Rowperfect RP3 User manual

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Thank you for buying a Rowperfect.
We want you to be delighted with your purchase. So read this assembly and
use instruction sheet carefully.
1. Introduction
The Rowperfect3 rowing simulator is the most innovative rowing machine in the world. It
is first rowing machine that truly simulates the dynamics of a light racing shell, freely floating
on the water. The main frame with its flywheel, stretcher and seat are the boat simulating
parts, and the main bar simulates the water.
The seat is labile (it moves from side to side), as a boat would be, forcing the rower to sit
and pull symmetrically. In engineering physics terms, the elasticity of the total system of
main bar and flywheel assembly is designed to match closely the elasticity of the combination
of oar, boat and rigger.
The unique aspects of Rowperfect compared to a rowing boat
-The athlete rows using the exact same muscular movement as in a rowing boat, minus
handling the oars or sculls
-Because the oarsman does not have to push the oar away at the beginning of the
recovery, but instead is pulled back, there is a tendency to row at a slightly higher
stroke rate then in the boat.
-Other than the water, the main bar is not of infinite length. Therefore, to stabilise the
position of the rower within this finite length, there is a slight downward bend in the
main bar.
To learn more about using your Rowperfect we recommend you subscribe to the “How to
Coach using Rowperfect” email advice series. This is a guidance training course which
shows how to use the Rowperfect, including videos and expert rowing coach articles
designed to help you get the most from your rowing and to help you gain fitness and
technical skill that makes rowing and sculling boats go fast.
Sign up here http://www.rowperfect.co.uk/coach rowperfect/
If you want instruction in rowing technique, we recommend Harry Mahon’s Rowing
Technique volume 1 – instruction for coaches and athletes on how to row from a master.

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2. Safety
Physical
-Ensure that it is not dangerous for you to undertake a strenuous exercise. Consult your
physician!
-Always warm up properly rowing easily for 5 to 10 minutes at a pulse frequency of 120
to 130 beats per minute.
-Although the unit easily permits it, do not row at a higher stroke rate than you would
be capable of, rowing in a boat.
Mechanical
-Properly install the rowing simulator with the main bar at the correct inclination. See
sections 5 and 6 “Actions prior to start”. Adjust the inclination when the main frame or
the seat is touching front or rear legs, by raising slightly the side that is being touched.
-The Rowperfect3 machine has not been designed for use in the vicinity of children. Keep
children away when exercising .
-Allow for 1 m of clear space around the machine when in use. And if using with other
RPs allow 1 meter between machines so there is no interference.
-Keep spectators at more than arms length from the rotating flywheel and the moving
main frame.
-Never touch the rotating flywheel, and do not touch the main frame when in use.
-Always pull the handle with two hands, and do not bend, twist or kink the chain. Any
abuse of the chain may result in injury.
-After rowing always put the handle down into the handle hooks or against
the cage before letting go or releasing the feet from the foot stretcher.
Ne er let the handle fly into the cage.
-Avoid ties, scarfs or other clothing from being sucked into the cage by the rotating
flywheel.
-Prevent objects from falling or being thrown into the rotating fan.
-Wear close fitting clothing and keep clothing free from the seat rollers behind you.
-Maintain your machine properly as recommended in section Maintenance.
Replace worn or defective parts before using the unit.

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3. Assembly of the base unit
The RP3 rowing simulator comes pre assembled into separate parts:
1. Main frame assembly with flywheel
2. Main bar
3. Seat
4. Front leg with Black Conical Bump Stop
5. Rear leg with height adjustment knob
6. Foot Stretcher Plates with 2 Bars and Hand Nuts
7. USB cable
Tools needed:
All tools are supplied in a plastic box or bag but as the Bars is a tight fit into the legs it is
useful to have a soft hammer (As a substitute a hard hammer and a piece of wood for
cushioning can be used.)
General
The RP3 unit comes in a PU foam lined cardboard box that can be used for multiple
transports, as well as for a temporary workbench for assembling the unit.
All units are pre assembled, and the main bars and main frames have been matched for the
proper clearance between main bar and rollers in the factory.
Prior to assembly check the serial numbers of the main frame and of and main bar
correspond.
All tools, bolts and screws that are needed for assembly are in the plastic bag or box .
The assembly procedure is as follows:
1. Remove all the rowing simulator parts from the box and close it.
Put the main bar on the top of the box with the concave part facing upwards on top. Attach
the adjustable height rear leg to the Curved end of the main bar, correctly align the
mounting holes, insert the bolts and tighten using the hex key.
Slide the seat onto the bar with the Cut out part towards the rear leg.
Put the main bar aside.
2. Put the unit with the flywheel side facing downwards on top of the box. Check that
the Stainless Steel handled Locking pin on the side between the Flywheel and foot
position is in the “out” position.
Insert the main bar, straight end first, from the tapered end into the main frame. Make sure
it is properly aligned in between the guiding edges of the clearance adjustment rollers and
push through towards the foot stretcher side. Do this very carefully so the main bar does
not damage the inside of the main frame!
Lock the Main frame in position using the Locking pin in 2 above.

