battery Level
◦Current Level and Measured Motor Speed
•Smart Handle Pairing Display
◦Only required for multiple Fluid Assist installations.
◦For a single user this function is NOT required.
◦Simple Interactive Pairing Function
•Smart Handle battery level monitoring and indication
•Added Fluid Assist USB Support

3
KNOWING YOUR VX-3FA
Overview
Smart Handle
Wirelessly Change Resistance Level
Fluid Assist®
Motor Controlled Resistance Level
New IPM
New Sensor Support
Power-on GO Button

4
Fluid Assist
•Removable Motorized Resistance
Control Module
•Green LED Indicator for Correct
Function
•Red LED Indicator for Fault
Conditions
•Both LED Indicators are visible
through the tank shell
•Integrated 2.4GHz Wireless
Communications
Smart Handle
•Ergonomically Designed Handle
•Resistance Level Control Buttons
positioned for best use with thumbs
•Easy-to-Remove Protective Cover for
Battery Change
•Quick Belt Release Mechanism for easy
Belt or Handle Replacement
External Power
•Single 6V external PSU
•Socket at base of tank support leg
•Easy Connect and Power On procedure
Red and
Green LED
Indicators
Integrated Motor,
Control Board
and RF
Communications
Press for LEVEL DOWN
Press for LEVEL UP
External Power Socket

5
New IPM
•New embedded rear connectors
•Faster CPU
•Support for new Optical Speed sensor
•Integrated GO Button for Power Control
Basic Operation
DO NOT DISCONNECT THE EXTERNAL POWER SUPPLY WHILE THE UNIT IS ON AS THIS MAY LEAD TO
LOSS OF CALIBRATION
1. Ensure the External Power Supply is connected
2. Press GO on the IPM to power on
3. Press + or – on the Handle to activate
4. Press Level + or – on the IPM to change Level
5. Press Level + or – on the Smart Handle to change Level
6. The Battery Level Indicator will show 0 to 4 bars depending on Smart
Handle battery level. If this indicator flashes then replace the Handle
batteries.

6
ADVANCED IPM FUNCTIONS
For standard IPM functionality please see the Ergometer (IPM) with USB Connectivity User Guide.
Auto Power-Down
The IPM will auto power-down following 10 minutes of inactivity. Fluid Assist will occasionally perform an auto-
park, to ensure correct calibration, during this procedure. If so, the IPM will display a flashing OFF indicator until
the auto-park is complete.
Manual Power-Down Function
It is not recommended but it is possible to manually power down the system. Simply press and hold UNITS and
RESET until the display goes off or a flashing OFF is displayed (see above).
Calibration Function
Calibration Check
1. Set Level 20
2. Visually check the position of the reservoir outlet
hole
3. If this is not correct then follow the Calibration
Procedure below
Calibration Procedure
1. Preset RESET to clear the monitor
2. Press and hold SET and Level + for 5 seconds
6. During Calibration the IPM will show animated
progress in the upper display and the Green Fluid
Assist LED Indicator will illuminate while the motor
is running.

7
3. The display will show CAL
4. Press SET to start Calibration
5. OR press any other button to cancel and return to
main display screen.
7. Wait until display shows 'dOnE'
8. On success the display will show Level 10 and the
Motor Speed in the Rate field. This is the equivalent
time taken to change from Level 1 to Level 20 in
seconds.
The ideal range for this value is 15-25s.
9. Press any key to return to main display
10. When a fault occurs the error number will be shown
with the Err message.
See the Troubleshooting Section for further
information
11. Press any key to return to main display
Pairing Function
Note: This is only required when there are more
than one VX-3FA in the same location
For multiple VX-3FA sites each one needs to be assigned a different Fluid Assist ID to avoid cross talk. It is
suggested that the assigned IDs range from 1 to n, where n is the number of VX-3FAs, beginning the pairing
process at 1 then repeating for each additional VX3-FA.

8
1. Preset RESET to clear the monitor
2. Press and hold UNITS and LEVEL UP for 5 seconds
3. Use + or – (above & below SET) to change the Fluid
Assist ID displayed in the Distance field
4. Press SET to initiate Pairing or any other button to
cancel and return to main display screen.
5. The display will animate while waiting for a Smart
Handle Pairing Signal
6. On the Smart Handle press and hold both buttons
to complete the pairing process.
7. On success, the display will show 'dOnE'
8. Press any key to return to main display
9. On failure. If there is no Smart Handle Signal after
20 seconds the display will show 'Err' with an error
number.
See the Troubleshooting Section for further
information
10. Press any key to return to main display
11. Repeat from #1 assigning a different Fluid Assist ID for each VX3-FA
Health Check Function
1. Preset RESET to clear the monitor
2. Press and hold SET and LEVEL DOWN for 5 seconds
3. The display will show Fluid Assist External Power Level in
the Main Display Area. This should be around 6V.
4. The Smart Handle Battery Level is displayed just below
Fluid Assist Battery Level
Ideal Voltage Range is 2.2V to around 3.3V. If this is less
than 2.2V consider changing the Smart Handle Batteries.
5. Press LEVEL UP OR LEVEL DOWN to change Level.
This will update the Motor Speed Indicator, shown in the
Rate field.
The ideal range for this value is 15-25s.
6. Press any other key to return to main display
A simple timer will also be displayed

9
BASIC MAINTAINANCE
For advanced service related issues please see the relevant service notes on our website.
Smart Handle
Changing the Batteries
1. Remove the O-rings holding the protective rubber cover in place
2. Remove the rubber cover by sliding it along the belt
3. Remove the battery clip. Ensure you do not lose this
4. Replace the 2 x AAA batteries. Alkaline AAA batteries are recommended
5. Replace the clip and rubber cover
6. Re-secure the cover using the O-rings
TROUBLESHOOTING
Error Codes
Fluid Assist
•E1 = Motor/Position Sensor Error (Can occur when a level change is started)
•E2 = Calibration error (Can only occur when calibrating)
Handle Pairing
•Err1 = Invalid Handle ID
•Err2 = Timeout – No handle found
•Err3 = General Pairing Error (THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN)
Fluid Assist
LED Indicators
Green LED
Red LED
Meaning
Action
ON
OFF
Motor OK
None
ON
ON
Motor OK but not Calibrated
Perform Calibration Function on IPM
-
Flashing
(1s ON/1s OFF)
Motor/Position Sensor Failure
If the motor moves while
changing level then this is a
sensor issue otherwise it is a
faulty motor.
Replace Motor Module
-
Flashing
(2s ON/2s OFF)
Calibration Sensor Error
Replace Motor Module

10
Smart Handle
LED Indicators
Green LED
Red LED
Meaning
Action
OFF
OFF
Either Button Pressed. Low Battery
Level.
Replace Batteries
ON
OFF
Level Down Press OK
None
OFF
ON
Level Up Press OK
None
ON
ON
Button pressed but handle is not
paired
Perform Pairing Function on IPM
and Smart Handle
Single Flash
OFF
Fluid Assist is powered down or
unavailable
Check Fluid Assist is powered on
-
Single Flash
Fluid Assist is powered down or
unavailable
Check Fluid Assist is powered on
ON
ON
Pairing Initiated
None
Fast Flashing for
1 second
-
Pairing Success
None
-
Fast Flashing
for 1 second
Pairing Fail – Fluid Assist is powered
down or unavailable
Check Fluid Assist is powered on