Robomow Base Station, Operating & Safety Manual

Page 1: ...Operating Safety Manual RM400 Base Station www robomow eu www robomow com DOC5002A ...

Page 2: ...rs Welcome to the world of home robotics with the Friendly Robotics Robomow Thank you for purchasing our product We know that you will enjoy the extra free time you will have while using Robomow to mow your lawn When set up and used properly Robomow will operate safely on your lawn and provide you with a quality of cut matched by a few mowers of any kind You will be impressed with your lawn s appe...

Page 3: ...ration 38 3 1 Edge Mowing 38 3 2 Scanning Mowing of the inner area 38 3 3 Skipping Edge Mowing 38 3 4 Operation in Base Zone Automatic Start 38 3 5 Operation in Base Zone Manual Start 39 3 6 Returning to the Base Station 39 3 7 Operation in None Base Zone 39 3 8 Completing the Operation 39 3 9 Charging 40 Chapter 4 Text Messages and Troubleshooting 41 4 1 Messaging 41 4 2 Other Operational or Faul...

Page 4: ...ormally or after striking an object 13 Never let Robomow operate without supervision 14 When using the Remote Control mow only in daylight or in a good artificial light 15 Do not operate Robomow using the Remote Control when barefoot or wearing open sandals Always wear substantial footwear and long trousers 16 Avoid operating Robomow on wet grass Do not use it in rain 17 When using Remote Control ...

Page 5: ... to assure safe condition of this appliance 39 Replace worn or damaged parts for safety 40 Use heavy gloves when inspecting servicing or replacing the blade 41 Use only the original equipment batteries and power supply charger with this mower Incorrect use may result in electric shock overheating or leakage of corrosive liquid from the battery 42 Do not open or mutilate the battery Released electr...

Page 6: ...and bystanders away from the area in which Robomow is being used Severing of toes or fingers Rotary mower blade Risk of injury from rotating cutting blade Keep hands and feet away and do not attempt to lift Robomow from this area and Remove the disabling device before working on or lifting Robomow Remove the battery fuse before working on or lifting Robomow EC Conformity This product conforms to t...

Page 7: ...wer will stop the rotation of the blade immediately 1 second will stop movement in that direction and reverse itself away from the obstacle 6 Emergency Stop Button Located on the control panel red in color Pressing this button at any time during operation will stop all mower movement and stop the rotation of the blade immediately 1 second 7 Batteries Fuse Located below the bumper cover on the left...

Page 8: ... inspect the area 13 Over heat Monitoring Protection The blade motor and each of the two wheel drive motors are monitored continuously during operation for any situation that may cause these motors to over heat In such event Robomow will stop operation of at least that motor and possibly the mower itself and indicate that the motor is cooling down While unusual this may happen when the mower is on...

Page 9: ...gram and forget about mowing for the entire season Robomow will leave the Base Station on the day and time scheduled in the automatic weekly program it will mow the lawn and will drive back for charging in the Base Station to be ready for the next operation When Robomow leaves the Base Station it automatically starts the signal carried through the Base Station the signal creates a virtual wall whi...

Page 10: ...om its carrying handle Robomow and the Base Station are bound together with two strips cut the strips and pull back the Robomow from the Base Station Robomow Base Station Base Station Stakes Power Supply Wire Pegs Plot Connector Wire Connector RoboRuler 10 ...

Page 11: ...etup rules and instructions so you are able to determine the best location for the Base Station and the perimeter wire layout 1 2 1 Base Station Location Set it in the biggest plot or zone It should be placed along the outer edge if setup on the lawn area or outside the lawn refer to paragraph 1 3 2 for external setup of the Base Station In the back yard where it is not visible to the street In a ...

Page 12: ...ocket 1 2 2 Multiple Zones Areas And Narrow Passages Your home may require more than one zone to be set up in order for the Robomow to work in all of your lawn effectively Where grass areas are not contiguous or are separated by fences sidewalks or other objects it is required to make each of these a separate zone When setting separated zones there are two options to lay the wire Option A All zone...

