Discussion
I posted earlier that my charging station had died but replacing it didn't work, and it turned out the power supply had gone as well. Somehow both ended up dead so I'm guessing water got into the transformer, which did something that took out the charging tower too. I'm now £270 lighter but Rolly is back to work.
I was quite surprised the power supply failed but the supplier said if it's exposed to the weather, then 5 years isn't an unusual lifespan, especially with the relentless rain we've had in the last few months.
I thought I'd share this because I think quite a lot of mowers use the same Husqvarna power supply (I believe the Flymo 1200R included), and you might want to consider protecting it from the elements if you haven't already.
I was quite surprised the power supply failed but the supplier said if it's exposed to the weather, then 5 years isn't an unusual lifespan, especially with the relentless rain we've had in the last few months.
I thought I'd share this because I think quite a lot of mowers use the same Husqvarna power supply (I believe the Flymo 1200R included), and you might want to consider protecting it from the elements if you haven't already.
Talk to me about guide wires.
Just come to get the 'Mow mow mow' out and connect it back up, knowing that I got a break in the boundary wire at the end of last year, so got the multi meter out on 'beeb mode' stripped off the ends at the guide joint and started a few tests, not a dicky bird!
Ended up pulling up the guide wire (Flymo cable, surface laid) and its came up in about six bits, snapping at each point where the outer had obviously been nicked and allowed the core to corrode. The nicks that didnt snap, where pretty obviously, nick in outer, inner swelled and corroded, load of oxide powder. Had to cut back maybe 50-60mm to hit good cable. Which appears to be tinned copper in a fairly tough black outer.
Then ended up doing the same with one side of the boundary cable (SHS/Rasenfreund cable, surface laid) which again had two failures in it, one snapped when pulling it out, but the other I couldn't see at all. Ended up cutting the cable in half about four times till I had the dead section narrowed down to 1m. Looked the same as the good bits, but cutting it further I did find about 100mm which was corroded and weaker. Cable appears to be copper, bare, very fine strands, outer is a bit thinner and softer but still not thin wall as such
Fortunately the other side was ok, about 2/3 of the perimeter of which 1/3 was buried and the other side was surface laid including a section where the grass dies back exposing the cable over winter due to a larger hedge.
Maybe I didn't do a good enough job at pinning it down, especially during some early trials, and perhaps this picked up the cuts in the outer. I avoided buying anything claiming to be CCA wire or substantially thinner gauge, but otherwise as it was just trailing it out was somewhat lead by price which was maybe a mistake.
If I have enough left on the reel I might just repair with the wire I have and bury it, but does anyone have any suggestions of more durable wire?
Hopefully its not going to be a case of having to relay half of it every spring?
Just come to get the 'Mow mow mow' out and connect it back up, knowing that I got a break in the boundary wire at the end of last year, so got the multi meter out on 'beeb mode' stripped off the ends at the guide joint and started a few tests, not a dicky bird!
Ended up pulling up the guide wire (Flymo cable, surface laid) and its came up in about six bits, snapping at each point where the outer had obviously been nicked and allowed the core to corrode. The nicks that didnt snap, where pretty obviously, nick in outer, inner swelled and corroded, load of oxide powder. Had to cut back maybe 50-60mm to hit good cable. Which appears to be tinned copper in a fairly tough black outer.
Then ended up doing the same with one side of the boundary cable (SHS/Rasenfreund cable, surface laid) which again had two failures in it, one snapped when pulling it out, but the other I couldn't see at all. Ended up cutting the cable in half about four times till I had the dead section narrowed down to 1m. Looked the same as the good bits, but cutting it further I did find about 100mm which was corroded and weaker. Cable appears to be copper, bare, very fine strands, outer is a bit thinner and softer but still not thin wall as such
Fortunately the other side was ok, about 2/3 of the perimeter of which 1/3 was buried and the other side was surface laid including a section where the grass dies back exposing the cable over winter due to a larger hedge.
Maybe I didn't do a good enough job at pinning it down, especially during some early trials, and perhaps this picked up the cuts in the outer. I avoided buying anything claiming to be CCA wire or substantially thinner gauge, but otherwise as it was just trailing it out was somewhat lead by price which was maybe a mistake.
If I have enough left on the reel I might just repair with the wire I have and bury it, but does anyone have any suggestions of more durable wire?
Hopefully its not going to be a case of having to relay half of it every spring?
