Well, the leaves have mostly fallen here in the northeast
and most of you are are ready to put your robotic buddies
to bed for the winter. Although your robots don't require
much maintenance, that doesn't mean that they don't
need a little TLC if they are to serve you well into
the future. A few minutes spent now on minor maintenance
will save you hours later grumbling at your so called
"friend". In this issue we are going to cover
the proper storage and pre-storage inspection of both
Pool Robots and Lawn Robots.
Pool Robots
There really isn't much cleaning to do since these
are, after all, getting constantly dunked in the pool.
There are however items that wear just like the tires
on your car. There include the drive belts, tracks
and brush rollers. The drive belts are the most common
replacement item but thankfully are also very inexpensive.
To locate these, simply twist the track on the same
side of the unit where the cable connects. Looking
through this gap you will see a pair of small tan
colored belts. Put you finger in and press at a center
point. There should be a a minimal amount of slack
or even a bit of tension. If your unit is run often,
these belts may require replacement as often as every
year but the average is two to three years. Worn belts
can cause the unit to stop climbing or from not moving
at all.
Tracks and Brushes
Inspect your tracks and brushes for wear. There are
round indicator "nubs" at the end of the
rubber brushes. If the length of the brush bristles
are nearly even, it is time for replacement. For units
that require that the handle be locked at an angle,
check for uneven wear from one end to the other. If
you are religious about reversing the handle with
each operation, the bristles should be even. If they
are not, you might want to consider replacing them
and/or being more diligent about reversing the handle.
Wear to foam brushes or the "flap" style
brushes is can also be checked visually but unfortunately
we have to see them. If you think that there is a
problem, send us a photo via e-mail and we will be
happy to take a look. To check your tracks, look at
the point where they go around the brush rollers.
On older units, there is a "guide" disc
built into the roller. If this is even with the track,
the disc will contact the pool surface and show signs
of wear. The newer "G" style tracks use
a thin plastic guide that attaches to the side plate
supports. Looking in the same location as outlined
above, make sure that they are not contacting the
pool surface. Tracks and brushes are easily changed
in just a few minutes.
Transformer and Cord
Detangle your cord and check for any abrasion that
penetrates the insulation. If you have a unit with
the foam covering (no floats), the insulation layer
is under this. Wear to the foam is not normally an
issue but if the inner insulation is cut, you will
need to have the unit repaired. . Inspect the transformer
cord as well. If you find any suspect abrasions, please
contact us for service on your unit.
Filter Bag
First off.. Clean it! Use a strong hose stream or
drop it in the washing machine. Caution: do not use
detergent since it can forever clog the filter bag.
A trip through the dryer should also be avoided. Inspect
the standard "fine" filter bag for holes
or the start of one. If you find damage, you should
have a new one on hand for the spring. The mesh bags
usually don't need replacement very often. Since they
are designed to grab larger particles like leaves,
tiny holes really don't matter.
Storage
Normally, you can just place the unit in a dry place
and forget about it until spring. Surprisingly, mice,
insects, and even snakes have been known to take up
residence in the cozy filter bag cavity. If you store
it in a shed, we suggest that you place your pool
robot in some sort of container like a commonly available
plastic storage bin.. If you prefer, you can just
remove the bag from the base and store the pool cleaner,
base and bag separately.
Robomower - All Models
There really isn't much to do here. After removing
the battery, inspect the blades for any damage from
this seasons work. A thin build up on the blades is
normal but check the cutting edge. If they show wear
or damage, they only take a few minutes to replace.
A sharp set of blades will provide the best cut and
reduce the wear and tear on your mower.
If you are not already done with your leaves, consider
a set of "Low-Cut" blades. The blade tips
of the low cuts run just about even with the bottom
of the mulching chambers. When using them, you set
your front and rear height settings as high as they
go. This allows leaves to pass under the unit where
the blades are right there to meet them.
Cleaning:
Simply wipe down the unit with a damp cloth or a mild
household cleaner and some paper towels. Never direct
a hose at the unit since water penetration can damage
the electronics. Any build up in the mulching chambers
can be removed using a plastic spatula, wooden spoon
or similar nonmetallic tool
Storage
Store the unit is a dry location. Batteries should
be charged every other month for 24 hours and then
removed from the mower. They should have a full charge
at the time that you put the unit to bed. Although
it is not required, storage of the battery itself
in a warm location is the preferred method. The charging
station should also be stored indoors to avoid unnecessary
weathering. Due to a portion of users not requiring
storage due to their local climate, the corded charger
is now considered an accessory for the RL-1000. This
charger plugs into the wall and connects directly
to the Robomower for convenient maintenance charging
in the off season. In you need one, they are available
from our website.
Note: if loose perimeter wires may create a tripping
hazard, we suggest that they be temporarily staked
down
LawnBott
Again, there is not much to do here. Turn over the
unit and inspect the blade. If it is worn, you can
go ahead and flip it for a fresh edge (if you have
not done so already). Otherwise you can buy a new
one. A worn blade edge will reduce the efficiency
of the LawnBott and can produce a lower quality cut.
While you have the unit upside down, check that your
casters rotate and swivel smoothly.
The condition of the charging connections should also
be checked. You can clean the "Dome nuts"
on the unit and the plates in the garage using fine
sandpaper, steel wool, or a ScotchBrite cleaning pad.
A severely corroded (or missing) dome nut should be
replaced. Check the front casters for smooth rotation.
Cleaning
Wipe the unit shell down with a damp/wet cloth and
remove any debris that has built up on the underside.
The wheel grooves should be cleared of any mud or
grass as well. The garage should also be wiped down
before storage.
The robot and the garage should be stored indoors.
Connect the winter charger and you will be ready to
go in the spring!
Note: if loose perimeter wires may create a tripping
hazard, we suggest that they be temporarily staked
down
So, that's about it for putting your friend to
bed for the year. We hope that you found these tips
to be useful in keeping you and your robot, friends
for life!
Probotics - Robotic Lawn Mower and Robotic Pool Cleaner
Specialists
http://www.probotics.com
Permission is granted to distribute this newsletter
freely. The credit links above must remain intact
Other News:
We will be offering a few new robotic mowers in
the coming months and will also be offering Specials
for the Holidays. Stay tuned! |
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