Page 13: ...mum length of wire connected to the Base Station in one loop is 500m 1650ft While the picture shows two wires separate they should be adjacent Zone B Zone A Base Zone Base Station Distance greater than 1m 3ft Distance between wires is larger than 1m 3ft Figure 1 5 Option B Separated zones where grass areas are not contiguous 13 ...

Page 14: ...ph 2 1 1 2 Setup of Narrow Pass Type B should be 26cm 10 inches wide all along the pass but should be set as a broken line to reduce the chance that the mower will cross between the areas during the operation Figure 1 6 Multiple areas with narrow passes Base Zone Base Zone Base Zone Narrow Pass Type A At le en wires so Robomow can through in order to move ast 1m 3ft betwe effectively navigate betw...

Page 15: ...res to and from the perimeter island can be secured with the same pegs The mower will not recognize these two wires and mow over them as if they do not exist The single wire around the perimeter island will be recognized and prevent the mower from entering this area Areas with obstacles grouped closely together should be covered by a single perimeter island or if they are close to the edge of the ...

Page 16: ...of obstacles and objects Hard surface clean from obstacles so Robomow can drive on without slipping Smooth pass between the lawn and the area around with no height difference Figure 1 10 External Base Station Setup The setup of the entering to the narrow pass leads to the Base Station should include triangles to reduce the chance that Robomow will enter towards the station while mowing the inner a...

Page 17: ...ng to your plan with the fence towards the inner side of the lawn as shown in Figure 1 11 or 1 13 Puncture the plastic covering of the perimeter wire and pull the wire ends with the plot connector out of the plastic covering The connector should be connected to the wire in the polarity show in Figure 1 12 The plastic covering is designed as a dispenser for the wire so do not remove the wire spool ...

Page 18: ... walls fences sidewalk driveways flowerbeds and other perimeter zones There are two basic measurements that are used on the RoboRuler Figure 1 14 The shorter distance is used along perimeter edges where the area outside the immediate perimeter is free of obstacles and is the same relative height as the perimeter edge or lower sidewalk on the same level or flowerbeds The longer distance is used alo...

Page 19: ...pping hazard Figure 1 15 When properly fastened to the ground the wire and pegs will soon disappear under the growth of new grass and will not be visible If additional wire is required in order to complete the set up use the wire connectors provided which are water proof to connect between the two wire ends as explained in chapter 5 6 Figure 1 15 Pegging the Perimeter Wire IMPORTANT INFORMATION Sc...

Page 20: ...ower Supply cord into the Base Station cover as shown in Figure 1 21 Close the cover of the Base Station confirm it is locked well in its place Figure 1 22 Figure 1 21 Routing the Power Supply cord out of the cover Figure 1 22 Closing the Base Station cover Align the Base Station on the Perimeter Wire so the wire is aligned with the two central lines marked at the front and rear side of the Base S...

Page 21: ...too 1 5 Robomow Preparation and Settings 1 5 1 Setting The Cutting Height Lift the Bumper Cover from the front side of the Robomow figure 1 25 To change the cutting height rotate the cutting height adjustment knob as shown in figure 1 26 Figure 1 25 Lifting the Bumper Cover Figure 1 26 RM400 General View Mowing motor Cutting height adjustment knob Carrying handle Winter Charger location Fuse locat...

Page 22: ... button UP arrow Main Switch button DOWN arrow LCD display window Rain sensor GO START button On the top of the rear side of Robomow there is a control panel The control panel consists of a display keypad and operating lamp figure 1 28 Figure 1 28 Control Panel The GO button is used as a means to select or confirm different menu options or settings Up Down arrow keys will allow you to scroll throu...

Page 23: ... area of the zone connected to the Base Station Robomow will automatically determine the most suitable weekly program to your lawn Base position Press GO to test Program On Confirm Press Press to set an automatic weekly program by area or scroll to change it to Off GO GO Base zone area Press GO Press to confirm GO Weekly program Press GO Follow the instructions at the next subparagraph Base positi...