I bought this for mine, it's thicker than the std stuff https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185363734563
I have just done some digging, and it appears that both the cable I bought and the one you linked to are infact CCA, which explains the white oxide products, as well as way it so spectacularly disintegrates when wet. The product you linked to is atleast tinned like the Flymo own brand stuff which I suspect is also CCA.
Seems like such an odd application to use copper clad aluminium, but maybe its as good as anything else as long as you dont nick in the insulation, and if you do nick the insulation even pukka tinned copper fails prematurely? It does explain why they are so keen on you leaving a good length to allow you to re-terminate the cable!
Seems like such an odd application to use copper clad aluminium, but maybe its as good as anything else as long as you dont nick in the insulation, and if you do nick the insulation even pukka tinned copper fails prematurely? It does explain why they are so keen on you leaving a good length to allow you to re-terminate the cable!
My Flymo guide wire has been down 4 years now with no real issues on the wire side of things. The only issues i've had are where foxes (I assume) have dug it up and cut/chewed the wire. I now have multiple sections which are joined with the block things which I would suggest are a potential weak point but had nothing fail yet.
dhutch said:
I have just done some digging, and it appears that both the cable I bought and the one you linked to are infact CCA, which explains the white oxide products, as well as way it so spectacularly disintegrates when wet. The product you linked to is atleast tinned like the Flymo own brand stuff which I suspect is also CCA.
Seems like such an odd application to use copper clad aluminium, but maybe its as good as anything else as long as you dont nick in the insulation, and if you do nick the insulation even pukka tinned copper fails prematurely? It does explain why they are so keen on you leaving a good length to allow you to re-terminate the cable!
It looks like copper cable is about twice the price:Seems like such an odd application to use copper clad aluminium, but maybe its as good as anything else as long as you dont nick in the insulation, and if you do nick the insulation even pukka tinned copper fails prematurely? It does explain why they are so keen on you leaving a good length to allow you to re-terminate the cable!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/395174382192
Surely burying it is the answer?
fiatpower said:
My Flymo guide wire has been down 4 years now with no real issues on the wire side of things. The only issues i've had are where foxes (I assume) have dug it up and cut/chewed the wire. I now have multiple sections which are joined with the block things which I would suggest are a potential weak point but had nothing fail yet.
I made the mistake of leaving the base station turned on over Winter. I have now repaired 6 sections of broken wire and still have one to find. I think the squirrels can sense the cable as I often find the hole they have made right above the wire. h0b0 said:
I made the mistake of leaving the base station turned on over Winter. I have now repaired 6 sections of broken wire and still have one to find. I think the squirrels can sense the cable as I often find the hole they have made right above the wire.
I think you are meant to leave it on. To stop problems with frost, if I remember correctly.
Related question.
What if anything are people using for Boundary Switches?
I need to have a temporary line to keep the 'mow mow mow' of the daffodils each spring, so need a pair of switches, just a spst on/off switch, but clearly needs to be outside in all weathers and hopefully a neater solution to just a male and female spade connection smothered in silcon grease!.
The genuine lawn ones are £40 and huge, so must be able to do better than that!
https://www.husqvarna.com/uk/robotic-lawn-mower-in...
What if anything are people using for Boundary Switches?
I need to have a temporary line to keep the 'mow mow mow' of the daffodils each spring, so need a pair of switches, just a spst on/off switch, but clearly needs to be outside in all weathers and hopefully a neater solution to just a male and female spade connection smothered in silcon grease!.
The genuine lawn ones are £40 and huge, so must be able to do better than that!
https://www.husqvarna.com/uk/robotic-lawn-mower-in...
dhutch said:
dhutch said:
ruggedscotty said:
dhutch said:
Good source for a compact, fully waterproof, on/off switch for outdoor ELV duty?
Only needs to be SPST and can be gel/silicon filled or the like but will live in the hedge bottom switching a robot lawnmower boundary wire between spring and summer zones.
The 'proper thing' is £40 and a huge black monstrosity so that's right out.
Link: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/314679348776?Only needs to be SPST and can be gel/silicon filled or the like but will live in the hedge bottom switching a robot lawnmower boundary wire between spring and summer zones.
The 'proper thing' is £40 and a huge black monstrosity so that's right out.
I need three.
Ordered three of what appears to be the same thing from this seller at they claim to have UK stock.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/134987568733
Zoon said:
h0b0 said:
I made the mistake of leaving the base station turned on over Winter. I have now repaired 6 sections of broken wire and still have one to find. I think the squirrels can sense the cable as I often find the hole they have made right above the wire.