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Put the unit upright and rest the Rear leg on the floor. Lift the front end of the main bar and
fit the Front leg (using the soft hammer if necessary) insert and fully tighten the bolts using
the hex key. Now fit the Black Conical Bump Stop to the underside of the front leg and
tighten.
To fit the foot stretcher plate (where your feet rest when rowing) remove one Black Hand
Nut from each Rod and pass the rod through one foot plate, through the mainframe then
through the other foot plate and refit the Hand nuts. Tighten both nuts simultaneously –
one will twist clockwise and the other anticlockwise so you can tighten them against each
other. Then do the same with the other rod.
Add the small black plastic knob to the vent adjustment on the side of the flywheel cage – it
screws on. This can be raised and lowered to adjust the resistance.
To adjust the level of friction, a sliding vane has been provided for at the circumference of
the flywheel cage. Opening the vane increases the resistance, closing the vane reduces the
resistance. There are numbers 0 to 10 on the side of the flywheel cage where 0 is the
lightest resistance and 10 the heaviest.
Insert the USB cable Socket to the USB Plug underneath the left side of the main frame just
above the Bar. Be careful to align it before pushing it in as the internal pins are small. Insert
the USB plug into a PC or Laptop.
Download the free program Rowperfect 3 for windows (RP3W) from
http://row ware.com/html/rp3w_download.html
The manual and quick start guide are also available for download from the same website.
We recommend you print the quick start guide.
Download the correct drivers for your version of windows.
http://row ware.com/html/rp3usbinterface.html
Install the drivers before opening the program for the first time. It may take a couple of
minutes for the program to locate the drivers when you first run it, be patient.

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4 Le elling the unit
Before starting to row, the unit should be levelled correctly, in order to allow gravity to
stabilise the position of the rower at the correct place. make sure the Black Conical Bump
Stop is fitted tightly onto the end of the main bar.
For levelling the unit, the height of the rear leg is adjustable by means of knurled knob on
the top.
Turning the adjustment knob clockwise shortens the rear leg, and thus lowers the rear,
turning it anti clockwise raises the rear end.
To level the unit correctly, proceed as follows:
Put the unit in the place where it is going to be used. Sit down on the seat and place your
feet on the foot stretcher. Then, without using the handle, pull yourself backwards by
touching the floor until the seat is on the concave part of the main bar. Let go off the floor
and keep sitting still.
Gravity then causes the rower to arrive at the lowest point of the bar. Properly levelled, the
position of the centre of the seat is then at approx. 30 cm from the rear of the main bar.
Test this by bending and straightening your legs dynamically 10 times [you will be “rowing”
but without holding the handle]. The seat should return to the same place every time. If it
travels forward – towards the front leg – then the back leg is too high and you should turn
the knurled knob to lower the back leg. If it travels backwards the back leg is too low and
you should raise the back leg.
Then test again until the seat returns perfectly to the lowest point of the bar every time.
Note: you cannot use a spirit level because the weight of the athlete depresses the bar
more for a heavier than a lighter person.
Your RP3 is now ready for use!

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5 Maintenance
General:
To get the most satisfaction from your RP3 rowing simulator, treat her with the same loving
care as you would do a rowing boat or your single scull.
The actual amount of maintenance required can vary strongly depending upon the type and
frequency of use, and the environment the machine is used in.
The following paragraphs can serve as a guideline to keep your RP3 in good shape.
Main bar and sliding flywheel assembly
To really simulate the dynamics of a racing shell, freely floating on the water, it is essential
that the flywheel assembly slides over the main bar with zero clearance between rollers and
main bar, and with very low resistance. Build up of any dirt on the surface of the main bar
will not only increase the resistance and negatively influence the dynamic simulation, but also
will induce extremely high compressive strains in the main bar when the rollers are forced
over it when rowing.
These compressi e strains will e entually cause failure of the main bar due to
fatigue cracks on its' corners.
The following maintenance schedule can serve as a general guideline for main frame and
main bar:
Before and after each training session
-Wipe the main bar clean with an oil soaked cloth to remove dust and sweat, and to
lubricate the contact between rollers and main bar.
(Oil: Standard SAE 20 W or 20 W 40 motor oil)
-Alternatively moist “baby wipes” also work well
Every 200 hrs of use or every 4 weeks, whichever is the longest
Check that the following bolts and nuts are not loose:
-The bolts that hold the front and rear leg to the main bar.
Chain
To get the longest life from your chain and sprockets, keep the chain clean and properly
lubricated at all times.
Do not use too much lubricant for the chain, as this may affect the life of the elastic cord
inside the main frame in a negative way.
The following schedule can serve as a guideline for chain maintenance:
Weekly or every 50 hrs of use, whichever is the longest
-Soak a clean rag or paper towel with approximately 5 ml of SAE 20 or 20 W 40 motor
oil.
-Pull the chain gently all the way out, until it stops.
-Wipe the oil soaked rag or paper towel along the full length of the chain repeatedly, to
lubricate the chain and at the same time remove accumulated dirt and lubricant residue.
-Finally wipe the chain clean of any excess oil with a clean dry rag or dry paper towel.

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Every 200 hrs of use or every 4 weeks, whichever is the longest
-Inspect the chain for stiff links. Stiff links can cause the chain to skip over the sprocket.
This can lead to injury and causes excessive wear of both chain and sprockets. Stiff links
can be caused by lack of lubrication, build up of dirt, or mechanical abuse of the chain.
-Generally repeated cleaning and lubrication, as in weekly maintenance, will loosen up the
links. If this is not the case and the chain skips over the sprocket, the unit should not be
used. Contact your RP3 agent for a replacement chain and sprockets.

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WARRANTY
Your RP3 rowing simulator is warranted against all defects in materials and workmanship for
a period of two years after shipment by the manufacturer, Care RP3 BV of the Netherlands.
Normal wear and tear, and damage due to poor maintenance, is excluded from this
warranty.
If parts are found defective, contact your RP3 agent
To be considered for warranty replacement or repair, the defective parts must be returned,
postage paid, to CARE RP3 BV, together with a description of how the piece failed. The
customer is responsible for all shipping costs. www.row perfect.nl
The foregoing obligation is CARE RP3 BV’s sole liability under this warranty, express or
implied, and excludes any liability for consequential damages.