Page 24: ...n the base in place using the 2 stakes figure 4 and press 1 3 GO Wire position Press GO to test Press o test wire position GO t Wire position Robomow collides with obstacle drives back and stops Adjust wire then press GO Adjust the wire and press o continue testing the wire position Walk along the side of the Robomow while it is following the edge until completing one lope of the perimeter without...

Page 25: ...ith 5 meters 16ft low voltage cable that need to be connected to an indoor Power Supply Figure 1 36 Wires leading from the perimeter to the Perimeter Switch are adjacent and touching 5 meters low voltage cable Indoor Power Supply The Perimeter Switch MUST be mounted vertically in order to maintain its water resistance Figure 1 36 Perimeter Switch Location 1 7 2 Placing The Perimeter Switch The Per...

Page 26: ... perimeter wire into the connector 1 7 4 Completing And Testing The Setup Connect the wire end to the left side of the plot connector when looking towards the screws Perimeter wire layout in counterclockwise direction as view from the inner side of the lawn Figure 1 39 Connecting the wire end to the left side of the connector and perimeter wire layout direction Once the perimeter wire is completed...

Page 27: ...eter switch off by pressing the ON button continuously for 3 seconds A beep will be heard after the three seconds indicating you may release the button and the switch is off Wire position Press GO to test Zones setup Press GO Main display Press GO 27 Settings Press GO Press GO Mow zone Base Press GO Press and follow Robomow while following the Perimeter Wire GO Child guard Press GO Wire position P...

Page 28: ...e Station simply scroll down to the menu you want Figure number 2 1 shows the main menu and the submenus available under each of the options There are more submenus in the next level of the menu tree that are explained in the next pages of this chapter 28 Figure 2 1 Robomow menu options Operation Battery Temperatures Configuration Last stop cause Child guard Anti theft Time and date Rain sensor La...

Page 29: ...gram type Program on off Display program 2 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 3 2 1 1 4 2 1 1 5 2 1 1 6 Figure 2 2 Weekly program menu d Display program the weekly program display is used to show the active days and additional information about the last week operations more details will follow Program type There are three types of weekly programs that can be set by the user Figure 2 3 Weekly program ...

Page 30: ...ntry point start time work time and operation mode Follow the screens and the instructions below figure 2 5 to set the advanced weekly program Figure 2 5 Advanced weekly program Set by area Set by days Advanced M T W T F S S Select day Start 13 00 Next digit Start 14 00 Confirm Scroll UP DOWN to set the work time and press GO GO GO to confirm The cursor indicates the day to be set Use the UP DOWN ...

Page 31: ...y 1 It starts at 15 30 for 1 30 hours Robomow follows the wire towards entry point 1 without mowing the edge as the edge was mowed on Monday there is no need to mow the edge more than twice a week Figure 2 6 Advanced weekly program Thursday to Saturday contain the same mowing cycle as defined on Monday to Wednesday in order to mow all the area twice a week which is required during the fast growing...

Page 32: ...lete the operation and drove back to the Base Station due to rain detection during the operation S Skipped due to signal problem it may happened because of problem with wire sensors cut perimeter wire poor splicing of perimeter wire or perimeter wire which was too long s Robomow returned to the base because of no signal for more than 1 hr U Skipped due to user choice interference usually skip next...

Page 33: ... Skip next start The Skip next start option allows user to skip the next scheduled operation figure 2 9 Skip next on Confirm Skip next on Confirm Skip next on Confirm Figure 2 10 Skip next start Figure 2 9 Set Zone Base options Set zone Base Set zone A Set zone B Weekly program Entry points Skip next start Islands Work time External base 2 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 3 2 1 1 4 2 1 1 5 2 1 1 6 ...