I think you are meant to leave it on. To stop problems with frost, if I remember correctly.
Reading around and I see many others have seen degradation of the cable after several years. When pulling out the section it kept breaking in my hands far too easily. I suspect I neeed to bite the bullet and reinstall the entire cable. Going to pay someone this time.
My flymo easilife is currently doing the same as it did last year at the start of the season, refusing/playing up with charging, then setting out to cut and throwing up a low battery error. Goes back home to charge but then after 24 hours on charge the same cycle repeats. Also played dumb on its first startup, was like a new 1st time install, choose country/lawn size/new pin etc.
It did this exact thing last spring but then sorted itself out and worked perfectly til winter when I put the mower and charging station away in the garage.
Not sure if it’s a battery, station fault or something else.
It did this exact thing last spring but then sorted itself out and worked perfectly til winter when I put the mower and charging station away in the garage.
Not sure if it’s a battery, station fault or something else.
h0b0 said:
I am up to 10 repairs now and still no luck. I am at a stage where the radio technique of finding any breaks no longer works. I have had the green light briefly twice. But, a few minutes later I am back to flashing blue. My last attempt to fix the cable was to replace a large section to remove several repairs but still no luck.
Reading around and I see many others have seen degradation of the cable after several years. When pulling out the section it kept breaking in my hands far too easily. I suspect I neeed to bite the bullet and reinstall the entire cable. Going to pay someone this time.
Sounds familiar.Reading around and I see many others have seen degradation of the cable after several years. When pulling out the section it kept breaking in my hands far too easily. I suspect I neeed to bite the bullet and reinstall the entire cable. Going to pay someone this time.
I've ordered 100m of the Grimshom 'Premium' tinned copper core cable so I'll see how that goes. Same as linkes to above but a fiver (10%) cheaper bought direct from their website rather than eBay shop.
https://www.gardenhirespares.co.uk/2647-100m-signa...
dhutch said:
h0b0 said:
I am up to 10 repairs now and still no luck. I am at a stage where the radio technique of finding any breaks no longer works. I have had the green light briefly twice. But, a few minutes later I am back to flashing blue. My last attempt to fix the cable was to replace a large section to remove several repairs but still no luck.
Reading around and I see many others have seen degradation of the cable after several years. When pulling out the section it kept breaking in my hands far too easily. I suspect I neeed to bite the bullet and reinstall the entire cable. Going to pay someone this time.
Sounds familiar.Reading around and I see many others have seen degradation of the cable after several years. When pulling out the section it kept breaking in my hands far too easily. I suspect I neeed to bite the bullet and reinstall the entire cable. Going to pay someone this time.
I've ordered 100m of the Grimshom 'Premium' tinned copper core cable so I'll see how that goes. Same as linkes to above but a fiver (10%) cheaper bought direct from their website rather than eBay shop.
https://www.gardenhirespares.co.uk/2647-100m-signa...
About an hour ago I hear my neighbours dog barking and look out to see Geoff dead with dog staring at him. Not sure what happened as it is blue light flashing again so unlikely to be the dog.
Neighbours dog then has a pee on my grass and then jumps back into their garden. We have complained about the dog being in our garden before and they suggested I put up a fence.
BGARK said:
100 pages to check through!
What is the BEST quality robot mower for large gardens, 1 - 3 acres no boundary wires wanted, lots of trees, bushes, obstacles and debris.
Not concerned about the price, I appreciate for what we want it will not be cheap.
Thanks
https://www.autocut.co.uk/ HusqvarnaWhat is the BEST quality robot mower for large gardens, 1 - 3 acres no boundary wires wanted, lots of trees, bushes, obstacles and debris.
Not concerned about the price, I appreciate for what we want it will not be cheap.
Thanks
BGARK said:
100 pages to check through!
What is the BEST quality robot mower for large gardens, 1 - 3 acres no boundary wires wanted, lots of trees, bushes, obstacles and debris.
Not concerned about the price, I appreciate for what we want it will not be cheap.
Thanks
Just watch a few YT vids, look at reviews online and on Amazon. As it'll be pricey I'd imagine all will be very good.What is the BEST quality robot mower for large gardens, 1 - 3 acres no boundary wires wanted, lots of trees, bushes, obstacles and debris.
Not concerned about the price, I appreciate for what we want it will not be cheap.
Thanks
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