Page 34: ...2 1 2 2 2 1 2 3 Figure 2 13 Non Base Station zones setup options 2 1 2 Set zone A or B Allows user to set the parameters that are specific per non Base Station zone figure 2 13 2 1 2 1 Work time Allows the user the option of setting the operating time from 15 minutes up to 2 00 hours and MAX which is generally 2 to 3 hours depending on grass type and condition 2 1 2 2 Learn Edge This menu option i...

Page 35: ...k and the date and press GO for the next digit GO 00 00 dd mm yy Next digit 00 00 dd mm yy Next digit 10 37 23 04 07 Confirm 10 37 23 04 07 Confirm Press to confirm Figure 2 15 Time and date 2 2 3 Time And Date Allows setting time and date figure 2 15 GO Set sensitivity Press GO Rain sensor Press GO Delay after rain Press GO Reading 29 25 Confirm Rain sensor on Press GO Rain sensor off Confirm 3h ...

Page 36: ... a message Operation delayed wait The mower will start the operation after X hours as set in the Delay operation menu from the GO pressing 2 3 Information The Information display refer to figure 2 1 is used for information only it allows the option to scroll between the following menus Operation Press GO Total time 253h47m First operation Date 13 03 08 Operation Press GO Operation Press GO Operati...

Page 37: ...B5000E Software 5 4v 21 10 07 Base ESB5002C v1 27 Configuration Press GO Configuration Press GO Configuration Press GO Main board ESB5000E Software 5 4v 21 10 07 Base ESB5002C v1 27 2 3 4 Configuration Displays the configuration of the Robomow Main Board part number software version and Base Station Board part number figure 2 20 Figure 2 21 Last stop causes menu Last stop causes Press GO 1 11 3 10...

Page 38: ... it will leave uncut grass in between many of the passes it makes This is expected and is entirely normal These uncut areas will be cut on subsequent passes of the Robomow across the lawn Just like a dishwasher wait until the job is finished before you can appreciate the results Robomow will continue to run for the amount of time selected or for the default MAX time which is generally 2 5 hours de...

Page 39: ... either by the Perimeter Switch or the Base Station Important When mowing in non Base zone it is required first to define the non Base zone refer to section 2 1 2 Set Zone Base Zone activation Connected to the Base Station the zone is activated automatically as the mower is taken out from the Base Station If an intermittent beeping is heard shortly after turning the switch on there is a problem of...

Page 40: ...n Mow Zone Base Press GO Mow Zone Base Press GO Mow Zone Base Press GO Displayed when there is no weekly program or when it is set to off Figure 3 1 Charging in the Base Station Displayed when a program is set When the mower is in the Base Station the battery is charged and one of the following screens is displayed The charging system and battery are designed to remain plugged in at all times of n...

Page 41: ...e mower away from object pressing against bumper Change wires in plot connector This message appeared at the first time the GO button is pressed after completing the setup in case the perimeter wire is connected to the plot connector in the wrong polarity Change between the two wires ends that connected to the plot connector the green connector that connected to the Base Station Charging failure T...

Page 42: ...ge The lawn slope is too big Robomow does not succeed to turn in place at the edge and it causes the mower to slip out of the area Too low cutting height for the lawn and grass conditions Remove the wire towards the inner side of the lawn and do not include area with too big slopes Fill any holes and pits in the ground Increase the cutting height Drive overheat cooling wait The drive motors have b...

Page 43: ... the last start time due to low battery voltage Confirm there is enough time between the two adjacent departures so the battery can be charged prior the scheduled operation min 16 hours between operations Low temperature waiting Robomow is charged through the Base Station and the ambience temperature is out of range below 32ºF 0ºC Do not do anything the charging is stopped and Robomow is waiting f...

Page 44: ...nting rotation Clean out accumulated grass clippings using a wooden stick Replace blade every 200 hours An automatic reminder to replace the blades is displayed every 200 hours Replace the blades and restart the counter of the blades replacement reminder by choosing the Blades replaced Clear reminder option under the Settings menu Reposition base Robomow fails to enter the Base Station during Base...

Page 45: ...w manually while the main switch button is on Switch off the main switch button before carrying Robomow Switch off before lifting While Robomow is in the Base Station Robomow does not detect the power from the base Station there is a charging problem Check the connection of the Base Station board cables red and black to the Base Station pins confirm the screws are tightened Confirm good contact be...

Page 46: ...tch or the Base Station beeps continuously for Cut wire Poor connections Check and repair all loose poor or corroded connections Twisted cables or a screw terminal insulated with insulation tape is not a satisfactory splice Soil moisture causes the conductors to oxidize and after a while result in broken circuit Use the connectors supplied in the box It is waterproof and gives a reliable electrica...

Page 47: ...ess Down arrow button once Press GO button once Press Down arrow button 4 times Press GO button once Using the arrow scroll to the correct language Press GO to confirm this selection Important It is possible to see the last 10 battery run times and the battery voltage at the beginning of the operation in the Information menu refer to paragraph 2 3 2 Battery is not fully charged at the beginning of...

Page 48: ...ive cleaning solutions Never spray with a garden hose or other type of liquid spray hose Mowing Deck The underside of the mowing deck needs to be inspected and cleaned if necessary between operations The Robomow is a dedicated mulching mower and may accumulate clippings under the mowing deck particularly when mowing wet and damp grass Most grass accumulation can be removed using a small wooden sti...

Page 49: ... or into the Base Station Use a damp rag and brush to clean the outer surface Treat any insect mounds which may appear with a locally recommended insecticide In the event of damage to any part of the power cord stop use of the Base Station disconnect the power supply and replace the power cord 5 5 Replacing the Blade The blade replacement is a very easy operation to perform follow the instructions...

Page 50: ... insulated with insulation tape is not a satisfactory splice Soil moisture will cause the conductors to oxidize and after a while result in broken circuit 5 7 Winter Storage Robomow Remove the battery fuse and clean the Robomow refer to sections 5 2 Store Robomow indoors in a clean a dry place standing on its wheels confirm the area around the bumper is free Insert the battery fuse and connect the...

Page 51: ... the green plot connector keep it connected on the board for the next season from the perimeter wire ends and protect it from moisture to prevent corrosion of the wires while not connected to the Base Station You may place the Friendly Robotics wire nut connector onto both wire ends for protection in the winter After Winter Storage Confirm that all connections charging pins and wire ends are clean...

Page 52: ...w Serial Number ________________________ Chapter 6 Specifications Dimensions 64cm 25 inches Length x 52cm 20 inches Width x 30cm 12 inches Height Weight 17 6kg 38 8 lb Noise Level Measured noise level 80 db A Guaranteed noise level 85 db A Mowing System Cuts 1cm 0 4in outside the wheels Mowing width 20cm 8 inches Cutting height 20 80mm 0 8 3 2 inches Blade motor RPM 5800 52 ...

Page 53: ...wns and additional zones Perimeter Switch Convenience of having a switch for each zone and not moving one switch from zone to zone Remote Control for convenient transport of Robomow between plots as well as mowing very narrow areas manually Wire connector Used for repairing or splicing wires as needed Plot connector Used for connecting the completed perimeter wire set up to the perimeter switch 53...

Page 54: ...fore the heat of the sun causes evaporation Your lawn needs 1 to 1 1 2 3 4cm of water weekly Deep watering allows grass to develop a deep root system enabling the lawn to resist disease and drought Do not over water Too much water is not only wasteful but can also increase turf growth which requires more frequent mowing Let the soil partially dry out between watering Water when the top two inches ...

Page 55: ...ndly Robotics authorized repair facility Repairs necessary due to improper battery care and or improper charging process such as charging in wet conditions electrical supply irregularities or failure to properly prepare the mower or battery prior to any period of non use Repairs necessary due to water damage other than incidental rain exposure repairs due to lighting or other acts of God Instructi...

Page 56: ...To register your product online go to http robomow com register www robomow eu www robomow com ...